Africa Twin test ride
- Thread starter wessie
- Start date
My clumsy words, which i formerly retract!
The Honda is of course no DRZ, but my point is it's easy to ride and makes you look good! I guess that actually, an EXC is probably easier to ride than a DRZ, so my analogy was pretty poor! (But you get my drift re a focused bike like the 1190 being pretty hard work).
One thing I forgot to say to any prospective buyers that are going for DCT, is ... get the optional left foot shift lever anyway. There were a few times, both on and off road, where a stab of my foot on the lever would have been an easier option than the handlebar paddle. It wasn't often, but if you're into your off roading I can see those moments when your gripping the bars, climbing something pretty steep, I dunno ... but you're busy with your hands and a foot gear would be the best option ...
Your real problem is that you missed that Specsavers appointment !
I think you may be in the minority if you think the AT looks shit, though we all see things differently!
I wasn't taken in by the colour or stripes but more by the look of the whole thing. It just looks right, to me, unlike the latest toilet GS which looks like an over-developed caricature.
Riding the demo confirmed all this in spades.
For me it's not all about power/excitement but rather how a bike puts a smile on your face every time you ride it.
Climbing aboard the demo had me grinning from ear to ear within seconds and I already know that my bike will be one of the best I've ever had and it's not arrived yet
As usual there are many armchair experts on here. All I say is go and try one before offering up a qualified opinion . It's a stunning bike, in any colour , but particularly stunning in tricolour with DCT fitted !!
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Great article in the latest Bike magazine about how good the GS LC is off road for such a big bike - seems like it never fails to impress at whatever it is asked to do 
PS it's a looker too
PS it's a looker too
Great article in the latest Bike magazine about how good the GS LC is off road for such a big bike - seems like it never fails to impress at whatever it is asked to do
PS it's a looker too
So why post this on an Africa twin thread ? We all know you love the GS and you know the AT is too heavy even though you've never ridden one............
So why post this on an Africa twin thread ? We all know you love the GS and you know the AT is too heavy even though you've never ridden one............
Probably because you post in the GS threads telling us all how wonderful the Africa Twin/ your KTM is.
Davy F
Registered user
Probably because you post in the GS threads telling us all how wonderful the Africa Twin/ your KTM is.
Hey Nutster.....you're possibly in danger of losing your 'All things BMW' crown to Enginerd if you're not careful.....
Hey Nutster.....you're possibly in danger of losing your 'All things BMW' crown to Enginerd if you're not careful.....
Don't be silly!
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Brother in law just started working for Honda dealership and he can have one as his company bike as long as it's also a courtesy bike. They've sold 11 of these already.
The DCT is quite addictive....
My local Honda dealer is at the end of a cross country route I regularly enjoy on the 1200 ADV TC, the airhead and even the KTM 500 EXC - it's a combination of A, B and back lanes and always fun, especially when it's dry like to today.
So the plan was spank the 1200 ADV there, test the AT back on them and then back to the dealer via a fast curved A road ( Codicote to Hitchin road) do a junction on the A1M then ride the roads back again on the 1200 to re validate my impression.
The DCT makes it very easy to access what power it has, using Sport2 initially I found it very easy hitting the ton, lofting the front a smidgen over a 90 mph crest and all feeling very controlled.
Sport 3 selected for the A road and I felt no need to override the gear choice, it was great for putting in some cheeky overtakes and nailing it was becoming quite adictive.
The motorway was over quite quickly and again when that 3 series got the idea that it should move over nailing the throttle and having the bike drop a few gears and then hold them to the red line was smile making.
I then calmed down and used D for the run back, it was a bit chugga chugga but I reckon use of the backbrake to give it something to pull against would smooth that out.
It's a very nice bike and that leads to a but....
As a youth the last thing you want to be seen as by girls is nice, let's face it hot girls don't fuck nice blokes. If you get called nice it's game over!!!!
On the way home now in the dark (btw I got to try the AT headlights, they're good) the 1200 showed its a special bike, I expect the AT on the roads used would be quicker but the 1200 felt as quick and was a little more intresting - It takes a lot to beat a GS and the AT does not have me lusting for a change.
