Hey Friends!

Its finally time for me to start my big trip. I did Europe, Middle East and North America over the course of about 1.5 years back in 2007/8 on a '91 Africa Twin and loved it. I was 25 at the time and happened to meet a real adventurer in Syria who had 10 years on me and inspired me to do a big RTW trip. Just had to save up for a while first.

I'm in the 'gear up' phase and looking at bikes (ive had mostly cruisers, street bikes and a v-strom in the interim - all sold now). I know from my last trip that the Africa Twin was bullet proof! I loved its sexy sound, it handled quite well and just was a lot of fun to ride. That said it was really heavy. I'm a pretty average dude (5'10, 165) and I really struggled to lift it fully loaded and hated any sand travel. Much of this is probably correctable with a bit more practice, but I was thinking that maybe a lighter bike might be a better option.

I see though that the new Africa Twin seems to be many riders choices, and I'm a bit sentimental. Thoughts? Big differences between this and say a F800 or something in that category? Also looking at KLR650. Basically I want it to be reasonable serviceable around the world (I'm not strongly mechanically inclined, but have done a top end rebuild -guided.) I'm comfortable spending a bit of money, but may sell it in Argentina (I'm coming from the PNW in the US) and re-buy in Asia...and don't want to be a 'target' as I travel with something super shinny.

Sorry, lots of information and I know there are many threads for me to pour through, but wanted to start one incase anyone has a lot of experience with an Africa Twin vs others.

Thanks!
Tim
PS can't wait to see y'all at the Canada meet up this august!

Hi Tim

It would be my choice. I test rode the auto and loved it.

Cheers

Big difference between a KLR and a new Africa Twin.

IMO- the new AT is great fun, but not as bullet proof and simple as the old one. And it will be expensive, because you will need to do the suspension as well on the bike. Fuel range is also limiting, with very limited expansion options at the moment.

For a RTW, I'm of the opinion the old one is better. But I would also rather use a new AT as opposed to 800 beamer.

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Squily

you're absolutely right, the old Africa Twin and the new one are heavy, very heavy for an adventure bike IMO. CRF1000l is in addition expensive and quite complicated, not easily serviceable. Try to clean air filters when you have crash bars installed or get access to battery.... Additionally tank range is poor for adv riding. Don't get too sentimental, look for facts the new AT is not the old one with upgrades unfortunately...

Form what currently on the market I would look at klr 650, drz 650 or if you want to go more expensive route (meaning risky) see adventure models from ktm and bmw. Anyway choosing wet weight below 440lb is wise when riding alone IMO.

I feel the new Africa Twin would be a great travel bike, with some caveats, which I think you're already aware of. If you can stay mostly on paved roads then the Africa Twin would be a hoot. I've never ridden the bike but would love to ride one.

But ... it's no light weight at around 530 lbs. wet. Probably pretty close to your old AT? Add another 50 to 100 lbs for luggage, parts, racks, guards, whatever.

IMHO, you're on the right track leaning towards the KLR and bikes in that class.
Very low buy in compared to Africa Twin, F800GS or Tiger 800 or any KTM.

Options and alternatives to Africa Twin might be:
Honda XR650L, tall, runs bit hot, needs some mods but basically good
Suzuki DR650 (my personal bike and favorite) reliable, inexpensive, TONS of aftermarket support world wide. GREAT travel bike
KLR650 ... common RTW bike, lots of support like the DR650, can be made quite good with correct modification.
KTM 500EXC .. not ideal for travel but PERFECT for anything off road.
Suzuki DRZ400S ... cheap, cheerful, good with mods, good off road.

KTM 350, 690 Enduro or Husky 710. All expensive and exclusive and like the 500 KTM, very off road focused with the 690 Enduro having most potential to be a good travel bike ... good, but not GREAT, all need a lot of modification for ideal long range travel.

So what would be GREAT? That would be either a very well setup Suzuki DR650, KLR650, or Honda XR650L.

The big bikes would be more fun/comfortable on paved roads, but you may struggle off road, especially in DEEP Mud or Sand. You are not new at this ... so should not be too hard to pick a favorite. I owned 2 KLR's, Honda XR650L and have had 3 DR650's. The DR is by a wide margin, my favorite.

Smart to sell off down South and buy or rent something in Asia. A more low cost bike will be easier to re-sell in Argentina or wherever. A $15K bike may be harder to sell there, so you could take a big hit.

But thats not the point. You also have to be able to repair your bike your selfe no mater what heppenes so why taking a new bike full of electronics, if there are so many old Hondas available, that have prooved their relyability???

I get your point ... and guess there is a SMALL chance of an electronic failure even on modern bikes. But today, MOST modern F.I. systems, computers, Traction control, ABS are all pretty much 100% bullet proof.
They rarely fail. (talk to dealer mechanics!)

Your background may be with BMW and BMW seem to have a poor history record for failure of components in various systems, electronics being one of several where problems have arisen. But latest BMW's seem MUCH better than bikes made just 5 years ago.

Funny thing is, BMW today use many Japanese electronic components along with Bosch. (Denso, Kokusan, Keihin, Mikuni)

Pretty sure BMW use Keihin fuel injection system and Denso computers. Why BMW's fail is a mystery to me as the Big Four are using these same components in their bikes.

Please please give it a rest.

You'll notice the site admins have given Toby a compulsory rest period. When he returns, it'll be from his second banning. Will he then learn new tricks or be disappeared a third time?

My view on the bike being discussed: Uprate the suspension! I've heard stories of the rear shocker on the crf1000l going floppy with even the briefest off pavement exposure. Not a big surprise or a particular Honda issue. All manufacturers of faux-adventure bombers save money on the running gear as most customers only ever use the bikes on-pavement where sturdy suspension isn't necessary.

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Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

If you can afford a new AT and can afford to pay/wait for for any issues on the road to be fixed, then why not, ride what your heart tells you to ride, if not you will regret it after the trip.


You can ride ANY bike RTW, its been done on Harley's, Goldwing's and lots of other 'unsuitable' bikes, be prepared for issues and allow some extra time for them to be sorted into your trip.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Currently 3 months into a RTW, riding about 150 miles a day on a G650X Challenge. I personally wouldn't take a bike heavier than that and many days wish I was on a WR250R.