Africa Twin

[Mick_J]

I managed to get out on a Honda Africa Twin with the mong box yesterday, and I did ride the standard manual one about six weeks ago, so what did I think of it?
Firstly I was most impressed with the fit and finish of everything on the bike, typical Honda.  It has a large touch sensitive main dash and another little one below, this allows anyone to have their sat nav display on the main screen and still have the speedo display showing below.  During normal use all the information you could ever want was there in front, speed, revs, fuel, temps etc. plus it tells you what the ECU has set up as far as traction control, power mode, ABS (there are about 6 parameters) etc. and on the left side there are all the Trips and consumption options which tell you total miles, trip 1, trip 2 average consumption, ave speed, instant consumption, fuel used and a load of other bits. It was all very clear and easy to see.  The Mode switch gives different displays of which there is five (I think) so there is loads of stuff to play with.  The switch gear on both sides is huge with around 20 different buttons to control the bike and scroll through the various menus, luckily the Screen is touch sensitive.
After getting my brief and raising the seat to the highest position I ventured out.  I slipped the bike into D and off I went, what came as a surprise was that in D the bike changes gear at 2000 rpm so by the time I reached the main road I was already in third, I didn't mind this at all as I am no fan of revs and it was very smooth I could only tell as the gear indicator scrolled through, unfortunately coming down the box is not nearly as smooth.  The box has five modes, fully manual, D (up change at 2000) S1 (up change at about 2300), S2 (Up Change at about 2600) and S3 (up Change at about 2900) that might change with a more aggressive right wrist.  Although I did reach for the clutch and gear lever a couple of times I found the DCT to be fine, I was a bit nervous filtering the first time but found that keeping the rear brake covered made life a bit easier and I soon got the hang of it.  At walking speed the bike did chatter and clunk as the box was being pushed and pulled by the transmission but that disappeared above 10 mph.
Out of town and I just settled in and enjoyed the ride, handling and brakes were good and the bike could be ridden smoothly through a series of bends without any dramas, it's not until you push it a bit that you even notice (or remember) that is does have a skinny 21" wheel up front with a nobly tyre fitted.  The engine has a good sound (but very quiet) so could do with a nice can fitted to open it up a bit. 
And now for the bad bits (to me).  I found the bike quite uncomfortable, the seat is too low and way too skinny, the front has been narrowed down to allow children and short arses to ride it, it's like sitting on a bloody razor blade.  I found the most comfort when I sat right at the back of the seat.  The foot pegs are too far forward (like a 70's British bike) so I couldn't take any pressure off my arse without sliding forward to the skinny part of the saddle and I kept catching my leg on them at stops.  Although I thought the engine was very smooth I did notice my fingers were tingling when I got off so there seems to be a bit of vibration reaching the handlebars.   However none of that compares to the noise and buffeting generated by the screen, I tried it high, low and on the first bike with no screen but it was awful. 
It's not going to be my next bike as it's not made for anyone over 5' 10" but I can't fault the engine (apart from it being a bit too quite) and the manual box was one of the best I have ever used, the DCT is nearly perfect up shifting.  It is good on fuel as well so should be a good distance bike for shorter riders.   

[gsxbarmy]

I had an Africa Twin DCT 1000 whilst my BMW was being repaired, and had it for about 6 weeks, covered over 1600 miles on it including touring the Lake District.

If I never see another DCT Africa Twin again I won't lose any sleep. On the go its OK, but for manoevering it was a bloody nightmare. When i "D" teh gearbox changed up too early and down too late, I eventually put it in the 2nd Sport mode which seemed to give some resemblance of using a normal gearbox.

Personally i can't see why these get such high reviews. Damned expensive and not worth it. Suspension - useless, way too soft at the front, lack of adjustment on rear. Seat skinny and uncomfortable. Too much wind noise.

Frankly I was pleased to give it back.

[Hooli]

I'm confused by the 'its designed for shortarses' comment as a mate who's about 6'7" has one & finds it really comfy.

[VladTepes]

Thanks for the review.
I don't hold with those newfangled gearboxes - although I can see why goldwing riders love them.

So the Africa Twin isn't for me but with the positives of the bike that you did mention it might prompt others to u their game.
Anyone ridden a new V-Strom recently? I wonder how they compare?

[Kiwifruit]

Couple of years ago I went to the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow. Well Aaron Slight turned up on a Africa Twin, the guys he rode with said he rode it like a motocross bike and wondered how it arrived.in one piece. He said he quite liked it. Not my cup of tea.

[grog]

Doesnt seem any good to me, mate has one, he likes it.

[VladTepes]

I'd much rather have this:



It is -
Older.
Less reliable
More expensive to maintain.
Objectively worse.
Actually better

[Hooli]

Guzzis always seem to be pensioner's bikes to me, it's the only people you see on them over here.

[KiwiCol]

Guzzis always seem to be pensioner's bikes to me, it's the only people you see on them over here.

The heat from the heads will be a help with the arthritic knees no doubt . . .