Got my new AT DCT 3 weeks ago, love it to death, had a BMW GS and RT for past 8 years. Love the looks, the smart DCT which you can override in a second with the paddles, the ride comfort, the engine, the narrower width, of the engine, the DCT advantage off road and in town and the superb build quality. Thank you HONDA !!! (Got the Touratech crash bars which are perfect)
I've had my Africa Twin AS ES for 4 months and I learned something new in this video today.. S1,2 & 3. Can't wait to go out and try it. Thanks Ritchie for letting Bruce know!! I don't remember Ritchie telling me this on his channel.. I guess I know which one I'll be watching for more info now ;-)
I have a DCT and only use the paddles for downshifting when needing some engine braking. TBH I really don't get the issues with it changing down on corners - I guess I may have changed my riding so that doesn't really happen perhaps?! The Africa although the front is slightly vague at the front wheel I personally think it's like that to be able to handle the mega rough stuff and for that it would be great I'm sure and if it came with a standard size then most people would say it should have a larger tire. All in the AT is an great bike as you say and if it was this or the GS then I think for cost savings on running and overall costs I reckon I would go Honda. No right or wrong there. I hear your a GS fan lol. Cheers
Commenting on very old video but another perspective, I've got this bike and got so hacked with the behaviour of the DCT (including the dropping into first at tight corners thing) that I had the optional foot switch installed (expensive alternative to the paddles but kept hitting the wrong button with the paddles) and now ride it everywhere in manual mode changing with my foot and using the DCT as a quick shifter that it's impossible to stall. Brilliant bike ridden that way.
Great video! The DCT just might be the greatest thing that's ever been invented! And so many people are trying to promote it... you cannot get me to want one!! I tried it, no way!!!
How nice it would be to own one of these, pack some clothes, a tent and a sleeping bag and just travel around, camping somewhere near each night and exploring the roads (on or off them) on this! Great video 👍
just been to lands end myself today, Paignton to Looe for coffee and a sausage roll then down to Lands end came back along the A30, jumped across to the A38 and back home via Totnes 245 miles covered on my 17 year old kawasaki vn800 classic, bloody cold but loved every mile. another great video Bruce thanks for the content
I really enjoyed this review, purely because of the way you did it by means of a trip. I rarely watched reviews in their entirety but this one hit the spot.
Didn’t know it was your birthday. Hope you had a great day. Really enjoy your channel. In these days of total despondency you and several of your fellow floggers make life bearable. Keep up the good work. The Cornwall blog was great.. Keep up the great work...
Thanks a lot Andrew, I actually forgot myself until I woke up to a birthday text from the wife! 😬🤦♂️😂 Great to hear you’re getting something positive from the vids, that’s what it’s all about for me. Cheers Bruce 👍
Great Vid Bruce - you did make me laugh saying about all the traffic down the far South West - you want to see it summer time - complete nightmare - glad you did the A39 thats the local boys road of choice, hit it right and much fun can be had !!!!!!!
Cheers Andy, aye the 39 is a total hoot when done at ‘energetic speeds’ eh, a proper arrive at your destination in silence, giggling to yourself hysterically moment 😂👍
Morning Bruce, In October I did a four day 900 mile south west tour with some friends. Many of the roads you rode are familiar. We stopped in Lynmouth too, beautiful part of the world and some fabulous roads... Looking forward to many more great vids. Nash Nulls!!
Happy Birthday Mr Teapot. Some how I missed the details on your trip which is very enjoying as you literally rode straight past my door upon the beautiful Dartmoor hills,and would of loved to join the gang.Let me know when you venture down into the south west again,. Keep up the excellent videos.
Good informative vlog. 👍 For someone with limited or painful mobility in the hands it's great to help them continue to be able to ride a bike. This bike seems like the Honda Civic (Zzz) automatic I have which has DCT - use the automatic for town and motorway which is great but anything else and you've got to use it as a manual via the flappy paddles.
Cracking Vid Bruce. It was a great couple of days and I only wish I had stayed for the ride along the A39 to Minehead. Looking forward to the next time 👍👍. ps. It doesn't always rain in Devon....just most of the time 🤣
DCT ? That's why I part-X'd my X-ADV after two years for a Tiger 900 GT PRO, I love it, not too big or heavy (I'm 78, the AT is for me, too big, to heavy) . Cheers, Gordon (Canterbury)
Think there was a glitch in the matrix there at lands end ! And my bike was just having a rest 🤪 was good to get out on the bike thanks for having me along 👍
Brilliant once again Bruce , love roads around the west country .. Try the manual box version defo 👍 You can in the settings turn on and off the self cancel indicators
Nice review of the bike Bruce. The only bikes I've ever ridden without gears (or clutch) were single speed scooters and they were a hoot to ride but not very fast. On a bike as BIG as that one coming out of, or going into a corner the last thing I'd want is to not be sure of what gear it was going to give me. I'll give that one a pass personally.
Great video Bruce it was a great trip I enjoyed every minute of it, I don’t like the ect thing it has its place but for me it takes away from the experience of the ride .I would have the bike but just in manual version , thanks again for letting me tag along , they say video adds 10 pounds more like 10 stone in my case 🤣🤣 keep safe & ride safe big man looking forward to seeing the next video‘s.👍👍👍
I own one and find the engine braking was the hardest to get used to, and the throttle is quite twitchy, but eventually I got the user settings where it's smooth now. Definitely sport mode is a must, using regular D it feels like you're driving a tractor.
I thank you so much for being open about the DCT. I think, a lot of YT-colleagues fell for the Honda marketing stuff... I do see its advantages, but me having only one bike, I would NOT want it to have an automatic.
I'm still very new to riding, but I just can't see why you wouldn't want to change gear, that's part of the fun of riding for me. One of the things that surprised me as a car license holder of 20+ years is that it wasn't easy to ride a bike, the bike makes me really earn/work for the miles in a way that a car never has, for me dealing with gears and how they effect the bikes balance is part of that.
