Just to keep the rumours flowing, here's the new Honda Africa Twin

[Racing Dave]

Or, what a photoshopped artist's impression might assume it could possibly look like, if Honda are actually making it.

[Night Falcon]

looks convincing enough cep for the muffler looks too small. We live in hope that the big 4 will produce some updates of the classics, AT,XR,DR, KLR they already updated the tenere didn't they?

Is that an under seat rear fuel tank on the AT?

[BrendanZX9R]

Any idea of the engine size? I wonder if it uses Honda's 500cc twin, or may be it uses their current 700cc v twin? Anyone got any ideas?
I think the market has been waiting for something like this. How many people would buy a KTM690 if it had a bigger tank and proper seat? Just check out the rally raid kits for the ktm 690. I'd have one if it wasn't so expensive to make it usable. If Honda can produce something like that from factory it will be really popular. Hell they might finally produce something I'd consider buying! :niceone:

[Eddieb]

Any idea of the engine size? I wonder if it uses Honda's 500cc twin, or may be it uses their current 700cc v twin? Anyone got any ideas?
I think the market has been waiting for something like this. How many people would buy a KTM690 if it had a bigger tank and proper seat? Just check out the rally raid kits for the ktm 690. I'd have one if it wasn't so expensive to make it usable. If Honda can produce something like that from factory it will be really popular. Hell they might finally produce something I'd consider buying! :niceone:

It will use a 1000cc Parrellel twin.

http://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/topic/new-africa-twin-for-2015/#post-3653

[oneblackflag]

It will use a 1000cc Parrellel twin.

http://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/topic/new-africa-twin-for-2015/#post-3653

Great another big adv bike:rolleyes:... I dunno what majority want to see but, I keep hearing the screams of people wanting a small to mid size light adv bike, that would probably be it if it was a 500.

Im referring especially to those dreaming of a WR450R.

[Gremlin]

I could be really tempted as I've had fantastic reliability and service from my Honda local and wish there was a GS equivalent (no, don't mention the fat Crosstourer) however... I can't help but think they'll do something really stupid with it...

[BrendanZX9R]

Great another big adv bike:rolleyes:... I dunno what majority want to see but, I keep hearing the screams of people wanting a small to mid size light adv bike, that would probably be it if it was a 500.

Im referring especially to those dreaming of a WR450R.

a 1000cc motor isn't a problem if the weight is sub 180 kg as they seem to think it will be. Think of a Yamaha 660 tenere with a 1000cc/100hp motor!
But I'll only believe it when I see it. fingers crossed

[Gremlin]

a 1000cc motor isn't a problem if the weight is sub 180 kg as they seem to think it will be. Think of a Yamaha 660 tenere with a 1000cc/100hp motor!
But I'll only believe it when I see it. fingers crossed
:laugh:

The Crosstourer is 1200cc and around 275kg. Um... yeah :lol:

[george formby]

Great another big adv bike:rolleyes:... I dunno what majority want to see but, I keep hearing the screams of people wanting a small to mid size light adv bike, that would probably be it if it was a 500.

Im referring especially to those dreaming of a WR450R.

Oh, sorry. That's probably me. Happens every time I see a leviathan terrain crusher rumbling through Countdown car park.

Dear Honda/Santa/Yamahaha
For Christmas I want a sub 180kg bike which is comfortable, well sprung, has about 80/90 horsepowers and 300km range, minimum, on a tank full. Oh, I want to be able to maintain it myself & fall off without writing it off.

Can't be that hard, Shirley?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh, sorry. That's probably me. Happens every time I see a leviathan terrain crusher rumbling through Countdown car park.

Dear Honda/Santa/Yamahaha
For Christmas I want a sub 180kg bike which is comfortable, well sprung, has about 80/90 horsepowers and 300km range, minimum, on a tank full. Oh, I want to be able to maintain it myself & fall off without writing it off.

Can't be that hard, Shirley?

a supercharged DR650?

[Muzz67]

Not sure about that seat for anything longer than a trip to the shop.......

[R650R]

Its weird they were game changers with the Fireblade but things seemed to stop there.
Those crossrunner things had potential but even the 700 version is morbidly obese. Even for more tarmac orientation they have missed the mark there.

Well my dear Santa/Honda/Yamaha letter:
Sub 600cc for weight loss and cheaper rego
Maximum weight of 160kg.
Anywhere from 50-80HP fine
Fuel injected with max torque mode and a jesus I forgot to fill up limp home maximum economy mode.
Single front brake disc fine but make it large.
Some type of factory installed scottoiler setup for chain.
Factory bashplate/engine gaurds/barkbusters.
Sealed waterproof electrics/loom-drownproof bike with auto intake seal of some kind.
Factory heated grips and touring style seat.
20L composite/plastic tank
Landing lights of a 747 for headlight but LED equivlant etc
Integral anitheft/gps tracking of some kind, RFID embedded parts so you can just scan any bike for parts stolen.
Factory tubeless rim/tyre setup

[Oscar]

Great another big adv bike:rolleyes:... I dunno what majority want to see but, I keep hearing the screams of people wanting a small to mid size light adv bike, that would probably be it if it was a 500.

