Being 4’-11”, I can say this bike is the best I’ve ridden so far. If I’m falling on a trail, I have the advantage of jumping off the seat quite far allowing my parachute to open
That is hilarious. I never thought about all the extra time you have in a fall. That does seem like a significant advantage I had never considered. Thank you very much for the enlightenment.
I was definitely learning that day. Twelve is probably a little over the top but I will tell you, as the water and food were running out, it certainly felt that way. There are some routes that new riders shouldn't be on and I found myself right in the middle of one. Hopefully, I will be smarter next time but I make no promises. ;-)
I appreciate the comments and reasoning you used for your evaluation and they make sense. I've gone from 35 + years of Goldwing riding to riding an AT/AS DCT and, I love it to death! Heavy, yep, it's heavy but, 550# compared to 900# is quite a weight loss to enjoy so, the weight of the AT is quite tolerable to me. Not fast enough? Well, this is a matter of opinion. My last Goldwing, an 1800 was a rocket for its weight. And this AT, is also quite fast enough for this old man. I didn't buy it to drag race other adventure bikes. I'm not in it to impress people, just have fun. Tall? Yep, it's tall. I'm 6'2.5" and a 31or so inch inseam and, I either mount the AT by just tucking a leg under me and over the seat or, if I feel like it, I climb on the foot peg and throw my leg over. But, with the seat adjusted to the low setting, when straight sitting on the bike, straight up and down, my feet are *almost* flat footed. Price? well, I got a brand new 2018 AT/AS DCT for $10,900 and, to me, that was a fair price for a brand new bike. And, at around $7K cheaper than a 2020, it's definitely gonna work for me. If I find I love this bike more and more after a year or two or three, I might be looking for a 2020 that's new and, like my '18, has been sitting on a showroom floor for a while. I like this bike a lot. Nice video SR
Thank you very much for the feedback. I am a huge fan of this bike for sure but I do realize that it might not work for everyone. The price is only getting better and better as these new models come out. I am super excited to see people being able to pick up more and more of these bikes hit the floor. Thank you again for watching and leaving a comment. It definitely helps to hear others' experiences as well.
For me my AT/DCT is the perfect bike, I love it, off road it’s a blast, I ride single track with it no problem, she is heavy but whatever I’m a big guy so I can handle it, on the road I think it’s pretty brilliant, plenty of power, fun in the twisty’s....great all around and I don’t need two bikes (although there is nothing wrong with owning two bikes)
I have the same issue as I am a one bike guy. I think my wife would lose her mind if I took up even more garage space with a second bike. I have the DCT too and I think it is the perfect bike for the type of riding I do right now. I had a chance to really dig in this past year with some serious off road riding in Utah and the bike was a dream. A heavy dream but a dream nonetheless. I look forward to the trips we have planned next year (TBD) and seeing how much more I can learn about this bike as I continue riding. I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback here.
Boo Radley 40 years ago I was racing motocross and riding 125-500 cc dirt bikes. Today, I find my AT top-heavy And not confidence inspiring off road. Perhaps it’s me and not the 550 pounds wet weight. Lol.
It’s only +-54kg heavier than small adventure bikes like the ktm 390, I think it has to do with the bikes top heaviness.. the top heaviness with a full tank makes it hard to pick up when you fall on a steep hill but on level ground, its totally chilled
I have been buying and riding bikes for thirty five years and can think of five things on all of them that I improved. The 2020 DCT twin is the first bike I have changed things purely for visual colour coordination and to carry more luggage. Six months an owner loved every second and not missed a beat.
That is sort of the whole point. There are goods and bads for every bike. There are things they are best suited for and things they aren’t suited for at all. I love my AT also but I’m well aware that isn’t the best option for everything.
Thanks for the video! I am 5’8” and would argue that height is one reason not to skip the AT. At least in its standard form, the low seat position is unique in its category, and what made it possible for me to ride such a capable bike. At the time it came out it was either this or a KTM made for giants... being able to put both feet on the ground and take a breath off road can be a great relief for beginners
Totally true. The height of the bike can easily be a pro or a con for people depending on what they are looking for in a bike. I really appreciate your added to feedback to the comments here to flesh out the different needs for each rider out there. Bikes are tools for what we try to accomplish as riders. Some tools are good for certain jobs and some are bad but it often depends on who we are as riders and what we want to accomplish in our travels.
The africa twin has been my bucket list bike since they came out in 2016, finally was able to buy one a few months ago, found a decent deal on a very clean used 2017. I could not be happier with it. Coming from a suzuki boulevard the AT is so much more comfortable for me. Before it was "hmm 70 mile trip, I think I'll just take my truck" to now "across the state? Let's go" plus being able to explore off road
That is awesome. I had considered a Boulevard oh so long ago before I found the ADV market. I am a huge fan of my AT as well and would gladly join you in that cross-state adventure on this bike. Twin twins as we went.
I really appreciate the feedback and I understand your critique. Nice profile pic too by the way. I don't know that there are "real" reasons to not buy any specific bike as they all have their pros and cons. There are simply times when the AT might not be the best fit for certain riders. I wanted to highlight some of those areas just so potential AT owners could have all the info. I hope that clarifies some of my choices a bit. As far as the title, it is a tough balancing act between brief and informative titles. I still feel like the title accurately describes the vid while limiting wordiness. I am glad you watched and left feedback. Thank you.
I love my 16 AT. Just got it in November with 1600 miles with extras (Dual sport tires). Hit the mud and icy trails. Had no problems. I am a dirt biker so I know how to ride. People think they need all the power. You don't. No spin and be smooth.
That is awesome. I have had mine for about 18 months now and every ride is a blast. I am hoping to get much more off-road time next summer but it is a steep learning curve for me since I have ZERO dirt bike experience to pull from. I am okay learning slowly though because even the tough times are pretty fun.
I love my ATS and much prefer it to my old 1200GS. I think you have some valid comments, but honestly I think you guys bit off a little more than you were ready for. It took me years to feel comfortable on a big bike on all sorts of terrain, especially advanced. Once you get comfortable and can relax, it is amazing what you can do on a big bike. Ultimately, I think the ATS is the best bike for me and you just need to figure our what is the best bike for you; don't blame the tool :)
Oh, I certainly wouldn't blame the tool as early as I am in the game. I am well aware that any difficulty I have on this bike is because of me as a rider and not the size or weight of the bike. I am REALLY glad though that I had a chance to at least learn how to ride on a smaller, lighter, slower bike. I can't say that it for sure saved my life but I am confident that I would have made plenty of bad choices if I had AT power when I was starting. My first off-road this past year taught me a lot and I do wish I had done it on a much smaller bike but unfortunately the commute and my budget wouldn't allow it. I would also agree with you, the AT (I don't have the Adventure Sport) is the absolute best bike for me and the type of riding I do routinely. It will be more bike than I am rider for a good long time. Thank you very much for the watch and the feedback.
Aha I'm 6'2" and I can BARELY flat-foot the bike on the low seat setting. That said, it's nice to know that I have a bike that only 30% of the population would be comfortable on.
As an Africa Twin owner, I think the characteristics you described are fair to call out. They are also reasons that make the Africa twin the right bike for what I am after. I was concerned about the weight and height but found the height OK once I set the seat in the lower position (I am 5'10"). I only find the weight a problem in gnarly off road situations. On "adventurous" roads the bike is stable and easy to handle. It can carry extra weight and I have been happy when riding all day on the bike when I get off and don't feel worn out. You can even through a pillion on and the bike won't struggle (unlike smaller off road capable bikes)
You are completely correct with all your assessments of the AT. The only time I had an issue with the weight was picking it up over and over again when we did some really nasty off-road stuff. On the road, we did tons of miles traveling across the country and I was amazed how easy it was on the AT. Every bike is a trade of various different capabilities and I think the AT is the best mixture possible for the types of riding that I do most often. Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.
