Given nobody's bought a black one (I think), one passed me today and it looked very smart
Africa Twin Slays GS in Bike Mag Full Test
- Thread starter Arsey
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Mr K
Registered user
I read an interesting quote on another site: "There is no such thing as an adventure bike. There are only adventurous people".
Thank you for your contribution to the thread g00ner ....
Too many arguments, not enough happiness round here
My Africa Twin, right now, is the best bike, right now, for me, right now.
Glad to hear it... How many miles have you put on it
What an exciting thread, have I missed owt?
I voted for the black one 
At least they all agreed the KTM was a good bike ....
I love KTM's
I voted for the black one
Me too. I know that Bill Smiths in Chester had a black one in and Tamworth Honda have sold 1 black one but according to my local dealer HOnda UK have bought very few indeed. The black and red is growing on me , looks best in the Tricolor but too many are ordering that colour.
I would reallylike a black one but it seems like there won't be many used ones of those in 18mths time when I can afford to buy one.
Might have to consider a used 1050 instead
Reggie P
Guest
Odd how our "brand loyalty " can be so strong that some criticise the AT without even test riding it ! As someone else wisely observed; "motorcycling remains pathetically tribal-for some people!"
The review, (April 16) is the usual high standard of writing and photography we've come to expect from BIKE. I love their mag, especially the iPad format with extra links and content (compared to the paper one).
Curious how the one massive AT USP, or strength, is the new gearbox and "Bike" writer Mike Armitage didn't try the Honda DCT.
I'm thrilled that Honda have finally produced something special, after years of arguable mediocrity. (perhaps leaning on the accolades for the fireblade?).
The AT service intervals are impressive, so apparently are the ergonomics and engineering quality. I'd love to test ride one.
Funny, but I suspect that's going to be a load of hassle with my Honda dealer, unlike the easy process its become at the BMW dealer.
I do think the slender nature of the bike, off-road wheel sizes, low gearing and off-road bias, in my way of thinking - have it as an alternate to the splendid F800GS rather than the R1200GS.
I'm also excited when Triumph, KTM, others launch new bikes.
Honda have missed millions of Yen of revenue since they "lost their way" a decade ago.
They are, imho, playing "catch up". The offerings from KTM and BMW are very hard to match. Impossible to beat perhaps.
The AT looks like a great bike and I understand why arsey, and others, have bought one. Until I ride one I cant judge.
For some bmw enthusiasts on the forum, clearly the AT is a non-starter due;
* lack of shaft drive (who desires a return to chain hassles?)
* tubed tyres (arguably "dated", less safe , harder to repair on-the-road)
* lack of HP (who wants less than their current bike?)
* lack of cruise control (I use mine a lot - to avoid acquiring points on all those grotty average speed traps that populate our roads)
* "yesterdays" power to weight " ratio ( see what KTM are offering!)
* a feeling that Honda dealers that are stuck in the 1980's wrt branding, service, image, comfort
* lack of integrated sat nav (I like the BMW integration)
The review, (April 16) is the usual high standard of writing and photography we've come to expect from BIKE. I love their mag, especially the iPad format with extra links and content (compared to the paper one).
Curious how the one massive AT USP, or strength, is the new gearbox and "Bike" writer Mike Armitage didn't try the Honda DCT.
I'm thrilled that Honda have finally produced something special, after years of arguable mediocrity. (perhaps leaning on the accolades for the fireblade?).
The AT service intervals are impressive, so apparently are the ergonomics and engineering quality. I'd love to test ride one.
Funny, but I suspect that's going to be a load of hassle with my Honda dealer, unlike the easy process its become at the BMW dealer.
I do think the slender nature of the bike, off-road wheel sizes, low gearing and off-road bias, in my way of thinking - have it as an alternate to the splendid F800GS rather than the R1200GS.
I'm also excited when Triumph, KTM, others launch new bikes.
Honda have missed millions of Yen of revenue since they "lost their way" a decade ago.
They are, imho, playing "catch up". The offerings from KTM and BMW are very hard to match. Impossible to beat perhaps.