Aye I’m the same, it’s part of riding. However I do appreciate that DCT certainly has a place for some, whether that be through disability or preference, but it just wasn’t for me on this one 👍
Cracking ride boys. I was with you in spirit from afar 😁. Superb review Bruce, but not surprised it didn’t steal your heart from the GS. You must admit though, the AT is a more handsome chap 😉
Great watch. Good bike but not for me, I'm TMF stature 5ft 8in, 11 stone. I would probably drop it within an hour, that's if I could get on it. Now a GS low seat (and low suspension if needed) ticks the boxes. Thanks for sharing
OOOOoooo haha shame you weren't on your GS ,you rode through my stomping ground there barny across to lynton across to minehead then across to tiverton oooohaaa some twistys to part the men from the boys * ) usually on my duc 1100s but if I'm feeling lazy the Bonny puts a grin on every time * ) nice one Bruce catch you soon ...
I have a crosstourer highlander DCT which only has Drive, Sport and flappy paddles. As you say Drive is useless unless you are just bumbling along a 50 mph straight A road or Auto-route for hours (better MPG). Sport is my 'go to' and I don't have the downshift problems in bends as your Sport 2 mode. If I'm doing twisties then it's flappy paddles all the way. Mine has the earlier DCT (2015/16), maybe that's the difference? Iv'e had the bike from new and it took 2 years and 5,000 miles to get properly used to the DCT (after using gears for 45 years!!). Been lucky this year and done the Pico's and Pyrenees between lock downs. 16,500 miles on and it's still running like clockwork and just coming to the end of set 2 of tyres. got 8,000 miles from the OE, the rest on much better Continental Contitrail 2; great grip!
Great review. Love to hear how it handles dirt roads though. It is an adventure bike afterall. It would be interesting to compare your 1250 experience with the Honda DCT in those conditions. Thanks again, I really enjoyed sharing that beautiful ride even if only by proxy.👍
I feel the same about DCT, I don't want a bike that is shifting when I don't want it to. Funny thing is that is seems all the people that have them swear it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Yeah that’s true, it’s either for you or it’s not I think. I can see a lot of positives for DCT, but it wouldn’t be my first choice, much prefer the standard manual gearbox.
Riding a DCT myself. You can actually „train“ the automatic shifting pattern by interfearing manually with the shift pads. After couple of times it will follow your riding style. Also you can program the revs higher or lower for shifting points in the settings.
I'm pleased you have come around to the DCT which is insane. I ride in D on motorways or heavy traffic. S1 or S2 in other environments. I think D setting was setup for off road riding.
Picking up on the gear changing issues on sharp corners, how about a series of vids on riding techniques ? Thinking mainly of gear choice and breaking techniques for cornering ; road positioning and other best practices for safe ( and progressive ) riding ? Drawing on your previous experience ( !! ). That should keep you busy and help many riders in preparation for our escape from the virus next spring !! Keep up the good work.
Yes pal nice to find you great vid . I’ve got the ES plus pack DCT and a Goldwing tour , and yes love the twin but the seat kills it . My mate Kev and I go touring (when we could) (he’s also got a bmw LT but on the biggies I lend him a DCT )and the idea is to swap between the twin and the wing !! But I’ll be honest the last 5000 miles I did I didn’t go on the twin once , due to the comfort issue. Poor Kev’s arse was like a battered blood orange 🍊🤣🤣 where mine was converted in pillow tufted heaven . So I’ve found a guy up north near me and Richy V who is an upholsterer and a biker 👍 winner , he’s put an 1+ 1/2 inch of gel and a heater pad , it’s transformed it 🙏 . As for the drop down on the sharps ive set my own page up and tweaked it to suit, for me it’s worked but I hear you . Keep up the good work speak to you again thanks. Jonathan
I’ve just spend 2 full days hammering one of them offroad. Loved the dct box. Ran it in manual on and offroad all the time. The drive mode was horrible. Sport modes weren’t to bad but just preferred to leave it in manual all the time and change up and down as you would on a manual.
Aye that’s what most folk seem to say with the DCT on the AT - which tends to suggest to me it’s better with a manual box full stop to be honest. The Goldwing on the other hand lends itself beautifully to the DCT, I love it on that machine 👍
@@teapotone I think your right there with it suiting the gold wing style bikes better. Although I thought it was brilliant offroad. Getting stiff boots under the shifter when stood up on rough ground is quite tricky. That’s where then dct really came into its own.
@@teapotone One thing I did fine was really slow manoeuvres offroad were a bit tricky to start with as you got no clutch to slip. Few hrs playing and wasn’t to bad. Offroad Hill starts we’re lovely and easy tho with the dct
Aye I found very tight switch-back hairpins were tricky with the DCT - you’d think you were set in 2nd and then just as you leaned in and applied the slightest throttle, it would drop down to 1st and unsettle the bike. Again keeping it in manual avoided that, but I’d rather just have a manual box on the AT personally. Horses for courses though eh 👍
After sitting in a recovery truck driving up a steep hill, as it’s Auto gearbox would drop into first, Rev up the hill until it changed up, which was too high a gear and we’d grind to a halt until it shifted back down and repeated. I vowed never to touch an auto gearbox in my life. I could see you were experiencing the exact same thing, and it’s the last thing you want on a bike.
Alright Teapot, I've had an 18 plate Africa Twin for nearly a couple of years and found it great to ride, like you say S3 mode if you want to be cracking on, or D if you're just dawdling around, actually very relaxing. BUT, you hit the nail on the head going down that hill when you said it didn't want to change down - that's no bloody good is it, it should do as you want it to, lives could depend on it. And the tiptronic switches are great if you think about them, but not intuitive. Moving your left foot to change gear is intuitive. As it happens, I'm going back to a proper manual, -a Speed Triple, paid my deposit this very morning. I know you test rode the RS, but I've opted for the S as they're reported to be a better road going bike. Being a stout gentleman, was there any hint of the suspension getting out of shape? I had an MT-09, which was brilliant apart from the suspension being designed for a smaller chap possibly from the country of it's origin. No good for ME.
