Honda Crosstourer 1200 or Africa Twin?
Discussion
Most of my biking has been on cruisers when the sun shines, but I've started a new job and have decided to get a bike that I can use for the commute from time to time but also enjoy riding. I have a back problem and a partially paralysed left leg, so anything that takes away gear changes is a good thing for me!
So, after a lot of research, I ended up in the Honda dealership riding the DCT versions of the Africa Twin and the Crosstourer 1200. The problem is, I can't decide which one to buy!
My problem is that I will be on roads for 90+% of the time, but I don't want to limit myself from being able to do some light off-road riding from time to time - the tracks across Salisbury Plain in the summer for example. My worry with the CT is that it won't cope (or I won't as I have very little off-road experience!) when I do decide to leave the tarmac. My worry with the AT is that it's wasted on roads all the time and I might miss the extra power that the CT serves up with the 1200 V4.
On the plus side, the AT is lighter and feels that way on the twisties. The CT however has better wind protection at speed thanks to the adjustable screen.
I can't make my mind up so would welcome thoughts from those with more experience than me in this class of bike and specifically these 2 machines.
Cheers :-)
So, after a lot of research, I ended up in the Honda dealership riding the DCT versions of the Africa Twin and the Crosstourer 1200. The problem is, I can't decide which one to buy!
My problem is that I will be on roads for 90+% of the time, but I don't want to limit myself from being able to do some light off-road riding from time to time - the tracks across Salisbury Plain in the summer for example. My worry with the CT is that it won't cope (or I won't as I have very little off-road experience!) when I do decide to leave the tarmac. My worry with the AT is that it's wasted on roads all the time and I might miss the extra power that the CT serves up with the 1200 V4.
On the plus side, the AT is lighter and feels that way on the twisties. The CT however has better wind protection at speed thanks to the adjustable screen.
I can't make my mind up so would welcome thoughts from those with more experience than me in this class of bike and specifically these 2 machines.
Cheers :-)
Unless you're planning to do big touring mileage on road, I would 100% pick the Africa Twin DCT. It's the better bike for dual sport, it rides well (although softly sprung) on the road, and the engine has bags of character. Includes all the latest Honda DCT upgrades compared to the CT.
spareparts said:
Unless you're planning to do big touring mileage on road, I would 100% pick the Africa Twin DCT. It's the better bike for dual sport, it rides well (although softly sprung) on the road, and the engine has bags of character. Includes all the latest Honda DCT upgrades compared to the CT.
Cheers Spareparts.... I get the feeling that it might just be more fun allround and it's a poster bike from my youth, so that's a box ticked :-)My way of thinking would be that it's a lot easier to change a screen than it is to make the bike lighter. Pick the AT if it's the most fun for the most amount of time.
I had a look at the Crosstourer when buying my Triumph Explorer and they just don't do anything for me, aven though I was coming from a VFR1200 with the same engine.
The Africa Twin looks great and in a short go on one I really liked the way they feel.
I had a look at the Crosstourer when buying my Triumph Explorer and they just don't do anything for me, aven though I was coming from a VFR1200 with the same engine.
The Africa Twin looks great and in a short go on one I really liked the way they feel.
Speed addicted said:
My way of thinking would be that it's a lot easier to change a screen than it is to make the bike lighter. Pick the AT if it's the most fun for the most amount of time.
I had a look at the Crosstourer when buying my Triumph Explorer and they just don't do anything for me, aven though I was coming from a VFR1200 with the same engine.
The Africa Twin looks great and in a short go on one I really liked the way they feel.
Thanks for the feedback Speed addicted. I actually set out to test ride a Triumph Tiger 800 yesterday and ended up riding that and the Explorer. The only reason for going down the Honda route is my dodgy foot and the DCT version. The Explorer was a joy to ride :-)I had a look at the Crosstourer when buying my Triumph Explorer and they just don't do anything for me, aven though I was coming from a VFR1200 with the same engine.
The Africa Twin looks great and in a short go on one I really liked the way they feel.
The bigger Honda screen on the AT is great, I test rode one with it and at 6ft 3 I could sit on the motorway at 70-80mph, with my visor open and no direct wind into my helmet.
If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
Tall_Paul said:
The bigger Honda screen on the AT is great, I test rode one with it and at 6ft 3 I could sit on the motorway at 70-80mph, with my visor open and no direct wind into my helmet.
If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
Thanks Paul.... where did you get that screen from? Cheers.If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
NobleLord said:
Tall_Paul said:
The bigger Honda screen on the AT is great, I test rode one with it and at 6ft 3 I could sit on the motorway at 70-80mph, with my visor open and no direct wind into my helmet.
