Honda Africa Twin test ride
Discussion
I have just had an hour's test ride on the AT.
Very comfortable, stable and good handling bike. I'm tempted but as others have said the cost of accessories and fitting is pretty steep. It takes the price above what I'm really comfortable with and I'd have to have centre stand, heated grips and the 12v socket as a minimum.
I think I'll wait a bit...
Very comfortable, stable and good handling bike. I'm tempted but as others have said the cost of accessories and fitting is pretty steep. It takes the price above what I'm really comfortable with and I'd have to have centre stand, heated grips and the 12v socket as a minimum.
I think I'll wait a bit...
Test rode one a few weeks back. Not impressed. It's a seriously 'meh' bike. I have/had a deposit on one of the first 300 bikes (comes with some fancy doodahs from H) and I'm getting my deposit back. It is slimmer and has more off-road pretentions than the GS, but is otherwise inferior to the GS for road riding - fast or slow, solo or 2-up.
spareparts said:
Test rode one a few weeks back. Not impressed. It's a seriously 'meh' bike. I have/had a deposit on one of the first 300 bikes (comes with some fancy doodahs from H) and I'm getting my deposit back. It is slimmer and has more off-road pretentions than the GS, but is otherwise inferior to the GS for road riding - fast or slow, solo or 2-up.
It's worth bearing in mind that the 1200GS is also circa 40% more expensive when you add the options you need, and the Africa twin isn't just a road bikeIf you're only road riding, and not trying anything other than tarmac, there's lots of bikes out there more suitable for the that the 1200GS
I test rode a GS, and as much as I liked it, it's a big wide thing and feels twice as heavy as the Honda. it's horses for courses though, and it depends entirely what you're using it for as to which is best. 1200GS power is nice though compared to the Honda
graeme4130 said:
It's worth bearing in mind that the 1200GS is also circa 40% more expensive when you add the options you need, and the Africa twin isn't just a road bike
If you're only road riding, and not trying anything other than tarmac, there's lots of bikes out there more suitable for the that the 1200GS
I test rode a GS, and as much as I liked it, it's a big wide thing and feels twice as heavy as the Honda. it's horses for courses though, and it depends entirely what you're using it for as to which is best. 1200GS power is nice though compared to the Honda
I am not an off-road expert, but I suspect you're under rating the GS for its off-road capabilities. I've seen and read too many others off-road a GS to tell me it's as much about the rider than the bike. If you're only road riding, and not trying anything other than tarmac, there's lots of bikes out there more suitable for the that the 1200GS
I test rode a GS, and as much as I liked it, it's a big wide thing and feels twice as heavy as the Honda. it's horses for courses though, and it depends entirely what you're using it for as to which is best. 1200GS power is nice though compared to the Honda
The Honda is physically more compact than the GS, but it feels just as heavy once on the move in comparison to a GS (not GSA which feels heavier and less wieldy). Static weight wise, there's bugger all difference between them. If you are serious about off roading a bike, the AT may have better pretentions... But I suspect a KTM or Tenere has the AT licked there as well. The more I look at the AT in the UK, the more I'm convinced it's trying even harder than the GS to fill a market that doesn't really exist in 1st world England. The GS is the most popular tarmac based tourer in Europe, and it is brilliant at that - in fact, better than many other supposed 'tourers'.
Price does come into all of this, and you are right that the AT is cheap in comparison. The GS may be more expensive, but it offers a whole lot more than the AT.
spareparts said:
graeme4130 said:
It's worth bearing in mind that the 1200GS is also circa 40% more expensive when you add the options you need, and the Africa twin isn't just a road bike
If you're only road riding, and not trying anything other than tarmac, there's lots of bikes out there more suitable for the that the 1200GS
I test rode a GS, and as much as I liked it, it's a big wide thing and feels twice as heavy as the Honda. it's horses for courses though, and it depends entirely what you're using it for as to which is best. 1200GS power is nice though compared to the Honda
I am not an off-road expert, but I suspect you're under rating the GS for its off-road capabilities. I've seen and read too many others off-road a GS to tell me it's as much about the rider than the bike. If you're only road riding, and not trying anything other than tarmac, there's lots of bikes out there more suitable for the that the 1200GS
I test rode a GS, and as much as I liked it, it's a big wide thing and feels twice as heavy as the Honda. it's horses for courses though, and it depends entirely what you're using it for as to which is best. 1200GS power is nice though compared to the Honda
The Honda is physically more compact than the GS, but it feels just as heavy once on the move in comparison to a GS (not GSA which feels heavier and less wieldy). Static weight wise, there's bugger all difference between them. If you are serious about off roading a bike, the AT may have better pretentions... But I suspect a KTM or Tenere has the AT licked there as well. The more I look at the AT in the UK, the more I'm convinced it's trying even harder than the GS to fill a market that doesn't really exist in 1st world England. The GS is the most popular tarmac based tourer in Europe, and it is brilliant at that - in fact, better than many other supposed 'tourers'.