Hi Mike, That Speedy is a beautiful machine, the RS and the Super Duke R are my top 2 road bikes so far. Re the suspension, do I never felt it out of shape at any time I had it, and I took it down some proper barely back country lanes around Kent and Sussex.👍
Enjoying your high quality vids on the AT mista pot. But in all honesty, you can't run a big 1100cc twin down to 15 mph on a steady or overrun throttle in a higher than base sports mode and not expect it to change down to first gear. And then guess what, you can't expect to quickly opening the throttle in first gear in a mid sports mode with the bike leant over and not expect it to have a smidgeon of snatch! Learn to finish braking before the corner and be accelerating through the apex and rolling it on on the exit and you'll be fine. Plus a little more confidence in the bike and its tires in the twisties, from what I could see (which included the silt etc), would help too. It's just a learning curve IMHO, the bike seems to be working exactly how I would expect any bike to, DCT or manual.
After the glorious 12th April I'll be throwing a leg over one or two of these for a test ride. The dealer has talked me into trying the dct as well but I think manual with quick shifter and if I'm gonna throw extra money at it it'll probably be on the electronic suspension.
Another great vid thanks for sharing again. 😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦 think I go with Honda goldwing dct come on Bruce you not going of road anyway may as we’ll be comfortable 🤓 ,oh and shaft drive on it too.
Happy birthday!! :) Probably very late at this point but sure look :D That view at 12:00 mins was bloody incredible. Matt had a KTM ghost, it happens :D Great video man, I would give DCT an extended chance too but I honestly think it'd end up as it did with you. God damn gopro batteries eh :D
Ha Ha thanks bud, yeah I think you’re either DCT or you’re not really - it’s an impressive system and I can absolutely see the advantages for some, but it’s just not my cup of tea at the mo 👍
So back in July I set off from the South Coast not knowing where I was going to ride, daytime temps were around 25c and I was dressed accordingly. Eventually ended up in that car park at Lynemouth nose bagging on wine gums (nothing’s open), set off back home about 9:00 pm and the temps have dropped to around 9c over Exmoor WTF 😳, that was a cold one no spare kit, my own fault - roads were good fun though👍 Anyway I’ve just splashed out on a Keis heated jacket and gloves and they are excellent and will always travel somewhere with me on the bike from now on. Great riding with you, can’t afford a Beemer / AT / or KTM, I’ll stick with my V Strom 1000, it’s not a bad bike can’t say I’m impressed with the DCT system on the twisties but has its place like you say
@@teapotone Suzuki are missing a trick there, one of the first places the motorcycle buying public look is on YT, just turn up at Milton Keynes and have “meaningful” chat lol they’ll soon cave 🤣
I've got used to the DCT on my VFR1200F (looks like one of the old SEG bikes, motorway traffic is like a zip lol). The bike has split personalities so I've called it Katherine after Katherine Ryan, expect nice and sweet, but anything but. D mode its as chilled as the F800, in S mode (Its 2010 so no S1,2,3) it sits just how I used to ride my ZZR14 "energetically". I very rarely use the triptonics but its nice to know they're there
I reckon you, TMF and that nutter who races everywhere on one wheel should do a mass ride-out to Poole Quay one Tuesday for bike night. I reckon it would be a hoot.....
Great review of the AT, i've recently looked at the older CRF1000, but decided to keep my Versys. I do think, there is far too many gadgets on modern bikes now, all the gizmos, too many buttons, all very distracting. I'm guessing, most of the settings, you'd choose your preference, then leave alone; so why make them electric? As I said, IMO, there are far too many gizmos on modern bikes that 'can' go wrong, especially on the big ADV's. What happens if you're in the middle of nowhere and the computer has a brain fart??...........stranded?! Be safe, ride safe and have fun, Grumps.
Yeah I do think it’s getting a bit silly now with the electrics, but people were saying this about the 2011 Gixxer I took on my trip - didn’t have a single electrical issue with it and never have 🤷♂️👍
New Subscriber from 🇨🇦 Owner 2016 CRF1000 DCT - Love it & Looking at maybe getting newer AT 2020 or 2021. Hoping they will fix the Load Time of the TFT touch screen. Also I will maybe consider NON DCT only because it’s thrown me off a few times in some Level 3 trails here because of the Whiskey Throttle effect...miss being able to kill the engine force when you accidentally get thrown out of a deep rut and open the throttle by accident. But I may still get another DCT...so many benefits of use for my style of riding. EDIT: Also, I never ever use “D”/drive mode with the only exception of parking it in a tight garage or similar situation. Totally Useless unless your a bit of a miser for petrol.
Like I said absolute must see, Don’t do any research or reading up on it just turn up a discover all about it on your visit, I guarantee you will not be disappointed 👍
Belated happy birthday teapot 👍🎉 How did you find it on the motorway. I’ve got the previous version and just doesn’t seem to cruise comfortably at motorway speeds, gets a bit waring. Fully agree with the 1.5 hr arse ache !! Hi
What do you think about the new rebel 1100. It has the African Twin Engine in a modified Frame. Manual or DCT . Available in US after the first of the year.
I don't think the Africa twin handles particularly well on the road, especially compared to a gs. The 21 inch front is not great for the road. If it came with a 19/17 option it would be much better.
Well for the handling: if a 22 Stone lad persuades a 21 inch front to turn by shifting his weight.. weill what alternative could gravity possible have ? :) Nice job Brice !
Hi Dale, I tend to do my organised rides and meet-ups over on Patreon now bud - they basically allow me to do this full time so I try to give back as possible
The vids will always be free to view for everyone Dale, but if you choose to become a Patreon, I’d gratefully appreciate it and make sure I have a brew with you 👍
Great analysis ... the dct will be like marmite but great for long motorway journey's im sure... i have ridden a number of bikes and on normal roads the hp is irrelevant . If you are on an autobahn then clearly its different.
