Honda Africa Twin 1 year honest review - mods, problems, am I keeping it?
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- This bike has been complicated to say the least. While it has so many good things going for it, there have also been problems...including warranty work. Is it worth keeping? Where does it really shine? Let's find out!
Honda rear rack: www.ebay.com/itm/164916035373...
Video showing how to install rear rack: • Tall Windscreen and Re...
0:00 Intro
1:26 Why I chose this bike
3:47 Specs and Features
5:14 Tires
6:10 Fuel Range/Weight
7:07 Types of riding I do
8:26 Dash Tour
12:00 Engine Sound
12:10 Off Road Performance
13:46 Corrales, NM
14:33 Comfort, Seat Height, Wind protection
16:10 Cruise control and turn signal issue
16:50 Passenger Accomodations
17:41 DCT (Automatic Transmission)
20:17 Rider Modes
21:54 Modifications
28:00 Problems and issues!
35:16 Honda extends TFT until 2033!
36:10 Final Thoughts
2023 AT ES manual . 5000km (3000 mi) on my Dunlop Trailmax Missions . Very happy. Big trip in the Rockies . Chucking rain , wash overs , gravel and fire road . Everything in one experience . Tires were rock solid all conditions . When they wear out , I will replace them with the same . No question or doubt. Cheers from BC Canada . RS
I’ve got a 2021 ATAS manual. 36000kms with half being off-road. Love it!
oil consumption? I have atas 2022
One of the best reviews I've watched.
Great review ! I’ve had bikes here in the UK 🇬🇧 some years ago and looking to buy a bike once retired in Thailand. Hopefully i’ll get to road test both in the coming months. Happy days.. !
Greetings,
As always another brilliant detailed video 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸.
Keep producing more videos about the African Twin.
I definitely will! thanks
I had a 2016 AT and now a 2023 AT adventure sports and have been using Motor tractionator GPS and these great on the road, gravel and light off road riding.
Good grip in wet conditions?
I have the Honda Africa, twin adventure sport, DCt es. 2020 I did have a stalling issue like you did, but all I did was find a UA-cam video that shows me how to recalibrate the DCT transmission did that and haven’t had an issue since. Love my Africa twin it’s a keeper.
I have been hearing more and more about that procedure, I'll have to look into it if it does it more. But since the dealer update, so far so good
Nice review, thanks
I have a 2022 CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT in Germany, and I'd like to add two comments: 1. The self cancelling indicators simply work based on the distance the bike travels. Once you set them, they will cancel after 150 meter (about 450 feet). I found this to be too short for me, so I disabled self cancelling in the setup menu. 2. Your problems with Apple CarPlay: I never heard about that specific problem. When I start my bike I first connect my phone to the bike, then I switch on my headset, then I switch on the ignition. The bike connects to my headset first and then connects to the phone. And I have installed a Carlinkit 4.0 wireless carplay adapter, so my phone can stay in my jacket. This is super-easy for short trips, but for trips longer than two hours I have to provide a charging device for the phone, so I carry a small powerbank for that. One thing you probably know: For proper functionality it is essential that the headset is ONLY paired to the bike and NOT to the phone. The Honda serves as a hub between phone and headset. Hope that helps.
didn't know that on the self cancelling indicators, interesting! thanks
The Heidedau K60 dual sport tires have aggressive off road tread, I'd rate them 5 stars. No issues with them on or off-road, wear good. I'm on my 3rd. set on my '08 KLR650
I agree. We all love our hobby but it’s important to be sensible about the prices of these machines.
great video, very informative, thank you very much for time and efford you put into it, thinking about buying Africa Twin too, good for 2024 now they come with tubeless tires and some little tweeks. Had Tenere 700 for a season, 12 000km so about 7500 miles and found it too weak for road, too heavy for offroad, that i dont do much offroad, just found it not good in any department. I now ride 2019 ninja 636 but looking to go back to adventures again. Im little torn between F900GS but im afraid it is too similar to Tenere and i will find touring pita. Great video again, subscribed. Kind regards
Looks like a pretty sweet bike. And no matter what bike you choose, there will be compromises. And being a Honda, I’m sure they will get it sorted.
I had an XT as well, great little bike on the trails and back roads, but slow as Moses anywhere else.
Just wanted to say I really like the cutting board trick, nice.
