piperjim
12-27-2011, 02:19 AM
I'm working in Africa now and there's a huge difference between motorcycles in Africa, and motorcycles in the USA, Canada and Europe. For those of us from the developed world, motorcycles are luxury vehicles used for personal enjoyment. And, our bikes lead relatively "pampered" lives, i.e. garaged, kept on battery tenders, visits to excellent service facilities, washed and waxed, etc.
But, in the developing world, most motorcycles are "beasts of burden". They're used as taxis or cargo vehicles. Many are designed for those uses, such as the 150cc Chinese bikes with long seats used as taxis (I've seen 4 people on the seat and a small child on the tank).
Here's an example of what I call a "cargo-trike". Interestingly, this cargo-trike is shaft driven. Also, note the footwear of the driver!! This is not ATGATT-country!!
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6189/gopr0413.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/gopr0413.jpg/)
What's your example of a bike used as a beast or burden? I've seen a few GS's that would qualify!!
But, in the developing world, most motorcycles are "beasts of burden". They're used as taxis or cargo vehicles. Many are designed for those uses, such as the 150cc Chinese bikes with long seats used as taxis (I've seen 4 people on the seat and a small child on the tank).
Here's an example of what I call a "cargo-trike". Interestingly, this cargo-trike is shaft driven. Also, note the footwear of the driver!! This is not ATGATT-country!!
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6189/gopr0413.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/gopr0413.jpg/)
What's your example of a bike used as a beast or burden? I've seen a few GS's that would qualify!!