Africa Twin

[willtill]

Anyone got one? I'm getting new M/C fever... been a little enthralled by this model. Two offerings; regular clutch and the DCT... amazing how the DCT works.

Been checking them out at one of the local Stealerships lately :shhh:

Not trading in my F6B of course and I am keeping my DR650... but I think the African Twin is pretty cool

Good job Honda :yes:

https://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx?&cid=main_reprise/google/Brand_Motorcycle_Adventure_BMM/African+Twin/%2Bafrica%20%2Btwin&mkwid=svkT2Rpak|dc_pcrid_188139492195_pkw_%2Bafric a%20%2Btwin_pmt_b

[six2go]

The AT is WAY too tall for me, but I do like the NC700X with the DCT. I rode one when they 1st came out and I was impressed. My VW GTI has that same tranny only VW calls it DSG for Direct Shift Gearbox.

I was hoping to see a new F6B with that tranny, I would have traded in a hearbeat. Keep us posted if ya get it.

[willtill]

Short legs... my inseam is 30 inches... even mounting my DR650 could be a challenge in the normal "mounting" sense.

But... there is a way to easily mount a tall bike. You just do it from the right side... not the left... keeps the strain off of the kickstand as well. You do have to make sure that you grab the front brake though and as your mounting; keep your torso close to centerline of the bike... the bike is going to swing off the stand as you're standing on the right peg and throwing your left leg over...

Once you perfect it... it's a flawless movement

I have no problem footing the Africa Twin with the balls of my feet.

[soupbean]

So, I've given my thoughts before on this forum about the Honda DCT transmission. After owning a 1200f DCT for six years, ( one of the bikes I sold to get my "B" ) I can tell you it's pretty freaking cool. This was the first iteration of the DCT. I love technology, so the combination of the incredible engine in that bike, the advanced design of the bike as a whole and the automatic shift transmission made this bike an intoxicating experience to ride.
Very low speed maneuvers are a little different with the DCT. No clutch, so you use delicate throttle input and rear brake for tight low speed stuff. You don't have the infinate control using clutch, brake, throttle. After you are underway though ( 5mph + ) the transmission works flawlessly. 90% of the time I'd ride in "D" mode unless I was totally thrashing it or wanted much quicker downshifts , then I'd just flip it to "S". Hardly ever manually shifted. The transmission shifts so smoothly, quickly and accurately.... It really is quite an experience riding a DCT transmissioned bike in a high horsepower application.
Probably some traditionalists that would say they can out shift any automatic transmissioned bike, off the line I could just mash it and totally leave anything and everything. Engine had a lot to do with that, but the transmission is never without power to it between shifts. When it's GO TIME just twist to the throttle stop and bye bye..!
There are some good utube videos showing how stable the rear suspension is with zero jacking under full throttle. The availability of a DCT for the next generation Goldwing is a complete no brainier..!

[willtill]

Almost all metric bikes I have bought in the past, were done without a test ride. I'd like to test ride the Africa Twin DCT before i pulled the trigger on it.

I sat on the DCT yesterday at PowerSports of Crofton. Not sure how long it would take to break the clutch hand muscle memory with it...

..and especially if I rotated back and forth between my other normalized clutched bikes.

[wjduke]

You sure you want that Will? I watched the video...there's no seat lol

[unsub]

Anyone got one? I'm getting new M/C fever... been a little enthralled by this model. Two offerings; regular clutch and the DCT... amazing how the DCT works.

Been checking them out at one of the local Stealerships lately :shhh:

Not trading in my F6B of course and I am keeping my DR650... but I think the African Twin is pretty cool

Good job Honda :yes:

https://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx?&cid=main_reprise/google/Brand_Motorcycle_Adventure_BMM/African+Twin/%2Bafrica%20%2Btwin&mkwid=svkT2Rpak|dc_pcrid_188139492195_pkw_%2Bafric a%20%2Btwin_pmt_b

I've been eyeballing this bike as well as the Yamaha Super T to add to my garage. The two things thing that keep cropping up in the negative column of the AT are the chain drive and the seat. I'm done with chain drives but, never say never. I'll be watching for your progress and your thoughts if you pull the trigger.

[willtill]

Chain drives can be a pain to maintain, especially if you drive in the wet frequently. I've been using DuPont teflon lubricant on my DR's chain... cheap stuff and doesn't attract dirt like chain waxes

I've looked at the Scott oiler but If I was so inclined, I would rather use the Tuturo oiler system, less complicated and would be the ideal solution for me if I ran in the wet.

https://www.tutorochainoiler.com/

[F6B1911]

Chain drives can be a pain to maintain, especially if you drive in the wet frequently.