Well said on the XT, but but SLOW! Thanks, let me know if you try the cutting board thing out, it has been great
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest yes, I can see using it on a project.
Thanks for the video. For what it's worth I usually use the "D" mode as well. Did you purchase that screen visor from Honda? I wanted to get one but can't find it.
we're the few and the proud using D mode in the AT! The screen visor was purchased from Ebay, but it was new and the Honda OEM part, still new in packaging
23 AT ES manual . Putting on Dunlop Trailmax missions . They came into shop first . Alt , Motoz Tractionator GPS . Both are seen on a regular basis out on the road with the AT . Cheers RS
Definitely want to hear the NM4 story!
I'm surprised to find someone who knows what it is! Definitely will share more soon on it, it was such an interesting bike
MotOz RallZ or Adventure for offroad. Or if you want better wet tarmac performance, supposedly Karoo 4 is good.
you have got to have the most pleasing, pleasant, chill narration voices on all of UA-cam... keep it up! Peace ✌️ from SoCal 🌴
Nothing to be ashamed of. It's ok to have these thoughts. 😉
thank you!!
LOL!!
You can definitely use lower grade gas in a pinch. Just get some octane booster in there as soon as possible. Or only fill up halfway and then top off with premium later.
I had the 2020 base model. I put on heated grips , sm pro tubeless wheels (not cheap) Pirelli Scorpion trail 2 tyres and more. In the end I sold it. That thin 21inch front wheel plus the over all weight . I wasn't enjoying my riding...
Having said all that.The new 2024 19inch front tyre ,that's tubeless sounds great.
I hear you on the weight. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be happy with just a Rally 300. I'm sure those tubeless tires you added cost a pretty penny
I have a 2021 mint!base dct! Lots of extras added! Im a 99% road, but hope to go gravel roads soon! I have mitas e07+ dakar rear and e07 front!took 500 miles to feel like a round tyre, but im very happy with them on tarmac! Should be more than capable offroad!
any issues with the screen, or has it been smooth sailing?
@AdventureMotoSouthwest to be honest, I bought the bike 9mths ago with 3200miles. Now upto 4500miles! A few times out riding I'd stop to enjoy the view! On start up, the screen would go through its start up twice! So, I searched tft crf problem and shit myself at the cost of replacing! The bike had a software update recall, sent by post, by Honda! I explained the issue to the guy doing the install! To be fair to the dealership, the update was only for the dct, but he did tft also! They also put the suspension bk2 factor setting, all for free! Although I don't ride her much, no more double start cycle, no glitches, touch screen works! I keep her garaged, so out of the sun. I don't ride in the rain. I also don't do bumpy off road! From my research, Honda know the problem! They have replaced most, even outside of warranty! They say its cheaper to replace than repair! At £3000 I find that hard to believe! Im sure a phone/computer repair store could re weld/solder and replace chips? I believe the issue is something called a cold weld, they break! Since late 2023 the part number for the tft is different to pre 2023, I presume a better unit! If mine does go bad, I'd speak to Honda to see about a replacement, either free or part funded! If I had to pay fully, I'd do it! I call it the tax u pay for premium bikes! Its a shame a company known for reliability put such a poor quality item on! 😢
@@terrystratford1235 I'm glad the dealership did all that for you that is awesome. I agree on how strange it is that Honda missed the mark on the TFT's for this model year, but I am glad they are doing the recall and taking care of the problem. Makes me feel ok to continue purchasing bokes from them. If only Toyota made motorcycles haha
@AdventureMotoSouthwest they all have issues! Bmw rear oil seal. Many many engines replaced with less than 700 miles! Drive shaft issues! Ktm...aftersales issues and reliability! Where there's a push to get the new model out....they use what they can! Never buy 1st generation I guess!?
I currently have a 2018 Honda Goldwing and am considering buying a 2024 Africa Twin instead. For me, it wouldn't be so much to go off-road, but just to have a reliable bike, more agile than my Goldwing and therefore less heavy. I'm not the tallest 5.6 1.69 cm. The new Africa twin is now said to have a smaller front wheel and a more route-oriented 19 inches. Thanks for the nice video and see you next . 👍✌
I think that would be a good move, but the comfort of the Goldwing seems so good
@@PatrickBearePhoto Yes indeed, the comfort of the Goldwing is certainly very good. But the fun of motorcycling is limited with the Goldwing, by which I mean especially when taking very winding roads such as hairpin bends. That's why I'm looking forward to a new adventure and think that the Africa twin will become a big player there. ✌
@@MotorvriendenDePallieters I think you'll really like it!
