Ian, enjoyed your reports from last year, glad you're back in 2017. Namibia looks a lot like Northern Nevada/Baja California where we ride. Ready for part 4!
Ian, another fabulous view into riding Namibia. I'd like to get your comments on how you are getting along with the AT, this being your second season I believe, and your comments on your accessories - a follow up review to the 1st review you did would be great. I'm on the doorstep of pulling the trigger on my own in the next 48 hours. Its red, DCT - which is a big step for me moving away from the clutch, I will still have my BMW K16GT for the road rides. Cheers, Shayne.
qantas41 - I gather you read the AT Quest Adventure link I posted? 1) I should have bought the DCT but I have an uncontrollable habit of blipping the throttle on down shift, 2) you need decent crash bars as I have on mine, see Rumbux in South Africa, 3) you need better hand protectors as the originals are crap, I use Hepco & Becker, 4) I will never be a fan of tyres with tubes in them. That's about it. You will like this bike more and more as it will not clash with your tourer at all. Cheers. Ian
Hi Ian - yes watched AT Quest. Took an AT out for a couple of hours yesterday (rental, and street riding only here in Vancouver/ rules...) , didn't find the ergos great for me. I'm 6'3" , without lowered foot pegs and doing something with the screen, doesn't work well. I'm curious, how tall are you, and how do you find the comfort, especially after 3 - 4 hours, ability to stand up, wind protection, etc? Also, regarding the general use of the AT, I wonder if its strength is mostly in the dirt?
Shayne - I'm 6.0 in height but changed to the MRA screen and it works well. Ever since I started riding long distance I need to stop every 90 mins or so due to numb bum syndrome. The AT strength is a go anywhere any time bike. I would take it on an off road test as she is not really a tourer in my opinion. For what I need it is just about perfect.
Ian, I think the AT is perfect for where you ride in Namibia - I've already told my wife, next trip Namibia...the negotiations are just getting started. We don't have the multi hundred KM dirt roads here, although we do have have many forest service roads that can be long. The F800GSA may be slightly better suited to my area (I know many will argue). If you had any observations on the F800GSA, pass them along. Keep those great videos coming. I get a kick out of the later videos becoming more entertaining and interesting, you are becoming a real pro!
mc Biker - Hi mc, not sure of what you are asking? If you mean the gearbox then it was the manual one and not the automatic. I should have bought the auto box one though.
mc Biker - Sorry, I was a bit slow yesterday. TT's on for this trip and a major PIA because of it as you will see in a new vid or 2 soon. In fact, it's the biggest weak point on the AT and since then I have bought a set of Italian Alpine rims, gold with a red anodized hub and have Australian Tractionator TL's on it now. Should have done so last year already.
Sid Shelton - I would rate the AT at 9 and my old Yamaha Super Tenere at 8. Always a small compromise, the AT has two issues, 1) that the tank is not 21 liters and 2) that the tyres need tubes ... as you will see soon.
Sid Shelton - They do have tubes and in my opinion one of just two major irritations for me. I now have Alpine tubeless rims with Australian Tractionator tyres on it for next year.
Ian Levy I see your point. I have tubeless rims, but I have used all types of tires tkc 80's, Mitas, etc.... I always end up putting tubes in them due to sharp rocks etc... I know tubes are a pain in the ass, but I bet your better off with tubes. All the KTM, Suzuki, BMW, and Yamaha guys I know in Colorado always stick tubes in their tubeless rims. One thing with tubeless rims, you have the best of both worlds. Good luck! PS- They tell you not to put tubes in tubeless rims. We all do it!
apazp - It's actually a USB compilation by a Mall musician that also did the sounds for my pt. 1 video. Www.wildlettucemusic.com His name is Reinhardt Buhr.
Maal Miksa - yes. Absolutely. But it will be the DCT model, i took one for a test today and can now say I should have bought the DCT in 2016. Great bike and I will trade my old one in for the 2018 DCT tomorrow if I could but they are not available here yet.
Ian, enjoyed your reports from last year, glad you're back in 2017. Namibia looks a lot like Northern Nevada/Baja California where we ride. Ready for part 4!
