The 5 best vintage trails

Before highlighting the vintage trails selected by our team, we thought it would be interesting to take a quick trip down memory lane. Quite logical when you're about to talk about vintage!

Whether on a bicycle or a motorcycle, the idea of ​​trying off-roading is not new. At the beginning of the 20th century, motorcycles were not really suitable for the game and fans of trails and other muddy fields made some modifications to satisfy their passion: wider handlebars, raised exhaust, engine with torque, headlight protected by a grid, tires adapted to off-road. The scrambler was born, the precursor of future enduros and trails.

The Seventies, for their part, are marked by a need to return to nature. Manufacturers follow this trend to create two-wheelers capable of fully satisfying this passion. The trail , a mixed machine intended for both road and off-road use, opens the way to a new concept.

If today, the new generations of trails are far removed from what their "ancestors" were, it is clear that the popularity of the older generations is clearly on the rise. Here is an opportunity to take stock of the 5 best vintage trails .

• Paris-Dakar: Trails showcase rally
• From the decline of the 2000s to the return of vintage trails
• The 5 best vintage trails in detail
• The Yamaha XT 600Z Ténéré 3AJ 1988
• The 1990 BMW R 80 GS
• The Honda Africa Twin XRV 650 HRC 1989
• La Cagiva Elefant 900 IE Lucky Explorer 1991
• The Suzuki DR 800 S BIG 1990
• Comparison table of the 5 best trails
• How to improve your trail lighting?
• Optimize trail visibility with premium additional lights
• A wide choice of additional lights adapted to your trail
• What we can learn from it
• Guest Star: the Yamaha XT500

It is difficult to talk about trails without mentioning the Paris-Dakar rally. In 1977, Thierry Sabine (1949-1986) got lost during the Abidjan-Nice rally. After several days of wandering in the desert, he returned with the desire to share the magnificent landscapes discovered during his journey. The Dakar was born.

On December 26, 1978, 90 trail runners (including 7 women), 80 cars and 12 trucks prepared to take the first turns of a race that would become legendary: the Paris-Dakar.

For the general public, this original event full of adventures, emotions, dramas and exploits will leave its mark. Over the years, the rally has established itself as a must-see and enjoys tremendous popularity. The prowess of the motorcycle riders battling in the immense dunes of soft sand, speeding at dizzying speeds on the rocky tracks, provokes real enthusiasm.

The trail of the 90s: symbol of spaces and adventures

Trail sales grew rapidly and in the 80s to 90s these machines enjoyed real success, boosted by the exploits of prestigious riders: Edi Orioli, Cyril Neveu, Hubert Auriol (1952-2021). Trails are distinguished from classic road bikes at first glance by their height, bright colors, handlebars, and imposing tank.

Motorcycles with a massive appearance, but capable of moving with ease on all kinds of terrain. Both practical for slipping through traffic, with a good autonomy and a solid engine, trail bikes benefit from a low maintenance cost, compared to road bikes, and an affordable purchase price.

The trail running market is doing well and many outdoor enthusiasts are taking advantage of their holidays to crisscross the roads and paths of France and Europe. True to its original purpose, trail running allows everyone to leave the asphalt and venture at leisure into wilder areas.

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The beginning of the 21st century saw a halt in the world of trails, with sales rapidly declining. The image of dreams of adventure conveyed by rallies was marking time under ecological pressure.

Supermotos took over while the younger generation soon abandoned the ^50cc trails in favor of scooters . The range of choices widened and the explosion of roadsters quickly sent the good old trails back into the closet.

Yet, less than two decades later, several factors are contributing to their "resurrection". The high prices of increasingly sophisticated roadsters, the cost of their maintenance, their spartan comfort and their low functionality in terms of space available to carry a few things on weekends or holidays weigh on the final decision.

Add to that the new traffic regulations and restrictions on speed and radar checks, and you get a different approach to two-wheeling!

The return of vintage trails has sounded! The movement for Café Racer, vintage motorcycles that are restored, transformed, personalized is booming. Ténéré, Africa Twin, R 80 GS, the trails of the 80s-90s are very sought after today. They offer top-of-the-range solutions for neo-retro enthusiasts.

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The 80s and 90s were boom years for trail bikes and many of these bikes are now looking for buyers on the various classifieds sites available.

Today, expect to pay between €4,000 and €9,000 or more, depending on the mileage and general condition, to obtain one of these off-road motorcycles.