For me it’s all about the torque - I want face ripping grunt from a bike so I can enjoy it without the threat of jail time speeds. The AT is a very good bike for its target market, but for me it doesn’t come close to the KTM, Ducati or Beamers for grin factor. Each to their own though, there are plenty out there who disagree 👍
Thanks bud, aye that’s the Berserker, had it a while but don’t like it unfortunately - very limited vision when on the bike and I don’t like the goggles system
If you are on interesting roads put the DCT in manual and you have the best quickshifter on a motorbike (the gearbox has the luxury of a clutched change whilst you can either change with your fingers or foot) with auto blipper. On the way down to the Pyrenees down A roads, ring roads and motorways pop it into "sport 1 or 2" and let the bike do 2000 miles of tedious gear changes for you. Manual mode is just as important to be used as auto on this bike.
Happy Birthday !!! Teapot can I ask you a question around tinted visors. I know having a tinted visor is illegal to use, have you ever been stopped for it or can you tell me (ex-police view) is this something the police will stop you for?
Why don't Honda do like Yamaha do and give you a foot lever for the DCT? At least then you'd feel like you're still in control of the gears, and you can change down to 1st when you want, not halfway through the corner. The DCT on the FJR just feels like you've got a *really* good quickshifter.
I’ve got a DCT Crosstourer, and it’s great BTW. You can buy a Honda gear lever to just bolt on mine so I imagine it’s the same with these AT’s. I don’t miss the lever so haven’t bothered. Can’t get why Teapot doesn’t like DCT, it’s terrific.
Happy birthday! I think this is the most on point bike review you've done so far 21 inch front wheels for the road don't work and dct gearbox 🤮 that engine is a little corker rumour has it honda is going to make a 1100 sports tourer with it next year that could be interesting 😁
Got my new AT DCT 3 weeks ago, love it to death, had a BMW GS and RT for past 8 years. Love the looks, the smart DCT which you can override in a second with the paddles, the ride comfort, the engine, the narrower width, of the engine, the DCT advantage off road and in town and the superb build quality. Thank you HONDA !!! (Got the Touratech crash bars which are perfect)
I've had my Africa Twin AS ES for 4 months and I learned something new in this video today.. S1,2 & 3. Can't wait to go out and try it. Thanks Ritchie for letting Bruce know!! I don't remember Ritchie telling me this on his channel.. I guess I know which one I'll be watching for more info now ;-)
I have a DCT and only use the paddles for downshifting when needing some engine braking. TBH I really don't get the issues with it changing down on corners - I guess I may have changed my riding so that doesn't really happen perhaps?! The Africa although the front is slightly vague at the front wheel I personally think it's like that to be able to handle the mega rough stuff and for that it would be great I'm sure and if it came with a standard size then most people would say it should have a larger tire. All in the AT is an great bike as you say and if it was this or the GS then I think for cost savings on running and overall costs I reckon I would go Honda. No right or wrong there. I hear your a GS fan lol. Cheers
At 2:58 when you named all the lads Bruce, I must admit In my head it went "Hugh, Pugh, Barney Magrew, Cuthbert, Diddle n Grub." 😁👍
😂👍
Commenting on very old video but another perspective, I've got this bike and got so hacked with the behaviour of the DCT (including the dropping into first at tight corners thing) that I had the optional foot switch installed (expensive alternative to the paddles but kept hitting the wrong button with the paddles) and now ride it everywhere in manual mode changing with my foot and using the DCT as a quick shifter that it's impossible to stall. Brilliant bike ridden that way.
I’d just rather have the full manual personally, I like the engine though
Yesss! My 3 seconds of fame at the beginning. It was a great day out and a shame I wasn't able to stay for longer. Looking forward to future meet-ups.
Cheers Paul, was a pleasure to have you along bud 👍
The channel that keeps on giving. I watched bru time this morning with breakfast and now having my lunch. Looks lovely...wooooo haaaaa!
Ha Ha cheers Murt, hope you’re feeling better soon bud 👍
Great video! The DCT just might be the greatest thing that's ever been invented! And so many people are trying to promote it... you cannot get me to want one!! I tried it, no way!!!
Yeah it’s not my cup of tea either, certainly on a bike like this anyway.
It makes sense on the Goldwing though, that is brilliant.
How nice it would be to own one of these, pack some clothes, a tent and a sleeping bag and just travel around, camping somewhere near each night and exploring the roads (on or off them) on this! Great video 👍
That’s the dream eh!
Thanks bud, glad you enjoyed it 👍
just been to lands end myself today, Paignton to Looe for coffee and a sausage roll then down to Lands end came back along the A30, jumped across to the A38 and back home via Totnes 245 miles covered on my 17 year old kawasaki vn800 classic, bloody cold but loved every mile. another great video Bruce thanks for the content
I really enjoyed this review, purely because of the way you did it by means of a trip. I rarely watched reviews in their entirety but this one hit the spot.
Nice one, cheers Bib, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Too many gadgets is the story of all modern bikes, they seem to want to make them into cars lol.
So true
Didn’t know it was your birthday. Hope you had a great day. Really enjoy your channel. In these days of total despondency you and several of your fellow floggers make life bearable. Keep up the good work.
The Cornwall blog was great..
Keep up the great work...
Thanks a lot Andrew, I actually forgot myself until I woke up to a birthday text from the wife! 😬🤦♂️😂
Great to hear you’re getting something positive from the vids, that’s what it’s all about for me.
Cheers
Bruce 👍
Great Vid Bruce - you did make me laugh saying about all the traffic down the far South West - you want to see it summer time - complete nightmare - glad you did the A39 thats the local boys road of choice, hit it right and much fun can be had !!!!!!!
Cheers Andy, aye the 39 is a total hoot when done at ‘energetic speeds’ eh, a proper arrive at your destination in silence, giggling to yourself hysterically moment 😂👍
Just watched it again great few days away epic roads & great company can’t wait for the next one 👍👍🤪
Ha Ha cheers bud, was a good time wasn’t it.
Can’t wait for freedom to return 😉👍
We did a very similar route last year - great riding roads! Thank you for a great vid!
Thanks bud, appreciate that 👍
Aye it’s a great place to ride in the South West, so many wee lanes and places to explore
Morning Bruce, In October I did a four day 900 mile south west tour with some friends. Many of the roads you rode are familiar. We stopped in Lynmouth too, beautiful part of the world and some fabulous roads... Looking forward to many more great vids. Nash Nulls!!
Cheers Craig, aye it’s a beautiful part of the country isn’t it 👍
Happy Birthday Mr Teapot. Some how I missed the details on your trip which is very enjoying as you literally rode straight past my door upon the beautiful Dartmoor hills,and would of loved to join the gang.Let me know when you venture down into the south west again,. Keep up the excellent videos.
Thanks bud, I posted up on my Patreon so that’s how the lads in the vid knew about it 👍
Good informative vlog. 👍 For someone with limited or painful mobility in the hands it's great to help them continue to be able to ride a bike. This bike seems like the Honda Civic (Zzz) automatic I have which has DCT - use the automatic for town and motorway which is great but anything else and you've got to use it as a manual via the flappy paddles.
Cracking Vid Bruce. It was a great couple of days and I only wish I had stayed for the ride along the A39 to Minehead. Looking forward to the next time 👍👍. ps. It doesn't always rain in Devon....just most of the time 🤣
Ha Ha cheers Mike, was great to have you along bud, cheers for making the effort 👍
DCT ? That's why I part-X'd my X-ADV after two years for a Tiger 900 GT PRO, I love it, not too big or heavy (I'm 78, the AT is for me, too big, to heavy) . Cheers, Gordon (Canterbury)
Think there was a glitch in the matrix there at lands end ! And my bike was just having a rest 🤪 was good to get out on the bike thanks for having me along 👍
Ha Ha, it was just the KTM letting you know who is in charge bud!
Mate it was my pleasure, appreciate you coming along as always 👍
Brilliant once again Bruce , love roads around the west country ..
Try the manual box version defo 👍
You can in the settings turn on and off the self cancel indicators
Cheers Keith, I’ve actually ridden the manual already when I was out in Slovenia in the summer - vids coming in a month or so 👍
Nice review of the bike Bruce. The only bikes I've ever ridden without gears (or clutch) were single speed scooters and they were a hoot to ride but not very fast. On a bike as BIG as that one coming out of, or going into a corner the last thing I'd want is to not be sure of what gear it was going to give me. I'll give that one a pass personally.
It is interesting that only mainly GS owners say that GS is better. ;-) Tested both of them before buying and had no doubts.
Great video Bruce it was a great trip I enjoyed every minute of it, I don’t like the ect thing it has its place but for me it takes away from the experience of the ride .I would have the bike but just in manual version , thanks again for letting me tag along , they say video adds 10 pounds more like 10 stone in my case 🤣🤣 keep safe & ride safe big man looking forward to seeing the next video‘s.👍👍👍
Cheers Dale, was mega to have you along for the trip bud 👏👍
Nice mini trip that Bruce, great to see you out and about mate. Kind regards, Beans.
Cheers Beans 👍
I own one and find the engine braking was the hardest to get used to, and the throttle is quite twitchy, but eventually I got the user settings where it's smooth now. Definitely sport mode is a must, using regular D it feels like you're driving a tractor.
I thank you so much for being open about the DCT. I think, a lot of YT-colleagues fell for the Honda marketing stuff... I do see its advantages, but me having only one bike, I would NOT want it to have an automatic.
Cheers Tom, aye I think it’s either for you or it’s not. I can see advantages to it for sure, but for me I prefer the manual gearbox 👍
So many bikes I’d love to own 😎☝️🇬🇧🏍🇬🇧 another good review and watch keep up the good work
Thanks bud 😉👍
I'm still very new to riding, but I just can't see why you wouldn't want to change gear, that's part of the fun of riding for me. One of the things that surprised me as a car license holder of 20+ years is that it wasn't easy to ride a bike, the bike makes me really earn/work for the miles in a way that a car never has, for me dealing with gears and how they effect the bikes balance is part of that.
Aye I’m the same, it’s part of riding.
However I do appreciate that DCT certainly has a place for some, whether that be through disability or preference, but it just wasn’t for me on this one 👍
Cracking ride boys. I was with you in spirit from afar 😁. Superb review Bruce, but not surprised it didn’t steal your heart from the GS. You must admit though, the AT is a more handsome chap 😉
Hey my old neck of the woods , before moving to Costa Calida, you were lucky finding a parking space in Lynmouth (-:
Great roads along ur route .
Just watched this review again which was from almost a year ago, which must Happy Birthday Bruce 🎉🎉🍺🍺👍😀
Cheers John 👍
Great watch. Good bike but not for me, I'm TMF stature 5ft 8in, 11 stone. I would probably drop it within an hour, that's if I could get on it. Now a GS low seat (and low suspension if needed) ticks the boxes. Thanks for sharing
Another great vid Bruce. Devon and Cornwall are both beautiful. But then I am slightly biased 😊
Ha Ha and rightly so bud 👏👍
Thanks Bruce for a great Rideout and great vid 👍👍👍
My pleasure bud, appreciate you meeting up and coming along.
Here’s to many more once freedom returns 😉👍
Hello from colombia south america that's the bike of my dreams..
Hi Diego 👍
Great Video Bruce nice to see some of my own stomping ground in Somerset love the stretch of the A39 From or to Lynton and Lynmouth .
Thanks man, it’s a lovely part of the world as you know, aye that bit of the 39 is stonking 👍
brilliant ride, I love this area, especially that part after Lynmouth
Aye it’s a great ride isn’t it, and beautiful surroundings too 👍
I had a cheeky ride to Lynmouth in lockdown 1, nowt on the road. Was bloody fantastic
OOOOoooo haha shame you weren't on your GS ,you rode through my stomping ground there barny across to lynton across to minehead then across to tiverton oooohaaa some twistys to part the men from the boys * ) usually on my duc 1100s but if I'm feeling lazy the Bonny puts a grin on every time * ) nice one Bruce catch you soon ...
