More detail on the new Africa Twin

**Bass** · 19th August 2016, 11:50

Have travelled quite a bit around the middle of Australia. It's not difficult to find yourself in places where you are wondering if there's another solitary person within two or three hundred kilometers. The fuel available can be a bit suss out that way too.

If it stops in places like that, I've got a better than 50/50 chance of getting a carby to work again.

Probably got no chance of fixing an injection system. Yes they are pretty reliable. No, the fuel is usually not that bad. It's just that the consequences can be pretty dire and so I go with the greatest likelihood of getting mobile again.

**flashg** · 19th August 2016, 16:46

Originally Posted by Racing Dave

No, they run rich at high altitude. Compared to low altitude, there's the same volume of air passing through the venturi, so it draws the same volume of fuel through the main jet, but there fewer air molecules in that volume of air.

So what is the oxygen sensor in the exhaust for ?
The mechanics at work and My understanding was its there to send data to the computer to analyze the exaust gases and adjust the mixture accordingly.
If my injected bikes run rich at altitude, why can't I feel it ?
With carbed bikes I've owned in the past you could tell.

**Waipukbiker** · 19th August 2016, 17:01

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

crash started my 690 couple of times with no problems. FI is pretty reliable these days. early stuff had problems. Bad fuel seems to be the predominant cause of problems but that's not really an issue in NZ. Carbs are great if your a carb wizard and have a jet kit and the patience to tune them....FI takes care of all that.

Your right, crash starting your beast wasnt an issue for the rider, as for the poor buggers pushing it, well, bugger and buggerette anyway. And it was after a couple

jeez, that was a couple or 3 years ago now.

**flashg** · 19th August 2016, 17:13

Apologies Racing Dave
I didn't read your post properly.

**Racing Dave** · 19th August 2016, 17:34

Originally Posted by flashg

Apologies Racing Dave
I didn't read your post properly.

That's OK, no harm done.

My first experience of the 'running rich at altitude' sensation was about 30 years ago, when the Rainbow Road wasn't the popular highway that it is now, and my XR185 started blubbering at the top of Island Saddle on the way north. In those days, it could literally be a week before help arrived and the walk out in bike gear was not one to look forward to (I thought that I might start blubbering, too), but on descending the saddle the engine returned to its usual smooth purr. Until I returned to Hanmer, when it happened again, and of course cleared up again by Lake Tennyson.

**Night Falcon** · 20th August 2016, 17:37

Originally Posted by Waipukbiker

Your right, crash starting your beast wasnt an issue for the rider, as for the poor buggers pushing it, well, bugger and buggerette anyway. And it was after a couple

jeez, that was a couple or 3 years ago now.

LOL. Was gonna mention it was preferable to have a steep hill to launch it Ross. You blokes were awesome that fateful day in the Paronagawho car park. What ya upto these days mate, we need to get the crew together for a ride or two this spring/summer.....especially now I have a comfy British adv-Tourer (with FI) to ride.

**R650R** · 21st August 2016, 19:32

Well I was needing a rest 3/4 up Takipari rd today to remove some layers and inspect the next steep section when a heavenly sound starts thundering up the trail....
Whats that I wonder, sounds great and definitely a bigger bike of some sort. The track was in bad state and I was blown away to see an AT thumping up the hill.
Yoshi end can on it, had good chat to owner and he got it unaided through some pretty mean snowy and ice bits on the steep loose stuff. I was even hesitant to follow on the DR!
Post some pics later

**R650R** · 22nd January 2017, 11:42

Seems Honda dealers have special on at moment, $2k of recommended retail on this "hard to obtain, limited supplies" bike....
Dam that I trying to buy house at moment

**AllanB** · 22nd January 2017, 16:04

Originally Posted by R650R

Seems Honda dealers have special on at moment, $2k of recommended retail on this "hard to obtain, limited supplies" bike....
Dam that I trying to buy house at moment

Well - that's the best time to buy a new bike - just add it to the loan. You are a long time dead.

**Takataka** · 22nd January 2017, 16:51

Originally Posted by AllanB

Well - that's the best time to buy a new bike - just add it to the loan. You are a long time dead.

I would only agree with that if you were sure the bike was actually going to enrich your life more than your current ride. Would the AT really go up steep hills that much better?
Having a smaller mortgage can actually mean more free time to ride, which to me is more important than a new bike. I'm probably sounding a bit too serious and sensible here but what worked for us was paying our mortgage down hard in the beginning and we're now reaping the rewards. Every big expense was preceded by the question "will this truly enrich my life" ?

**young1** · 22nd January 2017, 21:05

Originally Posted by Takataka

I would only agree with that if you were sure the bike was actually going to enrich your life more than your current ride. Would the AT really go up steep hills that much better?
Having a smaller mortgage can actually mean more free time to ride, which to me is more important than a new bike. I'm probably sounding a bit too serious and sensible here but what worked for me was paying my mortgage down hard in the beginning and I'm now reaping the rewards. Every big expense was preceded buy the question "will this truly enrich my life" ?

Good thinking!

**R650R** · 23rd January 2017, 21:16

Originally Posted by Takataka

I would only agree with that if you were sure the bike was actually going to enrich your life more than your current ride. Would the AT really go up steep hills that much better?
Having a smaller mortgage can actually mean more free time to ride, which to me is more important than a new bike. I'm probably sounding a bit too serious and sensible here but what worked for us was paying our mortgage down hard in the beginning and we're now reaping the rewards. Every big expense was preceded by the question "will this truly enrich my life" ?

When the mortage payments are about the same as renting, how long it takes to pay it off id immaterial to me, just be nice to have my own place.
Yes an Africa Twin will enrich my life.... however I'm starting to get dismayed watching youtuvbe vids of the thousands of screws and shit to undo to accesss the airfilter or taking the tank and fairings off. Hopefully Safari or rallyraid bring out aftermarket body kits soon..... otherwise it might be the KTM790 ADV X or the Yamaha YDV830R or even the Suzuzki RM670V.....