If I didn't have the GS and needed to buy a bike, I'd probrabley buythe AT because it's diffrent to what I've had and anybody that has bought one have got themselves a great bike.
But right now I'm not sitting here thinking how do I get myself an AT ( that's because I've got a very good 1200 ADV TC) mind you when I see an AT with that rally seat, full termi system and wide sump guard I know I will be thinking I want that....
My local Honda dealer is at the end of a cross country route I regularly enjoy on the 1200 ADV TC, the airhead and even the KTM 500 EXC - it's a combination of A, B and back lanes and always fun, especially when it's dry like to today.
So the plan was spank the 1200 ADV there, test the AT back on them and then back to the dealer via a fast curved A road ( Codicote to Hitchin road) do a junction on the A1M then ride the roads back again on the 1200 to re validate my impression.
The DCT makes it very easy to access what power it has, using Sport2 initially I found it very easy hitting the ton, lofting the front a smidgen over a 90 mph crest and all feeling very controlled.
Sport 3 selected for the A road and I felt no need to override the gear choice, it was great for putting in some cheeky overtakes and nailing it was becoming quite adictive.
The motorway was over quite quickly and again when that 3 series got the idea that it should move over nailing the throttle and having the bike drop a few gears and then hold them to the red line was smile making.
I then calmed down and used D for the run back, it was a bit chugga chugga but I reckon use of the backbrake to give it something to pull against would smooth that out.
It's a very nice bike and that leads to a but....
As a youth the last thing you want to be seen as by girls is nice, let's face it hot girls don't fuck nice blokes. If you get called nice it's game over!!!!
On the way home now in the dark (btw I got to try the AT headlights, they're good) the 1200 showed its a special bike, I expect the AT on the roads used would be quicker but the 1200 felt as quick and was a little more intresting - It takes a lot to beat a GS and the AT does not have me lusting for a change.
If I didn't have the GS and needed to buy a bike, I'd probrabley buythe AT because it's diffrent to what I've had and anybody that has bought one have got themselves a great bike.
But right now I'm not sitting here thinking how do I get myself an AT ( that's because I've got a very good 1200 ADV TC) mind you when I see an AT with that rally seat, full termi system and wide sump guard I know I will be thinking I want that....
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Re the brakes ....
(I'm going to sound like a scratched record now and bang on about stuff that I always bang on about ..)
I like 'modulation' in a bike - the ability to mould separate mechanical functions together so that they all gel. So little things that get my juices flowing and make me think 'that feels great' would be say, carving a great corner on a bike, but, doing that by going through a process of (steaming towards the bend) .. off the gas ... smoothly get really hard on the brakes ... ease them off and letting the bike settle... setting the revs for a lower gear... taking that lower gear (again so smoothly that a pillion wouldn't know) ... back hard on the gas and scalding the bike through and out the bend ...
That process needs brakes that you can really feel (that soft squidge that you can firm up .. firm up .. firm up ... ), lovely suspension that absorbs all that reduction in speed and then rebounds perfectly, a throttle so perfect (why I like re-mapping bikes) that you can set it exactly where you want it (in the blink of an eye) for that lower gear, a clutch and gear box so buttery smooth that when you take that lower gear and feed the clutch back out it's completely seamless, and a transmission (why chains are good and feel good) that lets you explode out of the corner ....
And all of that .... wants to feel like one action. Everything just rolls into one, it's the perfect sweet-spot in your tennis / cricket / golf shot.
(And out of interest, that's where the WC GS blew it for me - the clutch / gears was like a bull in a china shop in the middle of all of that process ... )
(I'm going to sound like a scratched record now and bang on about stuff that I always bang on about ..
)I like 'modulation' in a bike - the ability to mould separate mechanical functions together so that they all gel. So little things that get my juices flowing and make me think 'that feels great' would be say, carving a great corner on a bike, but, doing that by going through a process of (steaming towards the bend) .. off the gas ... smoothly get really hard on the brakes ... ease them off and letting the bike settle... setting the revs for a lower gear... taking that lower gear (again so smoothly that a pillion wouldn't know) ... back hard on the gas and scalding the bike through and out the bend ...
