Information About Riding A HONDA AFRICA TWIN 1100 L (2024)

Uncle Phil

Uncle Phil

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In The Holler West Of Nashville, Tennessee
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Now I am looking at renting one of these so I am curious if anyone here has one.
I know the seat height is tall, but at the lowest setting, it is the same as my ST1100s with a RDL seat installed.
Easy to get to the battery terminals?
How hard is it to set the seat on the 'lower' seating?
How is the wind protection (I assume this one will have the stock windshield)?
Can you easily add frame loops for securing a bag to the back seat?
Anything to be aware of?
 
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Make no assumptions, Phil. Ask the vendor about the windshield and seat (stock or aftermarket).

You mean duffel or bag, not 'securing a bad to the back seat', right?
 
I had an Africa Twin for more than 5 years. The stock windscreen is minimal depending on the model but the fairing is decent and the handlebars have hand guards so your hand will be protected. Helmet buffeting is a problem with the stock windscreen. My biggest concern for you is that the seat is a lot narrower than what you are familiar with and fairly hard. If I were you I would bring an Airhawk inflatable pad with you. Moving the seat is not difficult but the adjustment is not a lot. The battery can be a little hard to get to as it is mounted sideways under the tank accessed from the LH side. It requires the use of an Allen key to remove the toolbox and the battery is behind the toolbox depending on the model. The toolbox is the cover for the battery. You should be able to snake a wire out of the cover for power. Some models have a 12v receptacle on the fairing that you can use. I don't think you will have too much trouble getting to the battery.

Here is a video about removing the battery
 
HPPants rented one over this summer somewhere in Europe I think, maybe reach out to him for more details?
 
Loved mine until I wrecked :(. It was the AS version so higher than the std version and when packed with a bag on the rear seat and with side and top boxes was certainly certainly on teh tall side. Fitted an AM screen for more coverage, but the std was not that bad. Maintenance was simple and battery access etc not an issue. Loved the riding modes: traction ABS etc etc. Got a Tiger 800 though to replace the AT, a shade lower, no electronics, faster and lighter and the engine is pure joy :).
 
Just checking, do you need electrical connections for heated gear? If so, did you consider battery powered heated gear (like vests and gloves) so you don’t need to worry about connecting to the bike- the vests and gloves are not too expensive on Amazon. And you can carry spare batteries for longer duration riding if needed.
 
Erdoc48 said:
Just checking, do you need electrical connections for heated gear? If so, did you consider battery powered heated gear (like vests and gloves) so you don’t need to worry about connecting to the bike- the vests and gloves are not too expensive on Amazon. And you can carry spare batteries for longer duration riding if needed.
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Much simpler to just connect the 'travelling' harness I already have and use the gear that I already have - BTDTGTTS! ;)
 
Daboo said:
Is there a Honda dealer nearby with floor models?

Chris
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Good, bad or indifferent, it's the Honda model I can practically rent and 'get to' without a tremendous hassle for this trip.
I have no desire to rent a BMW - that's just a 'personal' choice. :biggrin:
You learn in renting overseas that you'd better stick with the rental place that is responsive to inquiries.
And one that the transportation getting to/from are pretty straightforward (simple train ride straight from the airport, 10 min cab ride to site).
My 'preferred' ride would be a NT1100 so I could get a feel for it, but this is a 'close kissing' cousin (actually the basis for the NT1100).
It sits a little taller and has a little less wind protection than the NT1100 but that's not a hill to die on.
It has bags and trunk so I figure it will work for me.
I have all sorts of air cushions, bead riders, sheep skins, etc. for seat options.
It won't be perfect but then neither would a NT1100 - perfect would be a ST1100! ;)
I am really interested in folks who owned one to get their feedback living with one for a while.
Bdalameda lived with one for 5 years so I really appreciate his input on wind protection, battery access, etc.
Kerbside has a ST1100 like me and the fact that he loved the AT gives a bit of a frame of reference (we've had lunch together).
I may get a chance to sit on one at a dealer or not, but I really value the experiences of folks that have one.
It is over many miles that you learn the good, bad, and the ugly of a motorcycle and things to be aware of.
This will be about a 2 week trip so a feller can deal with minor stuff over that time period if need be.
 
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I was just thinking that physically going to a local Honda dealership that had one of these bikes you're considering renting would be helpful in answering some of your questions. There's nothing like actually sitting on a bike, in comparison with reading seat height specs and whether others (with different inseam lengths and padding on the bottom) think of seats. Battery access could be verified by YouTube University or microfiche.
 
Daboo said:
I was just thinking that physically going to a local Honda dealership that had one of these bikes you're considering renting would be helpful in answering some of your questions. There's nothing like actually sitting on a bike, in comparison with reading seat height specs and whether others (with different inseam lengths and padding on the bottom) think of seats. Battery access could be verified by YouTube University or microfiche.
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I understand and I may do that between now and August.
I've already watched several Youtube videos about battery access.
Given the specs, my feet should reach the ground just fine which is biggest issue. ;)
Comfort, controls, etc. will be what it will be.
Unfortunately, many dealers don't want people sitting on brand new motorcycles unless they have a check in their hand ... :biggrin:
It's not like when I when to look at my first ST1100 and they tossed me the keys and said 'Take it for a ride'.
 
Uncle Phil said:
Unfortunately, many dealers don't want people sitting on brand new motorcycles unless they have a check in their hand ... :biggrin:
It's not like when I when to look at my first ST1100 and they tossed me the keys and said 'Take it for a ride'.
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:D There must be something about me that makes the salesmen take pity on me and treat me different. Maybe it is that I'm short. Losing my hair. :wink::redface: The local BMW/Yamaha/Kawasaki, etc dealership has let me take multiple bikes out for hours. Just sign this piece of paper that says I bought it if I drop it.
 
Uncle Phil said:
Unfortunately, many dealers don't want people sitting on brand new motorcycles unless they have a check in their hand ... :biggrin:
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Not my experience at all. I can name 6 dealerships that let you throw a leg (and the rest of your bod) over new bikes right there in the showroom. New or used, it made no difference. Seriously, unless you are way too short and the salesman can see no way for you to keep said bike upright why would they care?
 
Once they get enough miles on the bike, they can mark it down as a "demo". Prior to sale, they'll take out those scuffs. The drops...that's why you agree before the test ride to buy the bike if you drop it.
 
SMSW said:
Not my experience at all. I can name 6 dealerships that let you throw a leg (and the rest of your bod) over new bikes right there in the showroom. New or used, it made no difference. Seriously, unless you are way too short and the salesman can see no way for you to keep said bike upright why would they care?
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I didn't say it was your experience, I said it was mine ... ;)
 
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