Africa twin what do we think ?

[popkat]

To me it looks good but seems over weight and under powered, has tubed tyres when there's many bike that have spokes that run tubeless which is much more practical if you get a puncture. The new V strom (without looking it up) I would guess has less weight, more power and considerably cheaper, XTZ1200 has electronic suspension and has come down in price, BMW 1200GS loads more power.
Honda have been making a big thing about this bike but it looks nothing special, no new innovation, just looks quite nice that's all..

Does it offer any more than a Veradero, looks like in real world where most of them will be used it offers less, that's progress..

http://www.mcnews.com.au/honda-crf1000l ... -unveiled/




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[TheGingerBeardMan]

Africa twins...what do we think....?

Erm....African twins can be attractive, but only when they look like this...



As for the CRF1000L bike itself on that review page. Yup, it's nothing special to look at, and at first glance it appears no different than the original. But, as you say, it's been tweeked and fattened out a bit. If push came to shove, I'd choose the white one with the gold alloy rims. It's keeping in the traditional colours of the original cross-tourer XLs and earlier Africa Twins, and will be easier to sell than the all red one.

The white one has a better "scowl" to the front end with those new lights, and the road presence will be duly noted by other road users. It's nice they kept the gold wheel option, and I do like the updated colour scheme -with Honda using that deep metallic red in place of their old flat red colour.

For everyday performance on UK roads, I don't think it matters if compared to the BMW, Yamaha, Triumph or Aprilia "cross-roaders". They will all sit at 70mph, will all hold luggage, and will all be comfy to ride. For reliability doing a world trip, then the BMW, Yamaha and Honda are the only 3 I would consider. And breaking THAT down for ease of parts around the world in remote places, I'd choose the Yamaha or the Honda.

Why anyone would buy one as a daily ride/work commuter though beats me. I can't see why it'd be the main bike for TESCO or a blat round town. These bikes were built to work. Deserts, Outback, proper terrain, taking in the urban connections along the way.

These bikes are like Range Rovers and other large purpose built 4x4s. In the UK, the only time the majority of these bikes see off road, is when they're parked on the grass outside the house. Yes, they are ideal for PROPER touring in the UK (Scotland fer example), as they are mile munchers and can handle the sh1tty roads we have up here in places.

But, I have to laugh when the local BMW adventure bike owner rides his up here...all the gear...HUGE oversize special-order aluminium Hepko and Becker panniers...the 2-tone grey riding suit, the open helmet with goggle, spotlights and a jerry-can style petrol container on the side.....and he's never taken the bike out of the town he lives in. He never washes the bike or wipes down his riding kit (intentionally), and it's comical when he turns up at the bike shop - you'd think he's travelled thousands of miles. But, he's happy. A Charley Boorman clone, but again, if it keeps him happy.

But, as the saying goes, "each to their own". Some ride sports bikes, other ride GoldWings and some ride these adventure things. I had a crappy looking-falling to bits-Transalp years ago for a few months, and despite the name, I never took it to "Trans the Alps". But it DID get used faithfully through the winter snow, which was it's intended use, and it got me through where a normal bike would have failed or lost grip, and I suppose Scottish roads up here can be like the Alps sometimes, once the snow hits the back of Aberdeenshire (Tomintoul, Grantown/Cairngorm and Ullapool/Achnasheen roads).

Ride what you like, and like what you ride.

[Wicky]

I'd have one! The std AT, without aoutoclutch gizmos, weighs about the same (about 10kg more) as my 650 Transalp and with 90 odd horsies make almost twice as much. Junking the mega huge exaust can will surely save some weight and some FI mapping tweaks could get it up to storms level of BHP. Fuel econ can only be better than the Storms and with 19L tank its range would be quite sufficient.

As long as build quality is typically Honda (scarily on old ATs with some almost 25 years old they survive quite well except the frames that rot). The exposed engine casings with its intricacies look like they'll take the brunt of all year round riding and be a pain to keep clean.

[KermitLeFrog]

Best one I ever had was an old twin shock XR600 with a 20 litre tank and supertrapp muffler. Did the french rally/raids on it as well as the London commute (kerb? What kerb?). Boring on the motorway but what isn't. Once you got the knack it was even easy (ish) to start. You just had to be COMMITED! And, boy, would it chuck rocks.

Happy days....

