Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - New Africa Twin (I don't get it)

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)

- The HUBB PUB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/the-hubb-pub/)

- - New Africa Twin (I don't get it) (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/the-hubb-pub/new-africa-twin-i-dont-84693)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchgit (Post 526802)

Got any links for me where I can read up on these facts you are presenting please ? I'm always willing to learn.

What facts are you confused about? Links? What specific questions do you have?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchgit (Post 526802)

Yes, that's true, even on BMW's, parts wear. (I couldn't believe it either after all that marketing!)

You misunderstand.
BMW's water pump seals have failed often and at random ... over and over again ... even at low kms. Common knowledge in BMW community (Chain Gang, F650 thread on ADV Rider ext)

Once water pump seal fails, you can loose you're entire engine if you don't catch it soon enough. :nono: Was a problem for YEARS ... BMW never fixed it. :thumbdown:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchgit (Post 526802)

There isn't much more to develop on these bikes.
Twin spark, fuel injection, 10.000 km service interval, runs on 80 octane no problem, runs fine on altitudes well over 4000 M.
The engines are as reliable as sunrise, I believe to be class leading in MpG, Very well built, powerfull enough for what they are as they're not made to be "ready to race" They aren't very easy to work on but that's the point, you hardly ever have to.

I think you should talk to Maria 41 and her husband! :rofl:

Always room for development. Ask ANY mechanical engineer/designer. There are some GOOD things on X and F bikes. Fuel economy on F bikes is very good :thumbup1: But too many poor engineering and planning choices, IMO.

Short list of weak items with F, G and X bikes that should be made better:
1. Suspension. Ditch rear bladder shock on X series. On F and G bikes the skinny front forks are WRONG for a 450 lb. bike. Up grade to at least 43mm fork. Low level WP shocks should be higher level pieces.
2. F and G too heavy, even X could be lighter if further development had continued. The F and G bikes are 70 lbs. heavier than my DR650 and XR650L.
Why? Because BMW never intended these bikes to set foot off road.
Road use only. Yet that is not how they market them. So ... ALL BS.
3. Should be more maintenance/owner friendly. As you say, they are HARD to work on. (I've worked on F bike) They are a PITA to do anything on.
4. Redesign elec. system. Many reports of failed Regulator/Rectifier, over charged, boiled out batteries. Poor charging system, BMW used a NON sealed battery. doh :oops2:

Read the Chain Gang forum for a few years like I did .. dozens of problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchgit (Post 526802)

So you can only develop something good racing? That's a rather narrow minded look at things if you don't mind me saying so.

Serious? :rofl:
Maybe you don't understand engineering? Do you remember what Soichiro Honda said about the value of racing? It's like putting a man on the Moon. Everyone benefits from what is learned.

From 50cc kid's bikes to Moto GP winners to Formula One ... even to Honda's Jet aircraft. All racing's lessons trickle down to every aspect of production.
Racing brings out the best, most innovative solutions and then TESTS them under the harshest conditions. Pushes technology forward. We've known this FACT 100 years. Nothing new. Racing is essential to smart evolution.

Have you seen the new BMW G310? BMW designed, Indian made, 310cc.
BMW claim a "GS" version with be forthcoming, initial bike is standard bike.
34 HP, 350 lbs.
Check it out!
New BMW G310R roadster revealed | MCN

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog (Post 526837)

Do you remember what Soichiro Honda said about the value of racing? It's like putting a man on the Moon. Everyone benefits from what is learned.

but we know by now landing on the moon was a hoax... :sailor:

Well, I'll just give up here.
There is no point in convincing internet warriors who have all the right/wrong info at their fingertips.
My knowledge comes from actual facts as I've owned and worked on all the single cilinder F and G bikes up to replacing engine internals where I had to split the casings. (that was because of the over engineered shifter on the X btw)

I just wonder why the DR and whatever else are still being sold today, the way they were designed umpteen years ago ? Those are the makes that do compete in all those races where they get their "man on the moon" right ?
Never mind. I'm out of this topic.

keepcalm

Stubbsie's new Africa Twin Road Test 2016

Real people are getting test rides, and not on Beemers - the latter are always a toxic subject in the HUBB, even when in the pub and :offtopic:

Yeah, it maybe a community but there's always the one you don't want as a neighbour.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

New Africa Twin (I don't get it)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog (Post 526837)

What facts are you confused about? Links? What specific questions do you have?

You misunderstand.

BMW's water pump seals have failed often and at random ... over and over again ... even at low kms. Common knowledge in BMW community (Chain Gang, F650 thread on ADV Rider ext)

Once water pump seal fails, you can loose you're entire engine if you don't catch it soon enough. :nono: Was a problem for YEARS ... BMW never fixed it. :thumbdown:

I think you should talk to Maria 41 and her husband! :rofl:

Always room for development. Ask ANY mechanical engineer/designer. There are some GOOD things on X and F bikes. Fuel economy on F bikes is very good :thumbup1: But too many poor engineering and planning choices, IMO.

