Imported by us from Germany last year. The bike has just been fully serviced. Hand built by HRC, with 1 previous owner. This is a great example, and offers a unique opportunity to invest in a part of motorcycle history.
The first ‘true’ Africa twin came about in 1988 to 1989 as the 650cc V-twin. The first road-going 1988 Africa Twin was a replica of the Dakar winning 1986 NXR750, which won the Dakar a total of four times.
Built off the popularity of the Paris-Dakar Rally, the XRV650 (RD-03) was launched on the 20th May 1988. Its conception caused somewhat of a sensation, and the model's success would spawn new derivatives right up until the present day.
Tomonon Mogi, the chief designer, wanted the AT to be as close to the factory racing NXR as possible. To this effect, it had a mesh headlight guard; twin aluminium radiators; stainless steel exhaust; ‘auxiliary type’ modular instrument panel; stone guard; quick-release fairly clips; and the HRC ‘tricolore’ colour scheme (as it was built the HRC factory). Creation of huge side-saddle fuel tank almost halted the project because the tank was lower than the carbs and required the use of a fuel pump. Honda also had to incorporate completely new manufacturing techniques to fabricate it - requiring four sheets of steel instead of the conventional three.