I have a crosstourer highlander DCT which only has Drive, Sport and flappy paddles. As you say Drive is useless unless you are just bumbling along a 50 mph straight A road or Auto-route for hours (better MPG). Sport is my 'go to' and I don't have the downshift problems in bends as your Sport 2 mode. If I'm doing twisties then it's flappy paddles all the way. Mine has the earlier DCT (2015/16), maybe that's the difference? Iv'e had the bike from new and it took 2 years and 5,000 miles to get properly used to the DCT (after using gears for 45 years!!). Been lucky this year and done the Pico's and Pyrenees between lock downs. 16,500 miles on and it's still running like clockwork and just coming to the end of set 2 of tyres. got 8,000 miles from the OE, the rest on much better Continental Contitrail 2; great grip!
Great review. Love to hear how it handles dirt roads though. It is an adventure bike afterall. It would be interesting to compare your 1250 experience with the Honda DCT in those conditions. Thanks again, I really enjoyed sharing that beautiful ride even if only by proxy.👍
I feel the same about DCT, I don't want a bike that is shifting when I don't want it to. Funny thing is that is seems all the people that have them swear it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Yeah that’s true, it’s either for you or it’s not I think.
I can see a lot of positives for DCT, but it wouldn’t be my first choice, much prefer the standard manual gearbox.
I have the new AT dct, put in manual and you can shift at your will, only on the downshift it will force itself down if the Rev get too high
Riding a DCT myself. You can actually „train“ the automatic shifting pattern by interfearing manually with the shift pads. After couple of times it will follow your riding style. Also you can program the revs higher or lower for shifting points in the settings.
Great review as always Bruce, Keep it safe and have a great week
Good review and ride with the clan Bruce. Looking forward to similar with the GS when you have time 😉
Absolutely bud - I’ve hardly ridden the tractor of late! Off to Swindon tomorrow on her to take some of those older bikes out for a spin, can’t wait 👍
I'm pleased you have come around to the DCT which is insane. I ride in D on motorways or heavy traffic. S1 or S2 in other environments. I think D setting was setup for off road riding.
Picking up on the gear changing issues on sharp corners, how about a series of vids on riding techniques ? Thinking mainly of gear choice and breaking techniques for cornering ; road positioning and other best practices for safe ( and progressive ) riding ? Drawing on your previous experience ( !! ). That should keep you busy and help many riders in preparation for our escape from the virus next spring !! Keep up the good work.
The best I like was at 05:08 to 05:09, listen to what he say in two seconds, loved it.
Great video Bruce, far to many gadgets on the bike, sounds expensive if anything goes wrong.
Cheers Michael👍
Yes pal nice to find you great vid . I’ve got the ES plus pack DCT and a Goldwing tour , and yes love the twin but the seat kills it . My mate Kev and I go touring (when we could) (he’s also got a bmw LT but on the biggies I lend him a DCT )and the idea is to swap between the twin and the wing !! But I’ll be honest the last 5000 miles I did I didn’t go on the twin once , due to the comfort issue. Poor Kev’s arse was like a battered blood orange 🍊🤣🤣 where mine was converted in pillow tufted heaven . So I’ve found a guy up north near me and Richy V who is an upholsterer and a biker 👍 winner , he’s put an 1+ 1/2 inch of gel and a heater pad , it’s transformed it 🙏 . As for the drop down on the sharps ive set my own page up and tweaked it to suit, for me it’s worked but I hear you . Keep up the good work speak to you again thanks. Jonathan
Cheers Jonathan 👍
@@camper9356 soreted saddles on FACEBOOK good man 👍
I’ve just spend 2 full days hammering one of them offroad. Loved the dct box. Ran it in manual on and offroad all the time. The drive mode was horrible. Sport modes weren’t to bad but just preferred to leave it in manual all the time and change up and down as you would on a manual.
Aye that’s what most folk seem to say with the DCT on the AT - which tends to suggest to me it’s better with a manual box full stop to be honest.
The Goldwing on the other hand lends itself beautifully to the DCT, I love it on that machine 👍
@@teapotone I think your right there with it suiting the gold wing style bikes better. Although I thought it was brilliant offroad. Getting stiff boots under the shifter when stood up on rough ground is quite tricky. That’s where then dct really came into its own.
That’s a very good point, didn’t think of that actually and I do struggle to change gear when standing up offroad 👍
@@teapotone One thing I did fine was really slow manoeuvres offroad were a bit tricky to start with as you got no clutch to slip. Few hrs playing and wasn’t to bad. Offroad Hill starts we’re lovely and easy tho with the dct
Aye I found very tight switch-back hairpins were tricky with the DCT - you’d think you were set in 2nd and then just as you leaned in and applied the slightest throttle, it would drop down to 1st and unsettle the bike.
Again keeping it in manual avoided that, but I’d rather just have a manual box on the AT personally.
Horses for courses though eh 👍
After sitting in a recovery truck driving up a steep hill, as it’s Auto gearbox would drop into first, Rev up the hill until it changed up, which was too high a gear and we’d grind to a halt until it shifted back down and repeated. I vowed never to touch an auto gearbox in my life. I could see you were experiencing the exact same thing, and it’s the last thing you want on a bike.
Alright Teapot, I've had an 18 plate Africa Twin for nearly a couple of years and found it great to ride, like you say S3 mode if you want to be cracking on, or D if you're just dawdling around, actually very relaxing. BUT, you hit the nail on the head going down that hill when you said it didn't want to change down - that's no bloody good is it, it should do as you want it to, lives could depend on it. And the tiptronic switches are great if you think about them, but not intuitive. Moving your left foot to change gear is intuitive.