I’m 71 years old been riding over 50 years and ride and own a few bikes, including a fully farkled 2018 Africa Twin DCT. I was also considering a ‘24 “upgrade” to the new model with the 19” front wheel. However, after a lot of reflection, I’m keeping the ‘18 - it’s a great bike . . . and, it’s a Honda.
@@UncleWally3 Thanks for your reply. Indeed Honda's are beautiful and good quality bikes
I have the Dunlop Trailmax Mission on my AT ASESDCT and love them. It looks like we have the same riding style. I do mostly LD rides but just picked up a CRF300L Rally for exploring and local backroads. Think I’ll be trying the Trailmax Raid on the Rally when the time comes. As for the DCT, the only time I dislike it is when I need to lift the front wheel. 😂😂
I'm so jealous of your rally. I'm on a waitlist for one. Rally + AT seems like the ultimate combo
I would definitely recommend Michelin Anakee Adventure. Greetings from Serbia 🇷🇸🤘🙌
I've heard good things above those. How long did they last for you?
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest it's been my 2nd seasson, just under 12k miles, they are still at 60-70% I'd say. I gotta mention, I've been doing a lot of offroad last year, and suit to me just fine.. I was on Metzeler before, Michelin is far better if you ask me, both in terms of quality and feeling. ✌️down mate and many safe and fun miles on AT.
Michelin Anakee wild had them on the Africa twin KTM 1090r and Triumph 1200 rally pro. Good milage and good grip wet or dry!
I’ve had my AT for about 18 months, DCT base model. I use it daily to commute and for pleasure at weekends. Still looking at tyres, have spare wheels so will go on road and off road, two sets. I’ve used it off road, and it’s amazingly capable for such a big lump.
Mine came with the Battalx tyres, not good. I’ve fitted the Acerbis plastic tank as the range was just too short.
One thing I noticed, in user 1 mode, you have the power maximum restricted. The circle shows power restriction, not power available.
Try it in both settings, you’ll see a big improvement.
I also had cruise control issue, it was solved with new switch gear. Their answer about brakes, doesn’t make any sense. The cruise is cancelled by the operation of the brakes, specifically by the extra set of switch contacts in each brake light switch. It doesn’t sense the brakes any other way
great tip on the power, thanks! I will try that.
So was that a new part they replaced on your bike for the cruise?
They ended up replacing both sets of switch gear, now the screen has lost touch control and select engages all by itself in the rain, so screen fault I reckon
Could u go more detail about user 1 power restriction? As I understand it, you can adjust it. It has 4 parts to the circle, but only 3 parts will go blue. This is max power, 1 bar blue, min power. Am I correct? Is it possible to get all 4 parts blue?
The blue circle is power restriction, not power available, so for example in Tour mode restriction is minimised and only 1/4 circle highlighted , in off road mode all the circle is highlighted so power is restricted.
Let me know how you get on with yours
I don’t have one but the DCT is just like the VW gearbox nice and quick
I agree 100%
I have a ‘21 ATASESDCT and my favorite tire is the Dunlop Trailmax Mission. Got 12,000 miles out of my last set. But if you are looking for more off road capability check out the Trailmax Raid. You probably won’t get the same mileage.
Lmao……are you talking about out the Costco rotisserie chicken fits in that case? I love those. Perhaps I can use that to help justify getting one of these. I’m currently on an old 05 GS. I’d love to have an AT with the DCT.
Thanks for putting this video together.
Yup. I made sure this top case would fit one since taking a chicken home each time I go to Costco is mandatory for me. DCT is the best, highly recommend it!
Hi I use dunlop trailmax mission tires. They are great for switching from on and off road. On the road theres a little bit of tread feel but not a vibration or unsettling amount
Good in wet conditions?
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest I have not done a lot of wet riding so I can’t weigh in on that. I did sink an AT in a puddle all the way up to the seat bottom and got stuck. Took 5 people to pull it out. Nothing to do with the tires, it was my fault hahaha
Rarely rain riding, and when I do, I’m not pushing the traction limits
Dang, so past the exhaust?? That's crazy!