Agree it is tall. I'm 6ft 2 and I still can't get both feet flat. Regarding weight: I rode it to Wales for an off road weekend and did some very messy stuff and everyone else was on something small - it was tough going, but bags of fun. The thing is, I was the only one who could ride their bike 150 miles home in comfort at 100mph - they all had to drive theirs home in the back of a van. It's all compromise. Love the bike.
I agree with you, I love the bike but there is no doubt it is heavy. I can't imagine how tough messy stuff would be but I might get a chance next year when we do MABDR. I also agree about the trade-off for comfort because I have to push enormous amounts of miles to get to anywhere really fun. I ultimately settled on the AT because even though it gets heavy when I drop it off-road, I get so much use out of it outside those times. I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback. It really means a lot to us to have so many people interested in helping this community with what they know and have experienced.
Followed a similar bike lineage with the CB500X then 20,000km later went for the ATAS-DCT. Yes its heavy, but I can still lift it, yes its tall but that what I was looking for. Power it has more than I can sensibly use. As Jay Bee says it is not a light weight dual sport, but it is a great all-round tourer that can handle the off road.
I totally agree with your sentiments. There were only a few times on Lockhart Basin that I was lamenting my choice of such a heavy bike but that had a lot more to do with me being unprepared than the bike itself. I love the AT for all the reasons you mentioned because it does everything I want it to do plus so much more I haven't even touched yet. I look forward to plenty more adventures on my bike from here. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving feedback.
1. You dropped the bike 12 times? That's a skill issue, not a bike issue. 2. You think it's underpowered? Try gunning the new 1100 while passing a truck on the highway, it will rip your arms off. It's not a supersport, but power is definitely not an issue. 3. Yes it is a very tall bike. 4. Yes, the 2020 has all kinds of "bells and whistles". Maybe too much. I have yet to even try the apple/android play stuff, and probably never will. It is definitely not a comfort cruiser though. 5. New ones are definitely not cheap. Mine was $23000 CAD before adding the accessories like center stand and crash bars, lights, etc.
Oh, there is no doubt that skill was the missing element when I was in Utah but that is sort of the point of the video. There are plenty of other people out there that are similarly lacking in skill so this bike might not be the best choice if they are looking towards tough technical terrain. As far as power, this is obviously pretty subjective but all the reading I have done on the AT states it is a pretty linear power band without many frills which would leave it behind the KTM and others with more guts. It is funny that you don't opt for the Apple/Android portion because that is one of the things that most excites me about an eventual upgrade. I am glad you are enjoying the bike and thank you so much for stopping to leave feedback.
I love my 2016 manual. 40k miles. Buy the right bike for you. It's not for everyone. It is for me though. It's amazing offroad, but it's not magic so you need to be ready for an "offroad goldwing" which for me, is a big part of the enjoyment. The challenge of doing and not dropping. using that 21" front tire. keeping your momentum, etc. all the things you don't have to worry about on a 250 dual sport are what appeal to me about the AT. And you will be a better rider for it
Off-road Goldwing? That is hilarious and all of a sudden the bike doesn't seem that unmanageable. I have learned so much in a short amount of time when it comes to dealing with off-road environments. I obviously have a long way to go but it feels good knowing some of the basics as they have already improved my riding. The other good news is that I can only really afford to have one bike so I HAVE to manage on the AT no matter what kind of riding I am doing. I certainly do hope that I can get better and better so pickups become less and less. I wanted to thank you for giving us your thoughts on the video. It helps everyone when you can give honest and interesting feedback about your experiences.
Why do people continually mistake Adventure Touring bikes for Dual-Sports? The people who seem to be happiest with these bikes are the ones who use them for their intended purposes. It's not rocket science. Dual-Sports don't weight 400, 500 or 600+ lbs and come with factory luggage and heated grips! That's called a "touring bike".
You do have to admit though that all these names can get quite confusing, especially for us newbies. I do think this could technically apply as a dual sport though. I mean I rode across the country at 70-90 mph to go off-road in Utah on an expert only (way over my head) route and the bike (not the rider) performed exquisitely in both environments. I am sure a smaller bike on the dirt and maybe a larger one on the road would have been better but this bike handled both well. I will tell you though...I could go for some heated grips as our nights start slipping into 40s. ;-) I appreciate the watch and the feedback.
In my opinion "dual-sport" means 50/50. That means it's equally good on road as it is off road. These big Adventure Touring bikes are, in my opinion, somewhere between 70/30 and 90/10 on road/off road. 19" front wheels, excessive weight, wide radiators, fragile plastics, low sumps and cast wheels all limit the bikes ease of use off road. For the record, I do not believe a maintained gravel road to be "off road". Some do. I don't. ADV bikes are fine....when ridden in the correct environment. Treat them like a dirt bike and they'll crumble and leave the owner both angry and broke. Been there, done that.
This Term "Adventure bike" is bullshit its a Motorcycle, use it as intended and if you go out of it parameters it's not Adventure its just a bit harder. Wonder what e called it back in the day long b4 the interwebs and TH-cam
I'm not sure I'm following your reasons here. Comparing it to a V-Strom1000, Versys 1000, Super Tenure...you would have the same issues. On creature comforts, I installed a 12 volt, center stand, heated grips, and a throttle lock. And I bought 2017 new off the floor one year ago for $8500.00, hence my confusion on the 5 reasons to avoid the African Twin. Maybe 5 reasons to avoid liter ADV would be a better title?
You are very right that these "issues" would likely belong to any bike in this category but I haven't tried those others. I did a vid about the 5 reasons to love the AT (or something like that) and people asked me, "What do you NOT like about the bike?" It was a tougher list to come up with because I am a big fan but I constructed this vid as a response. There are definite downsides to the AT that may or may not be remedied with a different choice but it really comes down to personal preference and what you expect the bike to be able to do. I appreciate your question and the clarity it can give to other viewers as they parse out the best options for their own ride.
@@BeGoneForGood I would say the one thing I would like is a shaft drive. My old bike I had it and it was so nice for a lazy guy :-) I will say I did pick up a 250L for the real technical stuff that I ride and it's a blast. Safe Riding!
Great to see honest reviews from people that own the actual bike. I too, had and sold the AT because of the weight. Now, if you do not ride back country adventure you will disagree, but with out a doubt a lighter, more manageable bike for that riding is so much nicer. From comfort, safety, picking up alone, water crossings, over a snow section, and just for rider enjoyment. Look, if you like the at off road and swear its the best for you, try a lighter more off road able adventure bike like the 790 or t7. And get ready for the obvious. Far more fun to ride. If you think your good on an AT off road, you'll be alot better on the ktm or T7.
I appreciate the feedback and I just thought it would be good to get some of the reasons out there why people might need to reconsider their choice depending on what they value in a bike. I didn't realize when I first bought the bike but you are completely right if you want to do off-road often this bike is crazy heavy.
As far as adventure bikes go the AT is actually very small and low to the ground (Compared to other literbikes). That is the key reason I got it at 5'10" (178cm) - inseam 32". Agree with the power comments - for me it is underpowered - even compared to an 03 VStrom1000 it feels a bit limp. Hoping a pipe and a tune might help, as well as maybe gearing down. Cheers, Cam from NZ
Ive worked on bike since 1980 certified mototerc mech I've owned a 22 Africa twin base model 11 months now and I'm old school and trail ride and been through sand and haven't dumped it yet. This is (to me) the best adventure bike for all around and when it wears out after 100k miles or so I will buy a new one . 56 to 62 miles a gallon cruise control lots of bells n whistles and it took time to adjust to what I needed to operate it of my needs. Only thing I will do to it is better seat and maybe 4" higher windscreen rear rack n kriega bags for now. Eng guards are on. But you might want a smaller bike this is your preference not everyone else's no manufacturer is going to build your perfect bike . That's why they have ecseseries and upgrades to build what you want for your bike..
That is sort of my point. Every bike is a tool and sometimes there are better tools for different jobs. Just be sure this is the right tool before going too deep into it.
