State of Place

Though I still prefer walking, I’ve always been inspired by the Honda Africa Twin. The tires are close to cogs, and the brush guards on the handlebars imply a familiarity with tight spots. The seat is a big foam slab, a nod of understanding to the desire for long days on the trail.

It’s loaded with massive double headlamps for those times when the only likely oncoming traffic is a herd of sleepy rhinos. Beneath, two rubber accordions circle the shocks, alluding to the fact that the front tire is happy to bounce its way through life.

The sound of a motorcycle is shorthand for adventure, but hearing this bike won’t spark any wanderlust daydreams–it’ll get you packing. Honda created this rough siren song by mixing a boss hog’s throaty negotiations with the high-pitched clicking and sliding of (I’m guessing) the Mars Rover. Driving an Africa Twin in the city is a subversive absurdity, like wearing crampons to a ballroom dance.

Unfortunately, I don’t ride, so I can’t tell you if this is a good bike or not. (Internet research suggests it is.) All I know is that the sound, the image, the thought, and the YouTube videos of the Africa Twin make me want to get my boots muddy.

Have you ever been inspired by something with an engine? How do wheels factor into your travels (or aspirations)?

Here’s a video of the Africa Twin in action…no wonder it won the Dakar Rally four times.

Video by StudioByhaven via YouTube

Photo of A.T. in Kurdistan, 1991 by Lars Rodvaldr via Flickr

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