Are you looking to buy a trail bike and are hesitant about the brand or model? We have undertaken to clear the ground to offer you those that we consider to be among the top of the range, the 5 best vintage trail bikes :

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No order in our ranking, but to open the show, a nod to the victorious brand of the first two editions of the Paris-Dakar, and its winner on Yamaha 500 XT, Cyril Neveu.

The Ténéré … A reference in the world of trails. The third version, released in 1988, has a clearly rally-oriented look. Its large fork head fairing, fixed to the tank and mounted directly on the frame, is a plus in terms of comfort for the rider and passenger who will also benefit from efficient suspensions .

The Yamaha is in fact a great bike for two-up trips. The passenger has a wide saddle, well-positioned handles and footrests that are set low enough.

An ideal motorcycle for trips on departmental roads and back roads, with a range of over 300 km. As with the majority of trails, its size and weight must be taken into consideration for small sizes (complicated for those under 1.75 m), particularly in urban traffic or off-road use.

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The initiator of road trails, the R 80 G/S marked a turning point for the German brand. Undermined by competition from the Japanese, BMW Motorrad increased its efforts in enduros and in 1980 launched its R 80 G/S trail ("Gelände/Straße", off-road/road). The press was enthusiastic about its off-road performance and sales exploded.

In 1987, the "slash" disappeared, it became the R 80 GS and exploited an important technical development: the Paralever rear suspension. Despite its weight, it took advantage of a low center of gravity due to its flat twin, which made it very stable.

The BMW is the forerunner of what we will call road trails . Comfortable on the tracks, it is particularly effective on the road. Indeed, it benefits from a driving position that remains pleasant over long distances, supported by an indestructible engine that never runs out of steam. A motorcycle at ease on long journeys therefore and which benefits from the extensive luggage range of the German brand.

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At Honda, trail bikes are divided into two main categories, the sport-oriented XR and the more versatile XL . Thus, the XRV 650 Africa Twin is the sporty alternative to the Transalp XLV 650.

The XRV has a stiffer and reinforced frame and offers very good agility and handling. Be careful though, its saddle height and weight make it more complicated to ride in urban mode for those under 1.80 m . (And yes, always this size problem. What brings these trails together is a substantial saddle height which clearly makes the task a little complicated for those who are not so tall.)

Engine-wise, the Honda is at the top . Despite the weight of the machine, it responds perfectly, supported by smooth and precise gear changes. Particularly reliable, the Africa Twin ensures over long distances, its large tank effectively protecting the rider and passenger. In this regard, the addition of a higher screen will provide additional comfort.

In summary, the XRV 650 HRC lives up to its excellent reputation. A comfortable saddle and a useful luggage rack make this bike the ideal companion for long journeys whether on tracks or on asphalt.

Small downside, its lighting, despite the double optics, suffers as for the other trails of the time, from a relative efficiency if not very relative! Fortunately, the progress made since then easily allows to improve this point. You will find in our shop quality LED headlights and at the end of the article a presentation of additional lights perfectly adapted.

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If the Italian trail has not benefited from the same media impact as the Ténéré and Africa Twin, the Cagiva Elefant 900 IE has no fewer arguments. Its docile and powerful engine and its flexibility of piloting make this trail practical in the city, on long journeys and off-road.

With a seat height of 90 cm and a weight of over 200 kg fully fuelled, it is also primarily aimed at larger riders, who are well protected by the tank and the very effective fairing screen.

The Lucky Explorer does not go unnoticed and impresses as much with the characteristic purr of its engine as with its aggressive front end and its white color.

Full dashboard, engine oil temperature gauge, the Cagiva also stands out for its details, such as a compartment for a pair of gloves with a key lock, if you please!

An important point to take into account is that its slightly high centre of gravity requires careful handling in tight bends and particularly in hairpins .

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In the large single-cylinder series, Suzuki entered a DR 800 BIG in Marlboro colours during the 1989 Dakar. Driven by the Belgian Gaston Rahier (1947 - 2005), it finished the race in 9th position.

The 1990 version of the BIG DR now goes to 779 ^cm3 while retaining the aesthetics of its single cylinder characterized by its “duck beak” front and its distinctive exhaust.

Perfectly at ease on all types of roads, the Suzuki releases a constant power , punctuated by the specific sound of the big mono. Like other trails of the time, it is particularly intended for tall riders. Once the obstacle of height is overcome, the Suzuki offers excellent road conditions for a range of almost 500 km , with the downside of a saddle that clearly lacks comfort.