Good video, here are my thoughts on your points: 1. Weight: agreed, its not a dirt bike. 2. Engine: I have to disagree. I've owned much more powerful bikes, this engine is great, its got torque and sounds great (a slip on makes it sounds really great). The Tiger 800 feels like an i4 - 600cc engine compared to the AT. The F800GS and even the F850GS has nothing on the AT (and I tried them all back to back): th-cam.com/video/DNpwHjkw5YI/w-d-xo.html (power wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear, try that on any of the other listed bikes ;) ). Sure a KTM 1290 adventure will get you there faster but it weighs almost 100lbs more and offroad you can only put so much power to the ground, and the AT has got plenty of torque and power even for 2 up touring. Its no Tuono, but its no KLR650 either. It doesn't have the low down torque my Scrambler 1200 had, but it's not far from that. In first gear its almost impossible to accelerate aggressively without lifting the front wheel. 3. Height: Its tall, but all my friends can ride it (5'6" and above), seat is adjustable. There's few bikes out there great for us tall rider, this is one of them :) 4. Bells and whistles: Agreed, it could have come better equipped but what I mostly miss on my 2019 is tubeless wheels (easy to fix on the go, no center stand required). 5. Cost: You shouldn't pay full retail price for these (except for the first 4-5 months of a new model), Honda constantly offers rebates on them (got nearly 2000$ off my 2019 this summer). At full price its good value, at a discount, its a bargain. Buying a used one, fully equipped will also save you tons of cash and time.
First off, thank you so much for the feedback. I know it takes time to assemble something like this so I appreciate that effort. I don't know that I ever really considered the weight because riding it, even after the CB500X, seemed easy and fluid. It wasn't until I was dropping it over and over again at Lockhart Basin that I really wished I had something super light...like mountain bike light. It was an empty wish because I had to ride 2000 miles there and back, which the AT was perfect for but when I was hot, sweaty, dehydrated, and tired, I wished I could be lighter. As far as the engine, I haven't ridden other bikes like you have (that wheelie is awesome) but I had heard a lot about the ho-hum power band. It is MORE than enough to keep me happy, especially coming from the VERY ho-hum CB500X but I know there are others out there wishing for more aggressive capability. I just don't happen to be one of them. My heart pumps every time I get to accelerate from a light even though I have never (intentionally) brought the front wheel up. Height, I am just glad I am tall. Jocelin proves it doesn't really matter but I am still glad to be tall. Honestly, the bells and whistles never really bothered me. I spent plenty of years in cars with everything so I kind of like the stripped down bike idea. It makes me feel more like Peter Fonda which is always an aspiration while riding. Cue up the Steppenwolf in the headset. That is an awesome deal on the 19. I was lucky to get the price I did on a barely used 17 when I did but the prices these days are tough to ignore. Again, thank you so much for the feedback and taking the time to watch. Good luck on your 19 and if you see a red, white and blue 17 blow by...give a wave.
I'm 5'5" and I own the AT DCT with the low seat and obviously in the low position. I also ride with Rev'It boots and they have a bit of lift to them. I would say the DCT does make it easier not having to deal with putting it in gear and switching feet and all that. I own several dirt bikes with 35" seat heights, so I'm no stranger to the Jocelyn Snow leg hang. Totally doable, but a bit trickier on a 500lbs bike. But I completely agree you should consider this and I would say for certain, do not buy this as a first bike if you're on the vertically challenged side of life.
@@thagerm2390, that is a really great point. It is probably a good idea for a smaller rider to get used to Jocelyn's "I am the boss of it" capability on a smaller bike before trying to tame one of the big ones. I am not a short rider at all but I am extremely happy that, basically by dumb luck alone, I got to learn how to ride on a smaller, lighter, slower bike than the AT. I would imagine the same to be true of other new riders regardless of their height. I want to thank you very much for watching and leaving your feedback for other riders.
I have a 2020ATAS, has all the bells and whistles. Height no problem. 6’2” here. Enough power for me. Yes it is heavy! Trails maybe a T7 is better. However, I put 5,320 miles on mine in 6 weeks. Guys down in Big Bend had a CRF 250, they were eating up the trails and back roads. Purpose built. Jack of all trades and master of none. Biggest issue for me is the seat hurts my ass after about 3 hours.
I don’t. Not even a single day but I think that has a lot to do with how much I love the AT. The X was great for what I needed at the time but the AT is a much better fit both for my style of riding and my size. What were you considering stepping into?
I was looking at the AT 1100 base with the smaller tank. I don't want a big tank primarily due to the extra wight up high. I thought I was going to love the DCT but, did a test ride and really didn't like how it down shifts coming a stop. That second to first was really grabby. Really made me wonder how that would be off-road. Im now thinking the manual with a quick shifter might be the best. IDK.@@BeGoneForGood
@@scotcook5 I wish I could give you a good idea of how this process works for me but when I was off-road in some pretty significant territory, I never had a single second thought or issue. It all worked exceptionally well for me. I think the difference is the folks who are comfortable with manuals might appreciate the hands-on nature of the manual.
Thanks for posting another interesting video. I'm learning to ride again after 20 years of being away from riding. The Africa Twin is the bike I aspire to own one day. I'm currently riding a Benelli TRK 500cc Adventure motorcycle. It weighs in at 518 lbs without luggage. Picking that up is not easy, but with good technique it is certainly possible without too much of a fight. It has already given me a little practice at the task! The Africa Twin coming from my perspective, is a lighter motorcycle! All of the other points you make are very good and worth consideration. I would say for me, Honda reliability would be my reason to buy one. Everything else is secondary if you are stopped at the side of the road with a dead motorcycle.
You are perfectly right about "The right tool for the right job!" Even that you can take a heavy bike like the AT out on single trails and real offroad (=terrain), this is not what that category of bikes are originally designed for. In German those bikes like AT, GS &Co are called "Reiseenduro", that is a comfortable, long distance travel/touring bike for all kinds of roads - paved and unpaved. KTM has even put he 790R in the category "travel"! And ues, a very able rider can take almost any bike anywhere, but for us average guys and girls lighter is better when the going gets tough. The most ridculous thing I have seen in this context is people mounting electric winches on heavy bikes, to get hem out of the ditch. And if you cant lift your own bike under even slightly awkward conditions without technical gadges, better get a lighter one!
I have seen some of those good riders doing all sorts of amazing things with these big ADV bikes. That is when I realized that it is definitely the rider that determines the "best bike" but there are obviously better options in every circumstance. Those winches are a pretty funny by product of bigger and bigger bikes. I am just glad I can handle the AT enough to pick it up even when I drop it over and over and over again.
This is SUCH a hard question to answer because I don't really know what it is you want out of your journey. I will tell you how I ended up going with the bigger Africa Twin as opposed to my original CB500X. I was traveling through Mexico and Central America and had so many instances where I wanted more power on demand from the bike. I was okay getting a heavier bike. I was okay getting a taller bike. I just wanted more power. If you are going to be doing 80% roads, I would choose the AT but I might be looking for very different things than you are. If the 20% is just fire roads and gravel then the AT doesn't really have a downside. If the 20% is more aggressive and you might drop the bike and have to pick it up, my guess is that you would be much happier with the lighter KLR. Either way, you are getting a capable bike and one you will have a ton of fun on. Good luck.
Great bike. Yes, it is heavy and not nimble. It is fun in the twisties, but it is like muscling an oil tanker around corners once you start getting it over. Great for long distance but not agile.
I last rode rentals about 10 years ago at age 30 haven't ridden after a gym slip disc incident. But I wanna ride NOW for a few years before the Chinese kill me. How is the Africa twin on the back and spine on tarmac / cement / bad roads / potholes
They’re is two types of duel sport riding. One is short trips or day trips in your local area. Two is cross county trips. If you’re more of a day trip guy and ride hard core off road, them a small DS bike is by far the way to go. Now I’m not saying a big Adventure bike can’t do hard core stuff but you will need the skill set too, and a day on a big bike in rough stuff, trying to keep up with small DS bikes will definitely test your physical condition. If you like to travel cross county and do fire roads and jeep trails, them the big Adventure bikes is the way to go. A small DS bike on the asphalt for days is Just not near as comfortable... at least for me.
