Sun, 15 Nov 1998 13:08:41 +0100 - Message No. 4465
From: "Marco Kost"

Subject: Re: 10 years Africa Twin and Varadero


Hi all,

>  So, (german-speaking) ATICS, 
> 
> How about a summary of those articles posted on this list in English for those
> who are unable to understand the German language?

Sorry, I didnīt want to exclude any atic, but my own translating 
ability is not good enough (all these technical terms...). 

BTW: Some weeks ago, a guy from Brasil asked me to translate 
and publish tests on the ATIC homepage. First, it is really a lot of 
work - even for a pro translator - and second, we could get into big 
trouble with copyright laws.

The article mentioned is more a "flavour text" about 10 years of 
Africa Twin, how the editors and journalists first laughed at the 
"plastic bomber" (compared to xt500) and then started to love this 
bike which (in their opinion) seems to be able to go anywhere in 
the world without any problems.

More, they talk about the "Africa Twin scene", about tuning (very 
few) and changes throughout the years.
 
> And speaking of the new Varadero...
> Is it too early to ask if anyone knows of a conversion to make it into a dual
> sport bike? I like the Varadero's power to weight ratio. I haven't seen the
> bike except in pictures. Is it really that ugly? 

Hm, depends on your taste. Concerning to my dealer (who had 
already the possibility to ride one), a lot of @ riders will switch to 
the Varadero because (in his opinion), the Varadero is the better 
bike (not the more beautiful!). 

>I'm thinking with a 21" front
> wheel, and some other minor modifications that bike could have some potential.
> Are any after-market companies talking of a kit for off-road Varadero
> conversion? Or maybe that would be a good project bike for Motorrad magazine?

I already mailed to Motorrad mentioning that. They have a guy, who 
recently modified a Yamaha YZF R1 into a sports tourer (looks 
great, IMHO). So I asked them to build a "Super Africa Twin" out of 
a Varadero (this mail was published in issue 23/98).

> Or maybe the bike is too top heavy to make it worth it?

My dealer and the first impression in Motorrad says, that the 
Varadero is - despite of the heavy weight - a very nimble bike. 
Suspension travel is less than that of the @, so the weight is 
positioned lower.
Quote: "Back on the road, the cognition strenghtens, that twisty 
roads become pure fun with the new Varadero."

> A couple other questions about the Varadero:
> Does it have a catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, computer, etc.?

Now catalytic converter, unfortunately. I donīt understand why 
Honda didnīt add one.

> Will it be sold in Canada, so I can easily drive one home to the 
U.S.?

Donīt know.

> How does the handling compare to the African Twin and the 
BMW R1100GS?

In the test mentioned above, the tester said: "somewhere between 
@ and BMW GS."

Hope this helps,

Ciao,

Marco

-----------------------------------------------------------
Marco Kost

private:

email: makost@nw80.cip.fak14.uni-muenchen.de
Homepage: http://www.atic.org/~marco

ATiC:

email: marco@atic.org
http://www.atic.org/accessory/
-----------------------------------------------------------



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