....is the new Africa Twin Sh1te?

[Dazzle]

Well as a happy Africa twin owner, I'll put my opinion on my first thousand miles,
I,ve not had any build quality issues, goes out all weathers on dirty muddy B roads mainly
Which is why I chose it, from knowledge of previous bikes I've owned and test rode (all latest adv crop)
I know it suits the bumpy muddy back roads, did A272 yesterday fast sweepers handled it very well.
Enough power for me to overtake traffic when safe etc.
I was in the market for new adv bike and was looking towards the Ktm 1050'as I don't need the extra power of an 1190 as I only ride solo, then the Africa twin came out and I preferred the looks to be honest and it had DCT which I really like auto cars , this added a different dimension to riding, especially in busy SE England with loads of traffic.
I find it very good for what I use it for, and very capably for my demands in the other riding areas, i.e.
Motorway good comfy not too much wind blast
Twisties fast enough for me steers very stable if a tad slow 21" wheel this is always going to be the case
Country bumpy B roads it's excellent especially if you are in the mood to explore nimbly take in scenery which as I get older seems my main enjoyment nowadays.
It I wanted to cross continents on motor ways I get an RT
If I wanted to cross continents on A roads I get a GS
If I wanted to got green laning a KTM 690 enduro
If I wanted to tear round a race track is get a panigalli
But to sum up the Africa twin is not shite for what I want to for
Moral of my story is buy what bike you want use it how you want what ever it is you will be a happy bunny.

 

[kevingrahambutler]

I thought about selling my twin as I got some bad service from Honda, they had my twin for a month, even bought a 07 gs till I got my bike back, went out with bill from here last week and I love it, hoping honda Take back the shitty boxes as I want the givi boxes, I think there's better bikes out there depending what you want it for but the twin suits me, it may not be for everyone

 

[Lord Snooty]

Well as a happy Africa twin owner, I'll put my opinion on my first thousand miles,
I,ve not had any build quality issues, goes out all weathers on dirty muddy B roads mainly
Which is why I chose it, from knowledge of previous bikes I've owned and test rode (all latest adv crop)
I know it suits the bumpy muddy back roads, did A272 yesterday fast sweepers handled it very well.
Enough power for me to overtake traffic when safe etc.
I was in the market for new adv bike and was looking towards the Ktm 1050'as I don't need the extra power of an 1190 as I only ride solo, then the Africa twin came out and I preferred the looks to be honest and it had DCT which I really like auto cars , this added a different dimension to riding, especially in busy SE England with loads of traffic.
I find it very good for what I use it for, and very capably for my demands in the other riding areas, i.e.
Motorway good comfy not too much wind blast
Twisties fast enough for me steers very stable if a tad slow 21" wheel this is always going to be the case
Country bumpy B roads it's excellent especially if you are in the mood to explore nimbly take in scenery which as I get older seems my main enjoyment nowadays.
It I wanted to cross continents on motor ways I get an RT
If I wanted to cross continents on A roads I get a GS
If I wanted to got green laning a KTM 690 enduro
If I wanted to tear round a race track is get a panigalli
But to sum up the Africa twin is not shite for what I want to for
Moral of my story is buy what bike you want use it how you want what ever it is you will be a happy bunny.

Sounds like the bike is right for you, enjoy it!

 

[beekeeper]

It's what you want it to do that is the measure.......

I still get riders coming up to me when they see my tri colour manual, the same questions time and time again. My reply is that I think the bike is a very good, it is good value, it has a fine Honda engine, you can get it serviced in a multitude of places in Scotland (unlike KTM which why I did not replace my 690), it is easy to handle and comfortable. So other's opinions in my book count for very little, almost 3k miles, I like my CRF1000L.

M

 

[tyclyd]

Its not Sh1T... but i am struggling to love it

My AT is a DCT with just over 8000 miles now since Feb - a technically good bike, DCT is excellent in traffic and makes crossing London easier than my old 1150 GSA... but it has no character (or i have not found mine yet), its just a tool to get from A to B - not convinced I will be keeping it when the 3 years on PCP is up though

 

[richardbd]

So what you're really asking is are the new AT owners really just 1200GS owners in a different (twat)suit?

Can you get a Honda twat suit then?

 

[richardbd]

That luggage needs to be free

It was more expensive without the luggage...

 

[KAYCEE]

It must be....

BIKE magazine have just voted it as "Bike of the Year"

 

[Giles]

My AT is a DCT with just over 8000 miles now since Feb - a technically good bike, DCT is excellent in traffic and makes crossing London easier than my old 1150 GSA... but it has no character (or i have not found mine yet), its just a tool to get from A to B - not convinced I will be keeping it when the 3 years on PCP is up though

It's sort of taken me 20 years to work this out ... but if your bike is not a tool for a job (dispatcher, copper, commuter, etc .. ) and it's purely there for fun, hobby and holidays, then you really need to love it. Ive had dozens of bikes over the years, and as good as some of them were, there's only been a handful of bikes that I've looked back at as i've shut the garage door.

And I'm sorry to say, that none of them were a Honda Ive had Pans and VFR's (back in the 80's I had a VF500Fii) and part from the VF500 (I was young and it was my first 'big' bike so I loved it ..) the Hondas have been brilliantly reliable, but have been pretty soul-less and characterless.

Whilst I'd never tell 'em in the Harley section, I see why people love their Harleys, and I really enjoy my 1190R. There's better bikes out there, but I love it's character. It really seems to have a personality.

If I was commuting I'd maybe get a Honda NC700x thingy, If I lived in london and needed transport I'd consider a super scoot, but for my one pleasure bike, it's got to be something that makes my heart skip ..

