Who has purchased a new Africa Twin?

[rat840771]

riser and forkshield

[trialsta]

The_Gza said:

How's everyone getting on with their new bikes?

I did 650 miles round the Highlands with mine over the weekend - it's well and truly ran in now! Lots of positives with the bike, but really unimpressed with the standard Dunlops in the wet.

Have a look on the Africa Twin forum and you'll find plenty of tyre options recommended, the Dunlops are downright dangerous in the wet! I've just switched to Conti Trail Attacks and it's a night and day difference.

[Tedders]

trialsta said:

The_Gza said:

How's everyone getting on with their new bikes?

I did 650 miles round the Highlands with mine over the weekend - it's well and truly ran in now! Lots of positives with the bike, but really unimpressed with the standard Dunlops in the wet.

Have a look on the Africa Twin forum and you'll find plenty of tyre options recommended, the Dunlops are downright dangerous in the wet! I've just switched to Conti Trail Attacks and it's a night and day difference.

Are there any issues running these tubeless tyres with inner tubes...?

[Rawwr]

trialsta said:

the Dunlops are downright dangerous in the wet!

That seems a little hysterical.

[towser44]

Interesting quick read here for all you lucky AT owners. Seems to be a trip of 40+ ATs to the top of Norway on the MCN website (seems to be being updated daily):

Part 1 - http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/september/...
Part 2 - http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/september/...
Part 3 - http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/september/...
Part 4 - http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/september/...

[gareth h]

With all this talk of ATs I thought I'd take one for a test ride to see what all of the fuss was about, impressed with the suspension which just glided over pot holed roads, thought the pegs were a bit narrow, and the engine was a bit, well....dull, surely Honda could make a 1000 twin a bit gruntier. If it had another 20bhp I would probably have bought it there and then.
So the search goes on, I like the riding position and the AT which felt quite narrow and nimble, didn't really notice the 21" front wheel and it felt quite manageable for a 5'8" bloke, unlike most of the other bikes in this sector, not sure what to try next.

[CoolHands]

A KTM if you want some poke

[jamiebae]

CoolHands said:

A KTM if you want some poke

If you're 5'8" you're going to need some platform boots then

[Andybow]

gareth h said:

With all this talk of ATs I thought I'd take one for a test ride to see what all of the fuss was about, impressed with the suspension which just glided over pot holed roads, thought the pegs were a bit narrow, and the engine was a bit, well....dull, surely Honda could make a 1000 twin a bit gruntier. If it had another 20bhp I would probably have bought it there and then.
So the search goes on, I like the riding position and the AT which felt quite narrow and nimble, didn't really notice the 21" front wheel and it felt quite manageable for a 5'8" bloke, unlike most of the other bikes in this sector, not sure what to try next.

Have a go on the new Ktm 1090 adventure it's a proper weapon

[gareth h]

CoolHands said:

A KTM if you want some poke

Yep, sold a 990 super duke and am regretting it now, the Kim adventure bikes are too tall and the new superduke looks like it hit all the branches on the ugly tree!

[Pazuzu]

I originally test rode one and was unimpressed, the dealer left the traction control all the way on and didn't show me how to move out of D (or even that you could).

Back off the TC and change it to S2 or S3 and it's much more fun

Phil

[Gee68]

Pick my bike up on Saturday,can't remember the last time I was excited about something,(no sexual pun intended)especially as I've never even sat on the thing.
Train tickets all sorted and I've got to say I'm quite nervous.
I've got over a hundred miles home on a strange bike I've never ridden that's also an automatic which I've also had no experience with.
WTF could go wrong.

Will report in when and if I get in with pics and first impressions.

[Krikkit]

supercommuter said:

Some people say constant speed is fine, some don't. I have just used it normally and not ragged the bks off of it for a few hundred.

The rings bed in better if you vary the revs.

Not jealous of all these lovely-looking AT's, nuhuh!

[squirdan]

I cancelled my order and am buying an ex demo R1200R sport instead

I couldn't quite get my head round the fact I was buying an adventure bike to ride round London. Every front on photo put me off, I started looking st front tyre width and profile and the 90/90 started to bug me.

It will be over £100 a month so clearly more than this amazing deal but I'm happy to pay up for something I'd rather ride.

Not sure why Honda don't make a road optimised bike based on the AT as there is so much that's right about it and so much good tech. BMW don't have a dct bike...

[andySC]

2 days & 200miles on mine so far (that's my total road bike mileage since 2003!) . It's a big bugger ! I had it delivered & was surprised how big it was when it emerged from the van. I'm aware of the mass while I'm shifting it about but once above walking pace it's fine. I like the DCT, S1 seems the way to go, D has the thing chugging along in 6th at 30mph. I'm using the buttons too to override the box if needs be. What has surprised me is "me". I thought it'd be "just like riding a bike" and everything would feel natural & familiar but it doesn't. I'm very rusty, moreso than I thought I'd be. The old confidence isn't there just yet. I'll take my time & reacquaint myself with the techniques & let it flow & relax. Happy enough though. Oh, spotted another AT around these parts yesterday & today. A tricolour, assume it's the same guy. Common as muck !

[Prof Prolapse]

350 miles of running in yesterday. South west coast Scotchland. Not quite the NC500 alternative as proposed but worth a run;

http://www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/attractions/...

The roads via the forest are perfect for the bike. Disused lead mines make for light off roading if you're so inclined as well.

I nearly dropped the fking thing twice at low speed so need a bit more practice before taking it off road myself.

I think the power/torque is bang on personally but only if you have something more stupid in the shed.

[rat840771]

prof - i see you have a top box on there

Is that a givi box on the Honda base plate?

Looking into fitting a Givi rack so i can use my current top box, but i have heard a rumour that the Honda base plate will accommodate a givi monokey box.

[Prof Prolapse]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-Motorbike-Top-Case-36L-...

Cheap one off ebay mate. 3/4 studs fit the standard Honda fixings. Good quality given price.

[BobSaunders]

Are people actually planning on 'offroading' this more than just a gravel track or dust road, and an inch of water?

The whole setup with automatic gearing just makes me think this is nothing more than a commuting bike, or the answer to a upright tourer, for munching the miles and carrying a load of kit.. best used for the likes of a tour to the Alps or the NW500 when it rains.

I was surprised that cruise control was not added.

New deal at Lings Honda - OTR £11,679.00, deposit £3,870.89, credit £7,808.11, 36 monthly payments £39.27, 0%, purchase fee £6,394.39.

http://www.lingshondabikes.co.uk/new-bikes/adventu...

[rat840771]

That Lings deal is not even close with a 3.8k deposit.

Once i have crash bars i will have a go off road ( on gravel ) when the tyres need changing i will get something more suited on/off road and have a proper go.

The DCT in G mode is meant to be very good off road, no need to worry about shifting gears or clutch control.

But i think i may go on the africa twin off road school first to stack Honda's own bikes before i demolish mine!