I feel an Africa Twin coming on...
Discussion
There's a number of threads that mention the Africa Twin if you search for them...e.g.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Currently riding one as a loaner while my GS13 is off the road. Done about 400 miles on it. It's a really nice bike to ride, quite sweet handling that inspires confidence and very sure footed. At first the the engine seems pretty agricultural and rather unwilling to rev but that was just me used to the GS and once I learned that the power comes in later and that it needs some revs, I really have found it pretty sporty. Very comfy and nice riding position. Great looking and sounding bike.
Downsides: Saying OK to the instrument disclaimer panel EVERY time you turn it on Grrrr. The buttons and switch arrangements on the bars are very fiddly (especially with winter gloves on) as they are very close together and lots of them. It's easy to accidentally flick a button which results in the display changing. Annoying! And I keep beeping the horn when I'm trying to press the "enter" button. Beam and function (for heated grips etc) buttons are very fiddly indeed. And, the brakes aren't great.
Much as I really rate it, it's a bike I'd struggle to fall in love with. It looks great which sets an expectation that the riding experience doesn't quite match. Very capable but not exciting in any way - somewhat lacking in character. I know it's not really a comparison and the GS is a lot more expensive but it is much, much faster, sweeter handling and way better at stopping. And the boxer engine with all that torque and distinctive noise give it real character. If I were you I'd ride a few bikes in the category before deciding
Downsides: Saying OK to the instrument disclaimer panel EVERY time you turn it on Grrrr. The buttons and switch arrangements on the bars are very fiddly (especially with winter gloves on) as they are very close together and lots of them. It's easy to accidentally flick a button which results in the display changing. Annoying! And I keep beeping the horn when I'm trying to press the "enter" button. Beam and function (for heated grips etc) buttons are very fiddly indeed. And, the brakes aren't great.
Much as I really rate it, it's a bike I'd struggle to fall in love with. It looks great which sets an expectation that the riding experience doesn't quite match. Very capable but not exciting in any way - somewhat lacking in character. I know it's not really a comparison and the GS is a lot more expensive but it is much, much faster, sweeter handling and way better at stopping. And the boxer engine with all that torque and distinctive noise give it real character. If I were you I'd ride a few bikes in the category before deciding
I like the Africa Twin
I have got one of these and its wicked.
What surprises me about it is the light controls and how quick it is.
I noticed BMW are selling a load off at BCA by way of pressing the "Buy it Now" button. They had at least 6 GSs around 72 plate from around £10k.
One of them was even a TE Rallye like mine.
I have got one of these and its wicked.
What surprises me about it is the light controls and how quick it is.
I noticed BMW are selling a load off at BCA by way of pressing the "Buy it Now" button. They had at least 6 GSs around 72 plate from around £10k.
One of them was even a TE Rallye like mine.
cirian75 said:
Get the manual with the quick shifter, not the DCT.
Old man had the NT1100, that's basically the 100% street version of the AT, it went between gears when he was making a tight turn in the road = no power and went over and broke his foot.
The DCT now has a gubbins that can tell if you're cornering, braking, whatever and not do that sort of thing... I am told.Old man had the NT1100, that's basically the 100% street version of the AT, it went between gears when he was making a tight turn in the road = no power and went over and broke his foot.
I tried one for a day last year when my KTM Superduke was in for a service. I think they look superb but the complexity of the switch gear on the left hand handlebar is ludicrous. Also the dash seemed really chaotic. I dare say that if I owned one I would get used to it and become more familiar with it. That aside, I liked it. Went well, was comfy but from memory it would definitely need a better screen. I am 6'1" and was really conscious of the wind battering me. I would also consider the KTM 890 Adventure R, really impressed with that. I did look at an early Africa Twin as a second bike but ended up with a Suzuki V Strom 1000. More road biased and not as good looking but it is a genuinely brilliant bike. However the Honda does keep calling me still!
I have ridden various BMW GS’ bikes for the last 15 years and when I tried one it felt heavier than my GS 1250 and I found the switchgear overly fussy. By chance I visited a Ducati showroom and whilst there I ended up trying and subsequently buying the latest Multistrada V2 which is about 30kg lighter than the Honda and BMW. The only negative for me is I am out of practice adjusting chains!
iansp said:
I have ridden various BMW GS bikes for the last 15 years and when I tried one it felt heavier than my GS 1250 and I found the switchgear overly fussy. By chance I visited a Ducati showroom and whilst there I ended up trying and subsequently buying the latest Multistrada V2 which is about 30kg lighter than the Honda and BMW. The only negative for me is I am out of practice adjusting chains!
I am a bit "off" Italian bikes at the moment.PT1984 said:
That was a cheap Italian bike. Fantic and modern Ducati are absolutely not the same.
I hear you.I was talking to an ex Ducati salesperson and all-round Ducati-head recently. They said "hmmm great bikes, but don't expect to treat it like a Honda and have it behave like a Honda".
So I suspect they are a different proposition from Fantic. But having had mostly Hondas, I quite like the idea of that sort of calm in my life.
Watch me buy the only Africa Twin Lemon Edition....
Furbo said:
PT1984 said:
That was a cheap Italian bike. Fantic and modern Ducati are absolutely not the same.
I hear you.I was talking to an ex Ducati salesperson and all-round Ducati-head recently. They said "hmmm great bikes, but don't expect to treat it like a Honda and have it behave like a Honda".
So I suspect they are a different proposition from Fantic. But having had mostly Hondas, I quite like the idea of that sort of calm in my life.
Watch me buy the only Africa Twin Lemon Edition....
It's going in for 3 recalls on its first service mind you
. 1) potentially dangerous ABS issue (just needs a check to see if it's got the guilty fuse/wiring or something), obvs I've been alright so far
2) non-urgent fuel canister thing
3) pillion peg blanks (I've already installed Evotech ones, grrr)
I would not hesitate on a new Ducati of any type. They are the dogs proverbials. Just expensive.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff