I test drove the Africa twin
I fancy a new bike, and cant afford a new BM{possible reliability issues aside}so like many on here got a test drive on an Africa twin.
Took the bike out from Newcastle Honda--thanks to them!
Current bikes 2009 1200GS and 1999 Kawasaki klr 650.
Me 60, 5ft/9, 30inch inside seam, weight 174 lbs
weather 2 degs sunny, roads a/B/motorway heavily salted and agricultural mess.
Throttle very responsive
Gearbox light precise
Handling As others have said, it doesn't feel heavy and combined with the throttle response it seems spritely.
I turns easily in a road width, and is well balanced for slow manoeuvres
Generally it handles well, but I would probably be wary coming down off a mountain where speed mounts and massive front braking was required. Standard tyres were good.
I found the brakes fine, and less fork dive than expected. Stability in corners was good, but I didn't hit an unexpected pothole---something the gs is great at dealing with.
At speed I found the bike ultra stable straight into 3 figures, better than the GS, but it had no luggage fitted, so that could change.
Weather protection The bike is narrow, including the fairing and screen, so although it is good, in the ultimate comparison, on long motorway journeys is not as good a GS, and imagine it would cause greater fatigue. Having said that it was good and more than adequate for me. I did notice a small wind vibration to my helmet travelling in certain directions---I would have to cure this .I did not try to alter the screen as time was running out
Ergonomics Riding position excellent
On the pegs excellent
Seat was hard (ok for the 2hrs I was on it)but comfortable, and there was plenty of room
Controls all good except for the indicator switch, which is just below the horn, and with winter gloves on I kept sounding off on corners.
The dash I found hard to read even with glasses on----an age thing maybe, but would probably get used to it when more familiar.
I found the heated grips perfectly adequate, they weren't hot, but it was cold and they did their job.
Vision around narrow fairing and screen good.
Performance I can only compare this to my 2009 GS, and I have never ridden a twin cam or WC.
Rapid up to 100.
Cruising in the low 90's, still loads of poke for overtaking, one squirt and you are in 3 figures.
On the twisties and B roads, no problem with acceleration anywhere, loads of torque, and a great sound. As this was a test drive, and I was trying to find weakness's, I was operating at speeds and acceleration well above my normal riding style, and I didn't find any!
This bike appears to be faster than my GS.
Conclusion The Africa twin is a hoot to drive, and where ever you are it just wants to go, it has the grin factor!
For me, a solo rider, it has more than enough power, and although its motorway comfort may be below the GS, its other features and price make it worthy of a whirl this time around, I will be buying one, only choice is manual or DCT
Bill