That process needs brakes that you can really feel (that soft squidge that you can firm up .. firm up .. firm up ... ), lovely suspension that absorbs all that reduction in speed and then rebounds perfectly, a throttle so perfect (why I like re-mapping bikes) that you can set it exactly where you want it (in the blink of an eye) for that lower gear, a clutch and gear box so buttery smooth that when you take that lower gear and feed the clutch back out it's completely seamless, and a transmission (why chains are good and feel good) that lets you explode out of the corner ....
And all of that .... wants to feel like one action. Everything just rolls into one, it's the perfect sweet-spot in your tennis / cricket / golf shot.
(And out of interest, that's where the WC GS blew it for me - the clutch / gears was like a bull in a china shop in the middle of all of that process ... )
(And out of interest, that's where my WC GS blew it for me - the clutch / gears was like a bull in a china shop in the middle of all of that process ... )
Fixed for accuracy.
Part Two...
Having slept on it. I'd like to add the following:
The DCT is very impressive, I'm one for nipping past traffic and filtering in town and that happened from the moment I left the showroom and it was so easy with DCT and when you get to the front of the que in that spot that should not be there DCT allows you to get away and into the clear with such little effort.
It really seems to suit the way the AT delivers its power and its deceptively quick as a result, you have a little space twist the throttle and its showing 75-80 with no fuss or drama - like Giles I'd seem to find myself on the throttle stop more than I normally would. I don't think this is down to a lack of go, for me DCT made it so easy to just twist and go.
In the last 18 months I've ridden BMW 800's 5 times (ADV, GS and just last week the R) for me the AT feeling is much closer to my 1200 ADV than those bikes - The AT seems to have the smaller bike agility of the 800's but its refinement is up there with the bigger GS's
The AT I rode had the high screen and wearing my Shoei Hornet ADV which is horrid on the GS I found the AT screen very good.
My riding was a bit ragged so I was being extra demanding on the brakes and did find them OK but hardly confidence inspiring and encouraging.
I've mentioned it before, I like my 1200 ADV TC because it has a low down grunt that suits the way I like to ride. This was in comparison to the LC GS which I suspect has more low down grunt but you just don't experience/feel it.
On the way back home that's what reminded me why I like the GS - Where the AT would zip along with DCT keeping the revs up on the GS it's not so important which gear its in, low and you've got some go, high and you got some grunt.
I'd highly recommend a test ride and if considering chopping in a GS for one because you like changing bikes, go for it you'll not be disappointed, but do get DCT for the full AT experience...
I'd love one as a second bike (with the full on rally look) and if for some reason I fell out with my 1200 I think you'd find me on one
Having slept on it. I'd like to add the following:
The DCT is very impressive, I'm one for nipping past traffic and filtering in town and that happened from the moment I left the showroom and it was so easy with DCT and when you get to the front of the que in that spot that should not be there DCT allows you to get away and into the clear with such little effort.
It really seems to suit the way the AT delivers its power and its deceptively quick as a result, you have a little space twist the throttle and its showing 75-80 with no fuss or drama - like Giles I'd seem to find myself on the throttle stop more than I normally would. I don't think this is down to a lack of go, for me DCT made it so easy to just twist and go.
In the last 18 months I've ridden BMW 800's 5 times (ADV, GS and just last week the R) for me the AT feeling is much closer to my 1200 ADV than those bikes - The AT seems to have the smaller bike agility of the 800's but its refinement is up there with the bigger GS's
The AT I rode had the high screen and wearing my Shoei Hornet ADV which is horrid on the GS I found the AT screen very good.
My riding was a bit ragged so I was being extra demanding on the brakes and did find them OK but hardly confidence inspiring and encouraging.
I've mentioned it before, I like my 1200 ADV TC because it has a low down grunt that suits the way I like to ride. This was in comparison to the LC GS which I suspect has more low down grunt but you just don't experience/feel it.
On the way back home that's what reminded me why I like the GS - Where the AT would zip along with DCT keeping the revs up on the GS it's not so important which gear its in, low and you've got some go, high and you got some grunt.
