Africa Twin test ride

[PDiddy]

Pretty much,yes !!

In place of the clutch it has a parking brake lever.
The DCT is basically twist and go with a sport mode to hang on to gears longer.It also have + and - buttons on the left bar for manual changes and you can specify an optional traditional gear lever as an option but I've not bothered with the latter as the button shift works very well apparently.

I test rode the DCT version on Saturday, loved the bike but not the DCT. However, I will admit that the up and down buttons were a breeze to use and the delivery of drive power was silky smooth while using them. Just wish i had some spare cash so I could order a manual version.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

love the tri colour and the gold wheels and I think the DCT would be great (have never ridden one) - I think the bike has real world power for the average numpty rider out there (me certainly included) and I will be pleased to see how the bike develops for when in a few years I can hopefully afford and have time for one!

 

[twizzle]

I'm strangely drawn to a DCT one of these,......are they very big.. cos I am....

 

[Arsey]

I'm strangely drawn to a DCT one of these,......are they very big.. cos I am....

I'm 6'1" and standard seat on high setting was fine.But even better with High Seat option (extra 30mm).

 

[Davy F]

Very nice, whats in the poly bag Davy, ?

I think it's just an Oxford bike cover they have placed to dissuade anyone from sitting on it.

 

[Davy F]

Hi, when did you order your bike ?

Last May.....


Allegedly, Honda UK have 800 AT's ordered for this year and have confirmed orders for 600 already.....allegedly.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I do like that tri colour and I don't say that often about modern bikes.

 

[peepingtom]

After 36 years of riding I could see me pulling that parking lever in a down change on the approach to a bend!!! - Hopefully Honda have worked out how to disengage it whist moving

Is the DCT version much more?

It's an extra £800 . If it's too small you could just sit on the back seat . Get that bonus spent

 

[Nutty]

Can you get the tricolour with black wheels?

 

[Davy F]

Can you get the tricolour with black wheels?

No, but there's plenty of people who have gone for the red one who would do a swop.....

 

[Engineer]

I wonder what it would be like two-up with luggage on a two week jaunt around Europe, I suspect that the GS is a better bet with its greater torque, power and fatter tyres, but the AT will be a better choice for those wanting to go solo to Morroco etc and and play in the sand and dirt.

 

[Arsey]

I wonder what it would be like two-up with luggage on a two week jaunt around Europe, I suspect that the GS is a better bet with its greater torque, power and fatter tyres, but the AT will be a better choice for those wanting to go solo to Morroco etc and and play in the sand and dirt.

No shit,Einstein !!!

 

[Engineer]

No shit,Einstein !!!

I surprise myself sometimes with such amazing insights, I'd better buy both bikes oh hang on..........I don't want to fart about in some 3rd World sandpit so I'll stick to the GS

 

[Timolgra]

No shit,Einstein !!!

 

[Trekker3]

Only my opinion but why would you want a bike with DCT, I love changing gear, feathering the clutch coming out of slow corners, pinging the clutch to launch the front wheel etc etc you just can't get that feeling without a manual clutch.
I bought a car with a PDK gearbox 3 years ago and it is easily the biggest mistake I've ever made, not only did I pay a premium for the option but it is now significantly worth less money than the manual.
Over to you converts.................

 

[Engineer]

The thing is the AT is overweight for a skinny tyred dirt bike (heavier than a GS) is it not? so after all the media hype - 'I must buy one cos the journos say it's fab' has died down, what is this bike really for? What is its USP that will make it a sales success? Does it have one?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The thing is the AT is overweight for a skinny tyred dirt bike (heavier than a GS) is it not? so after all the media hype - 'I must buy one cos the journos say it's fab' has died down, what is this bike really for? What is its USP that will make it a sales success? Does it have one?

Dunno, but the one I looked over Saturday was very nice.................but more 800GS than 1200GS competitor

 

[Timolgra]

The thing is the AT is overweight for a skinny tyred dirt bike (heavier than a GS) is it not? so after all the media hype - 'I must buy one cos the journos say it's fab' has died down, what is this bike really for? What is its USP that will make it a sales success? Does it have one?

Weight is just a number, it's about balance with big bikes.

Skinny tyred dirt bike?????

Most real bikers have had an interest in the rebirth of the AT long before the journos .... or you, I imagine

Are you sure you're an engineer? Perhaps electrical

 

[Engineer]

Dunno, but the one I looked over Saturday was very nice.................but more 800GS than 1200GS competitor

I suspect that it will be typical Honda, i.e. 'a very nice, well made bike' which is great, but I think that they have got the compromise wrong - if it really is 'true adventure bike' then it is just a bit to big, but I guess they want some of BMW's sales and have erred in the process.

 

[Giles]

Only my opinion but why would you want a bike with .......

I am a reluctant, but accepting believer, that if you don't move with the times, you'll get left behind in an analogue era.

I enjoy my driving, five years ago you would never hear me wax lyrical about an auto box in a car (mind you, even five years ago they were still pretty shit ..), I'd be banging on about smooth clutched changes, matching engine revs, double de clutching and all the old school good driving techniques.

Some of the cars I get to drive at work now are just blinding. the tiptronic boxes in the 335 BM saloons we have are just superb. You can drive it like a sequential box rally car - round town in a hurry .... fucking ace!! (I can pretend I'm Ken Block ... )

Honda are rapidly developing their gearboxes with this F1 style preloaded next gear - hit a button and bang it's there in an instant. No 1990's auto box lag any more. We all raved about quick shifters and what fun they were, BM started putting gear shift pro or whatever it's called on their GS's and RT's .... and this is no different.

I haven't ridden it, but I'm certainly happy to i/ have an open mind and ii/ not be a stick in the mud when it comes to technology.