Greg Reynolds - Yes Sir, working on it 😎
Ian, another fabulous view into riding Namibia. I'd like to get your comments on how you are getting along with the AT, this being your second season I believe, and your comments on your accessories - a follow up review to the 1st review you did would be great. I'm on the doorstep of pulling the trigger on my own in the next 48 hours. Its red, DCT - which is a big step for me moving away from the clutch, I will still have my BMW K16GT for the road rides. Cheers, Shayne.
qantas41 - I gather you read the AT Quest Adventure link I posted? 1) I should have bought the DCT but I have an uncontrollable habit of blipping the throttle on down shift, 2) you need decent crash bars as I have on mine, see Rumbux in South Africa, 3) you need better hand protectors as the originals are crap, I use Hepco & Becker, 4) I will never be a fan of tyres with tubes in them. That's about it. You will like this bike more and more as it will not clash with your tourer at all. Cheers. Ian
Hi Ian - yes watched AT Quest. Took an AT out for a couple of hours yesterday (rental, and street riding only here in Vancouver/ rules...) , didn't find the ergos great for me. I'm 6'3" , without lowered foot pegs and doing something with the screen, doesn't work well. I'm curious, how tall are you, and how do you find the comfort, especially after 3 - 4 hours, ability to stand up, wind protection, etc? Also, regarding the general use of the AT, I wonder if its strength is mostly in the dirt?
Shayne - I'm 6.0 in height but changed to the MRA screen and it works well. Ever since I started riding long distance I need to stop every 90 mins or so due to numb bum syndrome. The AT strength is a go anywhere any time bike. I would take it on an off road test as she is not really a tourer in my opinion. For what I need it is just about perfect.
Ian, I think the AT is perfect for where you ride in Namibia - I've already told my wife, next trip Namibia...the negotiations are just getting started. We don't have the multi hundred KM dirt roads here, although we do have have many forest service roads that can be long. The F800GSA may be slightly better suited to my area (I know many will argue). If you had any observations on the F800GSA, pass them along. Keep those great videos coming. I get a kick out of the later videos becoming more entertaining and interesting, you are becoming a real pro!
Love your video style,thks.
Bruce Kendall - Thanks Bruce.
Nice report mate ! U was on TT or TL ?
mc Biker - Hi mc, not sure of what you are asking? If you mean the gearbox then it was the manual one and not the automatic. I should have bought the auto box one though.
No mate, i was asking about your tyres, u was on tubeless (TL) or air rube (TT) ?
Some guys modify wheel to mount tubeless tyres without air tube.
mc Biker - Sorry, I was a bit slow yesterday. TT's on for this trip and a major PIA because of it as you will see in a new vid or 2 soon. In fact, it's the biggest weak point on the AT and since then I have bought a set of Italian Alpine rims, gold with a red anodized hub and have Australian Tractionator TL's on it now. Should have done so last year already.
Understood mate.
I'm going to upgrade to tubeless to bartubeless.it that provide a full tubeless conversione for the africa.
So how do you rate the AT on a scale of 1-10 ( ten being the best) for your style of riding compared to other adventure bikes? Great videos! Sid
Sid Shelton - I would rate the AT at 9 and my old Yamaha Super Tenere at 8. Always a small compromise, the AT has two issues, 1) that the tank is not 21 liters and 2) that the tyres need tubes ... as you will see soon.
Ian Levy I thought the AT had tubed tires?
Sid Shelton - They do have tubes and in my opinion one of just two major irritations for me. I now have Alpine tubeless rims with Australian Tractionator tyres on it for next year.
Ian Levy I see your point. I have tubeless rims, but I have used all types of tires tkc 80's, Mitas, etc.... I always end up putting tubes in them due to sharp rocks etc... I know tubes are a pain in the ass, but I bet your better off with tubes. All the KTM, Suzuki, BMW, and Yamaha guys I know in Colorado always stick tubes in their tubeless rims. One thing with tubeless rims, you have the best of both worlds. Good luck! PS- They tell you not to put tubes in tubeless rims. We all do it!
9 out of 10 for me. Knocked off 1 pt because the seat is a little uncomfortable after 200 miles on the saddle.
beautiful music, what is that?
apazp - It's actually a USB compilation by a Mall musician that also did the sounds for my pt. 1 video. Www.wildlettucemusic.com
His name is Reinhardt Buhr.
Ian Levy Thank you
Would you buy the 2018 AT for the bigger tank
Maal Miksa - yes. Absolutely. But it will be the DCT model, i took one for a test today and can now say I should have bought the DCT in 2016. Great bike and I will trade my old one in for the 2018 DCT tomorrow if I could but they are not available here yet.