Africa Twin is coming

[Arsey]

The high seat doesn't appear to be a factory option, it's a cost option....ie, you have to buy the high seat and fit in place of your standard seat (the front part/riders seat). The one piece seat pictured is being considered by Honda as a further option, but unavailable at present.

Ok,gotcha !

I realise that the high seat isn't an option,you buy the seat as well as the standard seat,which is normally the case.

So what add ons are you contemplating ?

I went in to my dealer yesterday and ordered a DCT in tricolour.Been a shit week and I thought fuck it,there's no pockets in shrouds and I think the DCT AT will be like a modern version of my KTM Super Enduro.No plans to sell the Versys either.Now I'm single, I'm planning on getting away to europe as often as possible next year and will use the Versys for long trips and the AT for shorter stuff though I can see a re-visit to the RDGA yet again as I think the DCT will be perfect for this,when I can concentrate more on the view with gear selection sorted for me.
My mate who is still newish to biking and has a 1190 Adv cannot see how 95bhp is enough,but my SE only has about that and I prefer to be on a bike where I can use most of the power rather than some 170 bhp monster that has to be tamed with numerous rider aids.

My local dealer is a bit crap with bikes as they are mainly a Honda car dealer and took over bikes when the previous place shut.
They didn't even know the prices and said it was £10k for manual and £11k for DCT (that's VAT free !!)-I told them that's bollox as the DCT is only £11299 with VAT so nearer £9500 without !!!

One quick call to Honda and they came back with £9415 OTR,which is basically what I told them.Tossers !!!

No idea when I'll see the bike as apparently pre-orders closed yesterday and orders re-open on Monday,whatever that means.

I told them to chase up the trip master thingy as I can't believe all 350 orders have been placed yet.

But I think Honda UK are a bit gash as there are no prices on the website and no mention of any accessories-I only know about them from this thread and the photo of the handout that Honda were dishing out at the NEC show.

Sorry this is turning into a bloody essay,but I blame da drugs,man !!!

Anyway,back to my question on accessories-I'm happy with the price of the bike but all the add ons seem a bit pricey,especially heated grips and the high seat.But I really want the latter and think I'll do without the grips,especially if they aren't a properly integrated factory-fit option.

So I'll try and be sensible and just get the high seat and main stand.Then I'll wait for Givi to do the adaptor plate to take my Trekker 46 litre box and then use that together with my big Ortlieb holdall and that'll be it,apart mounting my Garmin 590 at some point.
But I may have to get that full Termi system assuming it's not utterly stupid money-I guess it'll need setting up properly too ?

So what about you Davy,or Adventure Boy ? Panniers ? Different seat/screen ??

And have you got a confirmed delivery date ?

That's assuming anybody is still reading after all this rambling,blah blah blah.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Apparently, the DCT is the bollox. Read the MCN report and they reckon it's utterly superb. I was chatting with Alun from ABR at the show and he had just come back from teh launch in South Africa.

He reckons it's a brilliant thing and the DCT even off road is the one to have. Seamless changes and even on the dirt it is controlled and makes the bike really easy to ride.

I have to say I'd like to take the thing on the Dalton Highway next year as it would be great on that. Perhaps Honda want some good real adventure pictures.........

 

[Rob Farmer]

Just read the article in More Crap than News and whilst they give it a very good write up they are not exactly singing the praises of the engine saying that it lacks low and mid range punch.

Would definitely want a test ride before ordering one

Since when did those idiots know anything about bikes?

 

[Arsey]

Apparently, the DCT is the bollox. Read the MCN report and they reckon it's utterly superb. I was chatting with Alun from ABR at the show and he had just come back from teh launch in South Africa.

He reckons it's a brilliant thing and the DCT even off road is the one to have. Seamless changes and even on the dirt it is controlled and makes the bike really easy to ride.

I have to say I'd like to take the thing on the Dalton Highway next year as it would be great on that. Perhaps Honda want some good real adventure pictures.........

