I love my 2018 Africa Twin manual, its Farkled to the hilt and its probably the bike ive covered more miles on than any other in its first year, this is my 2nd one, the first one i bought when they first come out but then got tempted by the mighty MT10 so bought that then after a week sold it and bought a new S1000XR SE, that was a great bike but really wanted another GS so traded the XR for a 1250 GS Rallye Sport in April 2017
In September 2017 My Son in Law and me went on a weeks tour around Ireland he on his Africa Twin me on the GS I liked the GS but for me it really wasn't comfortable, the seat was like a modern day method of torture, during the week it was clear to see that the AT could do everything the GS did but it didnt have all the bells and whistles on it
Anyway when we returned I decided to trade the GS in for the AT ive got now, we are going to Wales for a week at the end of April and the buzz for me is to change the bike before the first trip of the year and get it all sorted and stuff fitted for the trip,
I narrowed my choice of next weapon to the following
1260 Multistrada Enduro
1290 Ktm Adventure S
Africa Twin Adventure Sport DCT
R1250 GS Rallye
The KTM is quite well equipped with all the bits but ive been advised by 2 prior riders against the bike for various issues, and the dealer back up is questionable at best I think thats now out
The Multistrada is an expensive bike but also got all the bits but on test ride was described by the dealer as fragile, and they seem to loose a lot of value as soon as the slightest modification if made by the manufacturer as its the latest model now !! and the dealer back up isnt anywhere near that of Honda or BMW
So that leaves the Africa Twin Adventure Sport DCT and The 1250GS The GS now has all the toys you could think of the Dash is simply a work of art the integrated nav is superb and the ability to control your music via the dash is just what I want, that coupled with electronic suspension, cornering ABS etc etc etc makes the BM very favourable in my choice for electronic aids although I do like the simplicity of the Honda I know the BM is about £6K more expensive but I have been offered a Zero mile unregistered bike at £15600 which is a decent saving over list, and now only £3600 over the AT
the residual value of the GS in my experience is better as well !!
If I bought the Africa Twin Id want to take all my bits off my existing one so threes no money to spend on it there but would then want
3 Pce Givi Dolomiti Panniers and top box £1000 would buy these for either bike
Tubeless wheels £2000 for the AT
I know these are not essentials but id want them and some other bits as I would need Crash bars if I bought the BM so haven't added stuff like that or Akrapovic can on either etc as thats a personal choice to buy
so come on guys let me know your thoughts I realise this is the Africa Twin section so its safe to say I may get a slightly biased opinion but if the cost of the new bike was not an issue what would you go for and why
Thanks for reading all that babble your comments will be warmly welcomed
Rob
In September 2017 My Son in Law and me went on a weeks tour around Ireland he on his Africa Twin me on the GS I liked the GS but for me it really wasn't comfortable, the seat was like a modern day method of torture, during the week it was clear to see that the AT could do everything the GS did but it didnt have all the bells and whistles on it
Anyway when we returned I decided to trade the GS in for the AT ive got now, we are going to Wales for a week at the end of April and the buzz for me is to change the bike before the first trip of the year and get it all sorted and stuff fitted for the trip,
I narrowed my choice of next weapon to the following
1260 Multistrada Enduro
1290 Ktm Adventure S
Africa Twin Adventure Sport DCT
R1250 GS Rallye
The KTM is quite well equipped with all the bits but ive been advised by 2 prior riders against the bike for various issues, and the dealer back up is questionable at best I think thats now out
The Multistrada is an expensive bike but also got all the bits but on test ride was described by the dealer as fragile, and they seem to loose a lot of value as soon as the slightest modification if made by the manufacturer as its the latest model now !! and the dealer back up isnt anywhere near that of Honda or BMW
So that leaves the Africa Twin Adventure Sport DCT and The 1250GS The GS now has all the toys you could think of the Dash is simply a work of art the integrated nav is superb and the ability to control your music via the dash is just what I want, that coupled with electronic suspension, cornering ABS etc etc etc makes the BM very favourable in my choice for electronic aids although I do like the simplicity of the Honda I know the BM is about £6K more expensive but I have been offered a Zero mile unregistered bike at £15600 which is a decent saving over list, and now only £3600 over the AT
the residual value of the GS in my experience is better as well !!
If I bought the Africa Twin Id want to take all my bits off my existing one so threes no money to spend on it there but would then want
3 Pce Givi Dolomiti Panniers and top box £1000 would buy these for either bike
Tubeless wheels £2000 for the AT
I know these are not essentials but id want them and some other bits as I would need Crash bars if I bought the BM so haven't added stuff like that or Akrapovic can on either etc as thats a personal choice to buy
so come on guys let me know your thoughts I realise this is the Africa Twin section so its safe to say I may get a slightly biased opinion but if the cost of the new bike was not an issue what would you go for and why
Thanks for reading all that babble your comments will be warmly welcomed
Rob