Hi,
I'm returning to adventure riding after a break and I am on the market for a new bike. I have tested tiger 800XCx already but I didn't like it at all, also tested DL650 XT which was way better but not dirt oriented. Finally I rode F800GS and I quite liked it but new crf1000l is to be released soon and wonder if not to wait and try that too. What do you think, will new AT be too heavy based on specs posted already on honda sites? I really prefer offroad and bad road riding but don't like very light bikes, planing trip to Mongolia soon so bike has to be reliable, torquey engine, high ground clearance and good range.
thanks

I'd wait to see what the new AT has to offer, price will be it's major consideration and unfortunately they still have not given it a decent sized fuel tank so distance will be a bit limiting, otherwise it is shaping up to be a good bike. You can't beat Honda reliability and build quality.

If you've got that kind of cash to buy, personally I'd get the new AT over any of the bikes you mentioned.

that's what I am inclining to but the AT is kinda expensive for throwing around...

Tremens, where do you live? its good to know which market you will be buying a bike in, as some bikes are not available in different markets, take a moment and fill in your location in your profile!

Im interested to know what you didn't like about the 800XCx?

The new AT looks good, but I couldn't recommend buying the first year of a new production run, there are bound to be some niggles with it, unless you have time for them to work themselves out and be addressed before you head to Mongolia.

If you want a bigger bike, then its hard not to recommend the 800 GS Adventure, with its 24 litre tank, though be aware that some owners have found the rims are made of cheese..... if you don't mind a thumper, the XTZ660 has good range and is physically quite big (and heavy)

Also, if you are handy with the wrenches and don't mind buying an older model, a late, low kilometre KTM 990 Adventure would be a lot of fun

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Grif

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

I rode the f800 for a year, but found it "buzzy" on road right at the speeds I wanted to cruise

All modern bikes suffer from corrosion, peeling paint and general poor finish. Have a look at a 12 month old BMW. Paint flaking everywhere and every fastener is fury and discoloured..

Bikes are made to last 2-3 years now.

The market has changed from making quality machines to throw away fashion accessories which onky need to look good for the duration of their warranty or PCP finance arrangement.

Bmw and honda used to use quality fasteners but now they use A2 stainless which is the lowest grade you can get. Paint is water based and so thin its almost transparent..

Its what you get these days. I have 20 year old bikes thst have been left in the rain that lool better than some 6 month old ones

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

I own 2 F800GS's and we took them to over 10 countries. I have also had the Africa twin on a 48 hour test run (pretended I was trading in, really was just nosey and had nothing to do for a weekend).

Honestly?

Neither bike is a hugely capable adventure machine. At best they are sports tourers with sharper styling to suit the looks. The F800 weighs a absolute ton as soon as you get off the pavement. The AT was 20kg's heavier. They are no more dirt worthy than any other 200kg road bike with knobbled tyres.

The 2 F800's we have, have showed a number of faults. Failed fuel pump on one in France, failed water pump seal on the other in Norway. There are other known faults too.

The AT seems to have a stronger reputation, but it felt notably less capable than F800 to me.

If I had to choose i'd go 800 again.

If I was doing it all over, i'd go KTM690. The reliability issues are no worse and the costs are no greater. But at least you can ride it up a sand bank without a backup crane to lift it up again when you fall.

that's what I figured, next bike will be ktm.

Hej guys, I rode a new AT a couple months ago, very comfy, and blistering quick in city's and lane splitting, however i found it had some issues that took me by surprise, at a green light, and with lots of cars and trucks behind me the power completely shut off with just a bit of gravel under the rear wheel, where on the highway above 75mph i felt it became instable.
After that i took it off road, the dealership told me to, in deep sand, and again i was dissapointed, the old RD07 would run circles around this bike in this department, and the F800 probably would to, except for power and comfort.
First i thought it was just my opinion, but the same week i read some test reports in some British magazines sharing my opinion.
The original Africa Twin was just an awesome bike, the new one only shares its name.

Maybe Honda will adres the issues, i rode the bike in the beginning of januari.

Different folks, different strokes...

Some people will love something on a bike and for the next person it will be a deal breaker. (E.g. I find the seat very comfortable, but other people go on and on on how uncomfortable the seat is). I think every person has to way up their options and requirements and see what works for them.

I tried to do a review of the new vs. the old AT a while ago from my perspective. For me, the new AT is better and more capable in almost every way compared to the 800GS. The 690? Yes, very capable off-road, but not as comfortable on the bitumen.

The new AT is not as 'great' as the reviews say. It's a good bike, but has its shortcomings (same as any other bike). Unfortunately, its a bit hard to sometimes separate honest opinions from hype- e.g. die-hard fans will call any negative reporting as bike-bashing, whilst refusing to acknowledge improvements can be made. Whereas others will make a massive issue over IMO small things like spokes tarnishing.

The CRF1000 was made at a price, and it shows in some places. My biggest gripe with the new AT: rear suspension needs work. Very simple to solve, but adds to the price.

Different countries and different situations - In Australia, the new AT is cheaper than the 690 KTM, 800GS and Tiger 800XCX. So an excellent alternative/option and cheaper to boot. And Honda has a much broader support system here than the European brands. In other countries it might be different, but here in Australia (which never had the old AT), I think it is a game changer.

I love my DCT, but won't get rid of my RD07 :-)

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Squily