[darkember]

To be honest you will be better off with tubes when you are out in the desert and the bike was designed with that in mind. If I was going on a trip round the work I would prompt straight for the twin much more robust.

[bigtwinthing]

i like it and with knobbly ish tyres the power is plenty for sand and trails etc.

Today they make bikes to do all tasks, KTM were the sand experts etc but they have had to change. Honda have a great range and this will be great for dirt and sand with plenty enough power.

I want a new CB1000r with a true 150bhp please.

[VTRDark]

For a bike made to travel the sands the rads are very exposed.



I'm not sure what to make of it. It's not really my cup of tea but there is something quite catchy about it. I dont know what though. Looks better with panniers and top box.



Dispatch riding around town maybe.

(:-})

[lloydie]

Africa twins...what do we think....?

Erm....African twins can be attractive, but only when they look like this...



As for the CRF1000L bike itself on that review page. Yup, it's nothing special to look at, and at first glance it appears no different than the original. But, as you say, it's been tweeked and fattened out a bit. If push came to shove, I'd choose the white one with the gold alloy rims. It's keeping in the traditional colours of the original cross-tourer XLs and earlier Africa Twins, and will be easier to sell than the all red one.

The white one has a better "scowl" to the front end with those new lights, and the road presence will be duly noted by other road users. It's nice they kept the gold wheel option, and I do like the updated colour scheme -with Honda using that deep metallic red in place of their old flat red colour.

For everyday performance on UK roads, I don't think it matters if compared to the BMW, Yamaha, Triumph or Aprilia "cross-roaders". They will all sit at 70mph, will all hold luggage, and will all be comfy to ride. For reliability doing a world trip, then the BMW, Yamaha and Honda are the only 3 I would consider. And breaking THAT down for ease of parts around the world in remote places, I'd choose the Yamaha or the Honda.

Why anyone would buy one as a daily ride/work commuter though beats me. I can't see why it'd be the main bike for TESCO or a blat round town. These bikes were built to work. Deserts, Outback, proper terrain, taking in the urban connections along the way.

These bikes are like Range Rovers and other large purpose built 4x4s. In the UK, the only time the majority of these bikes see off road, is when they're parked on the grass outside the house. Yes, they are ideal for PROPER touring in the UK (Scotland fer example), as they are mile munchers and can handle the sh1tty roads we have up here in places.

But, I have to laugh when the local BMW adventure bike owner rides his up here...all the gear...HUGE oversize special-order aluminium Hepko and Becker panniers...the 2-tone grey riding suit, the open helmet with goggle, spotlights and a jerry-can style petrol container on the side.....and he's never taken the bike out of the town he lives in. He never washes the bike or wipes down his riding kit (intentionally), and it's comical when he turns up at the bike shop - you'd think he's travelled thousands of miles. But, he's happy. A Charley Boorman clone, but again, if it keeps him happy.

But, as the saying goes, "each to their own". Some ride sports bikes, other ride GoldWings and some ride these adventure things. I had a crappy looking-falling to bits-Transalp years ago for a few months, and despite the name, I never took it to "Trans the Alps". But it DID get used faithfully through the winter snow, which was it's intended use, and it got me through where a normal bike would have failed or lost grip, and I suppose Scottish roads up here can be like the Alps sometimes, once the snow hits the back of Aberdeenshire (Tomintoul, Grantown/Cairngorm and Ullapool/Achnasheen roads).

Ride what you like, and like what you ride.

Them twins would get it :-)

[Virt]

I think it's crap. It's too heavy too take off road, it weighs the same as my strom. At least the V Strom knows it's not an off road bike.. it weighs less, has more power, larger fuel tank and road (90/10) tyres. The honda just tries to he something it's not, how are you supposed to use it properly when it's got a pathetic 19 litre tank and when it weighs 240kg? If you want an actual off road bike you want an 800 tiger of bmw at most, though I'd prefer a small 250..

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[bigtwinthing]

XT660 Yam is enough and there so reliable.

[darkember]

XT660 Yam is enough and there so reliable.

The old XT 500 was bulletproof.

[bigtwinthing]

XT660 Yam is enough and there so reliable.

The old XT 500 was bulletproof.

Yep i had an XT500 that had at the beige and red tank. I lived in Albany street in London and it was the ideal vehicle there. No much sand though.
Reg was ALT514S. Wonder where that is now! 1977/78