So, I think what I need is ADV in the streets and DS in the creeks (sorry that was the best rhyme I could come up with on short notice...) I am stuck with the big ADV bike but I can definitely improve rider skill at this point because I am basically starting from zero. It should be pretty exciting to see if I can improve or if I continue to make bad choices. I appreciate the feedback and watch.
Be Gone For Good It does take time. I’ve been riding for 50 years. Raced just about every type of motorcycle racing there is and still love riding. Life is a journey... enjoy the ride!
BAM. I bought a used 06 1200GS and a very used 93 XR650L for just under $9K total. Horses for courses as the Brits say. The more time I spend on the XR, the better I get at taking the GS into the rough. Though picking up the XR 4 or 5 times in a couple hours does get hard...she aint no lightweight and keeps me looking at Craigs for a good deal on a 250 =D
@@orangelion03, I have heard about how much off-road riding can help all other types of riding. I know I spent a little time on some squishy gravel and felt so much better when I got back to the road. I would love to have a smaller dirt bike to bomb around and learn on but I am stuck on the AT all the time. I just have to get better on that bike.
I love my 2018 Adventure Sports! Yes, it's heavy. Yes, it's tall. You need to be comfy getting one foot down at stops to really use this bike correctly. But what an engine! What a ride! And who buys an ugly bike? She's stunning to look at.
Been riding my Africa Twin since 2016. I’ve ridden several difficult trails and I’ve yet to drop it twelve times in one ride. I’d suggest you try the new Trail 90.
It might not have actually been a full twelve but I will tell you it certainly felt like it as the water was dwindling and the sun was going down. I am thinking the Trail 90 would have made the ride a bit more fun and worst case, I could have thrown it over my shoulder and walked it out.
I’ll add to the fact that the height is something that can be something that needs to be managed. I’m 5’ 11”, bought the low seat, and still can’t flat foot both feet. Best bike in the world to me. But it is a tall boi. Definitely took some work to get comfortable after starting on a triumph Bonnie.
It is definitely a big bike but manageable once you get used to it. I appreciate you leaving some added context and feedback to the video for others to check out. It is very helpful to see everyone's different opinions on the AT.
I have 32 inch inseam. Installed Soupys lowering links to my AT and adjusted to lower just 1 inch. So much better! Now can flat foot. Changed kickstand to Camel ADV shorter kickstand for more lean. Perfect! Installed Kaoko cruise control and big Garmin LMT 61 GPS car nav on Camel ADV bracket for bells and whistles. Perfect! BMW sells their GPS for $1000 and it is tiny! Cant read it! The DCT is a rocket from a standing start to 60 or so. Only a rider truly ready for a race can keep up.
I love that the AT is accessible for so many riders especially with a few simple modifications. I am curious to hear about the Kaoko because I great super tired of the ride while going through Nebraska this past summer. I have seen great reviews for them but never quite pulled the trigger. I go even cheaper on my GPS by just using my phone. ;-) Thank you so much for watching and offering your thoughts as well. I am hoping all of these comments as well as the video help others with their choice of bike.
Be Gone For Good The Kaoko would be perfect for Nebraska, just set and forget! It simply adds friction to overcome throttle’s spring return. Once friction is set you can rotate the throttle to any position and it stays. Setting it with pinky finger as advertised can be done but its not easy. I usually let go of throttle to dial in some friction if no one is behind me. Anyway, it beats a throttle lock any day. BTW, phone is indeed best navigator, Garmin is best moving map - always shows speed, speed limit, direction or elevation, road youre on and what intersecting road is coming up next. Id be lost without it (yuk yuk).
That is a pretty solid endorsement of the Kaoko. I might have to pick one up before our next long road trip because it would be nice to take my hand off every now and again. I also should be clear, not that it matters to our convo, but I actually really enjoyed riding across Nebraska this past year. I thought it was going to be a bear but I loved seeing the bright blue sky set against the deep greens all around. It was a perfect day to be riding through and I enjoyed every mile of it far more than I expected. It felt like the very picture of freedom spread out before me so don't jump all over me Nebraska people.
Buys a Ltr bike winges about the weight.......Buys a off rd bike winges about its height..... Buys a price built bike winges about the lack of goodies.....Buys a Ltr bike winges about how it doesn't have the punch of a larger cc bike.....Yea great points none of them ....with well over 100,000 klms on my AT with no issues I can't see the problem here ......You ppl crack me up
Behind The Bars, I don't know what a winge is but I think I like mine with buffalo sauce. ;-) Seriously, I get that the AT is a great all-rounder. I mean hell it is my bike and I plan on going all around on the thing but do you think there are some people out there where this "tool" just doesn't fit what they are trying to do? This question came up in my own head as I was doing a pretty rugged off-road loop in Utah this past summer. I have only ridden two bikes for any amount of time. My first was a CB500X and then the AT. While I was in Utah on the AT, dropping the bike all over the place, I wondered if I wouldn't have been better off on a smaller, lighter bike. The 2000 mile ride out to Utah wouldn't have been as good but maybe my off road experience would have been better. It is tough to say I guess but I thought it was at least worth starting the conversation with the video. I appreciate you leaving a comment and adding your insights to the conversation.
Daniel, that is very true about the long term cost. I never really thought of that. Partially I am guessing because I haven't had the AT that long really and I haven't seen the costs associated with the other bikes. That would be a definite factor in overall cost for the bike for sure. Thank you very much for adding that feedback.
I have room for one bike. I picked the 19 Africa twin. I’m a big guy 6’3” 300lbs so it feels just small enough on trails. I love my bike and I think I’ll hold onto it for as long as I can maybe 10-20 years. It have low end power, high end power and it’s reliable. Really my only big issue on the twin is the front suspension and the rear valving. I plan on tuning when I can.
Just have 2 bikes: Africa Twin or GS for long road trips with light trails, and something like an old Honda 250 CRF for off-road fun. Easy to pick up, won't break, and if anything snaps it's cheap and easy to replace yourself.
I have an ATAS and at 5'11" I might be the shortest you would want to be to ride this bike. Its for sure on the tall side. Yeap its a little heavy but it is a 1000. Are there 1000cc+ bikes that are significantly lighter? Power, I dont mind the power at all. My previous bike was an ST1300 and I was OK with the power of that bike as well. Bells and whistles, I do wish I had the color screen, the black and tan LCD kinda sucks in certain lighting. I think the bike could do without all the riding modes. Its kinda silly to have all these settings on a 90 hp motorcycle. Not needed at all in my opinion. Price? I think I paid $16k for mine new (2018 30th anniversary model). I used part of an inheritance so didn't feel the pain of the purchase. Having said that it seems that everything is expensive now. If I get rid of my AT it will be because I want to go back to a Sport Touring ride and that might just happen. I miss my ST1300.
You nailed it Mike. This bike definitely has trade offs but all bikes do. There is not a lot you can do about some of these issues if you are in the 1000cc category but they may be the sort of issues that are big enough to drop down in size a little. I am pretty happy dealing with the size and weight sacrifices because I like the power exchange. Thank you very much for watching and leaving feedback. It helps us out a ton to hear from our viewers.
As some guys said - if those are the reasons for skipping it, then its a damn good bike. Its not a "bikes problem" that You are too short for it, or weak for picking it up. Just know where you gonna go with it, and decide on bike choice accordingly. Power - it is very balanced allrounder, nothing to add. And not having cruise and USB port is so minor... just add them youself.
That is true that it isn’t the bikes fault but if those elements become issues for a person then this definitely isn’t the right bike for them. Ultimately, we all have to decide what kind of ride we are shooting for and pick the best ride accordingly.
love my AT. i had a lot of other different type of bike and the AT is still my dream bike. power: on the road maybe but off road you really don't need that much. weight and height.... well its pretty much in the same range as the competition and the AT have more ground clearance than most adv bike. bell and whistle: well me i didn't want a goldwing, so i didn't need all those accessories, i just bought those that i really needed. i can understand why people wouldn't buy the AT but the AT has is own space in the ADV segment and is the best bang for the buck 1liter adv bike. nice video BTW
Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. I must tell you that I am completely in love with my bike as well. I can't get enough of it even when our weather is dipping below 40 degrees. Yikes!
I have the DCT too and have been super impressed with the bike. There obviously are good and bad places to take the bike but it does a solid job with everything I have thrown at it so far.
If you know how to ride AT has plenty of power. I never had problems keeping up with ktm and bmw and smiling knowing i spent a lot less of my hard earned cash..Plus I like doing extra mods to make it my own
Maybe that is true but some of those bikes turn more raw power so I would be surprised if the AT could match their quickness or top speeds without some healthy changes to the stock system. Either way, different needs call for different tools and if your goal is to go nuts with your adventure bike, I think you may be happier on an alternative to the AT.
I know people that buy a new bike every year but yet they still struggle on the easiest dirt roads and inclines . Just saying the average rider need not spend so much money . Remember going to last year's rally and some guy drove his bmw off into the woods while the lead rider had a old AT that was killing most of the riders there. Invest in your skill set take lessons and buy a At 🙂.
Totally agree brother, my sports bikes mates are surprised and impressed that the mighty ATAS keeps up with them….. gotta love the big wheel lift off when coming out of the bends whilst rascally giving it some!
Love my AT 2016 the only complaint I have is why did they not put 12v power Access in the bike at factory and what were they thinking on where they put the air filters Access but still all and all love my AT
That is completely true. It seems like a simple addition that wouldn't have been expensive to add when all the plastic was off during assembly. That is probably why it HAS been added to all the new models.
Yes, it's quite heavy but not more than a GS and yet , there is always a technic on how to lift it. Position well and use your legs strength or drift it off downhill if that's the case. AT is my dream bike and I can wait to hit the road with my kids.
The white gray and black is super sharp. I have the 17 and love the hell out of my bike. I feel like I am just starting to get to know her after doing my first REAL off-road section this past summer in Utah. Thank you very much for watching and commenting.
Yeh, it can definitely be done and the low seat helps for sure. Jocelin Snow rides a HUGE GS and she is barely 5'2" so skill can get you anywhere for sure.
Thanks, Just 2 weeks ago I sold my africa twin 2017 for those 5 reasons. Now I bought an F 850 GS full equiped. Lighter and with digital display, tire pressure indicator, cruise control, etc, etc. Thanks for your video, now I am sure that what I did is fine. I am Leo from Argentina.
Great to meet you Leo and I am glad the vid was useful for you. I have heard great things about the 850GS. It is a really nice bike and you will have a great ride for a long time.
Some harsh comments. Anyone can venture into a track and find that it is insanely slippery. We have chalk in UK and it gets damp and green slime grows on it. You can't even stand up on it. It's like ice. Dry chalk grips really well even on pure road tyres.
I haven't ridden the chalk but we have mud and clay over here that do similar things. If you catch it at just the right amount of wetness it is like ice. Thank you very much for the watch and comment.
I'm also only 5'-6" with an AT - DCT (2017). I occasionally think about selling it because of the weight. Then I decide to keep it because of the DCT! For low speed riding on the trails, the DCT has saved me from stalling/falling more times than I'd like to admit. Most dirt bikes I've owned are just as tall as the AT, and I'm sure if I practiced perfect clutch control, stalling wouldn't be a problem. But I'm not great at it, and the DCT solves it! Also, most standard dual-sports are geared too high for tight trails, so you gear it down, and its rev's too high on the highway. DCT solves for this too.
I never really had the “I’m selling it moment” because even when I was struggling with the bike’s weight, I knew I still had a long comfortable ride home afterwards. I think if I was going to be doing regular, hard-core off road, I’d look for a second lighter bike. As it stands, most of my riding is going to be road based so the big bike is perfect. I also agree about the DCT. It was such a great asset off road and allowed me to deal with my inexperience on a dozen other levels and not worry about the clutch. Life saver for those of us not in the highly proficient category. Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a line. It is great to see feedback from all different riders and their thoughts on the bike.
@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for taking the time to reply to the comments! Perhaps I should add, "this is my second, lighter bike" lol. First bike is a GoldWing, weighs about twice as much! Had to pick it up once... had to get 2 other guys to help, hopefully THAT never happens again!
That is hilarious. I can’t imagine the AT being my downsized bike. I have heard great things about the GW and I think if I ever started traveling WITH my wife I’d probably consider going that route because I imagine it’s a spectacular ride. If I drop it though, I will be selling it right there where it lays.
The only real complaint I have with my AT is the stupid heat shield for the catalytic converter. I wear a size 15 so when I ride on the balls of my feet my heel hits it and pitches it out diagonal. If it wasn’t for that annoyance I’d love the bike.
Thanks for the vid. Looking at buying one. Why on earth are all the bikes so tall these days. Was never like this through the 70s & 80s. Surely they can offer good ground clearance without sending you to the sky? What's wrong with manufacturers that they do this? Would be doable, surely, to make a setup like the DR650 where the height can be dropped with a simple suspension adjustment OR have an adjustable height seat (not a separate 'low' one). Anyway, they could sell more bikes if the bikes simply fitted more people. People like me at 167cm (5'6in).
It’s funny because I have the same question but in the opposite direction because I’m 6’5” and so many of these bikes seem cramped. I am surprised that there isn’t a little more flexibility in the sizing structures of these bikes to fit more bodies. I guess we will just have to rely on the modification field to help us out.
Some of this is a statement of the blinding obvious and while some of us were born at night, it wasn't last night. I tried loads of bikes and love my AT. I accept of course that we all have different tastes and there are many different requirements!
Ray, you are very correct. This obviously isn't groundbreaking information by any degree but just simple observations I have made with 18 or so months on the AT. I have done a decent amount of riding and just thought this type of vid would have helped me with my decision to get the AT. I am in love with this bike and watched a ton of videos before deciding to buy. It seemed everyone has made vids about what they love about the bike. My thought was there might be some room to talk about things people might not love because of those different tastes. Either way, I guess it is too late to pull back now. Thank you very much for watching and leaving your feedback. It all helps me and others that might be checking in.
My first bike is a ktm 390 adv, really hope to get the AT one day. Checked out at the dealership, the size is absolutely intimidating, but I'm sure I'd get use to it
You would indeed because the bike, though big, is very manageable. I bumped up from a CB500X and had a little learning curve to get used to more power but it was pretty quick.
@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for the reply! Funny enough, the seat height between my 390 and AT was pretty similar, just a bigger bike. Love that tri color 😍
1st I am not sure how many times YOU ll drop down with this bike so it’s gonna be really hard for you to lift it up. 2nd as you said now that you’re a bit more experienced try another bike that suits you and of course 3rd try to avoid it as you are too tall and talk with Honda or Yamaha etc to release a bike for your height. Just remind you 2018 Africa twin bike of the year!
Couple of things you missed: 1. The 2016 and 2017 models have a big problem with the long term reliability if the front forks, the inner anodization along the lower triple tree clamp is prone to premature wear which causes some degree of stiction. Some owners (myself included) report that the stiction issue is showing up relatively early in the bike's life lets say around the first factory service at 16k. I personally rebuilt my forks at that time due to a blown seal and noticed the wear as well as the resulting stiction however I have managed by rotating the fork bodies 10degrees every once in a while 2. The Africa twin is prone to drive shaft wear. I have 33k on the clock and am now looking into having the motor removed and the transmission rebuilt due to this issue. Not acceptable Honda! I love this bike, its perfect for me in nearly every way but Honda let me down with this. I do ride off road about 30 percent of the time and use the bike to commute for work long distance cross country. I have modified her to suit that role and added cruise control, wind protection, luggage, etc and have it suitably kitted out to properly go off road as well with crash protection, skidplate, bark busters and the right tires. No suspension mods, no gearing mods, no engine mods. I also do all the maintenance myself and follow the factory guidelines as such.
Whoa, this is bad news. I am still a ways below your 33k but am heading toward 16k now. I hadn't heard this before but I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention. I hadn't heard these complaints about the bike before but it is good info to have for potential buyers. I appreciate you watching the vid and leaving valuable feedback.
