More detail on the new Africa Twin

[Kenb]

http://theworldaccordingtoluckystrik...rica-twin.html

looks like there may be less for the haters to hate

[MarkH]

http://theworldaccordingtoluckystrik...rica-twin.html

looks like there may be less for the haters to hate

Fuck! Now I want one!
I should ask Santy Claws for a DCT one.

[Racing Dave]

Well, not a ride (more of a sit and a stand) and not in New Zealand, either.

I was at the Motorcycle Live exhibition in Birmingham last week, and Honda had a number of the new Africa Twins on display, in their various colour schemes and in their various specifications.

A great deal of interest was shown, as you might expect, but even in the UK there won't be any demo models available until March 2016. Keep holding your breath...

I couldn't tell a lot from looking, but I can report that the seat is low enough and narrow enough for me to get both feet (not flat, but touching) on the ground at the same time. Thus, lower than my R1200GSA. The bulid quality and fit of the panels is of a high standard.

Given that all the bikes at the show were supported by clamping the front wheel, it wasn't possible to turn the handlebars, but for me, when standing, I would definitely need the bars to be rolled forward in the clamps and possibly raised, too, but I have no idea if there'd still be clearance with the screen. The cables all look long enough.

I had a bounce on the suspension, and if you can take anything from that (not much!), when not actually riding, it didn't feel either under-damped or under sprung.

Awaiting patiently a more substantial test...

[Racing Dave]

Here's another review from the world launch in South Africa:

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-...w/30565-2.html

Judging from the included video, nothing too challenging in the off-road section.

[JimmyC]

The more I hear\see about it, the more I'm thinking I need to find an extra $2k for the DCT. Blue Wing Honda tells me they'll only be available in NZ via special order though... makes a test ride tricky.

[Gremlin]

Being more off road biased than Vstrom/GS etc, the lack of HP seems like a good thing to me at least...

I was up a Waikato gravel road on the weekend on the GSA with Mitas E07 tyres, and while I probably should have aired them down a little, it was a hard base with small gravel stones on top... wheel spin city in 2nd gear out of corners, just couldn't get much forward acceleration... and I wasn't WOT either. Add to that you can break traction in 4th and 5th gears (wasn't too game to try 6th) and yeah... less HP, less complications in more technical stuff...

[JimmyC]

They will be competing with the 2016 Ducati Hypermotard and Hyperstrada which are 939cc.

Completely different bikes!?

[AllanB]

The bulid quality and fit of the panels is of a high standard.

It's a Honda - goes without saying it will be high standard .


Weird paint IMO. Kind of retro?

[Racing Dave]

It's a Honda - goes without saying it will be high standard .


Weird paint IMO. Kind of retro?

Also seen on the Honda stand at Motorcycle Live, last week. You can't get any more retro than this.

[JimmyC]

"You don't shit in your pants, it's just a good engine and a good motorcycle..."

[AllanB]

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fi...NzAyMjMxNjk2S0

[JimmyC]

[Woodman]

Hmmm, the more I read and watch about these the better they get. Seems like they are just the ducks nuts

[Underground]

Africa Twins have always been the ducks nuts Woodman

[JimmyC]

Hamilton Honda have a manual demo in stock... just trying to find a time to get over and ride it. Must be more coming to dealers around NZ though...