The AT looks like a great bike and I understand why arsey, and others, have bought one. Until I ride one I cant judge.
For some bmw enthusiasts on the forum, clearly the AT is a non-starter due;
* lack of shaft drive (who desires a return to chain hassles?)
* tubed tyres (arguably "dated", less safe , harder to repair on-the-road)
* lack of HP (who wants less than their current bike?)
* lack of cruise control (I use mine a lot - to avoid acquiring points on all those grotty average speed traps that populate our roads)
* "yesterdays" power to weight " ratio ( see what KTM are offering!)
* a feeling that Honda dealers that are stuck in the 1980's wrt branding, service, image, comfort
* lack of integrated sat nav (I like the BMW integration)
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After sending my GS(A) home from Brisbane a few years ago and having bought an XT660r, I'm glad to say it's doing fine. It goes from A to B with not much hassle, it carries a load of unnecessary shite and it will, I hope, out last me. Just started in Brazil but I doubt I'll do the north here till next year.
Adventure this, adventure that. Just a word to sell the dream. Get on a bike you like or have and ride it!
It's all pretentious bollocks that people, manufactures, web sites, Touratech and bike mags use all the time, If I was flush and needed a new bike maybe an AT but then I'd have to consider the cost of a carnet to cover the more exotic places in this world. You're all considerably richer than I am, so maybe not a problem. Enjoy life, shit happens then you die. Don't worry about if only I'd bought that model as you loose it on high mountain pass or get taken out by some dodgy truck driver. The odds are always stacked against you on two wheels.
Adventure this, adventure that. Just a word to sell the dream. Get on a bike you like or have and ride it!
It's all pretentious bollocks that people, manufactures, web sites, Touratech and bike mags use all the time, If I was flush and needed a new bike maybe an AT but then I'd have to consider the cost of a carnet to cover the more exotic places in this world. You're all considerably richer than I am, so maybe not a problem. Enjoy life, shit happens then you die. Don't worry about if only I'd bought that model as you loose it on high mountain pass or get taken out by some dodgy truck driver. The odds are always stacked against you on two wheels.
Reggie P
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+1......
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BMW has the technology to match any of the current bikes, I'm sure must will be comparable,
But one of the reasons I ride the BMW is street presence, it's a bit of SMIDSY, but it's also a bit of being slightly different. "Are you not worried about riding with current traffic etc etc" we've all heard that, equally I feel folk see me coming, I know there will always be few that don't but that applies to cars as well.
So if you read this as its a fashion statement, your wrong, but if you ride a BMW for its street presence, your getting closer.
But one of the reasons I ride the BMW is street presence, it's a bit of SMIDSY, but it's also a bit of being slightly different. "Are you not worried about riding with current traffic etc etc" we've all heard that, equally I feel folk see me coming, I know there will always be few that don't but that applies to cars as well.
So if you read this as its a fashion statement, your wrong, but if you ride a BMW for its street presence, your getting closer.
Nail on head, I've walked into to 2 Honda dealers and what a dull dreary drab places they are to behold
Despite having the best Honda bike in a decade to sell, the staff were equally dull and disinterested, stuck in the 1980's
I did feel quite at home, the cumudgeon that I am
I will try an AT as soon as I can find the time to get to a nearby dealer who has a test bike free to ride - but all your points above, plus its lack of pillion comfort do make me less than enthusiastic about the bike. Do I really want an automatic gearbox too?, hmmmm what happens if you blip the throttle at the lights - do you immediately shunt the vehicle in front
Makes changing down to 1st on the GS much smoother when coming to a halt - I always blip on down changes. It also breaks the oil clutch drag and goes into 1st from neutral with less clunking.
Obviously an automatic does not require this but old habits die hard and could present a problem until one has reprogrammed oneself - someone did this on an automatic Yamaha FJR, was quite funny when he drove over the car in front, however he didn't see it that way
Bit like riding a non abs bike after riding abs bikes for years - can end in disaster as one becomes conditioned.
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