Good to know. You would think EVERY KTM breaks down every ride-- unless you are riding the KTM in The Dakar 1000 race--then you just win that grueling race for the 17th year in a row--and any Honda never breaks. You comment adds a little balance.
After watching the MotoNomad series I would think KTMs are bulletproof. They beat those things like crazy but I have always had a soft spot for the Hondas. I really hope I never run into Anjin's problems because that might ruin me for the red. It is good to see all experiences here though so we can have a better overall view of these bikes pros and cons.
I´m 6´1" and in reality, only adv bikes fit me really well. I´m considering the 1000 Africa Twin. Love the colors, especially the blue one. There are some good bikes with DCT under 10.000€ where I live. Don´t have that kind of money yet and it´s quite a lot for a used bike, but it will surely never go wrong on me.
It happened that I have both of these motorbikes. CB500X is a great machine but AT is much more serious and more versatile bike. I had normal AT (2016) after 1,5 year changed to DCT (2018). Did many thousands km. 1- yes AT is heavy but relatively easy to lift and its traction is awesome 2- power is suitable for applications (in 2018 model you can adjust the power) 3- height, I am not very high guy and height is good but you can buy lower seat to feel more confident (I did it) 4- cruise control (very useful during long trips, I missed it) USB port (absolutely necessary), new AT 1100 has it all and much more 5- yes everyone should start from smaller motorbikes and then grow-up to AT step by step. Look how beautiful AT is. The most beautiful bike in the world. ;-) My woman still loves her CB500X but for long trips we use only AT.
Thank you so much for your feedback on this video. You are very right about all your points and ultimately it really comes down to each individual rider determining what is their best fit. I also agree with you that the AT is the best bike out there...at least for me. I would love some cruise control though. ;-)
I love my 2016 DCT and will probably never get rid of it but I agree nearly 100% with your assessment of the Africa Twin. Especially in the power department. My bike is more powerful and much more capable as a machine than I am as a rider but after riding with guys on big KTMs that can just roll the throttle into a power wheelie on a whim does bring about a small bit of jealousy. I just did a 950 mile weekend with a wide range of sand, mud, gravel, and blacktop. My bike was not the best at anyone surface but provided me with an awesome experience.
I appreciate the watch and feedback Jim. I ride with a guy on a KTM and I have had those same pangs when he blasts off of a light. I am happy with the AT but I could see how someone interested in power might see the KTM and want to go that route instead. I am content keeping both wheels on the ground and making sure I get home every night.
Good video. Most points I agree with you. In 2018 I was close to buying one. By this time the discounted price was just under $12k usd. Even then I would have been making payments. My dealer then bought about 25 leftover 2017 V-Strom 650S and was selling them at $5995.00. At this price I was able to pay cash. I was looking at the Africa Twin because I have the want to go off pavement , I just don't have the skills. Since my adventures are on tarmac the V-Strom is a better choice for me. For those with the skills to go off pavement I think the Africa Twin is a good choice. I can still find new 2017's just under $9k. As far as weight and bells and whistles it was right in line with it's direct competition (1090 Adventure R and V-Strom 1000).
When I first started riding I made a similar choice on getting a CB500X instead of a bigger bike mostly because I wanted to see if I really liked it before dropping major money. I don't do a ton of off-road riding but when I do, you're right, the AT is an absolute monster. I am glad you came by to watch and leave your feedback.
I reckon that’s a fair assessment I own a 2018 DCT I can’t pick it up on my own I’m 67 years old It’s just too heavy however it’s not ridden off road as I’m also 6ft 3” it’s a wonderful comfortable daily rider love the Dct it’s not a perfect bike but I really like mine .
I host an adventure bike training camp at my ranch that teaches how to manage the challenges of handling a big bike off road. There are many techniques to conserve your energy and increase the confidence of riding in the rough. The classes include picking up the bike in a manner that the smallest riders can perform safely and without injury. This class was the best money spent since owning my AT!
if so, those reasons can be the same to skip almost all bikes !!! AT is a great bike, it's the most capable offroad among the big adventure range of bikes, the power it has is plenty to do all rides, you can cruise at 130kmh comfortably
Very true. These issues could be the same for almost any big ADV bike. The problem is I haven't ridden EVERY other ADV bike. I have ridden this one and in doing a pro/con list, I could only really speak about the AT.
Yes, youre out of youre mind! The Africa Twin is a good all rounder, its built to suit certain rider styles! Im a BMW1200GSA rider, but love the Africa Twin, its a great bike!
I agree with you that the AT is the best all rounder, at least for me but it does suit certain styles and not others. I am surprised the BMW crowd doesn't kick you out for saying something nice about the AT. ;-) Don't worry, we can keep a secret here.
I agree with everything. However, in my case it is PLENTY POWERFUL. I test rode an older Super Tenere, and it was way too much for me. I then rode the CB500X, which felt like home, but had NO power by comparison. A few minutes later I rode the AT, and it felt near perfect in the get up and go arena. Now that I’m an owner of a 2019, and loving it, I’m also keeping my eyes open for something lighter, that makes me feel safer.
I feel the same way about the power because I don't need much to be happy especially after coming off the CB500X. The new lighter, baby AT could be the perfect fit for guys like us. Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment.
Opinions are like elbows Everyone has a couple. That being said, Honda builds good stuff, from lawnmowers to F1 Engines, even Jet Air Planes. And, that being said, life’s a compromise and I’ll do it on a Honda. 😎
Very true. In the game of compromise we all have to play I am very happy to be on my AT. Even when I was digging my heels in to pick the bike up over and over, I never wished to be on something else. I wished I was a better rider or I had more water but never to have a different bike. Now I just have to get a test drive on one of those Honda Jets. ;-)
Great video! I think some people got defensive because the title makes it sound like the AT is inferior to the KTM, Triumph, BMW. Most of the flaws you pointed out apply to new riders or riders looking to off-road primarily which if that is you then any bike Over 700 is not the bike for you
Andrew, these are very good points you've made. It is true that most of the "issues" I bring up in the video have more to do with big bikes than they do with the AT specifically. Unfortunately, I have only ever been on a couple of bikes so I didn't include the other bikes in this category in the review but I definitely should have mentioned what you stated for clarity. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to leave feedback.
I am 5' 6". The first test ride was on AT Adventure Sports. For me that was at the limit. I own a 2018 AT and started with standard seat in the low setting considering the optional low seat. After a few rides I reconsidered. The standard seat now is in the high setting. I am satisfied with the power and even more with the smooth power curve when rolling on throttle. As you said that is about preference. Coming from the XLR 750 AT height was not a real concern. As a short rider on tall bikes you learn balance.
It is awesome to hear from a smaller rider on the AT. I could see how the height could take some balance capability. I am happy with the power too but I could see how it could leave a little to be desired from folks craving speed.
@@BeGoneForGood Those tall ADVs are actually easy to balance. They have excellent feedback and a good response to steering inputs. For a shorter rider keeping balance just comes easier to mind than dabbing. I had a couple of situation where that saved me from dropping the bike. In my neck of the woods the speed limit on the streets is at 60 mph max. The AT can go at twice that speed. That´s fast enough for me. For folks craving speed a big ADV may not be the right tool anyways. That´s what supersports and hypernakeds are for. As I forgot to mention it in the first comment: I think you made valid points in the video. All of them are a matter of personal choice. I did not perceive them as complaints.
Dumping a bike off road is normal. Lift the bike with it behind you, with your heels dug in, not facing it. Its the only way to lift a 600 lb. GS. Also, always lay it down on the uphill side if possible.🙂 sometimes, in the sand, I would have to take off some bags, it was a bich.
Sorry for the late reply. I have always found the stock seat VERY comfortable. To be fair, though, with my size I ride all the way back by the pillion plate so it may be a little more plush that far to the rear.