Im referring especially to those dreaming of a WR450R.

Or a 690 Adv, or even betterer, a 450Adv from Brand Orange.

This pretty much sums up where I think Adv Bikes are going:

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/are-adventure-riders-the-new-suv-driving-soccer-moms/


The author of the story claims Adventure Bikes have too many compromises and don’t excel at anything, and that owners overpay for features just to get the “Adventure” look. He even says that Adventure bikes are for people that want to “feel” adventurous.


We’ve heard similar generalizations from motorcycle manufacturer reps as well. When asked “Why don’t you build a more off-road capable adventure bike?” many times the response has been, “Most Adventure Bike owners don’t take their bikes off-road.”

[HenryDorsetCase]

Or a 690 Adv, or even betterer, a 450Adv from Brand Orange.

This pretty much sums up where I think Adv Bikes are going:

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/are-adventure-riders-the-new-suv-driving-soccer-moms/

You say soccer mom, I say MILF.

what are we talking about again?

[Ocean1]

Or a 690 Adv, or even betterer, a 450Adv from Brand Orange.

This pretty much sums up where I think Adv Bikes are going:

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/are-adventure-riders-the-new-suv-driving-soccer-moms/

We've had this discussion before. I don't think most big ADV machines are bought as dirt bikes, I think they're bought as naked touring bikes. A task most do better than a lot of bikes built for touring.

I've trundled the Buell down many a gravel road, but more than that is simply beyond my skills, which like a lot of riders I know are limited to chucking bikes around on actual dirt to machines that weigh not much more than I do.

So that wee survey at the bottom of that article is going to miss the point as well...

[george formby]

It's telling in that Advpulse article that manufacturers say advbike owners don't take their bikes off road so don't perceive a market for a more focused bike. :wacko: Don't know why they are not trying to expand the market that KTM dominate as the bling bikes but which is based on DR's, KLR's, XT's etc. These middle weights turn up everywhere.
A supercharged DR? Seems more appropriate than a GS but it would need to tow a bowser.
Middleweight development seems relatively stagnant for the big 4 IMHO. Fingers crossed that will change. Soon.

[thepom]

thought we were talking MILF,S...

[Oscar]

It's telling in that Advpulse article that manufacturers say advbike owners don't take their bikes off road so don't perceive a market for a more focused bike.

The most recent proof of that is the amount of bling and power added to the 1190ADV - compared to the 950/990, which was one of the most focussed ADV bikes, this thing wants to be a Multistrada (and KTM want to sell it it in the same numbers).

[pete376403]

It's telling in that Advpulse article that manufacturers say advbike owners don't take their bikes off road so don't perceive a market for a more focused bike. :wacko: Don't know why they are not trying to expand the market that KTM dominate as the bling bikes but which is based on DR's, KLR's, XT's etc. These middle weights turn up everywhere.
A supercharged DR? Seems more appropriate than a GS but it would need to tow a bowser.
Middleweight development seems relatively stagnant for the big 4 IMHO. Fingers crossed that will change. Soon.

KLR with a Versys motor. Plenty of owner built models have been made, from pretty ugly through to better than factory.

The KLR single will have to be retired soon because its carburetted (like the DR) so why they (Big K) don't do it is beyond me.

[tri boy]

Dust off the original KLE specs, and modernise it.
Twin cyl 5-600 rules.
Nuff said.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Dust off the original KLE specs, and modernise it.
Twin cyl 5-600 rules.
Nuff said.

W650 and add Trail Wings and buff up the suspension a bit. i.e. scramblerise it?

[Gremlin]

Diesel track... interesting 800cc bike

[HenryDorsetCase]

Diesel track... interesting 800cc bike

ten characters297305

[tri boy]

W650 and add Trail Wings and buff up the suspension a bit. i.e. scramblerise it?

Nah, too heavy, and missing 21 up front.
Kwacka has the plans, just need someone with scars to sort it.

[Gremlin]

ten characters
tis alright, them Triumph owners need things spelt out... s l o w l y

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Lvr2mEPCP_s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[HenryDorsetCase]

tis alright, them Triumph owners need things spelt out... s l o w l y



wait whut?

[tri boy]

Gremlim, I mean, really, that thing is a pot full of shit, really.
Diesels and m/cycles DON'T mix.
it's like supermodels wearing ya granddads undies......................and shaft drive??

[AllanB]

Sounds like most of you want a Triumph 800 ..............

[R650R]

Sounds like most of you want a Triumph 800 ..............

Actually the new one does look sweet for 95/5 duties but still prob bit heavy...

[Ocean1]

Diesels and m/cycles DON'T mix.

Really?

http://www.dieselbike.net/

I had no idea...

[tri boy]

I couldn't get past the "Alternative" title.
Pet Shop Boys came to mind:sick:

[george formby]

Merckan military use/had diesel or whatever fuel KLRS.

http://www.dieselbike.net/militaryproduction/militaryproduction.htm

Might be handy if you want to ride from London to Beijing.

Not sure about the weight & handling...

Who said 6hundy twin? I'm in.