As it happens, I'm going back to a proper manual, -a Speed Triple, paid my deposit this very morning. I know you test rode the RS, but I've opted for the S as they're reported to be a better road going bike. Being a stout gentleman, was there any hint of the suspension getting out of shape? I had an MT-09, which was brilliant apart from the suspension being designed for a smaller chap possibly from the country of it's origin. No good for ME.
Hi Mike,
That Speedy is a beautiful machine, the RS and the Super Duke R are my top 2 road bikes so far.
Re the suspension, do I never felt it out of shape at any time I had it, and I took it down some proper barely back country lanes around Kent and Sussex.👍
Enjoying your high quality vids on the AT mista pot. But in all honesty, you can't run a big 1100cc twin down to 15 mph on a steady or overrun throttle in a higher than base sports mode and not expect it to change down to first gear. And then guess what, you can't expect to quickly opening the throttle in first gear in a mid sports mode with the bike leant over and not expect it to have a smidgeon of snatch! Learn to finish braking before the corner and be accelerating through the apex and rolling it on on the exit and you'll be fine. Plus a little more confidence in the bike and its tires in the twisties, from what I could see (which included the silt etc), would help too. It's just a learning curve IMHO, the bike seems to be working exactly how I would expect any bike to, DCT or manual.
After the glorious 12th April I'll be throwing a leg over one or two of these for a test ride. The dealer has talked me into trying the dct as well but I think manual with quick shifter and if I'm gonna throw extra money at it it'll probably be on the electronic suspension.
Another great vid thanks for sharing again. 😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦 think I go with Honda goldwing dct come on Bruce you not going of road anyway may as we’ll be comfortable 🤓 ,oh and shaft drive on it too.
Camborne/Redruth birth place of the railway.... next time u are down I will put u all up and join u for the rest of the ride on my Triumph
Thanks very much bud, very kind of you 👍
Happy birthday!! :) Probably very late at this point but sure look :D That view at 12:00 mins was bloody incredible. Matt had a KTM ghost, it happens :D Great video man, I would give DCT an extended chance too but I honestly think it'd end up as it did with you. God damn gopro batteries eh :D
Ha Ha thanks bud, yeah I think you’re either DCT or you’re not really - it’s an impressive system and I can absolutely see the advantages for some, but it’s just not my cup of tea at the mo 👍
So back in July I set off from the South Coast not knowing where I was going to ride, daytime temps were around 25c and I was dressed accordingly.
Eventually ended up in that car park at Lynemouth nose bagging on wine gums (nothing’s open), set off back home about 9:00 pm and the temps have dropped to around 9c over Exmoor WTF 😳, that was a cold one no spare kit, my own fault - roads were good fun though👍
Anyway I’ve just splashed out on a Keis heated jacket and gloves and they are excellent and will always travel somewhere with me on the bike from now on.
Great riding with you, can’t afford a Beemer / AT / or KTM, I’ll stick with my V Strom 1000, it’s not a bad bike can’t say I’m impressed with the DCT system on the twisties but has its place like you say
Cheers Andrew, I’ve not tried any of the V-Stroms yet but heard they’re a great bike and cracking value too 👍
@@teapotone Just over 9k you can pick up an ex demo with a couple of hundred miles on it (XT), I’d be interested on what you make of them👍
I’ve tried many times to get something going with Suzuki Uk in regards to their press fleet, but nothing has ever come of it 🤷♂️
@@teapotone Suzuki are missing a trick there, one of the first places the motorcycle buying public look is on YT, just turn up at Milton Keynes and have “meaningful” chat lol they’ll soon cave 🤣
I've got used to the DCT on my VFR1200F (looks like one of the old SEG bikes, motorway traffic is like a zip lol). The bike has split personalities so I've called it Katherine after Katherine Ryan, expect nice and sweet, but anything but. D mode its as chilled as the F800, in S mode (Its 2010 so no S1,2,3) it sits just how I used to ride my ZZR14 "energetically". I very rarely use the triptonics but its nice to know they're there
I reckon you, TMF and that nutter who races everywhere on one wheel should do a mass ride-out to Poole Quay one Tuesday for bike night. I reckon it would be a hoot.....
Great review of the AT, i've recently looked at the older CRF1000, but decided to keep my Versys.
I do think, there is far too many gadgets on modern bikes now, all the gizmos, too many buttons, all very distracting.
I'm guessing, most of the settings, you'd choose your preference, then leave alone; so why make them electric?
As I said, IMO, there are far too many gizmos on modern bikes that 'can' go wrong, especially on the big ADV's. What happens if you're in the middle of nowhere and the computer has a brain fart??...........stranded?!
Be safe, ride safe and have fun, Grumps.
Yeah I do think it’s getting a bit silly now with the electrics, but people were saying this about the 2011 Gixxer I took on my trip - didn’t have a single electrical issue with it and never have 🤷♂️👍
@@teapotone fair play 👍
great review bruce honest review
Tiptronic is a auto gearbox that Porsche used years ago, modern gearboxes use twin clutch or DCT.
Happy 21st Bruce 🎂
Ha Ha.... Stone! 😬😂👍
Thank you bud 👍
I really like the Africa twin but am a bit put off by the DCT. Be interesting to see what a manual one is like. 👍
New Subscriber from 🇨🇦 Owner 2016 CRF1000 DCT - Love it & Looking at maybe getting newer AT 2020 or 2021. Hoping they will fix the Load Time of the TFT touch screen. Also I will maybe consider NON DCT only because it’s thrown me off a few times in some Level 3 trails here because of the Whiskey Throttle effect...miss being able to kill the engine force when you accidentally get thrown out of a deep rut and open the throttle by accident. But I may still get another DCT...so many benefits of use for my style of riding.
EDIT: Also, I never ever use “D”/drive mode with the only exception of parking it in a tight garage or similar situation. Totally Useless unless your a bit of a miser for petrol.
Hey Bruce, if you are ever down that way again check out the Minack Theatre, absolute
must see…..