 

[Nutty]

It's sort of taken me 20 years to work this out ... but if your bike is not a tool for a job (dispatcher, copper, commuter, etc .. ) and it's purely there for fun, hobby and holidays, then you really need to love it. Ive had dozens of bikes over the years, and as good as some of them were, there's only been a handful of bikes that I've looked back at as i've shut the garage door.

Looking back at it because it's making a ticking noise, or smells of diesel?

 

[Rushy]

Can you get a Honda twat suit then?

Yep they gone for the Twat suit, enduro gloves and Honda branded Arai Tour X. In most Honda dealers

 

[Davy F]

Just over 5k now and.....

Does what I need it to do.

Handles superbly (on Conti TA2's, changed from the off).

Roomy and good at any speed with the seat being a tad uncomfortable after 150 miles.

Shiny spokes, flawless paint, best of 66 mpg/worst 48mpg, gutsy engine.

OE grips not as good as they should be....seems to be a mystery to Honda and no fix as yet despite the same grips performing perfectly on other models. Saying that, they're warm enough for my needs and I'll not be riding through the depths of winter.

Horn, shite. Replaced with a Stebel.

Left switchgear fine bar the SET button which can get sticky. I keep mine lubed with silicone spray and it's fine 99.9% of the time.

Panniers, not as high as quality as BMW offerings, but they haven't leaked and they're good enough for my needs.

Overall, I'm really happy. I see me keeping it for a while and I enjoy the peace of mind that it brings.

 

[Rushy]

It's sort of taken me 20 years to work this out ... but if your bike is not a tool for a job (dispatcher, copper, commuter, etc .. ) and it's purely there for fun, hobby and holidays, then you really need to love it. Ive had dozens of bikes over the years, and as good as some of them were, there's only been a handful of bikes that I've looked back at as i've shut the garage door.

And I'm sorry to say, that none of them were a Honda Ive had Pans and VFR's (back in the 80's I had a VF500Fii) and part from the VF500 (I was young and it was my first 'big' bike so I loved it ..) the Hondas have been brilliantly reliable, but have been pretty soul-less and characterless.

Whilst I'd never tell 'em in the Harley section, I see why people love their Harleys, and I really enjoy my 1190R. There's better bikes out there, but I love it's character. It really seems to have a personality.

If I was commuting I'd maybe get a Honda NC700x thingy, If I lived in london and needed transport I'd consider a super scoot, but for my one pleasure bike, it's got to be something that makes my heart skip ..

Spot on Giles . My fave Honda was my first big bike too , an original 87 Jelly mould CBR . I loved the 80s Hondas , lusted after NS400 , VF1000R etc. My Crosstourer is my first Honda since my 98 F6C . It's a brilliant bike, I love the engine and the DCT but it doesn't quite stir my soul like my Guzzi . I can't walk past that without taking a peek in the garage at it.
However , the Honda is so good that the Guzzi hasn't been anywhere but the MOT testing station since I bought it. Every time I go out for a ride I take the Honda, it's more comfortable , quicker , better for the mixed roads I ride on, love the power BUT I don't look back at it when I park it up and it's a bit if a big old girl for purely solo riding . If I commuted to work every day like I used to on my GS then it would be ideal but really it's just a toy so I keep looking at some thing more "desirable" as an alternative ...currently think of an AT as the sensible choice , smaller / lighter than the CT still got the fab DCT box and I do think it looks better at the front than the CT ...but I lust after a Diavel or an MV Turismo at the moment.

 

[Engineer]

Can't be its Bike magazines bike of the year!!


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Great, but the GS is probably the bike of the last decade and a half! - the AT is a 'good' bike but not a great bike like the GS.

 

[brut33]

Great, but the GS is probably the bike of the last decade and a half!

I'm assuming you mean sales figures....

Would this have been the case if Charlie and Ewan had done their trip on another marque?

Just asking...

 

[Mr K]

So what you're really asking is are the new AT owners really just 1200GS owners in a different (twat)suit?

Oi!

 

[Wreford Miles]

Great, but the GS is probably the bike of the last decade and a half! - the AT is a 'good' bike but not a great bike like the GS.

That's a simple summary, I would add that great should not be confused with perfect...

I think the low down grunt of my TC is great but I expect the WC has more low down ummmmph but it's all merged in with the rest of the power.

I love the weight and presences of the GSA but a Honda 500 loan bike the other day reminded me how much easier a small bike can be for hustling down the back lanes and squirrelling through traffic.

I know I'd look back at a AT with rally seat, exhaust and wide sump guard. I know I'd enjoy an AT with DCT in London traffic but I expect an 1190R would excite me more when that gap appears and you have that brief opportunity to give it some and you want to feel the grunt, a little fear and have a snigger.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Is there any such thing as the perfect bike ??

There is only the perfect ( or near perfect bike) for an individual. In my case its the XR, it has its flaws or character or what ever you want to call them but I am blind to them as everything else it does just rocks my world whenever i ride it. The GS didn't quite do that although on balance it probably is the better all round bike.

Giles has his Orange thing othesr have the AT, Guzzis, hardleys etc.

Suits you sir and all of that

 

[Giles]

I had a spank on a multistrada the other week .... Nice ..!
Imagine closing the garage door on a pikes peak ... Ummmmm ...!!


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[Engineer]

I had a spank on a multistrada the other week .... Nice ..!
Imagine closing the garage door on a pikes peak ... Ummmmm ...!!


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Hope you wiped the seat afterwards.

Sitting outside the hotel in the Picos having a beer - each time a group of bikes come past the vast majority are GSes, only seen one AT so far since Sunday - the Spanish have taken to the WC big time - well at least in the Picos.