Twincruiser Tours Switzerland: The motorcycle virus infected me in the 1960s!
How did it all begin?
It started with tuning mopeds (moped tuning), and then came the cult film »Easy Rider« with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. That’s when I saw my ideal motorcycle: the Harley Davidson Chopper! I had only one thought: Harley Davidson! That sound, nothing loud and high-revving – just comfortable, just cruising.
Japanese motorcycles didn’t stand a chance
Back then, in my early years, I lived in French-speaking Switzerland. We enthusiastically tuned our mopeds: pistons, cylinders, carburetors, and sprockets of the Sachs engine had to be modified so that our »machines« would run faster. It was never about the speed, but about the challenge to make the mopeds faster than the 30 kmh. We had to break many prohibitions and social rules. However, we were among ourselves, and we didn’t cause any harm.
Later, we had the opportunity to try out a neighbor’s BMW R50 in the woods. Then came a BSA A10 Road Rocket and a Norton Commando with a Manx engine. We practiced and gained our first experiences with our meager pocket money of only ten Swiss francs per month.
Motorcycles made in Japan didn’t exist in our village at that time. In the early 1970s, Kawasaki’s with their three-cylinder and two-stroke engines arrived. Three of my friends had accidents with such machines – piston »scorers.« From that point on, we wanted nothing to do with Japanese motorcycles.
Only one goal: a Harley Davidson
Then came the film »Easy Rider,« and I saw my ideal motorcycle:
I dreamed of it, I saved hard for years, every »Fünfliber« (Swiss coin) went into the Harley piggy bank. I didn’t treat myself to outings or vacations. I had only one goal: a Harley Davidson.
A dream comes true
After completing my apprenticeship in 1974, Switzerland did fall, just as the rest of the world into the deepest recession since the 1930s.
I had a diploma but no job as the company was retrenching and, the worst, no money. I used to get a gross “salary” of CHF 50.- per month in the fourth year of apprentice.
Going daily to the administration office to get my unemployment-stamp, obeying the rules and the nobody-treatment of the civil servants, did not appeal to me.
I decided to emigrate, see another part of the world and to learn English. It was not easy; paperwork, documents to send in, vaccinations to do and I needed money to pay for the flight and the survival of at least the first three months.
I found a job in South Africa.
In 1976, I bought my first Harley Davidson Sportster in Springs in the province of the Transvaal. A dream had come true for me. I traveled every weekend, always with a 20-liter canister. At that time, most countries boycotted South Africa because of their politics. From Saturday noon until Monday morning, there was no gasoline available for the public.
I slept in a tent and cooked for myself. T-Bags did not exist back then, so I made my own bags.
Twincruiser Tours: Motorcycle journeys for enthusiasts
Many years have passed since then, and I still ride the roads of the past with a Harley Davidson, and I fondly remember those times. I love these roads and landscapes; I have remained loyal to them.
However, my way of traveling, accommodations, and gastronomy has changed. I treated myself to the so called best and also most expensive motorcycle, so I also indulge in the best on my motorcycle journeys!
From this, the idea for Twincruiser Tours was born: Exclusive tours and trips with motorcycle for enthusiasts in a different dimension.
In a world of mass offerings and abundance, quality, care, and design of the offering are decisive factors. I connect my name and the design of my motorcycle trips with the idea of the highest quality. My participants enjoy discovering and exploring with a motorcycle. People that want a richer and deeper understanding of the spots they visit and that value a journey on a motorcycle out of the ordinary.
Come and share your passion, thoughts, and desires with me.
Kurt
Twincruiser Tours Stauffer – Motorcycle journeys for enthusiasts.