I'd highly recommend a test ride and if considering chopping in a GS for one because you like changing bikes, go for it you'll not be disappointed, but do get DCT for the full AT experience...
I'd love one as a second bike (with the full on rally look) and if for some reason I fell out with my 1200 I think you'd find me on one
I took a non DCT one out for an hour this morning. Not the best conditions as it rained non stop. I was really looking forward to trying it out and was confident it would tick all my boxes as I love big trailiees. I own an 1100GS (my second)!which is brilliant but I am all to aware that as I get older I may need something a bit easier to move around. My main every day bike is a 600 Transalp so I am used to a 21" front 18" rear combination.
My ride of around 50 miles covered motorway, A roads and twisty B roads.
If I had to sum up my feelings I think I would say 'underwhelming'
Positives were the ergonomics and seat. I have done a lot of experimentation to get my GS and Transalp set up to my liking and the AT was pretty much spot on straight away. The seat gave a few options for moving around which is a necessity when doing big miles in one hit. On the motorway section at high speed all was good, but I wasn't so happy in the twisty bits
I found the feedback from the brakes a bit lacking and it took more effort than expected to turn into corners. This may be due to the fact that the rear suspension was on its lowest setting. Raising the rear might improve things I guess. I felt the engine was far happier in the mid to high range. If you chug through a village in top (like I can on my GS) then open her up it becomes a bit lumpy and you need to drop a couple of gears. You need to use the gearbox a lot more than on a GS.
I am obviously in a minority as they seem to be selling well.
My ride of around 50 miles covered motorway, A roads and twisty B roads.
If I had to sum up my feelings I think I would say 'underwhelming'
Positives were the ergonomics and seat. I have done a lot of experimentation to get my GS and Transalp set up to my liking and the AT was pretty much spot on straight away. The seat gave a few options for moving around which is a necessity when doing big miles in one hit. On the motorway section at high speed all was good, but I wasn't so happy in the twisty bits
I found the feedback from the brakes a bit lacking and it took more effort than expected to turn into corners. This may be due to the fact that the rear suspension was on its lowest setting. Raising the rear might improve things I guess. I felt the engine was far happier in the mid to high range. If you chug through a village in top (like I can on my GS) then open her up it becomes a bit lumpy and you need to drop a couple of gears. You need to use the gearbox a lot more than on a GS.
I am obviously in a minority as they seem to be selling well.
To be fair lots of people who go for such a short test ride on a GS say they don't really like them / get it. Then everyone on here says " take it out for a day or a weekend , do 300-400 miles on one " etc
That's a very interesting comment as I had considered an 800 but prefer the bigger bikes comfort and looks.
Several people have commented on being underwhelmed by braking system but I wonder if thats a lot to do with the way that a GS brakes. I love the way my GS can be braked deep into a turn and never loses its composure or line thanks to the telelever.
I like the big GSA and getting back on it after an 800 which I have enjoyed I felt like I was getting back to a completly diffrent kind of bike - That was not the case with the Honda.
On the AT I didn't feel as though I was hustling along a big old bike (not that I mind that) but it did not feel as though I'd significantly downsized - You'll have to try one.
Re the brakes, it was not the dive (my KTM's got dive but not the AT) I think it was more to do with expecting it to brake like a smaller nimbler bike and maybe have an excess of braking power so you have something to modulate.
I'm no advanced rider so it's important to get the views of many but my experience of the brakes was a bit like - I was using the bikes power at what felt like 80% but felt like I was using its brakes at 90%.
No doubt if it had a data logger on it the humbling truth would be 40% and 50%
But having given this a bit more thought - the brake comments could come from the bike feels light and nimble and the DCT certainly gets the AT whizzing along but the reality is its not a light bike so when you hit the brakes the truth reveals itself
Funnily enough, when I rode my first 1100 for the first time I knew within 10 miles that I was going to love the bike. The AT without the DCT gearbox doesn't have anything unusual compared to other bikes, unlike the GSs telelever and car like clutch and shaft drive
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