Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Some of you know I'm just back from a Cuba trip (yesterday). It was a fantastic trip on a cruise ship hitting many ports around the whole island country. We met some really great people and the cultural exchange was awesome. We did this through Road Scholar (note the name) as an educational trip since US Direct tourism is still not allowed. We actually flew to Jamaica and spent a few days there first but that's another story.

Our Canadian friends have been traveling there for the last few years and those in other countries you have known this for some time (not being restricted to travel to Cuba) but what a wonderful country!

The people are amazing. All are VERY well educated, very articulate, have a wonderful culture unique to the west indies - I was amazed! Part of our tour was to actually meet the people, have meals with them, visit their houses and get to know them. We saw Earnest Hemingway's house too - cool.... I don't do the usual tourist crap but most of you know this is what my travels are about anyway.

We all know about their old american cars - yes there are a LOT of them. If you're friends with me on FaceBook you have seen the videos of us riding around in them - amazing. You can always Google them if you don't know but what I found out was the USA did a lot of testing of their vehicle lineups in Cuba in the 1950s especially GM> that explains a lot. One historian told me in 1956 alone GM sold 186,000 cars there.

Mechanical: Blown Away how these guys fabricate to keep things running. Genuine parts when possible, lots of fabrication when needed and a lot of fab to make Russian engines/transmissions/etc work with old American cars.

Motorcycles: mostly 2-strokes, some 4-strokes and a couple of electrics. Some of the 2-strokes has massive barrels and heads. Mostly singles but a few twins bur rare - no triples..... As the pics show some older bikes too but I had the feeling older bikes are for just a few guys who keep them going - motorcycles seem to be a throw-away thing and not regarded as much as a donkey. Cheap transportation and that's it, like much of the world views motorcycles.

Enjoy the bikes below and for those on FB keep watching for more videos and pictures.

_________________
This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...

Most of the bikes would be from the Soviet bloc- MZ, Simson, WSK, Jawa, Ural, Dnepr etc- apart from old US and European stuff from pre-Fidel days. I visited Matanzas, Havana and Santiago several times in 1995 and 1996 but I don't recall seeing any old Harleys, Indians, Triumphs etc. Lots of MZs and Jawas, though.

Looks like an awesome experience Barry, thanks for the post !

Cool, Barry. I've never seen that particular Guzzi logo (since it's not an official logo), and it's unique to have a Honda front wheel on an old Loop frame Guzzi. I guess that all fits though. I bet you and Liz had a great time!

_________________
If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

That is great, Barry, Cuba is on my list..... I have just been to Vietnam, and it was amazing to see the progress, and experience the culture, given its turbulent past, of course, it is so close to Aus. and part of our recent history! Travel broadens the mind!

_________________
"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.

thank you for letting us see Cuba , I;ve always wanted to go there , hopefully one day , we forget that the socialist (russia etc) did a lot of work on 2 strokes in the 50s , so we could ride in the 70s

That's a very good look into the Cuban motorcycle world, thanks. I watched the series Cuban Chrome and it made me want to send some parts to these poor guys.

_________________
1969 H1, 1971 G3SSA, 1974 G5, 1973 H2A, 1975 S3A, 1975 H1F, 1973 Z1, 1988 HD FLTC, Captain America chopper, 2000 Excelsior Henderson, 1965 Bridgestone BS90

Very cool, thx for sharing. We have friends that recently went there as well, they had no prob getting there from Texas [through Mexico?]

I would like to go too...

_________________
H2B..... H1E..... Z1B ..... RD350...... X6 Hustler..... TS250.... CB750 ..... CB550...... and a Bomber!!

Gracias por las fotos de Barry . Creo que veo una Triumh Bonneville .

_________________
Busy doing more riding than wrenching.......

see something about on french TV yesterday, you can now rent new HD on Cuba to make a trip: not cheap they said 4.000 € but don't know what they offer for this price