Funnily enough one of my reasons for trying to justify to myself to go and order the DCT tricolour AT was that I want to do a trip with you when I can,probably 2017 though and I'll keep the Versys for europe but could then be without the AT if it's shipped to Alaska or wherever.So I'm def up for a trip in 2017, Chris.Infact,might you be doing the TAT again and would a useless offroad twat like me manage it on a DCT AT fitted with TKC80s or similar ?

Davy F,just found a pic of the tall seat :



and all the accessories are here.Just click on the thumb nails.

 

[Paul S]

Since when did those idiots know anything about bikes?

Agreed - hence why I would want a test ride first

 

[Davy F]

As far as accessories go, I intend to have the centrestand, power socket and.........heated grips. Oxford would be the sensible choice, but I do like how neat the Honda ones are. I'm in negotiations with my dealer as to how much discount I can squeeze them for. Other than those, maybe the oe panniers, but let's face it, the aftermarket suppliers will probably go crazy to design loads of farkles for the bike in the coming year.

 

[Arsey]

As far as accessories go, I intend to have the centrestand, power socket and.........heated grips. Oxford would be the sensible choice, but I do like how neat the Honda ones are. I'm in negotiations with my dealer as to how much discount I can squeeze them for. Other than those, maybe the oe panniers, but let's face it, the aftermarket suppliers will probably go crazy to design loads of farkles for the bike in the coming year.

What have you seen to suggest they are neat ? I can't find anything on the heated grips,not even in the link to accessories above

 

[Rushy]

Apparently, the DCT is the bollox. Read the MCN report and they reckon it's utterly superb. I was chatting with Alun from ABR at the show and he had just come back from teh launch in South Africa.

He reckons it's a brilliant thing and the DCT even off road is the one to have. Seamless changes and even on the dirt it is controlled and makes the bike really easy to ride...

I have been banging the DCT drum since I got my 1200 CTourer a few months ago but nobody would listen...... It's seamless witchcraft I tell you ..... It really is

In fact I had an email yesterday from a customer of mine who I let have a go and he said " big thanks for letting me try your bike changed my AT order from a manual to DCT "

On the subject of heated grips if they are like the CT ones they are very neat and work very well BUT the button is tiny, very fiddly to use and it's really hard to know what level you are on . The light on the button flashes 5 times to confirm you are on level 5 , press it again and it flashes 4 times , etc etc if you watch and count the flashes you will know what level you have turned on ...... But only if you ahevnt run into the back of something whilst you do it

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Since when did those idiots know anything about bikes?

Quite, all they are interested is in power and to knock a bike designed to be a good dirt bike and a good all rounder because it doesn't have the ooomph of a 1290KTM is bonkers. For real world riding, the power will be perfect I would have thought.

 

[Davy F]

Quite, all they are interested is in power and to knock a bike designed to be a good dirt bike and a good all rounder because it doesn't have the ooomph of a 1290KTM is bonkers. For real world riding, the power will be perfect I would have thought.

I have had a few knockers of my decision in selling my 1190 Adv because of the lack of horsepower figures from the AT. Some seem to be back-tracking on their vitriol since the first impressions from the launch have hit the 'net. Still, sticks and stones. Some of the best trips I had this year have been on bikes with less power than the AT (1150GSA for instance) so in all honesty, I'm not worried what MCN (or anybody) says......although in the main it seems it impressed overall. I'll pay my money and take my chance. What's the worst that can happen.....change again for something else ?

 

[Adventure Boy]

I have had a few knockers of my decision in selling my 1190 Adv because of the lack of horsepower figures from the AT. Some seem to be back-tracking on their vitriol since the first impressions from the launch have hit the 'net. Still, sticks and stones. Some of the best trips I had this year have been on bikes with less power than the AT (1150GSA for instance) so in all honesty, I'm not worried what MCN (or anybody) says......although in the main it seems it impressed overall. I'll pay my money and take my chance. What's the worst that can happen.....change again for something else ?

Exactly !!

