New African Twin Maybe 1200cc

[nhbubba]

I currently have a DL650 clad in sport touring rubber. Next to it is a DRZ400 with two sets of wheels; 21/18's clad in Dunlop D606 DOT knobbies and a 17/17 set with high-perf street rubber. Next to that is a KTM 200 XC with non-DOT real knobs.

This would replace the DL650, probably supplant the DRZ on knobs too. Except the DRZ is such a lovable cheap little thing that I'll probably never part with it.

I *could* probably do those trails on an AT or similar. I'd probably get the bike home. But the plastics would be crashed and rashed to hell, mirrors broke and all four turn signals would be gone.

I'm going to be that poser that gets an AT, mounts hard luggage to it, and runs it like a en vogue sport tourer.

[Paul_E_D]

I'm going to be that poser that gets an AT, mounts hard luggage to it, and runs it like a en vogue sport tourer.

If that's the case, just order one. No test ride needed for lifestyle purchases.

[SRTie4k]

Thoughts? Dunno about everyone else, but my appetite for first hand experience with this bike is insatiable.

I've been trying to figure out how to score a demo. Honda USA's web info is useless. Seems like its going to be a while before demo rides are available. (If anyone hears otherwise, I'd love to know.)

Shoulda gone up to Americade last week. They had several demo ATs that were going out every 10 minutes in the Honda demo ride group.

[Kawi Ken]

You can rent one from -
Vermont, New England Motorcycle Tours and Rentals | MotoVermont

I sat on it and like the narrowness of it and light feeling sitting still. Flat foot it with a 32 inseam also compared to tippy toe on the KTM 1190R.

[nhbubba]

Yup. Despite the seat being relatively flat and wide. With the DL650 they made the seat deeply dished. This made one feel like the seat height was lower than it was, but at the cost of the seat becoming severely uncomfortable. The AT seat isn't formed by an idiot like this.

Neither is the 1190 or Tiger 800 or F800GS seats either.


Hey, you guys that have these things, I'm curious what kind of fuel range you wind up getting in reality.

[MattR302]

Here you go, Bubs, 600 miles, $12k Error | Adventure Rider

[Chippertheripper]

I saw a grey one in Dartmouth yesterday. It was actually kind of sexy. I wanted to touch it.

[nhbubba]

I need to test one before I'm ready to part with that kind of money. I think Mark has my back, just need to coordinate.

I did get to (finally) ride a KTM 1190 ADV-R today. (Thanks Chris!) It is everything I thought it would be and much more. HUUUUGE power. Like OMG power. Epic brakes, top notch everything really. But it's just too damned big for me. I can only barely tippy toe the thing. It would be a nightmare for me off-road. Maybe the -S model is more manageable. But the AT is easier for me to manage. If it rides half as well as I hope.. well.

Riding the 1190 ADV-R today did go a ways to curing my apprehension about street riding something with a 21" front. With quality tires she goes just fine. Fine enough for me anyway.

I should be riding a 1200GS soon too. Albeit an older "hex head".

I have to say that I have a hard time understanding how someone buys a $13k motorcycle without being sure its what they want. Do some people really need to have the newest, niftiest thing quite that badly?

[jasnmar]

I spent more than $13k on a used GL never having set my arse on one. Sometimes it works out.

[nhbubba]

Yeah, but you're crazier than I am.

[e30addict]

Riding the 1190 ADV-R today did go a ways to curing my apprehension about street riding something with a 21" front. With quality tires she goes just fine. Fine enough for me anyway.

As I've said before, after having basically the same bike with a 19" and 21" front, there's effective no difference that I can detect on the street. I'm clearly the limit on what the bike is capable of. You're faster than I am, but doubt you'd see the differences arise unless you were ripping on the track.

Note the pic is of a $50 tire and that the front chicken strip is almost gone. Definitely capable enough for what I'm willing (able) to do on the street.

[nhbubba]

No chicken strip on the front tire would actually concern me.

I'm not saying my position is at all justified. I'm just saying the 1190 helped me get over it.

[MattR302]

I don't know anything about KTM's, but this looks kinda sweet too. Error | Adventure Rider

[Paul_E_D]

THere's a red/black AT on the floor at Green River Powersports. I don't think there is actually a shortage of these things. Unless you're only looking on internet forums.

[Paul_E_D]

Oh, and it was my first look at it in person. It is certainly an instant classic. Can't remember the last Honda I can say that about. I like the scale of it. It is still big, but MUCH more reasonable than the rest of the adv barges. I could actually own/ride one. I cannot say the same for any other open class adv bike. It looks quite capable, too. Just from a geometry/weight bias perspective.

[nhbubba]

What are your thoughts on build quality. I was impressed.

I agree. I've been pretty down on most of what Honda has been making in recent years. I think this machine is an exception.

Can't wait to actually ride one.

The internet implied shortage thing seems comical. But really, it doesn't really matter, does it?

[Paul_E_D]

For a honda, the build looked pretty nice. In a roomful of triumphs though, I have to admit, it was outclassed in that dept.

[nhbubba]

My mission for this summer will be to score a test ride on the exalted AT and re-evaluate after that. I also owe the KTM 1190 a test. 7 out of every 10 NESRians offering to spend my money seem to think I should demo the 1200GS too, although I have barely any interest in that. The confused US rollout for this AT has made it even easier for me to not get caught up in the shiny new shit fever.

In the meantime I look around the garage and realize life sure could be worse.

Demo'ed a 1190 last week. Epic. Awesome. Brutal. Insane. Over the top. Totally get it. Wasted on me.
Demo'ed the 1200GS about an hour ago. Nifty. Sublime. Easy. Comprehensive. Totally get it. Not quite for me.

Africa Twin or keep my lousy little V-Strom for eternity!

[Chippertheripper]

Nobody is ever going to answer that question ever.
We're just going to talk about it for eternity.
Which is fine, because I'll likely not buy another bike for a long ass time.

[markbvt]

Africa Twin or keep my lousy little V-Strom for eternity!

I'm fairly convinced you're going to love the AT.

Precisely because it feels like an advanced V-Strom that Suzuki finally got right.

--mark

[nhbubba]

Nobody is ever going to answer that question ever.

Oh, I will. Most may not like the timeline, but I will in my own good time.

[Chippertheripper]

I have no horse in this fight.
I waffle between exasperation and entertainment with this case.

[nhbubba]

Exasperation?! WTF is that about. There is no fight.

[Chippertheripper]

Frustration? I don't know, I'm not a master of the English language.
Like, sometimes I want to kick you in the dick and say "do it already", and sometimes your methods are really amusing, the way you "engineer" your decisions.
You're right, there's no fight. I operate on an entirely different spectrum. Especially where I am today in life. Dad life.

[nhbubba]

Sorry for the stress. I am in no hurry. 'Strom ain't broke, still enjoy the crap out of that bike. I'm in no hurry to spend this kind of dough. More than happy letting this one come to me.