2015 Africa Twin Confirmed

[Throttlejockey]

Endless debate on Triumph Tiger forums over 21 vs 19". One handles the dirt better the other handles better on pavement. One is limited to bias ply tires and the other mounts modern street rubber.

I know guys that aren't crazy about the 21" wheel on the KTM 1190's.

 

[bwoodsom]

I don't see this being a GS killer, it would need to be shaft drive to compete in the 99% on road GS category. This seems to be much more dirt oriented. To me this is a minus I want a 90% road bike that eats bumps and can do dirt. It would have to be shaft.

 

[broc11]

Up now on the Honda UK site.looks great in the red colour to me.This bike is to compete with the versys 1000,vstrom 1000 and Bmw F800gs in my opinion,looks like a great bike for Irish roads,like a transalp on steroids!!
the Crosstourer is more in the 1200gs category, 1200cc V4 shaft drive,road orientated.

http://bikes.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/coming-soon/2015-africa-twin/specifications.html

 

[bmcdonau]

On the US site too.

http://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx

 

[bmcdonau]

Endless debate on Triumph Tiger forums over 21 vs 19". One handles the dirt better the other handles better on pavement. One is limited to bias ply tires and the other mounts modern street rubber.

I wanted to get a set of Tiger roadie tires for my XC, but I never was able to find a cheap set of rims. I sure liked the suspension of the XC better than the roadie.

 

[TomStickler]

And on the British MCN site:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2015/july/hondas-new-crf1000l-africa-twin-finally-revealed/

 

[uptoblackwood]

It's already up on the US Honda website w/specs....."soon to come"

 

[George]

Not tubeless wheels. Kinda disappointing to me. Have to check with TuBliss to see if they will have an option (for the back wheel, front is no problem.)

 

[uptoblackwood]

On the UK site, the specs clearly show tires/wheels as "tube type"......is it going to be different on the US bike?

 

[uptoblackwood]

AND....just went to the USA Power Sports site for the Africa Twin...and the specs on the PDF says "tube type"...also.

 

[broc11]

I see they aren't offering as many different colour options in North America,what could the reason for this be? mystifies me why they limit choice and don't offer certain bikes eg the Crosstourer over there,just doesn't make sense.

 

[Ron]

I see they aren't offering as many different colour options in North America, what could the reason for this be?

We're used to it. Par for Honda's course.

 

[bmcdonau]

We're used to it. Par for Honda's course.

I find it especially ironic that the Red/White/Blue paint scheme isn't coming to the US.

 

[bmcdonau]

The more I read about the Africa Twin, the more I think it's typical of what Honda does today. It's big enough to be a competitor to the GS/Tenere/Tiger Explorer yet it lacks the touring features and comfort of these bikes. It's too heavy to compete with a pure dirt bike like the Honda XR650L or Suzuki DR650S even though it out powers them by a considerable margin. It looks like it might be closer to the Tiger 800 XC or BMW F800GS, but the Tiger is lighter and now sports cruise control and a few other features the Africa Twin doesn't. The Tiger also gets the same HP out of an engine 200cc's smaller.

 

[dduelin]

It will slot in the growing 1000cc ADV sport/tourer/whatever class. Chain driven bikes around 500-550 lbs. Versys 1000, Vstrom 1000. It may not have performance numbers to lead class but it will have build quality and be easy to live with for a long time. If that's not what you want then there are plenty of other bikes to choose from.

 

[Mellow]

Given the other Chain-driven, tube-tire competitors for this, I'd still take a Honda.

 

[mitch96]

It will slot in the growing 1000cc ADV sport/tourer/whatever class. Chain driven bikes around 500-550 lbs. Versys 1000, Vstrom 1000. It may not have performance numbers to lead class but it will have build quality and be easy to live with for a long time. If that's not what you want then there are plenty of other bikes to choose from.

I totally agree. Square in the 800-1000 cc market. Not to many bells and whistles or 1200 cc motor.. I have a feeling that in late 2016 or 2017 you will see a "touring" bike with 19" tubeless tires bigger windscreen, a more street oriented bike if you will.. I was looking at the FJ-09 but I think I'm a gonna wait a bit and see what pans out..
I curious what the range will be on the less than 5 gal fuel tank...

 

[broc11]

Given the other Chain-driven, tube-tire competitors for this, I'd still take a Honda.

I've been following all the electrical and poor fueling issues on the new vstrom 1000 forum and I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole,
I think the new Africa twin will be like most other Hondas,built well and rides well,specs are one thing,how the bike actually rides and handles and performs mechanically is the true test.

 

[bmcdonau]

It will slot in the growing 1000cc ADV sport/tourer/whatever class. Chain driven bikes around 500-550 lbs. Versys 1000, Vstrom 1000. It may not have performance numbers to lead class but it will have build quality and be easy to live with for a long time. If that's not what you want then there are plenty of other bikes to choose from.

Yeah, but I'd rather be riding a Honda!

 

[Mellow]

Yeah, but I'd rather be riding a Honda!

If Honda would just bring that Cross Tourer over... ugh.. I'd be on one of those probably.