If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
Thanks Paul.... where did you get that screen from? Cheers.If it was me I'd go for the AT, although I'm fond of the adventure style bikes, would love a KTM990 ADV at some point.
I think it is. I called in for a look at one last week, the adventure pack comes with three panniers, heated grips, engine bars and lights, plus the taller screen, it's around £2k for all that I think but they can be bought separately and all dealer fit. Sat on the bike the screen is higher than on my standard GS1200, tempting,
AT all the way, DCT is great too its been reprogrammed to suit the AT a bike that literally you can use for anything , try it in sport and manual mode or use d mode for eco .
not ridden it offroad yet but feedback from the Adventure Centre in south Wales is very good for the DCT.
Crosstourer is bland and so heavy by comparison.
not ridden it offroad yet but feedback from the Adventure Centre in south Wales is very good for the DCT.
Crosstourer is bland and so heavy by comparison.
Bit of a thread resurrection.
I currently have a Multistrada. Love the bike to bits, I really do. However I am starting to get arthritis in my thumbs and starting to find that clutch operation is becoming painful. I’ve tried modifying my grip to use the palm of my hand rather than hooking my thumb around the grip itself , however it worries me one day my hand will slip and I’ll be shooting forward at a rate of knots in traffic.
So I’m going to try an Africa Twin and a Crosstourer DCT to see how I get on.
I know for a fact I’m going to really miss the laugh out loud moments of opening the throttle on the Multistrada , but that aside does anyone have any advice or first hand experience of the two bikes in question since this thread was first created ? Will I find the AT too underpowered against the Multi ? Is the X-Tourer a bit bland long term ?
I’m not intending to stray too far off the hard stuff but if the bikes capable I may give it a go ( thumbs permitting )
I will be test riding both , but be good to have someone else’s insight if possible
Cheers
I currently have a Multistrada. Love the bike to bits, I really do. However I am starting to get arthritis in my thumbs and starting to find that clutch operation is becoming painful. I’ve tried modifying my grip to use the palm of my hand rather than hooking my thumb around the grip itself , however it worries me one day my hand will slip and I’ll be shooting forward at a rate of knots in traffic.
So I’m going to try an Africa Twin and a Crosstourer DCT to see how I get on.
I know for a fact I’m going to really miss the laugh out loud moments of opening the throttle on the Multistrada , but that aside does anyone have any advice or first hand experience of the two bikes in question since this thread was first created ? Will I find the AT too underpowered against the Multi ? Is the X-Tourer a bit bland long term ?
I’m not intending to stray too far off the hard stuff but if the bikes capable I may give it a go ( thumbs permitting )
I will be test riding both , but be good to have someone else’s insight if possible
Cheers
I’ve got a Africa twin DCT, it took me a while to really gel with the DCT and now I think it totally suits this bike and any bike you would do lots of miles on.
You can easily thumb down a couple of gears to get the right revs for overtaking immediacy
All in all it’s very well sorted once you get used to it.
A test ride won’t actaully show how useful it is and how relaxing it is to use on long journeys
You can easily thumb down a couple of gears to get the right revs for overtaking immediacy
All in all it’s very well sorted once you get used to it.
A test ride won’t actaully show how useful it is and how relaxing it is to use on long journeys
TT1138 said:
I’ve only ridden the Africa Twin (and off-road rather than on) but I was amazed by how much I liked the DCT. Slow speed control is excellent.
As an owner I’d have to disagree. For me, the lack of clutch to slip limits control at low speed, and I always have to leave the TC on when off road (forestry trials etc. Nothing too serious but you’d never take a road bike or normal car down) for lower speed. I am an amateur off road though.
To balance it, the DCT is really great when you’re moving though. Even off road, it’s actually easier to have the DCT thinking about gears and stalling for you whilst you try and deal with everything else.
Personally I think it’s a great feature. Love it, but it’s not for everyone.
I do agree to an extent, I found the lack of clutch a bit disconcerting at first and below 5mph the ability to slip a clutch would be useful.
What I liked though was the same thing you like about yours. As a complete off-road beginner not having to think about gears meant that above 5-10mph or so it allowed for a high degree of control over the rough stuff. One less element to think about I guess.
What I liked though was the same thing you like about yours. As a complete off-road beginner not having to think about gears meant that above 5-10mph or so it allowed for a high degree of control over the rough stuff. One less element to think about I guess.
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