It’s like you said right tool for the right job an AT is a big bike with a big engine if you are doing serious off road get a KTM or something else light but for medium / long distance trips in comfort and trail Riding it’s hard to beat I love mine
I am looking at getting a 2019 CB500X, and plan on some longer weekend trip, but mostly local trips here in Utah. I am 6’ 3” 200lbs. I have risen my dads AT, and it just feels too big to maneuver. But I am concerned I am too tall for the CB500X. How tall are you and what are your thoughts?
I am 6'5" and rode the 2015 CB500X for about 16,000 miles throughout the States and Central America. You will feel a difference in the size of the CB and AT but I don't know that I would have ever described myself as scrunched on the CB. I am more comfortable now on the AT but I don't know that it is significant enough reason to solely go for the AT. My biggest reason for stepping up to the AT was the power I received from the CB on the highway. I rode down to Honduras with a KTM 1190 Adventure and couldn't really keep up with him at takeoff or cruising speeds. Once I was comfortable riding I knew I wanted to have a bit more available to me when I turned the throttle. Ultimately, I think if you are more comfortable on the CB500X, then you should definitely stick with the CB because all the AT is going to do is throw more weight and power to you. I know the 19 CB and 15 CB are very different but I added the Rally Raid kit to mine, which added some extra shock capability. I weigh about 185 and tend to overpack quite a bit so maybe at 200, a shock exchange might help your ride as well. I envy you being able to charge out your backdoor in Utah for some really spectacular riding but I think either of those bikes will do you really well. I might start on the CB and if it turns out to not have everything you want, maybe you can change. I bet it takes care of you nicely though. I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. If you need anything else please feel free to reach out to me further. chad@begoneforgood.com
The AT weighs 230kg, the KTM 890 weighs 210kg, BMW GS 850 is 240 kg ana so on....even the Yam T700 is 206 kg... all way too heavy but the AT is not heavier than even smaller bikes..
So what you're saying, if you're small or inexperienced and want to ride hard terrain, not for you. If looking for a bigger bike, they are all heavy?? It's got just the right amount of electronics ( less to go wrong) and very adequate power. Had a few bikes and absolutely love it..
Funny how people get worked up over things like this. But they miss the point. Just because a 5'2 woman can ride the bike well doesn't mean it is good for her or other shorter riders. Lets see her pick it up and get back on it when it laying on its side and no crew to help out. I'm 5' 7" tall and avoided the At because of the seat height and top heavy feel. It's not lack of experience that lead me to this decision. It is the opposite, I've been riding for 35 years and I am realistic about my skills and what can happen when riding off road alone. You have to be able to Handle the bike... not just ride it.. if you can't pick it up or drag it around into a better position after falling ( which you will do ) then you should be on a different bike.
I totally agree and it has been very informative for me to see the reactions to what I thought was pretty benign points. It has been an amazing run. Jocelin is a freak of nature to ride that BMW the way she does but I wouldn't say that is typical for most riders. There is a point where we all have to make decisions about what we want versus what we are willing to sacrifice. There is no such thing as a perfect bike but there is the best bike for what we want to do. Find that spot and you will undoubtedly be happy.
You've got me a little worried about my own bike choice WRT weight and picking it up. I plan on getting a Royal Enfield Himalayan. 420 pounds, then add luggage and crash bars... I'm not a new rider, but I haven't ridden in 20 years and never off pavement. I wonder now if a light dual sport is a better choice, but the Himalayan is SO PRETTY. I hope it works out for me and I hope you stay well and have fun out there. Thanks for the video.
I am so glad you left a comment because I am sure others have had similar worries about their bike choice. Let me say this, it all depends on what type of riding you are looking to do and what sacrifices you are willing to make. Obviously, there is no perfect bike out there that can do everything well so we have to decide our tradeoffs. For me, the AT is a great choice because MOST of my riding will be on the road over potentially long distances so I need something that can handle the road well. I am also interested in moderate to heavy off-road portions which the AT can do but its a bit tougher because the bike is heavy. That is my tradeoff. If you are looking to do a lot more off-road than one of these big bikes probably isn't the best choice but it is all up to the individual rider. Whatever bike you choose, you will find the good and bad with it over time. It is only a problem if the good you find isn't better than the bad you find. Good luck and thank you again for your feedback.
Can someone explain to me the word "afford ". Like if you have the money but you have other things to do or you think the bike is overpriced and does not want to pay 17k for it. 17k can get you a car .
I will take a shot with this but I don't know if my explanation will help at all. When I talk about affording the bike it carries two meanings really. First would be whether you have the money to begin with to buy the bike. The second would be if it hits enough of the "wants" you have to make it something worthwhile for you to spend your money on. It is an expensive bike and there are cheaper options that will take you 80% of the way to its capability. Each rider has to determine if they see the value in that higher priced bike.
I ride a 2019 AT CRF1000L standard shift and I can say that not one of the 5 points you made, has even come close to being an issue whatsoever for me. I do know that the 2019 corrected some of the issues with the 2016 thru 2018.
Even as a low bike it could still be tall for some smaller riders, especially given its weight as well. It may not be a big deal to some but it is at least worth acknowledging if a big bike could be problematic for newer or shorter riders. I do appreciate your feedback though as it definitely helps to round out people's choices as they look for the perfect bike.
I’m in the market for a bike. Moving possibly soon to Austria from central america and I have not ridden in about three yrs. I did have a 2013 R1200GS and a 2008 DYNA 1600 that I loved but where I live having these bikes makes little sense. I am considering a new AT or a used GS. I would vote for the AT because its a honda and reliability is not usually an issue. With GS’s thats not necessarily the case sometimes. Great vid by the way! I have not ridden the AT so any heads up is always a plus.
That is such a hard choice but I am clearly very biased. I love my Africa Twin so I would almost always suggest going that route. Reliability and reasonable prices for fixes is what really drew me to the bike because I didn't plan on spending tons on the bike after purchase (I'll let you all know how the 16k service goes). I would imagine with the long distances you can do throughout Europe a good long range bike would be a top priority. I am sure either will do just fine for your needs but I can't imagine a better choice than the AT. Good luck with that tough choice though. Thank you very much for watching and leaving a comment. It means a lot to us.
I think the main issue with the AT is that people don't understand what the bike was built for, Honda didn't build it as a rocket, they built it as an Adventure bike, which means getting it out away from civilization, and it is nearly perfect for what it was designed to do. Honda designed the engine to travel the world. Could they have given it more power? of course, but designed it with a lower compression ratio so it can run fine on shit 3rd world gasoline, try some of that in your big KTM or Ducati and see how well it runs. Pretty much any bike with decent suspension is gonna be tall, the bike wasn't built for doing single track but is as capable as any adventure at doing so, I also ride a GS and the AT is about 100 lbs lighter and more nimble while maintaining the comfort on the highways, I could go on but you get the picture, oh and did I mention Honda reliability?
You are 100% right and that was sort of the point of the video. I like to think of the bikes as tools for experience. There are some tools that are good for certain jobs and bad for others. It is up to us to determine what we want from our tools and if it matches our desire for experience. The AT may not be the best for everything but it can accomplish almost anything pretty well.
2 of these gripes, weight and seat height are for Adv bikes in general. In fact many other bikes are heavier and higher in this same class. The only legitimate complaint is number four.
You are completely right and not that it was fair at all but I was talking about bike OUTSIDE of its class. Ultimately, there might be a better tool for a rider if they were shorter or wanted a lighter bike. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan and willing to deal with the heavier bike but some others might find that trade off difficult. I appreciate the feedback because each and every thought about this bike can probably help a potential buyer looking at options.
Weight is definitely an issue if you’re riding terrain that makes you fall 12 times. If that’s where you ride most of the time, then I agree, there are other better bikes out there. Also, as you said, weight is an issue of all the liter class adv bikes out there. In regard to creature comforts, the price difference between the 2019 ATAS and the Europeans kinda explains that, which is why now when all of these creature comforts are in the 2020, the price is now almost the same as the rest. Completely agree on power. But even for my 2018 ATAS, I’ve never really been arrived late by more than a few seconds, and never had ang problems overtaking slower traffic. That said, power isn’t an issue when riding off-road. Also agree 100% on height, but never bothered me since I’m tall like you. Also has better ground clearance because of it.