Just get an R1200GS Adventure and be done with it.

[willtill]

Just get an R1200GS Adventure and be done with it.
No thanks. A BMR is just like a Harley to me. Absolutely no interest in them. Not only that, BMR maintenance costs are atrociously high.

I want a bike that requires minimal maintenance; and I can easily work on myself.

[Miks]

Chain drives can be a pain to maintain, especially if you drive in the wet frequently. I've been using DuPont teflon lubricant on my DR's chain... cheap stuff and doesn't attract dirt like chain waxes

I've looked at the Scott oiler but If I was so inclined, I would rather use the Tuturo oiler system, less complicated and would be the ideal solution for me if I ran in the wet.

https://www.tutorochainoiler.com/

I have a new CB500X that I purchased in May of this year, and although it is a great bike all around, having to clean the chain after doing dusty roads or gravel roads, they just sort of are a pain in the arse at the end of the day! If you don't clean them, they make a lot of noise and wear quickly. I would purchase a new Triumph Bonneville T120 if it had a belt drive for sure.

I have used an automatic chain oiler system when I had a Kawasaki W650 years back. I can't remember what type of oil I used in the system, but it was always throwing oil off the chain and on to the chrome wheel. So I would constantly be wiping off the wheel because the oil would attract dirt like a magnet. What I did like about the system, is that it would fling off dirt from the chain, and the chain always looked clean and was well lubbed. I had used the recommended oil for the system, and had it turned up to the max setting for automatic oiling of the chain. Oh well, if someone would just come up with a belt type system that would fit right on the stock sprocket system, I would be all over that one!

Regarding the DCT. I had considered trading in the F6B for a VFR1200X...very rare cross touring bike. I was going to buy one with the DCT, then I started getting the complication of adding electronic cruise control, so I bailed out and didn't buy the bike. I may go with the Triumph 1200 Tiger, since that has cruise control available. African Twin IS KULE though!

[willtill]

Yes, I think that there is a certain amount of finesse required, when setting up an automatic chain oiler. I've really researched them on other M/C message boards at length... and have seen successful operation of them with minimal mess. The secret is to just getting the flow right. Too often people want instant gratification with oiling the chain = instant mess.

Slow and sparingly is the key to the metering out of the oil in these systems. Ultimately it produces less fling and is very adequate in keeping the chain clean.

[ShanghaiDan]

I run a Pro Oiler on my CTX700 DCT. Flawless operation. Easy connection and routing, I use the tach input rather than the GPS module. It dispenses a preset amount of oil every X miles, and you can easily adjust the amount of oil you want to use. I run it fairly low most of the time (weather in Ventura is rarely wet, and rarely are the roads that dirty), but turn it up with a few button pushes when I do hit rain or dirt. It's a positive displacement system, so it works with just about any oil - I use the leftover 10W40 from my oil changes (a change takes 3.6 quarts, and 0.4 quarts will last me about 8000 miles - time for a new oil change!).

Love the unit! Idiot proof, and I got 34,000 miles out of my chain - unheard of in the Ventura area (the dealer was astounded - even the sprockets still looked good). Yeah, I have some oil fling on the rim and the underside of the bike, but I ride - it's not a weekend show piece (36K miles so far, in 2 years - with 10 of those 24 months having me overseas and not riding).

[soupbean]

unsub, I'm with you on the shaft drive. I really don't even consider a bike unless it's shaft.
The Africa Twin is just so freaking cool..! Yamaha is my # 2 choice as far as ultimate reliability.
The Super Tenere has proven to be pretty much bulletproof. Shaft, cruise, electronic suspension.
Very seriously considered getting one, then Honda brought the Crosstourer to the US , and the Africa twinn came out.
For now I wanted to own just one bike. Ultimately I went to the bike I've been in love with for several years... the "B".
Test ride a 1200 Crosstourer..., shaft, single sided swing arm, available DCT and a marvelous engine, I guarantee you'll fall in love with the motor..! Lack of cruise , lower body protection & standard accessories turned me away though.

[unsub]

unsub, I'm with you on the shaft drive. I really don't even consider a bike unless it's shaft.
The Africa Twin is just so freaking cool..! Yamaha is my # 2 choice as far as ultimate reliability.
The Super Tenere has proven to be pretty much bulletproof. Shaft, cruise, electronic suspension.
Very seriously considered getting one, then Honda brought the Crosstourer to the US , and the Africa twinn came out.
For now I wanted to own just one bike. Ultimately I went to the bike I've been in love with for several years... the "B".
Test ride a 1200 Crosstourer..., shaft, single sided swing arm, available DCT and a marvelous engine, I guarantee you'll fall in love with the motor..! Lack of cruise , lower body protection & standard accessories turned me away though.