 

[david a hall]

I think it's an interesting phrase lacks bottom and mid range power... I doubt it has anything to do with hp.... I don't know much about modern fuelling but if it's set a bit for the road then the feeling of a slightly high first gear and rolling on may be the result. That can be a pain off road particularly on the manual, riding it off the clutch to iron it out. Makes some of the fidely stuff a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach... Fine if your of a trials background but not confidence boosting if not. No problem on fire roads etc but tricky on some stuff. That would make the auto attractive.
That's why 1150 is nice off road, it just plugs on slowly, as was said with less hp
I would like to ride one.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think it's an interesting phrase lacks bottom and mid range power... I doubt it has anything to do with hp.... I don't know much about modern fuelling but if it's set a bit for the road then the feeling of a slightly high first gear and rolling on may be the result. That can be a pain off road particularly on the manual, riding it off the clutch to iron it out. Makes some of the fidely stuff a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach... Fine if your of a trials background but not confidence boosting if not. No problem on fire roads etc but tricky on some stuff. That would make the auto attractive.
That's why 1150 is nice off road, it just plugs on slowly, as was said with less hp
I would like to ride one.

Me too

If it's all revs (mid to high up rev range ) & no grunt - it'll be tiresome to ride

 

[Wreford Miles]

It's not going to have the 1150 pre to much emmisions interfernace, heavy flywheel and bottom end grunt and it will be even further away from a 1000cc Airhead....

DCT and maybe some Geoff Magic could be the way to go...

But really all you need is an 1150 with an 850 rear drive and you're sorted - except when you want to go really fast, then I think the AT will be fun, and when you want to look back at your bike and think 'that's fucking cool' then the AT plus some TT bits hit the spot. Life's a compromise, and I'd accept a few for this.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Agree Wreford
But the stock bike is not that Italian creation in the pic

 

[GS TRV]

Agree Wreford
But the stock bike is not that Italian creation in the pic

That's a £14k modded special there indeed.

 

[Jumpjim]

Ok,gotcha !
My mate who is still newish to biking and has a 1190 Adv cannot see how 95bhp is enough,but my SE only has about that and I prefer to be on a bike where I can use most of the power rather than some 170 bhp monster that has to be tamed with numerous rider aids.

Here we go..... Next you'll be saying who needs EGPWS and TCAS? Just look out the window and fly the aircraft..... All this modern sh!t...who needs it...yawn....

 

[david a hall]

Does it have engine modes?

 

[david a hall]

I'm

It's not going to have the 1150 pre to much emmisions interfernace, heavy flywheel and bottom end grunt and it will be even further away from a 1000cc Airhead....

DCT and maybe some Geoff Magic could be the way to go...

But really all you need is an 1150 with an 850 rear drive and you're sorted - except when you want to go really fast, then I think the AT will be fun, and when you want to look back at your bike and think 'that's fucking cool' then the AT plus some TT bits hit the spot. Life's a compromise, and I'd accept a few for this.

Ok I'll keep my bike

 

[Arsey]

Here we go..... Next you'll be saying who needs EGPWS and TCAS? Just look out the window and fly the aircraft..... All this modern sh!t...who needs it...yawn....

The thing is, I've been riding bikes for 35 years and have lost count how many I've owned but it's way over 50. You're on your second !

I seem to have managed ok so far without cornering abs, 85 power modes, traction control , keyless fucking ignition etc etc .

That's one of the reasons I like the Versys. It's got 120bhp which is plenty enough yet is somehow more than the sum of its parts .

That's also why I will always have my 950 SE.

ZERO talent compensators,not even ABS.

Simply a perfect carbed motor with only around 90 bhp but I can use most of it most of the time, as I think you'll agree whilst chasing me up the Col de Turini on your xmas tree !!

I'm done with stupidly fast bikes where you can only exploit the power 50% of the time at most.

You're still in the honeymoon phase where power is everything !!

Take your 1190 to the Nurburgring , give it all you can and marvel how some 70 year old German on a Pan Euro will ride around you on the outside whilst listening to James Last and eating his curry würst for lunch !!!

So back to the AT - I might be taking a risk by not trying it first but I have a feeling that the DCT bike which I've ordered will be like a modern day version of my KTM . The 21/18 wheel combination will make it just as manoeuvrable, the 95 bhp motor will be fully exploitable and the DCT will enable rapid progress when required yet allow one to forget the bike and admire the view when desirable .

All reviews so far seem to point at the DCT as the bike to have.

I can see a Bilco trip looming !




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