Thanks Emaill, I’ve heard a lot of people say that, I’ll check it out one day bud 👍
Like I said absolute must see, Don’t do any research or reading up on it just turn up a discover all about it on your visit, I guarantee you will not be disappointed 👍
Happy Birthday Bruce
Thanks bud, very kind. This was filmed back in October by the way 😉👍
The manuel is better with ES. Tank isn't full (24l) all the time ;)
Belated happy birthday teapot 👍🎉
How did you find it on the motorway. I’ve got the previous version and just doesn’t seem to cruise comfortably at motorway speeds, gets a bit waring. Fully agree with the 1.5 hr arse ache !! Hi
Cheers John, I didn’t actually do too much motorway on it really, but nothing ever jumped out at me about it, felt fine for me 🤷♂️👍
Looks Great, bit Transalp and too high for me..... Loved the review though Teapot, Landsend, my country!!!!
When is too much, too much? What is the long term viability, of so many gadgets? Personally, i prescribe to the KISS principle..
Same as you Bruce, didn’t like the loss of control, bike changing down mid corner yuk. No thanks.
If you went to Shaftesbury, did you go on Zig Zag Hill? Given what you're saying about the DCT is would have spent the whole time in 1st gear
Aye not far off it 😂👍
What do you think about the new rebel 1100.
It has the African Twin Engine in a modified
Frame. Manual or DCT . Available in US after the first of the year.
Haven’t seen anything about it bud, first I knew of it was when TMf’s vid came out 🤷♂️👍
The indicator switch giving you the horn? Is that bike a keeper?
I was in Redruth on my birthday, literally, I was born there.
Beautiful roads and landscape, fuck I miss living in the South-West
I don't think the Africa twin handles particularly well on the road, especially compared to a gs. The 21 inch front is not great for the road. If it came with a 19/17 option it would be much better.
Totally agree with you there, the 21” front just doesn’t give me the same feedback on the road as a standard 19” wheel does
Thank you for posting. About the shifting, I have heard a few mixed reviews about the DCT. Is there an option to just run it in manual all the time?
Aye unfortunately I didn’t know about the manual mode when I had the bike 🤦♂️🤷♂️👍
Enjoy it truly…
Well for the handling: if a 22 Stone lad persuades a 21 inch front to turn by shifting his weight.. weill what alternative could gravity possible have ? :) Nice job Brice !
I was laughing soo hard when he gave you the middle finger 😂 awesome video
Ha Ha - ‘Nice Lad’!
He’s still not impressed.... wait till he gets the t-shirt 😉😂
I am always terrified when I see somebody to drive on left lane.😂.
are you going to be doing any rides around Exeter area this year do you think, would be awesome to tag along on a ride one day
Hi Dale,
I tend to do my organised rides and meet-ups over on Patreon now bud - they basically allow me to do this full time so I try to give back as possible
@@teapotone that's fair enough man I guess I'll have to sign up
The vids will always be free to view for everyone Dale, but if you choose to become a Patreon, I’d gratefully appreciate it and make sure I have a brew with you 👍
Great analysis ... the dct will be like marmite but great for long motorway journey's im sure... i have ridden a number of bikes and on normal roads the hp is irrelevant . If you are on an autobahn then clearly its different.
For me it’s all about the torque - I want face ripping grunt from a bike so I can enjoy it without the threat of jail time speeds. The AT is a very good bike for its target market, but for me it doesn’t come close to the KTM, Ducati or Beamers for grin factor.
Each to their own though, there are plenty out there who disagree 👍
@@teapotone agreed i toured on an explorer but after trying the beemers ducatis ktm i plumped for the new tiger 900 as its just so much lighter
Make sure you blur both speedos ;) P.S why does have a bike have 2 speedos?
Ah bugger, thought I’d caught all of them! 🤦♂️👍
stuart moore when your using sat nav on the main screen you can still see your speed and gear position on the other screen.
Great video as usual, do I spy a new ruroc helmet on the counter at the end?
Thanks bud, aye that’s the Berserker, had it a while but don’t like it unfortunately - very limited vision when on the bike and I don’t like the goggles system
If you are on interesting roads put the DCT in manual and you have the best quickshifter on a motorbike (the gearbox has the luxury of a clutched change whilst you can either change with your fingers or foot) with auto blipper. On the way down to the Pyrenees down A roads, ring roads and motorways pop it into "sport 1 or 2" and let the bike do 2000 miles of tedious gear changes for you. Manual mode is just as important to be used as auto on this bike.
Sadly I didn’t know about the full manual mode on this bike when I had it 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Happy Birthday !!! Teapot can I ask you a question around tinted visors. I know having a tinted visor is illegal to use, have you ever been stopped for it or can you tell me (ex-police view) is this something the police will stop you for?
Why don't Honda do like Yamaha do and give you a foot lever for the DCT? At least then you'd feel like you're still in control of the gears, and you can change down to 1st when you want, not halfway through the corner. The DCT on the FJR just feels like you've got a *really* good quickshifter.
I’ve got a DCT Crosstourer, and it’s great BTW. You can buy a Honda gear lever to just bolt on mine so I imagine it’s the same with these AT’s. I don’t miss the lever so haven’t bothered. Can’t get why Teapot doesn’t like DCT, it’s terrific.
Happy birthday mate
Cheers Ian, was last month - just taken me ages to get around to editing this 😬👍
Have you done or are you doing a review on the new Triumph Rocket 3 ?
Funny you should ask that Tony, I’ve got it on loan over Crimbo so there’ll be some vids coming into the New Year 👍
Heeeland coooos, another great vlog
😂👍
Another good video Bruce
Thanks very much 👍
Great review. DCT defo not for me. Totally contrary to the way I was taught to drive/ride. 👍
Happy birthday! I think this is the most on point bike review you've done so far 21 inch front wheels for the road don't work and dct gearbox 🤮 that engine is a little corker rumour has it honda is going to make a 1100 sports tourer with it next year that could be interesting 😁