Ever since reading a U.S. motorcycle magazine article last winter that stated that there was no real motorcycle scene in Romania, I have decided to explore the validity of those statements. While clearly the scale of the motorcycling scene in Romania cannot be compared to the U.S. or even the Western European markets, it is certainly an optimistically emerging one. And the similarities between motorcycling movements are more frequent than the differences. Just as motorcycling in the U.S. has spent several decades overcoming cultural biases—only people motorcycling are either greasy mechanic-types or rebels and gangsters—to become more widely accepted, so in Romania, motorcycling is fighting an uphill battle to overcome the image that the only people riding are either poor or shady figures.
The Timisoara bike show was a positive example of market economy at work. The four-day event showcased the latest models of sport, sport touring, off-road adventure and numerous so-called naked bikes offered by Yamaha, Aprilia, Suzuki, Honda, Moto Guzzi, KTM and BMW. The show was extremely well-attended with enthusiasts, some of whom rode their own bikes, others 
who were clearly shopping for their first or second steed. Given the condition of Romanian roads, the plethora of off-road and enduro motorcycles is hardly surprising. The major, national highways are smooth and curvy enough to accomodate a sport or super-sport bike. But, the real beauty of Romania is found off the beaten path. There, the pavement ends more often than not, and the latest GSX-R600 or R6 with 120+ hp would not get you very far. But, for the speed-hungry, BMW was showing the new K1200GT while Yamaha and Aprilia were highlighting their 1000cc rockets. – BGR
No comments:
Post a Comment