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest the end of the exhaust was just like an inch out of the water. When I jumped off I had constant upward pressure on it because I didn’t want it to sink. I was SOAKED. First 5 minutes of my ride that day I thought I wrecked the bike. It was still perfect after!
Trailmax suck on technical terrain or marble sized gravel.
All the problems at carplay connections (especially if you are trying apple, and not android) - is about lightning cable. It gas to be very very quality manufactured. So the connection will taked and not loss every minute. Its about precision mechanical manufacturing of cable and equally genuine electrical wiring quality manufactured.
Also it needs the cable cover has to be made of soft and flexible rubber and the cable will not smash phone socket by motorcycle vibrations and road hit vibrations.
That's not so critical if you are using android auto.
And sometimes nothing can't help you to connect, no one excellent apple cable - is your phone socket is not more young and tight...
That's what I thought initially too, but the problem is reliably fixed when things are corrected in the specific order in the video. When connected that way, it works every time, leading me to believe it's not the cord (and I did try multiple cords that are all relatively new and manufactured by Apple, not third-party).
And I wish this model had android auto! I think the new ones do. That would be so nice and would probably work better like you mentioned
I had trouble with apple car play always glitching and dropping out. I figured out that if i turn Bluetooth off on my iPhone, carplay works flawlessly no matter what sequence of startup I use.
I think what was happening is the bike was connecting through Bluetooth to my phone and to my headset at the same time and kicking my headset off.
The Bluetooth symbol on the TFT screen would flash intermittently.
Now when I get fuel, I leave the headset on, and when I restart the bike and ride away and it links every time. Super easy. It goes without saying my iPhone is connected to the bike with a data cord.
yes, I agree! This works. And then when the bike 'sees' the phone, just holding the back button on the left handlebar to cancel out of the 'connect headset' screen.
Hi 👋🏻
Do you advice me to buy Africa twin 2024 for traveling around the world and off-roading ??
definitely! I'd go with the base model personally, but recently I have been leaning towards smaller bikes if there is any off road involved, unless it is easy groomed dirt roads
Do you get handle wobble [with or without topbox] ? lots of AT riders are complaining about it.
no wobble so far!
Big ADVs...are one thing (must be good on several aspects.... and not excel on others) ... Small XC bikes another thing.
I agree. Smaller bikes are really where it's at. If I could only have one, it would be my XT250
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest nice bike. Also love Honda CRF .
Where in NM or AZ are you? Looks like where I just moved from in Farmington (northern NM).
Albuquerque. Farmington is nice, lots of good riding out that way
@@AdventureMotoSouthwestThanks, brother. By the way, our bikes are almost exact twins (even the Mototek and colors). Trying to move back to Duke City, but will probably be a year.
I have a 2021 ATAS. Africa Twin is the GOAT. Put better tires on it, add wireless charging and wireless Andriod Auto / Apple Car Play and its the best adventure motorcycle money can buy, in my opinion that is.
Can you provide link to this list about warranty extensions?
I'll do some digging on their site, so far just the letter
@@PatrickBearePhoto can you provide scan? or photo?
@@user-ie5dm4sp1pIn the video at 36:06 I added a screenshot of the letter
Tusk has a nice road and dirt tires ❤
I'll have to take a look. I've heard of the Tusk D-sport tires. I like pretty much all their products
@AdventureMotoSouthwest Just to give ya heads up, if you're gonna do the tires yourself, the side walls are hard to work with . Of course, it's not impossible but harder than other tires themselves . Not that I experienced it myself, but just what other content creators reported on . But they are giving it 3 thumbs up 👍
Thank you!
Did I see you in Los Alamos today?
not me!
I also prefer Drive mode
If you're worried about weight why would you go for the DCT...?
because I've had the DCT system before and it's amazing! Plus minimal weight added overall for this one component
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest 11kg of difference (231kg to 242kg) is not "minimal weight". They're actually the difference between the base version and the Adventure Sports version with the same gearbox.
@@motozest7856👍
Looks like you would like the Tenere better.
I love the Tenere, a buddy of mine has one and I have ridden it a few times. A little too tall for me, but what a great bike and so capable off road
@@AdventureMotoSouthwest africa is also so tall.
it is, but for whatever reason I can almost flat foot the Africa twin, but was on tippy toes on the Tenere. Just my experience though