That's why I keep going back to "look" at the Super T. To me so far, it checks all the boxes. I'm eager to read will's thoughts in a report though.

Never say never.


:yes:

[Drive Jehu]

Anyone got one? I'm getting new M/C fever... been a little enthralled by this model. Two offerings; regular clutch and the DCT... amazing how the DCT works.

Been checking them out at one of the local Stealerships lately :shhh:

Not trading in my F6B of course and I am keeping my DR650... but I think the African Twin is pretty cool

Good job Honda :yes:

https://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx?&cid=main_reprise/google/Brand_Motorcycle_Adventure_BMM/African+Twin/%2Bafrica%20%2Btwin&mkwid=svkT2Rpak|dc_pcrid_188139492195_pkw_%2Bafric a%20%2Btwin_pmt_b

willtill, I thought this would be a nice dirt bike with little street ability when it was introduced. It's more according to ride reports from the 2 owners I recently spoke with in Alaska. One talk was in passing, yes it was good on the interstate and he would buy it again, and the other I camped near at the Arctic Circle. I asked him if it was an automatic and he held up his left hand and said he might as well cut it off if it was. Karl was on a 3 week ride and was pleased with all day riding - on the stock seat. That stock seat does not look like it would be comfortable to me. Anyway I saw him after he got back from Dead Horse and no surprise that it performed great in rough conditions. I think it's good candidate for a round the world bike, fuel injection and all.

[Broken Hand]

That's why I keep going back to "look" at the Super T. To me so far, it checks all the boxes. I'm eager to read will's thoughts in a report though.

Never say never.


:yes:

I traded 2014 Ten for my '14 B.
The Ten is an awesome bike. Tons of addons available. Super reliable.

Needs a couple fixes imo.
1) Better windscreen--Madstad fixed that.
2) I got numbness in my right hand. Cruise control helped some.
3) Seat wore on my butt by 200 miles.
3.5) Can't turn ABS off readily. Screws with locking up rear tire for slides.
4) Biggest problem--I found myself riding on lone, gravelly or rutted dirt roads by myself. It's too damn tempting in the Ten kitted with knobbies and bars to explore. I got bit hard last year when I fell and injured my shoulder. Knew then and there that that bike was going to get me maimed or killed.

https://flic.kr/p/XTJe1F
https://flic.kr/p/WQkNrd
https://flic.kr/p/WQkNC5

[DarkKnt]

Anyone got one? I'm getting new M/C fever... been a little enthralled by this model. Two offerings; regular clutch and the DCT... amazing how the DCT works.

Been checking them out at one of the local Stealerships lately :shhh:

Not trading in my F6B of course and I am keeping my DR650... but I think the African Twin is pretty cool

Good job Honda :yes:

https://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx?&cid=main_reprise/google/Brand_Motorcycle_Adventure_BMM/African+Twin/%2Bafrica%20%2Btwin&mkwid=svkT2Rpak|dc_pcrid_188139492195_pkw_%2Bafric a%20%2Btwin_pmt_b

I took my wife and teenage kids to a "dirt 101" course this past weekend. Had an instructor teach us the basics of dirt biking on small Honda CRF's..... Everybody loved it, and now I have the bug for another bike. Need to decide what exactly I would do with it, as I'm drawn to a true dirt bike (CRF250 or similar) but realize that a streetable "adventure" type bike might be the way to go. I have to ask Will, aren't the DR650 and the AF Twin pretty much made for the same "experience"? Or are they different enough to justify both? I just wouldn't see myself riding the old school one much, if I had the new AF Twin.

[willtill]

I took my wife and teenage kids to a "dirt 101" course this past weekend. Had an instructor teach us the basics of dirt biking on small Honda CRF's..... Everybody loved it, and now I have the bug for another bike. Need to decide what exactly I would do with it, as I'm drawn to a true dirt bike (CRF250 or similar) but realize that a streetable "adventure" type bike might be the way to go. I have to ask Will, aren't the DR650 and the AF Twin pretty much made for the same "experience"? Or are they different enough to justify both? I just wouldn't see myself riding the old school one much, if I had the new AF Twin.

Yes, the DR650 and the Africa Twin are both aligned in the "Dual Sport" category.

It would be hard to justify both...

Just new car (motorcycle) fever. If I were to purchase the Africa Twin.. the DR would have to go I imagine. I can't see parting with the DR though... this is most certainly a "first world problem" that I am plagued with at the moment... :shhh:

:icon_lol: