New African Twin Maybe 1200cc

[nhbubba]

There is a 0.000% chance I would ride a motorcycle with an automatic transmission in my current state of physical health. I don't care if it cures cancer, parts the seas and makes me look like a moto GP rock star. Nope nope nope nope nope. I would have to be some kind of disabled or something.

Motorcycles are supposed to be about simplicity and being involved in the ride. Not a lump on the saddle. ABS, traction control and all that shit are one thing. Automatic transmissions are a bridge too far.

But then I drive a car with a manual too. Haven't owned an automatic transmission in any road going vehicle since 97 or 98.

There's a video out there of paid-riders paid to gush over how great the DCT is on the ATwin...

Fixed.

EDIT: SORRY NHBUBBA!!! Didn't see you posted this a few pages back... whoops![/B]

You fucking should be!

[reks95]

You're probably right.
My current stable requires a lot of shifting and some days it's more annoying than "involving".
I can't wait until electric powerplants are good enough to use.

[SteveM]

OK, marketing.

OK, pre-judging

I'll probably buy without DCT, but I don't have to knock it to do so. I've ridden several of Honda's DCT bikes including the VFR. With each new release, it gets better. Honda is also expanding the market with this which will keep motorcycles popular enough that we may see them in America as more frequent commuting tools. More sales means more money and this can only help develop more of the bikes the "serious" cyclist wants.

Keep an open mind, this is an innovation we haven't seen in a long time, it will be interesting to see where it goes.

[TheIglu]

Motorcycles are supposed to be about simplicity and being involved in the ride.

The way you talk, you really should include a first generation Vstrom 650 in your adventure bike shopping list. Pretty sure it would fit all your wants with an extra $10k leftover to spend on a month long round the country epic adventure ride

- - - Updated - - -

From what I've read, the DCT is pretty slick on the new Honda. Holds a higher gear while going up an incline by using angle sensors. Same for creeping down a hill. Something tells me they did their homework.

[e30addict]

From what I've read, the DCT is pretty slick on the new Honda. Holds a higher gear while going up an incline by using angle sensors. Same for creeping down a hill. Something tells me they did their homework.

I interepret that as more shit to break.

[TheIglu]

Less shit to break as in shift lever and clutch lever/cable. Buttons tucked into the switchgear.

Yeah, it's more complex, but it's a Honda. I won't count it out yet.

For street, DCT doesn't interest me. But for off-road, think of 4 wheelers and snowmobiles. Got the power whenever you need it. No more worrying about shifting. No more worrying about moving your feet up the peg in big clunky dirt boots. No more worrying about stalling in the nasty stuff.

[zombie]

looks like spring time
$12900.00
is the quoted price.

[nhbubba]

The more I read about this bike, the more I like. Seems like a nice up market mashup between my DRZ and DL. I'm most impressed by the specs regarding the brakes and suspension. Anxious to see what my ass thinks of the saddle.

Anyone have an opinion on the wheel size setup? 21/18 seems like an odd setup. Most seem to have gone 21/17 or 19/17 these days. I see the KTM 950 and 990 were 21/18. But all the rest of the big adv toys seem to have 17" rears now. Tire choices may be limited.

[TheIglu]

+1

18" on the rear? Really?

[nhbubba]

Specs say.

Rim Size Front : 21M/C x MT2.15
Rim Size Rear : 18M/C x MT4.00

Tyres Front : 90/90-R21 tube type
Tyres Rear : 150/70-R18 tube type

[Chippertheripper]

21/18 is standard enduro wheel size. So per the marketing gurus, they want you to THINK you're buying a fully off-road capable steed.

Edit: that's also where the bulk of the sizes for real 50-50 tires are made (18", in 110-150ish)

[nhbubba]

I don't care what the marketing guys say. I just want access to good rubber.
If you say good stuff is available, I guess I'm good. You've definitely got more of the knows than I do here.

None of my go-to tires are available in 150/70R18.

[nhbubba]

On second thought, these are available in 150/70R18. Turns out motorcyclesuperstore.com's "shop by tire size" is pretty useful. Shows what I know.

Shinko 705 - $110
Conti TKC 80 - $185
Pirelli MT90 Scoprion - $140
Pirelli Scorpion Trail - $170
Kenda K784 Big Block - $125
Metzeler Karoo 3 - $165
Shinko 805 - $120
Conti Trail Attack 2 - $195


Also a shitload of cruiser tires. Seems maybe some HD's come in this size too?

[Kurlon]

Looking at RMATV under DOT knobbily tires the only two 'aggressive' options in 150/70 look to be the Kenda K784 and the Heidenau K60 Scout.

Neither look Maine trails worthy.

[nhbubba]

Everything is relative. I seen guys do NH unmaintained roads on some of these big bikes with 50/50 (or less) tires with success. Probably not as badass as Maine trails. But then not exactly a starbucks trip either.

If the hype is correct, many buyers of this machine will be posers (like me). Given that target market, 18 rear seems odd.

Even the big BMW GS is 19/17. The little (F800) GS is 21/17.
KTM 1190 ADV is 19/17. ADV-R is 21/17.
Super10 is 19/17.

Can't find anything this size in current production that is 21/18.

[Chippertheripper]

The heidenau scout will be the next rear tire on the 990. And I'll show you what's trail worthy or not!

[reks95]

I had K60's on the 690. On the road it's a little noisy. The only dirt it's seen is road construction .
Someday someone will learn me to ride my pig in the dirt.

I swapped out for Conti Trail Attack 2's for the track day.
I want to say I put a 140/80R18 on the rear.
I don't see how you can use all that sidewall in a 90/10 tire.
I wonder if I could have squeezed a 150/70 on instead.

[SVRACER01]

Also a shitload of cruiser tires. Seems maybe some HD's come in this size too?

import cruisers.
most HDs run a 16 rear

[nhbubba]

So fun.



Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/Dualsport/c...quez_and_joan/

^^^ Thread contains interviews with people who ride better than I ever will.

[markbvt]

None of my go-to tires are available in 150/70R18.

The 4" rear rim width is narrow enough that you'll be able to mount a 140/80-18. Which is the size all the good enduro tires come in.

--mark

[breakdirt916]

my FZR600 has a 140/70-18

well, I know you can get a long lasting sport touring tire to fit the africa twin

[nhbubba]

Press release is supposed to be December 3-5 in Africa.

Not sure what to make of this. Who the hell is Rustsports? And why are they already riding it before this release?

http://rustsports.s3.amazonaws.com/A...winSpecial.pdf

Whatever. Interesting read.

[nhbubba]

Not sure what to make of this. Who the hell is Rustsports? And why are they already riding it before this release?

Erp. Reading through the sidebars now.. they graciously explain : They got snubbed by Honda, not invited to the official release, know someone at Tourtech, Tourtech let them demo their blinged out show bike. This is a review of an AT saturated in Tourtech gizzmos.

And they love it.

[Stromper]

Honda reminds me of Chevy inventing the ME too targeted at the state of the art 2 years ago, engineered by accountants

[nhbubba]

I read this as a solid performer slotted right between the Tiger 800 and the KTM 1190 ADV-R, etc. Basically a euro bike for those of us unwilling to pay for or squirmish about buying a euro bike.