B.t.w. Sixstring: great job on the website mate


Also thought of something else- maybe one reason a lot of guys tend to go for AT's now, is because of the lack of good reliable bikes in that sector of the market. True, the 800GS and 800XC is there now, but if you're entering the market, they might seem a bit pricey.

Everything else in the market is either more road-orientated (i.e. DL650 etc.) or single's (i.e. XT660, XR650, LC4, etc.). Even the Transalp moved to a 19" front wheel.

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Squily

What do you guys think about Honda's "new" (yet to be announced) Africa Twin? Have they left it too late ... or can they regain cred in this segment?

I'd be interested in everyone's comments once the bike is shown (or not) at Milan.

I'm hoping that a) it gets an airing at the UK NEC next month and b) Honda have thought about the weight, although the latter could just be pie in the sky!

I think it will be a fat lardy 'Pretends to be capable' Adventure bike like the big GS's, Super Tenere etc.

Built for rich old men to admire from their 5* Swiss chalets while their Moet chills in the fridge.

If it turns out to be a lightweight 750 Twin that wears knobblies as well as it's road tyres then I'll sell a kidney to own one

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted, if some clever fabricator was really keen and had a fair bit of "budget",
could he re-make an Africa Twin? Modernize it a bit, shave weight off it, up grade suspension. Could it be done or is it a fool's errand?

How much weight could be taken off with custom bits like Ti exhaust, lighter wheels, Shorai battery, lighter plastic (Carbon Fiber?), LED headlights. ???

Maybe convert to F.I. to UP fuel efficiency, increase range without having to carry massive huge fuel tank? :confused1:

Seems to me there's still a fair number of these sheds running round the UK.
Would any of the owners go for such a program? Or ... too expensive? Not worth it? I've heard of AT specialists in
Germany ... anyone doing anything like this over there?

I really like the basic look of the bike. Seems to me it could be made loads better ... Pipe dream?

As you know yourself. People have been doing this for all bikes..

With enough time and money, anything is possible. Fools errand ! Probably...

I've seen some amazingly tricked out Africa Twins with KTM suspension, race systems and tuned engines.. The only original part is the frame and engine.. The cost is off the charts. The reason behind it is pure fanatical. If I had wads of cash burning a hole in my pocket then I'd probably do the same. too It's fun...

I kind of like doing this too but on a smaller scale. My current 2001 Honda Dominator now owes me £3000 and you can buy them on Ebay for a grand.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

But you have to compare apples with apples Ted. You can't compare a Dommie to an AT. If you want to compare it, compare it to the same class bikes. I've already agreed they're overpriced in some places (e.g. here in Aus a DL650 will be >2k cheaper than an AT and I'm not sure the average bloke will find it 2k better- and then you add the zero-Honda support here, and it starts to loose it's appeal).

But in Europe (and maybe I'm totally wrong about this), they'd be more expensive than say a Super-Tenere of the same year/age etc, but maybe the price difference is not THAT great? And having reviewed my fair few Super-Tens, I think the AT is a better bike and more reliable etc.

And different places have different markets. I'd love a Dommie, but they're around 4k here and I don't think they're worth it. I got a Tiger 955 for 2.5k: much more bike for the money, and yes not the same, but as my focus was a budget bike to ride-and-leave, I can work with it and live with the shortcomings.

and the final 2c just for context - which bike you buy off the shelf has great suspension? Guys here spend plenty of $$ on already expensive bikes like the 800XC etc to get them ready. Even KTM's aren't perfect. Yes, a DR650 will be much cheaper to setup, but then we're once again not comparing apples to apples are we?

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Squily

Look at this..

Nearly £5000 for an Africa Twin. Clean with low miles but WTF !!!!

It's worth half that...

Honda XRV 750 AFRICA TWIN | eBay

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

hi , i have a AT 650 and am getting crappy mpg and i dont know if its normal or there is a problem..

i have a like to my Thread for more info here..
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-650-mpg-81829

any info would be great thanks