The small bubble does the job while the volume of the tank effectively protects the rider's knees from the air. The driving position is ideal and very pleasant , legs slightly bent and torso straight. However, as mentioned above, the BIG DR does not display the comfort of its competitors and the feeling of sitting on a board does not invite long journeys, especially two-up.

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Café racer enthusiasts know only too well that going back in time to buy the bike of your dreams involves reconsidering a few points, particularly with regard to the safety provided by lighting.

The trails of the 90s are no exception to this observation. Whether they are equipped with dual optics or not, the lighting capabilities of the time are very far from reaching the performance of the headlight models available today.

However, whether in off-road or on-road use, the need to see far, to the side and above all to be seen by other users is an essential priority.

On this subject, you will find an article on our blog to inform you about LED optics , their advantages, their prices, etc. We have selected for you, in our lighting section, what you need to meet your requirements and benefit from prices adapted to all budgets, from €49.90 to €299.00 .

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As a reminder, the law does not prohibit the use of additional lights on a motorcycle. Although they are not mandatory, they are nonetheless strongly recommended. Indeed, the safety benefit provided by this type of lighting is undeniable and therefore recommended .

To meet the demand of our customers, Blackpines has expanded its range of LED optics by integrating the PIAA brand, specialized since 1963 in high-quality additional lights.

The Japanese brand, which is very present in motor sports, now offers LED lights equipped with Reflector Facing Technology (RFT).

The LED chips are oriented towards the reflector and not towards the front like conventional LED headlights. The benefit is twofold:

• a more direct and defined light beam that does not dazzle oncoming traffic. Compliance with the SAE standard;
• Exploiting the full output of each LED chip allows for more light to be obtained, resulting in reduced energy consumption.

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To match the design of your trail, you will find in our additional headlights section different models of all sizes, round, square, rectangular. High beam, fog or mixed lights, white or yellow lighting, PIAA additional lights are ECE approved .

• fog lights : produce wide-angle proximity illumination;
• high beam : range greater than 50 meters;
• mixed lights : lighting angle greater than main beam, without illuminating as far.

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Whether the Yamaha XT 600 Z Ténéré 3AJ, Honda Africa Twin XRV 650 HRC, Cagiva Elefant 900 IE Lucky Explorer, BMW R 80 GS and Suzuki DR 800 S BIG are the top 5 vintage trail bikes or not is ultimately of little importance.

What matters is that each of them is a compendium of stories, titles, emotions. We were left speechless by their performances on prestigious rallies. We wanted, in our turn, to ride them and live our own adventures.

Today, these solid , powerful , stylish motorcycles are finding their place in our daily lives because, among other things, they are perfectly adapted to the new traffic restrictions.

Lower consumption , controlled maintenance , practical for transporting luggage and going far, venturing off the road as you wish, they perfectly meet current expectations.

While they have a particular and unique look, many enthusiasts will not fail to add their personal touches and they lend themselves very well to this.

And if you only had to change one element to enjoy your trail even more, in complete safety, it would be the old generation headlight for an efficient LED headlight and finish it all off by installing additional lights .

Once you have made your choice, all that remains is to set off on your quest, but that is the beginning of your adventure...

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The Yamaha XT 500 , driven by Cyril Neveu , wins the ^1st Paris-Dakar, it illustrates this article on the 5 best vintage trails, so why not associate it with the comparison with the other trails?

With the XT500, we go beyond the notion of a legendary motorcycle and enter the realm of the timeless . If there is a model that has crossed the ages without aging, it is this one. Following its presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1975 , this simple but ultra-versatile trail bike was to meet with such success that even today the mention of its name arouses real enthusiasm .

A little less than 18,000 XT500s will be sold in France (61,250 worldwide). Despite its small tank, its 32 horsepower and a front brake that is a little weak, the XT benefits from a light and slender chassis , the high torque of an engine with undisputed reliability and a weight of 139 kg which make the Yamaha a formidable competitor on rough terrain, even when faced with more modern trails.

Its success and robustness inevitably have an impact on the price of this coveted model. Depending on its general condition and mileage, the XT500 is currently trading for between €4,000 and €8,000. About ten years ago, it was trading for between €2,000 and €3,500!

	YAMAHA XT 500
Year	1981
Engine	4 T, single cylinder
Cylinder capacity	499 cm3
Power	32 hp
Startup	Kick
Reservoir	8.8 L
front/rear brake	front/rear drum
Gear box	5 reports
Lighthouses	1 round headlight
L x W x H (mm)	2 175 x 875 x 1 180
Saddle height (mm)	820
empty/full weight (kg)	139 / 155

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