Price does come into all of this, and you are right that the AT is cheap in comparison. The GS may be more expensive, but it offers a whole lot more than the AT.
The GS was good, but just felt too big for me, whereas the AT was pretty nimble. I agree the GS is a great bike, but this isn't something I really need, I've bought it on a whim as a second bike, so ideally, I'd not be wanted to spend >£15k on a BMW.
The AT ticked all the boxes for me, and I'll be using it for a bit of offroading, but the bike is probably better than I am
I test rode the AT on Saturday morning, 4 degrees and pissing with rain. The dealer had handed the bike to me with the seat at its lowest setting, and the traction control to its most severe. Fine for moving through the Edinburgh traffic, but it pretty much choked the performance at more "rural" speeds. After setting the seat to high, and switching the traction control off, the bike certainly woke up a bit, even the apparently soft suspension seemed to dive less, or at least more progressively, from higher speeds.
I hit a patch of mud on a slight bend at a pretty disgraceful speed for the conditions, the bike twitched briefly then carried on as if nothing had happened, so pretty confidence inspiring.
The brakes are fine, not brilliant, lacking the bite of a decent set of Brembo's, but that might be better when off-road.
I suspect that it will beat the GS hands down off-road too, I'd certainly have more confidence to chuck it about, but I don't lack the confidence on the GS either.
The standard screen seemed noisy above 50 mph, but that is subjective depending on your size and helmet choice as much as anything. The taller screen option might help, but with no adjustment available, its a bit of an oversight given the competition.
Power wise, I suppose its adequate, but it lacks the snap of the GS, not surprising as it's giving away nearly 30 HP to a bike of similar weight. It certainly carries the weight well, but will do no more favours when dropped than a GS either.
A centre stand is an option, pretty disgraceful considering that their shaft drive Adventure bike has one as standard, so surely the chain driven one has a better case for standard fitment?
Did I like it? Yes, but not enough to change from my GS. As I once had an original, 1990 Africa Twin, it compares well, but I'd be interested to see if it carries a similar icon status twenty years from now.
The dealer has sold sixteen up to Saturday morning, including a GS owner who I know quite well, who has subsequently changed tribes. His effigy will be burned at a ceremony later, possibly in his garden surrounded by men in white cloaks and flip front pointy hoods.
I hit a patch of mud on a slight bend at a pretty disgraceful speed for the conditions, the bike twitched briefly then carried on as if nothing had happened, so pretty confidence inspiring.
The brakes are fine, not brilliant, lacking the bite of a decent set of Brembo's, but that might be better when off-road.
I suspect that it will beat the GS hands down off-road too, I'd certainly have more confidence to chuck it about, but I don't lack the confidence on the GS either.
The standard screen seemed noisy above 50 mph, but that is subjective depending on your size and helmet choice as much as anything. The taller screen option might help, but with no adjustment available, its a bit of an oversight given the competition.
Power wise, I suppose its adequate, but it lacks the snap of the GS, not surprising as it's giving away nearly 30 HP to a bike of similar weight. It certainly carries the weight well, but will do no more favours when dropped than a GS either.
A centre stand is an option, pretty disgraceful considering that their shaft drive Adventure bike has one as standard, so surely the chain driven one has a better case for standard fitment?
Did I like it? Yes, but not enough to change from my GS. As I once had an original, 1990 Africa Twin, it compares well, but I'd be interested to see if it carries a similar icon status twenty years from now.
The dealer has sold sixteen up to Saturday morning, including a GS owner who I know quite well, who has subsequently changed tribes. His effigy will be burned at a ceremony later, possibly in his garden surrounded by men in white cloaks and flip front pointy hoods.
PTF said:
Mad Jock said:
The dealer has sold sixteen up to Saturday morning, including a GS owner who I know quite well, who has subsequently changed tribes. His effigy will be burned at a ceremony later, possibly in his garden surrounded by men in white cloaks and flip front pointy hoods.
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