Short list of weak items with F, G and X bikes that should be made better:

1. Suspension. Ditch rear bladder shock on X series. On F and G bikes the skinny front forks are WRONG for a 450 lb. bike. Up grade to at least 43mm fork. Low level WP shocks should be higher level pieces.

2. F and G too heavy, even X could be lighter if further development had continued. The F and G bikes are 70 lbs. heavier than my DR650 and XR650L.

Why? Because BMW never intended these bikes to set foot off road.

Road use only. Yet that is not how they market them. So ... ALL BS.

3. Should be more maintenance/owner friendly. As you say, they are HARD to work on. (I've worked on F bike) They are a PITA to do anything on.

4. Redesign elec. system. Many reports of failed Regulator/Rectifier, over charged, boiled out batteries. Poor charging system, BMW used a NON sealed battery. doh :oops2:

Read the Chain Gang forum for a few years like I did .. dozens of problems.

Serious? :rofl:

Maybe you don't understand engineering? Do you remember what Soichiro Honda said about the value of racing? It's like putting a man on the Moon. Everyone benefits from what is learned.

From 50cc kid's bikes to Moto GP winners to Formula One ... even to Honda's Jet aircraft. All racing's lessons trickle down to every aspect of production.

Racing brings out the best, most innovative solutions and then TESTS them under the harshest conditions. Pushes technology forward. We've known this FACT 100 years. Nothing new. Racing is essential to smart evolution.

Have you seen the new BMW G310? BMW designed, Indian made, 310cc.

BMW claim a "GS" version with be forthcoming, initial bike is standard bike.

34 HP, 350 lbs.

Check it out!

New BMW G310R roadster revealed | MCN

Wow that looks AMAZing! I'm looking for a decent lightweight bike as bigger, heavy bikes just don't appeal to what Motorcycling is all about (to me anyway), but I see there are very few options. Like the KTM 390 but very $$$. Suzuki make a 250 twin - the Inazuma, but it's 401lb! what else? Ninja 300 is too sporty, (wasn't the 250 one of the best selling bikes in the US?), then the Yamaha 250 YBR or the Honda equivalent. In the sixties and seventies there seemed to be loads of range sub-650cc, but then seemingly at some point, 650 become to be the benchmark for a "proper" motorcycle. I hope that BMW have a big success with that and the big four follow suit.

I bought one and it's bloody brilliant

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysped (Post 545003)

I bought one and it's bloody brilliant

Probably the best big bore adventure bike of the moment. Simple design. Reliable. Huge Honda dealers network around the world. Runs on regular fuel. Ultra efficient engine. Runs cool. Rims use tubes. Superb handling. Easy to ride.

The original Africa Twin set a standard in 1988. 28 years later, the new Africa Twin sets a new standard.

thoughts on AT so far

Hi
I'm currently riding my AT DCT through Mexico having risen from New York.I am heading into south america. The bike is great and the weight and balance of the machine is good. My previous bike was the Honda Crosstourer - now that was heavy and totally unsuited to any mucky stuff.
I think I will be in a place to confirm its advantages once i hit the serious stuff in the jungles of Costa Rica and South America.
It does travel well on the road and offload the DCT is a great help - one less thing to think about if you are inexperienced like me!

Africa Twin - Riding with Queenie

I bought my AT DCT a few months ago. 2 days later I got 100% knee replacement. So, Feb. sees me riding on the street again. Hopefully the dirt is not to far off.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DT2-k1k7rW0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EgFf0q3On6I

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJJbjrIbVOw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXmN8Qkz2BY

OK ................. lots of talk about this bike !... just like an american forum !
You have to ride a new bike for a few thousand miles to judge it... not around asda car park !

I have done 15000 miles on mine and................... it allways puts a smile on my face !

and ........... as for off road...........what do you call off road ?
It wont go where a wr250 will go... but it will take you to morocco and do most of the piste there !!!

GREAT BIKE:Beach:

if you're planning to travel with this bike, think again.

that's ridiculous from honda.

Have to agree, not smart of Honda to mount that HUGE top box hung way out the back like that. Just about any sub frame is going to crack or bend when off road with that configuration. Add weight, not a good outcome.

Best to move your load forward onto pillion area, or better yet, keep heavy stuff in side panniers. Basic RTW bike loading 101.

Many travelers overload their top box ... most boxes are only rated to carry 10 or 12 lbs. max.

Now, if you head down some bad wash board, whoops or hit big pot holes, the mounting hardware, subframe are bound to fail in time (short time!).

Most experienced travelers know all this as top box mounts and pannier racks have been a major issue for MC travelers since the 70's. (Ask Grant, owner of HU!)

Hard top boxes and hard side panniers do not mix well with super rough conditions. Off road? Go to soft panniers, travel light. The new Africa Twin is a fine travel bike in many ways, but it's not a Dakar bike or a pure dirt bike. Used in more moderate off road conditions (is set up correctly) it will be fantastic. Less complex and more reliable long term than either
BMW GS or Big KTM. Decent comfort on road, simple servicing, packs up well. A winner IMO. bier

Looking at that I can't help but wonder how many miles it would be before the pillion load would result in a similar issue while riding 2up? It would put me off buying one for sure. Not that I am even considering it.......

g6snl -Tim