Is the Africa Twin 1100 the Most Under-Rated ADV Bike?
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- #africatwin #honda #ridered #motorcycle #adv #advrider
I've had my 2022 Honda Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports (CRF1100L) for a few months now and am ready to tell you the brutally honest truth about the good and bad.
Specs from Honda (PDF): bit.ly/3aJywNC
00:00 Intro
02:29 Specs
03:37 Android Auto (love!)
08:45 What I like
15:04 Off Road Ride
20:56 Dislikes
27:31 Highway Touring
30:27 Twisties
34:54 Wrap Up
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wait... what did I win I never win anything
you can run android auto without a headset actually
I went from a 2013 Electraglide to a 2019 Honda AT. Try to imagine what I’m experiencing. It’s a whole different world.
U B Trippin....haha !! the adventure begins where the asphalt ends. Good for you
I went from 200 hp superbikes to an ATAS 1100 and I can't ride it enough. It has got under my skin and makes me smile every time I swing my leg over it.
Great video, I'll look forward to your AT mods video 👍🏻
Love my Africa Twin AS. It doesn't need to be the fastest to put a smile on your face. It's weird, the bike is just fun to ride with all its compromises. You know you can make the Android Auto or Apple Carplay wireless by purchasing a Wireless CarPlay Dongle. There is a complex start sequence to work out, but once you have it, it works great. Love your videos.
Hello.
Wireless CarPlay Dongle? can you know which?
@@hoguga I use Carsifi, simple to set up and so far has worked well. There is also AA Wireless and if you can find one the Motorola MA1
@@HoodScotland tks
@@hoguga One thing I should say is you will likely need to use a different cable than the one supplied. The Africa Twin seems very picky about cables when connecting your phone and it is no different with the Carsifi I use. Once I swapped out to the Anker cable I previously used on the phone the Carsifi connected easily and has performed well ever since.
thanks!
**Why no DCT? I thought the manual with quickshift would be more fun to ride. If I was riding in the city or with a passenger, I'd absolutely get DCT**
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Greetings from Vancouver, Canada. Superb review Ian.
You should do a video just on this as it is a bone of contention for many indecisive people like me LOL
True, the best playful variant is the standard AT with manual gearbox and QS, light and punchy
There’s a major misconception about the TFT boot up that you need to wait for it to ride. The truth is as soon as you hit turn the key and hit start you can ride. It will use a default ABS/TC setting and the TC/ABS/Power custom settings will be applied once the TFT finishes booting up and you back off the throttle briefly. There is absolutely no need to wait for it to boot in order to ride.
Thanks. I'm purchasing a leftover 2023 ATAS and I did not know this.
Love my '22 base AT. If I wanted raw power I'd get a sportbike. Sound and flash - a vtwin or v4. Super offroad capability - a very light dualsport. The AT is great for it's reliability, comfort, touring ability, tech, suspension, and all around capability - it's just great at what it's designed to be. Thanks for the content, Ian! Please keep it up!
Is it ok to say, AT its perfect at nothing but good at everything? (Pondering to buy one)
@@DieselMI Yes I'd definitely agree with that.
I believe there is a good analogy used in the dog world,”German Shepard breed is not the first in any of the categories but it’s the second in all of them!” It’s a well rounded breed. Just like the AT.
I have the same Africa A S here in Brazil. It's the best bike I've ever owned. Extremely versatile and reliable.
With the exception of my KTM 350, the AT is the least powerful bike I have owned since the 1990s. But it is the one I enjoy riding the most. It can chew up big miles on the tarmac, and equally big miles on the dirt. Sure the engine is a little uninspiring on the road, but it is relaxed and low stress, and I like the way it puts its power down on the dirt. I bought this bike to ride the thousands of miles of big open dirt roads, tracks, and highways we have here in Australia, and the AT does it admirably, while still being competent - if a little lacklustre - on the blacktop. But would I use it on tight, technical stuff? No. That's what the KTM is for.
Sounds about right to me!
Another Aussie here Spiderwebsider. Does your bike have the manually adjustable suspension, and how does it handle the bumpy country back roads here ?
@@butchcassidy9125 hey mate, I have one of the early 2016 bikes. The suspension on mine is manually adjustable for the usual preload, rebound etc. You might find it a bit soft if you like to go hardcore, but for big, open dirt, and potholed, rutted out back roads it's fine.
Cue. Power doesn’t equal good ;-)
Gear ratios on the AT? I am so confused why nobody ever talks about the most important thing on a motorcycle - engine RPMS at 70mph. What are the engine RPM's at 70 mph on an Africa Twin? Most long drives consist of going 70 mph for 7 hours, 7 days a week, so we need to know, is it turning 6,000 rpms, or 3800 rpms on the standard USA 70 mph highway? I wish the reviews would talk about this? The Triumph Tiger apparently has some awful low gear ratios, which make it almost useless if you hate high RPM cruising. I hope that in the future, manufacturers start putting a 6th overdrive on ALL MODELS, by government mandate. Cruising above 4,000 rpms should not be a thing that exists, period. No large, powerful engine, with tons of low end torque, should be running at 5,000 rpms just to maintain speed.
I love my Africa Twin, it just suits my riding and what I need.
I love your honesty and the absence of the usual unexplained brand loyalty that so many channels overload us with. You can't be a salesman because I think I would believe anything you told me. Thank you Ian from London UK.
Just returned from a 3,400 mile trip on my '22 standard manual AT and I can say that this is a "dream" of a bike for me. (Luckily I got to keep my 2018 KLR so now I have two bikes worth every penny they're sold for.) To a person like me, who's not at all that good of a rider, the AT practically rides itself! The several dozens of miles of up and down twisties along Hwy. 1 right past the Golden Gate Bridge headed north were ridden with ease. The gravel of the Steens Mtns. Loop and road between Frenchglen and Plush were a thrill that might have had me going slower and a bit more worried had I not been on my AT. Passing cars down the 395 was quick and safe. Thank you for a great and honest review. Looking forward to a couple of BDRs next year on this wonderful machine.
Awesome thanks for the information. What is the cruising like? Is the engine revved up really high at 70 mph on the freeway? One thing that is keeping me from buying any of the new bikes, is that they all seem to have even shorter gear ratios than bikes had 25 years ago. The gearing seems to be getting worse, not better. Instead of bikes having a nice tall overdrive gear, they are gearing them lower and lower, so the engine revs higher and higher. The high revs make for impressive road reviews by testers who comment on the "incredible power." Until you realize that you don't have an overdrive gear, and your wearing out your engine for no logical reason at all. I suspect the Africa Twin 1100 gave people proper tall gears, because it's designed as a cross country touring bike, and Honda are not "weirdos" like Triumph with the super short geared Tiger 800. I had a Yamaha XS400 twin that I reduced the rear sprocket by about 25 teeth, it was actually at least 1.5 inches smaller in diameter than the one that came stock. It transformed the bike into such a nice highway bike, it was so high geared that you could do a high idle at 55mph, and it was the most pleasant experience ever. And.... drumroll..... It got 94 mpg!!!! Part of me suspects that they must be intentionally withholding overdrive gears, because they don't want people getting 94 mpg gas mileage out of their new bikes... How many people would go and buy a motorcycle if it got triple the gas mileage of their car?
Love your reviews Ian! Keep up the great work! 👍
The only thing that stops me getting this version is the fact that I have the 2016 model year - and despite you being a bit down on it - its still a great bike - simpler, (which I massively prefer) cheaper, and every bit as capable.
Great review btw - really appreciate the content and the effort involved. All the best.
The 16-19 are not comparable to the 2020+
Completely different bike. Much much better. I didn’t believe the difference when I got off my 2019 and hopped on a 20. I put the 2019 up for sale.
I’ve owned a 2016 DCT A/ Twin since 2017 and understand the differences between models, but it’s still plenty enough bike for me
@@adammfharris I've ridden the 2020+ model, a friend has one, and i own the 1000. I think in real life use, there's not nearly as much of a difference as people would want you to believe. At least, not enough difference for me to ditch my 2017 model. Besides, the dealer told me how much (time and money) it would take to adjust the valves on the new one and well, i think i'm good with the 1000 for the time being.
Awesome review. The mods and upgrades video will be a very helpful addition to this series.
Can you comment on the DCT vs the quick shifter usage? Maybe in that next video? You’ve had both. If the 2021 AT AS had the QS, that might have been enough for me to have not purchased the DCT, and want to keep my current bike.
You commented you loved the QS. Why so, and do you like it better than the DCT? If so, why, where, and in what applications do you prefer it? I think I noticed you still shifted from first to second using the clutch lever, but up and down you used the QS.
The three main things I wanted to change (or experience with the GS I ordered) are the shaft drive, the lesser nose dive of the front end (especially during hard street braking), and a lower center of gravity. I also opted for the lower seat/lower suspension option. Time will tell if the large price difference will be worth it.
I didn’t think I would be, but I am really interested in how you’ll compare the KTM 890 R to the AT AS. And how it compares to the GSA. Quite a range in bikes but I wonder if these bikes will define the type of rider and/or variety of riding they are best suited. I think we can guess, but we might be surprised.
Thanks Ian. Excellent video.
Thank you Ian, as always. Great stuff. You offer up such great advice. For me personally Ive just received my new Tenere. Bought to some extent on your recommendations. Thanks bud!
If all goes well I’ll be riding one home tomorrow! It’s the base model but I still I can’t believe I even found one fairly local. It was between this and the Yamaha t700 but I wanted a little more road bias than trail due to local terrain.
Your videos helped me a ton, coming off a Harley this market is completely new to me. I appreciate they way you approach your videos with a complete overview and understanding of each bike. I haven’t seen crazy brand loyalty but instead you judge each bike on their own independent merit. Thanks again!
I’m glad you mentioned the low compression and low octane needs of the AT. This is overlooked by so many reviewers, but if you ride all over sometimes fuel is of limited quality not to mention $ savings in cost of ownership. I ride a 2018 ATAS DCT and love it. Zero throttle snatch and nice side stand ;) LCD screen needs no boot up time either. I do need a tool to adj. the suspension tho.
No big deal. Even my 2009 KTM 990 Adv R had a wire you could disconnect and fuel up with low octane/bad quality fuel and it had (if I recall well) a 12:1 compression.
@@C_R_O_M________ the problem with KTM's high compression ratio isn't just a matter of expensive or particular fuel. Low compression motors are more tractable offroad without the assistance of electronics because the pistons use the air that passes them as a buffer between the terrain and the power, giving the bike better traction, especially in wet conditions. It also helps the bike to run much cooler, gives it a more linear power band, makes it more reliable, and reduces compression braking, which are all ideal off-road characteristics. This is what makes the Africa Twin the superior bike in its class and ironically, no one ever mentions anything about it. Still, in terms of sheer performance, KTM is still on top. But I would ride a Honda through the desert before I took a KTM through the desert.
@@DB-fn3fz Agreed.
@@DB-fn3fz Good points I hadn't thought about. For dirt riding, low compression does make a lot of sense, because of the reduced heat waste, and more gentle engine braking. I ride a 2nd Generation stock Hayabusa, and the engine is really a masterpiece of engineering, it has so much low end torque and nearly zero engine vibration. But the engine braking is so extreme, because it has such high compression, when you let off the gas it damn near feels like you're slamming the brakes.
@@Ritalie I've heard good things about that motor. I heard it's really smooth albeit a powerhouse. Compression braking on super sports is insane. I've had 3 R1's. They all lock up the rear wheel in 1st gear if I want them to because compression braking is so strong. Adds another layer of skill to ride the bike that many people aren't used to. But yeah offroad, low compression is king. And nobody talks about that!
Greetings from Brazil. Another great video. I also, in this very month, have traded my 2020 GSA 1250 for a 2021 Africa Twin 1100 Adv Sports since I´ve been doing more and more off roading as time goes by and for all videos I´ve seen the Africa is a better machine for that kind of mission. Let´s see what time will tell us. Keep on the good work. Hoping to watch soon the mods video.
I absolutely love my 2020 Adventure Sports. I’ve got mine equipped very similar, and all your pros/cons are very accurate! Every bike has them. Thanks for a great review video 1, I look forward to the next.
It is evident how much you appreciate your bike! I am now considering the AT. Thanks!
I totally agree that a machine's aesthetic appeal to oneself (looks) is very important. I sometimes take an extra peek in the garage, just to get that adventure feeling. Of course I've lived to look at every bike I've ever owned. The Honda RWB colors are striking. Great video. Thanks.
trancing out...... gotta have it. I used to stare at my YZ 250 all night hehe
The lower power was one thing that drew me to the ATAS as a lot of the time I have my wife on the back and just don't want the temptation big horsepower puts in front of me haha. I agree with pretty much everything you say and I don't regret buying it for one minute. 11000 miles in 14 months an loved every one. Great vid, love your content, thanks for putting it out there for us.
Hey man, thanks for doing this review! This is the only well-detailed video on this specific build option available on the AT 2022 AS M. I can't wait for your the rest of this series / mods video!
Your reviews are simply superb, so much detail and really well presented! Thank you! 👍👏😀🏍
Love my 2020 Africa Twin. I picked it over other bikes, for the reasons you’ve outlined, not the least being costs. It’s my first ADV bike. Took it from Salinas, CA to the north shore of Alaska (Deadhorse) and back last May-all sorts of conditions. It was very comfortable for a beginner like me.
I test rode one of these last year, and it was evident Honda really did their homework again. You pretty much said what I thought about the dash. At the time I didn't want to fiddle around with it, as I only had 2 hours with the bike and wanted to know how it rode and how the different running modes worked (I had the DCT). But I remember pointing out, that I felt it wouldn't take long to get used to. And also the fact that you can use the touchscreen with gloves on is a big plus
I just love your reviews. Honest, articulate, well thought out, pros cons... you cover it all. I just love your reviews.
I’ve been waiting for this video since you acknowledged purchasing the AT. Thanks for the No BS review Can’t wait to purchase mine
Can’t wait to hear your opinion. Am going to add adv bike to my dual sports soon and go back and forth from Husky 901, KTM’s 890, Africa twin and a GS mainly. Tough decision. Thanks for your great content. 🙏🏽🏍💨
Get the GS. I have the AT and the GS1200. I don’t ride my Twin at all.
Get the at I sold my gs 1250
Ian you do the best, most in depth motorcycle reviews on UA-cam! Thanks!
Glad you think so!
Totally agree..no bullshit, just facts.
Thanks for focusing on clutch characteristics! I've been thinking of making the AT my ultimate big bike purchase, but I've been hesitant since I LOVE being in the mud and on tougher trails. Seeing this is confidence inspiring.
Great review you are doing an awesome job! love the channel and all the work you put in! Thanks a lot!!!
What about two up riding? passenger comfort etc. Great video!! just subscribed.
Very professional review. As an Africa Twin owner, I do totally agree with the pros and cons. You were very honest and you gave very useful advice to potential future buyers.
Great review Ian. I have the identical bike in same model and I love it. I've had V stroms and KLR's but this machine is on another level. Totally agree with all your likes and dislikes but at the end of the day this baby always leaves a smile on my face.
Thank you for making this video Ian, appreciate this great review
Great content as always! A couple years back I bought a '21 AT DCT (my first and only new bike). Sadly it was stolen about three months later. Thankfully I had full coverage and got most of my money back. I replaced it with a used '18 ATAS that the previous owner had put about $5k of upgrades into. It was nice because I still had a little money left over from the insurance payout, and have spent almost nothing on mods/accessories because it was already set up so well. However, I sure do find myself missing CarPlay and that lovely TFT. It really was *the* killer feature of the bike. In retrospect I kinda wish I'd shelled out and bought a new ATAS instead. I've never owned a bike with electronic suspension and think I'd enjoy it. DCT is neat but not a must-have for me; I'd just as soon save a little weight and money. You are also correct that the 1100 does have a noticeable power bump over the 1000, though not massive. They are both great engines to live with and I'll gladly trade the 20HP I might get from another bike for the reliability and perfect manners of the AT's power plant. It's also never failed to start on the first try-that seems like a low bar, but I can't say the same of Ducatis and KTM's I've owned or ridden...
One weird thing: my DCT actually stalled on me-on two occasions-while pulling away slowly from stop signs. They are supposed to be un-stallable, of course. I had an appointment with the dealer to look at it, but that was pre-empted by thieves. I'm not sure how rare this issue is.
It seems to be held in high regard and appropriately rated. I think the Vstrom 1050 is probably the most underrated.
but with the smaller front wheel it's not as good for off-roading
To be fair the Africa twin excells more on the road even more so than the 19 inch front wheel comparable bikes.
The amount of confidence you get in twisties is unreal.
Great longer term review Ian! Love the content and your no BS thoughts, refreshing to see As a Multistrada V4S owner I'll say Ducati dropped the ball with the horrible Sygic app usability, would be great to have Android auto but I also don't like using it on a bike as it takes too much time fiddling with the buttons and focus away from riding in a way. I still use my phone and have the navi directions to my Cardio without having to look at the screen all the time.
Thanks for your review on this bike-and actually all of the bikes you review. I ride a 2013 BMW 1200GS, and doubt that I'll ever replace it-but I really enjoy learning about all Adventure bikes. If I were in the market for a new one, this one would easily be a contender. Keep up the great reviews, I watch them all!
I'd definitely go for the DCT version of this bike. It won't get you to the most technical offroading anyway and with its weight being such, it should be easier with an automatic transmission offroad. It seems to me like an overall relaxed-natured Adv bike and the DCT would just compliment its character.
Guhhhaaayyy
Lol. Thanks for the unexpected laugh
Great review so far. Thank you…
Can’t wait to hear about the quick shifter compared to DCT. I’m looking to upgrade my base model CRF1100 to the Adventure Sport next year ( tubeless rims ).
Still trying to decide on a quick shifter or DCT. 👍
Which did you choose
Hi . I went for manual in the end . Test rode dct and it felt amazingly relaxing to ride in certain modes. However I didn’t like gear clonk sounds when it shifted gear.
Love my manual AT AS
Hi Ian, Great review, thank you! Can’t wait to get back on another Africa Twin! Gratefully, Dennis
Great video, honest feedback. Much appreciated. Looking forward to the bike setup review.
Once more thank you for this quality test. I concur with you appreciations, except for the suspension items, because my 2022 version is the entry model, without their electronic adjustments. Having more road and sports bike experience, I'm happy with my purchase. I do curse against the inversion of horn and turn controls, the complexity of the menus, and the engine punch on road. But Android Auto is indeed a happy discovery for the reasons you mentioned, and the chassis is fine for a trail bike. Looking fwd to your mods video. Cheers
I wonder if you could just reverse the 2 Wires in the Handle? That way you could have it more Normal?
As always, great review. The DCT version of this is my dream bike. I currently have the NC750X DCT with all sorts of goodies and mods. I think I might keep it. Of course, I have no ambition to take it off road.
Simply the best moto reviews out there for scope and detail.
Great to see someone FINALLY showing the benefits of CarPlay. It is an awesome feature. I use it all the time both On-road and for Off-Road Maps.
I am surprised that you are not more positive on the choice of YOUR bike??? You should be realisitc, yes, but I was waiting for a statement like "this bike all in all is the best compromise for me" and I really love it. No bike is perfect, but at some point you have to defend your choices. As always, very well structured video! Well done!
Great work again as always with your videos..
That Android auto seems really good. I am not in the market for a AT myself but i believe the Ducati Multistrada V4S also have android auto and that is an interesting bike for me to change from my R1250GS. :)
Excellent review as always. Would love to see your experience and thoughts on the new KTM 1290 adventure S and R. Your videos are so satisfying to watch, even with kids screaming in the background, ha. Keep rockin!
Great video. This motorcycle is on my radar for my next purchase. Not thrilled about the chain maintenance, but their are some trade offs to your earlier comments.
All these options we have now have my head buzzing a little bit, but using your buyer’s guide spreadsheet (thanks for that!) and other research, I have boiled my upgrade options down to 5 options. This keeps popping up as one of the best options out there along with the more affordable middleweights (Tenere, Tuareg, Transalp, and VStrom 800DE).
The Tuareg and a used Africa Twin appear to provide the best overall packages for a do everything bike without sacrificing rider aids or off road performance in my opinion so far. What I really like about the idea of getting a used Africa Twin over a new middleweight is you literally get everything. We’ll see but I really like the AT the more I look at it. Used prices of the base model are about the same as the new middleweights. Touratech offers a suspension lowering kit and Honda offers a low Seat option, so it really could work well for me.
Oh, and the ATAS exhaust sounds awesome.
Superb video as usual! Thanks Ian. Greetings from Greece.
Nice follow up video. I'm looking forward to your next update. I'd love to see the weight now with the additions and how you feel that impacted the stock suspension performance.
This bike or triumph 1200 for 2 up touring?
Thanks as always for great content!
I was waiting for this review so long! I have being thinking over and over about getting a GS or the AT. I incline more into the AT even more. Bravo! 👌🏼Keep the good work man!
You won't regret choosing this over the gs. I own this model with the cvt transmission and I can't wait for a free time to ride it, I just love it.
I have a 2020 ATAS 1100 with 10,000 amazing miles. Do it!
Just my opinion. I have both. (Adventure Sports)
The Africa Twin never gets ridden.
@@adammfharris out of curiosity. what s that mean" to get ridden? "did u mean i never ride it or it is much better than the gs? thank you.
Waiting for this for a very long time 🤠 thanks Ian ❤️
Excellent and thorough review! I'm looking forward to the videos on its mods.
Great video Thanks,
You never talked about the intrusive safety features and how those features might affect the safety or the quality of the off-road ride. Those who don’t know might find out the hard way when wheelie control kicks in and cuts engine power on a steep hill when you need power.
The safety features reset every time you restart the bike.
Also, my bike seems to like premium gas versus 87, which might be related to California emissions versus other states and the world.
I’ve had the bike cut out and die on cheap gas multiple times.
I agree with your assessment of the suspension being soft, especially if you plan on pushing the bike. Apple car play was also wonky until the recent software update. Overall this bike is very impressive. It lacks power, but you don’t miss it that often.
Shorter side stand is not a flaw , it's a feature :) . When you are on rough uneven terrain , shorter stand can be helpful ;)
Keep doing great work , You and NTP are one of the very best reviewers on UA-cam !
Who is ntp, thanks!
@@sanantoniotonight5569 NothingToProve . I love his reviews .
Great video I always enjoy your true comments and reveiws on the bikes you ride always truthful. I like this bike as well its not the top of the tree but does everything pretty well.
Thanks again for a great insight into the Honda African Twin.
Hey Big Rock, love your vids. You don’t need to wait for the screen to settle before starting, you can turn the key a ride straight off, no need to wait. Also did you know you can just press and release the starter button, no need to hold until the bike fires. Ride safe and looking forward to more content. 👍🏼
That engine sound alone, is worth the price of admission ;) Almost every feature you mention that is "somewhat inferior" to some other bike was always a KTM or BMW (or one of the other European brands). But if you want Japanese quality / price / accessibility (parts and service network) / etc - is there anything better? I don't think so...
I love my AT as well, biggest complaint about android auto is not being able to see the fuel gauge while using the GPS. I almost ran out of fuel because I couldn't see the gauge and didn't want to mess with buttons while going down the freeway.
Very cool detailed video.
I love my Honda Rebel 1100cc. That is my 5th
Honda bike and never had any problems or complaints from any of them.
Over 20 000km on my 2020 ATASes and it's still going strong! I'm an MX rider for most of my life and prefer the DCT on this, for ease and comfort for multi week adventure. On both hiway and tight two track in the Canadian Rockies. Wonderful review once again! So many great points addressed! Honda supply chain globally, TFT, android auto, excellent suspension with just a toggle adjustment. The reliability as been amazing! Mine has never been back to a shop yet. Do my own maintenance, tire swaps ect. Truly still an owner's bike. Not a shop bike :-) Thanks for educating the world on such a great bike we have, to travel. P.S. let your quad blade down/rest. Your front springs are screaming a slow death, lol.
I just bought the Africa Twin AS ES with the DCT. On you points, to which I agree, I would also add the following negative and positive points:
- Seat is horrible and
- DCT in standard drive mode is simply awful. I've done 1000 kms so far and use it on sports or manual mode.
- Could have benefited from keyless tech.
+ LED headlights are way better than those on the GSA or the competition. They make riding in the night actually much safer.
Cheers,
Alex
Keyless tech is cancer and should not exist on ADV bikes.
Fuck keyless. Never. But you mean dct is not ok? Better go manual?
Many thanks for mentioning the low octane fuel compatibility and the compression ratio. Indeed, the only big adventure bike that is somewhat close to the AT in that regard is the GS. But, the GS normally uses a 95 grade fuel (89 US I believe) and it would fall back to a "low-performance mode" once it detected low octane gas (it's got a knock sensor for that). The AT, on the other hand, simply wants 92 (87 US) grade gas.
PS. I guess with low octane fuel both bikes will have very similar performance.
Even my 2009 KTM 990 Adv had that feature. No big deal really! BTW, I believe you can up the octane rating of the gas by throwing in some acetone.
91 octane or Premium in the USA
@@C_R_O_M________ Throw in some ethanol alcohol. 5 to 7% will bump the octane quickly, since it's rated at 111 octane.
Top notch reviews my friend I am interested in purchasing this bike!
And your opinions are greatly appreciated
So thank you for that!
Safe travels
Great Video Ian, I have the 2017 Africa Twin DCT, love it but love all the new tech on the new bike, thank you for the great video.
Oh one thing, what head sets do you use?
More content on this specific motorcycle was EXACTLY what I was hoping to see more of! Thanks for putting this together!
If it somehow possible to quantify long-term cost of ownership for the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport es manual versus BMW 1250 GS adventure over the long term, I would be really interested in seeing. (I'm sure you have plenty of upcoming content, I just thought I'd throw this out there in case you need any ideas for video production)
I find these two motorcycles are the ones I'm comparing the most frequently. Also the Kawasaki KLR 650, but for different reasons.
A three-way head-to-head would be cool to see.
For me the test of a bike like this is: If you can ride this thing as much as you like in a day, with one eye on the road and the other on the scenery, and don't feel tired at the end of the day, it is mission accomplished. Even better when you've got a fly rod on the back and can get close enough to a stream to flick the line around. For me speed just doesn't come into it.
Great review once again. This could be my next bike.
Another great review. Thank you for your honesty.
I have had my standard AT (2022) for about 6 weeks now, love it. Chose the AT over the ATAS because of the lower weight and a bit better for offroad ability.
You mention too soft springs, but for the standard model this doesn't seem to be as much of an issue. Actually, the front springs are for me (about 90-95kg with gear) absolutely spot on. Free and rider sag are exactly what it should be out of the factory. However, the rear is definitely undersprung, and preload needs to be winded up way too far for good rider sag (obviously then the free sag is too little). As a side note, the standard suspension is excellent.
Concerning the screen, you don't need to wait for it to boot up before riding away. You can start the engine and ride before its booted.
Something you missed in the likes, but you mention a bit later on, the QS is excellent in my opinion. Both on and offroad it works very well, and I love the 'bark' it sometimes gives at WOT around 6k RPM when upshifting.
Also surprised you didn't mention what is the biggest dislike for me: Throttle response around 30kmh (18mph) is snatchy and not easy to keep smooth. No issue in offroading but definitely annoying cruising through a neighborhood.
In general I feel a lot of the throttle/power modes arent that great, I find myself using the softest and second softest throttle mappings.
I have the 2020 AT standard with DCT, annoying throttle at 30 kph, putting on a softer power mode helps, aarrhhh!, other then that love the bike.
@@darkhorsewebdesign Honestly I feel it probably has to do with the play in the throttle, and that the jerkiness is caused by too low of a stiffness/too much play. I have seen some people making spacers online claiming that it helps, I might try that one as well.
@@tHaH4x0r I had a 2020 AT and agree with you. But my 2019 Versys is way worse. The throttle is so snatchy it is almost a safety hazard.
All good points I agree with and was surprised to hear him complain about. But then again, no, I’m not. I don’t like this guy as a reviewer/influencer. I find he chops and changes all the time and only watched this vid to see how accurate (or otherwise) he was since it’s the AT. Like you I never wait for the TFT to boot, there is no need. I can easily set cruise control without taking my hand off the throttle, he must have pixie fingers..
He also said it sounds better than the 1000 AT. Having ridden them back to back, my personal opinion is that is not true. The old AT is definitely a louder and slightly deeper rumble. He also complained that the turn in is slow however he’s using Dunlop Trailmax Mission tyres which are one of the heaviest tyres available so that is entirely not a complaint of the bike but a consequence of tyre selection.
BTW, I find I can significantly reduce the throttle “snatchiness” by using the urban mode - try it and see what you think.
thanks for sharing!~
I'm just learning about motorcycles in general right now. Building a bike for adventures but requiring hard to find fuel is a very confusing choice; unless they just assume no one will ever actually take it on an adventure. Honda being logical as always.
hard to find fuel?
Ian, great video as always. The bike looks great I love how you set up everything including the soft bags, crash bar, and highway pegs. My largest concern is the AT is chain driven. Thanks looking for future videos.
Chain vs shaft is pure tradeoff. Chain needs maintenance more often but the maintenance is easier. Shaft needs very little maintenance but can be a real pain in the ass (I own a R1200RT)
Your videos are the only ones that I watch over and over. So much information and I am so indecisive. 😂
I'm still in love with my 2016 AT. Upgraded to the 2019 ATAS fork bodies, properly tuned "stock" suspension. It does what my old home brew dual sport could not (82 gl500) so I don't really have a good comparison to any other adventure bikes, all I know is that the AT will handle anything up to tight forest single track, then its just a bit too large and heavy to wrestle around the trails.
I have a 2016 manual with over 40,000 miles on it. I love mine, too. It shifts like a dream and does everything I want it to do. The front was a little soft for me (I'm 190 lbs). But, I put in heavier fork oil and that did the trick. I've ridden the bike on technical 2 track and spent plenty of 12 hour days on the tarmac. This bike is perfect for my type of riding.
@@idude2216 I bought mine in 2018 with 4k on it, have 83k on it now. I have had only an issue with the fork bodies sticking, otherwise besides scheduled maintenance have had absolutely zero issues. It really is one of the greats!
Love the #eveRide T-shirt and love the AT. I own the 2016 model and before that i've owned an XT660Z Tenere. The AT is of course a better bike in every aspect, but as you said more than once in this clip, there's no perfect bike and that should be a well known fact by everyone...there's always going to be pros and cons to everything. At the end of the day you try to do the smallest compromise and that's about it, especially in the "adventure world" and especially if you only afford one bike that has to do it all. Love the Africa Queen and i'm thankful for having one. Thanks for this review! Cheers form Romania! ✌
I love my 2016 too😀
@@barrywaples8150 I'm not saying it's the best, but for me, it's the firs "premium" bike i've ever owned and the difference from what i've had before is enormous. Seeing the commercial in 2015/2016 when it came out, i never thought i'll have one of my own. We're lucky to be riding those beauties
I love all of Ian's reviews. Really unbiased.
Hi Ian,highly appreciated with the great review on the ATAS. And also for the metric unit number conversion display on the screen everytime you said imperial unit number. I believe,its easy for your fan from metric unit country. Great job,greet from 🇲🇾
As always, nice review. I am very surprised you didn’t go with the DCT. I know the quick shifter is almost as fast shift (or faster) but after some of your previous videos I thought the DCT would be a no brainer. Looking forward to your reviews on the accessories. I may replace my Stelvio with a AT this year. The local dealers simply don’t have them in stock, 3-4 month wait after you order…..
DCT really is a preference thing and people who went full hilt on DCT are those who used their bike as commuter instead of full action leisure.
@@victoriazero8869 DCT does fine offroad once you train yourself to work the rear brake in lieu of a clutch. Bret Tkacs did some great videos on how to use the DCT offroad for better performance than most manual riders. Same with paddle shifting being as fast as clutchless quick shifting. Biggest downside to a double clutch that I've found is you can't skip gears, it forces you to go through each one sequentially. Same with it being a little more awkward to hit a button for neutral rather than just grabbing a clutch lever.
@@cavscout43 That literally doesn't refute what I said. It is a preference thing, not performance thing. But the fact is that people buy DCT for comfort and convenience.
@@victoriazero8869 The DCT doesn’t stall at low speeds or when one stops. On gnarly uphill ascents or very technical, low speed terrain, the DCT lets you crawl without fear of stalling. Plus, if one is in manual mode, the bike will remain in first (or whatever chosen gear) and not shift when not wanted.
@@Rebel_Canuck If you stall on gnarly uphills maybe you should learn not to.
People have been doing offroad without DCT for literally decades.
As Victoria said, DCT's biggest power is comfort in commuting. You can learn to offroad without DCT and have more fun because you like the manual controls (or not, preference) while in commuting as much as I like manual transmissions sometimes I just wish I had a scooter.
The lack of Android Auto or Apple Carplay on the other bikes doesn't make sense. Why have a separate BMW or Ducati app providing navigation when you can just mirror the screen? I use Drive Mode in Google Maps (with the phone mounted on the bars, wish I had an AT) and it makes navigation both easier and safer.
I enjoy watching your reviews while having breakfast Ian you point out a lot of interesting facts. The africa twin has always been my first love adventure bike due to its looks and history but now owning a ktm 1290 SAR just cant go back but would love to own both.
My dream bike. Great review, love your analysis. Thank you for putting in the effort to do these. Sounds like it’s exactly what I want. A bike that’ll get me most places with no fuss.
Sounds like your getting a little better than 40mpg on 87. That’s a biggie for me, I want to cover miles cheaply; in maintenance and fuel.
Great video - thanks.
Those crash bars look like something from a plumbers convention though! Spaghetti :)
I am actually curious as to why you chose the manual over the DCT I watched a previous video of yours where you gave good reviews on the DCT and during the video you actually said that you would purchase a DCT if you were to buy a Africa Twin so I am curious what changed your mind to purchase the manual instead of DCT
1. The manual has a clutch lever, which is what I grew up with riding bikes. For me the clutch is a useful ‘get-out-of-jail-card’ in case you stall or need to change from one gear to a higher/or lower gear. The DCT does not allow this. And 2. It’s cheaper.
Hi Ian 👋
Really like your reviews in the
Video on the hyabusa pick mine up in 2 weeks
Also like you putting measurements in metric as well
Seeing I'm in Hobart Tasmania
( the bottom bit of Australia) been watching and subscribed for a while now many thanks 😊
Outstanding, honest review. Really enjoy all of your videos. I am a big fan.
As you said, every bike is a trade-off. I bought my BMW 1250GS over the AT because the GS better addressed my use case - a more road-focused "Adventure Touring" motorcycle that can handle an occassional gravel road much better than my (just sold) 2018 Goldwing... :)
If I wanted to tackle more gravel on a regular basis ..... then I would have considered the AT or something even smaller in the 700-900cc range. Or maybe even consider the Honda 300 Rally.
I've had my 2020 AT ASES for about 6 months now and I agree with most of the pros and cons on your list. The biggest con by far from me with DCT is ultra low speed movement. It's fine doing slow turns and such. I'm talking about the jigging around to get in the garage or moving it just a bit while packing, or getting around a car in the drive way. I accidentally goosed mine and I went over the handlebars with no gear on (I was just in the driveway). I still have scars on my forearms and I missed braining myself by inches. This would not have been as likely to happen with a clutch. You may have made the best choice going manual. Other than ultralow speed, I find the DCT great.
Did they not add that creeper gear that the Goldwing DCT has ? It goes 1 mph and is perfect for moving around like that.
You have to ride the brake on them
@@rickhadfield1097 I ride the rear brake on mine and it works fine for me.
I saw a video that says use the brake as a clutch. I just got one haven’t ridden yet. Have you tried and done this? Thanks
@@jeremyfinger843 I use the rear brake but it's not like having a clutch to modulate the throttle. Don't get me wrong, the dct is very good but the manual is better at slow movement.
I love My 21 ATAS. I have some gripes, but it's a great machine. I think the lighting isn't up to par on such a technologically advanced bike. The stock tires are awful. It's got a slight drift to one side of you use fingertips on the bars. Otherwise, I enjoy the bike more than any bike I've ever owned.
Dude ! Best review yet ! great detail ! this bad boy is on my list !
Great review. Appreciate your time and input.
If you want te android auto to be wreless you can add a dongle that will do that for you easily. It's just that it sucks quite a bit of battery in wireless so realistically you'd be plugging in the phone anyways in my experience 👍.
Sounds like the Africa Twin might be my final ADV bike lol. Went from the 390 Adventure to the Tuareg 660 but this sounds like maybe the best top tier option.
It’s not. The GS12 is
SteelWars - That depends of your preferences and your bank account 🤷♂️
I choosed ATAS because it is really great mix of comfort, performacne, ability, technical features (Android auto is really great!!!) and it is probably the best looking motorcycle in this category
Hi Ian, thanks for the great video’s 👍 I currently ride a 1250 GS mostly 2-up, I love the look of the AT AS plus it’s a Honda, I am worried that the soft suspension would not be great for my pillion after a GS, what are your thoughts?
Thanks for the update, when you are doing the extra video, can you do a bit on tires also? Thanks again, from Ireland