Weight for sure and skill were HUGE contributing factors to that roughest of days off-road. We are considering going back on much lighter bikes to see how much more enjoyable the experience could be without heaving an AT around all day. Updates forthcoming ;-) I didn't even consider how many of the creature comforts that have been added will now drive up the price of the AT so the competitors are now much more competitive. The power is there for sure but it just isn't as jumpy as some of the others in this category. I don't need that at all but there are some that I have heard calling the AT's acceleration rather dull. All in all, it is a great bike for many different uses but there are some that likely won't find it as wonderful as you and I. Thank you very much for watching and for the feedback.
Pretty fair video except that I would say that how you plan to ride is the biggest factor. If you lean ‘adventure’ with mostly pavement, gravel and two track, it’s hard to beat the AT ESPECIALLY when you factor in mechanical reliability and parts availability because if you put these machines into thousands of miles of dust, dirt, rocks and rivers, you’re going to break them in the worst places. There’s literally a Honda powersports dealer in almost every po-dunk town in the Midwest. Good luck getting that special German part in the middle of nowhere. What the AT did for me was to make riding off pavement accessible enough, enjoyable enough and reliable enough that I could just focus on racking up lots of seat time quickly. If I had to truck or trailer a dirt bike (or equivalent dual-sport) somewhere every time I wanted to ride then 80% of my developmental riding would never have happened and if (as I did first) tried to get something like a klr then the miserable 45 minute trip I needed to take to get to any ‘fun’ off pavement stuff would be just enough to keep the bike in the garage. The AT is great on pavement and exceptional off pavement as long as you’re willing to put in the time. Unlike a lot of the lighter bikes, it also has the ABS and traction control features that make learning to ride off pavement much friendlier. The DCT also really helps as you start tackling the nasty stuff. Not having to try and find a gear on a nasty gravel-mud ascent with switchbacks is just lovely. Just putter along and hang on ands it’s amazing what it can get you through. All that said, I’m now looking for a second bike that’s more trail friendly and more appropriate for those multi-drop days.
Todd, I feel like I should make you a part of the team to write my reviews. This is exactly what I really wanted to say about the AT in this video. It is a great bike and as I routinely have 1000s of miles to ride for any "fun" I am going to have, this bike makes the trip enjoyable all the way through. I definitely have a lot to learn to tackle the off-road stuff (Utah BDR) but the problems certainly weren't the bike. I also have the DCT and it was very much just turn the crank and make sure you follow the bike up the inclines. It was so much fun to ride as long as I didn't drop it. To be fair though, I was even getting better at that by the last day as well. It isn't necessarily something I want to be good at but the practice certainly helped. Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving your feedback as I am sure it will be very helpful to others in the market for an AT. I also wish you luck in shopping for a more trail friendly bike. If you get a chance, stop by again and let us know what you settled on.
5'10" barely flat footing this behemoth. I not bult huge neither. But you learn how to shift its weight. Put quality rubber on this machine, formidable.
Not personal at all. I have next to nothing. No training and not much experience. We took off for the UTBDR this year and tackled some expert sections because we didn't know any better. I have been riding for about four years and have done some extensive traveling domestically and internationally but still pretty fresh comparatively speaking.
@@BeGoneForGood If I may be so bold > I have over 50 years riding experience and taking a course like West 38 Moto or similar would greatly reduce the amount of time needed to pick up dropped bikes, as your skills may prevent much of the need. It would also IMHO increase the enjoyment from riding ten fold both off and on road. People tend to invest in farkeling their bikes rather than investing in themselves. Stepping off soap box now, I do enjoy the quality and amount of work that goes into making them. Please keep up the good work,!!
You are 100% right and I found that out very quickly when I took a shortened version of Bill Dragoo's off-road course upon returning. I think, if I were to EVER do Lockhart Basin again, I would be much more confident and capable just practicing some basic stuff. I don't know if I mentioned it in the video or not, I do not fault the bike at all for y shortcomings in skill and experience. I do, however, recognize that others like me, limited in skill, might travel the same routes and this is simply a cautionary tale about how this tool might not be the best fit if you are looking for an alternative experience. That is to say, skill can take you a long way on this bike but it will also take you much further on a smaller bike if you are looking primarily off road. I do appreciate your feedback and your delivery as well. It is a big deal to have people willing to critique your work and not just walk away so thank you very much. I look forward to offering something else worth your while in the future.
I can’t say specifically for you but I know that I’m VERY happy that I learned and spent some time on a CB500X before moving on to the AT. I found more than enough trouble on the 500.
Luckily, I haven't had a ton of maintenance necessary on the bike so far but I wonder, are these costs outside of other bikes? It is definitely something to be aware of because costs like this seldom get mentioned in the overall ownership costs for a bike. I am probably going to produce a vid for my experience with the 16k service but I am hoping to keep it cheap. Thank you so much for bringing up another consideration for the AT.
@@BeGoneForGood The AT doesn't have ease of access to the valves themselves. You have to remove a considerable amount of stuff to get at them. I once had a KTM Duke 690 that only cost me 65.00 dollars to do a valve inspection because of ease of access and the fact it was a single cylinder.
@@BeGoneForGood Ha Ha no worries man, loved everything else, great channel, i even subscribed. Little things can make a good video a GREAT video, haha, keep up the good work.
Wel i don't buy a bike to crash 12 times a day and i don't think i will picking up the bike ever since i don't use it for driving in the wilderness it is mostly on road and now and then some offroad carefully, but the new 2020-21 is lighter than the older version and you can adjust the higth also so it is perfect for your body and i have the 2020 and never regret one day to buy such a great bike! :)
For sure. The newer models definitely knock down some of these issues but it still very much depends on what you plan on doing on the bike. It is all about the intended experience and what you are likely to get. For me the AT is a great bike and I am super happy with mine but that is because it does a little of everything I need well. I could see choosing a different route if I was going to be handling tougher terrain more often but for where I am at and our yearly trips to the gnarlier stuff, I love what it does.
While I like this review in most respects, I do feel the need to comment on one topic and that's ride height. It's simply incorrect to say that going down cc will correlate with ride height as nothing could be further from the truth! Certain makes and models are quite "tall" for the inseam-challenged (regardless of CCs) but I do NOT feel that the AT is tall in general. I have a 30" inseam and played around with the stock seat and could easily get flat-footed in the "low" seat position, but I preferred the stock seat in the regular position. And while I also thought the stock seat was pretty good, I opted to buy a Corbin one-piece as I really like their seats. The stock seat weighs NOTHING while the Corbin is quite heavy (esp with the heating element which I opted for). However, you also get much more cushion (and resulting height) with the Corbin I can still get enough of my feet on the ground but think the extra comfort is worth it for long rides. So, go by my inseam example with the stock seat and even if your inseam is 29" or less, this bike may work for you regardless of its 1L displacement.
Very great point. Those two are NOT connected directly but I think that recognizing height and power as aspects a rider need to evaluate before purchase is valuable.
The weight is a factor but I have a cb500x and the Africa twin and with arthritis and done disc's in my back I've had to move to a new type of bike. I've never looked back love the Africa twin dct. Had a f750gs for a month and was so disappointed 😞
I have heard about it but I haven’t experienced anything like that. I’m hoping it is just a small, localized issue that gets more attention than usual because of forums and groups circulating the information.
I am pretty sure any of these bikes are going to be tough to pick up over and over again. I guess that is why they keep telling me to just stop falling off. ;-)
If you try to pickup your bike as it was showed in the back, than it is not the bike’s problem. Turn the bike so that the bike does look downhill. In general, you compare not apple with apple. How can you compare power and talking about highways. Not enough power in gravel? Are you worldchampion in Cross bike?
I am ABSOLUTELY not anything near a world champion but the dilemma I dealt with is an issue for many who don't live near their off-road areas. I don't know if there is a perfect answer but I need the big bike to get the 2000 miles to my off-road area and the small bike to do the rougher off-road sections. I thought others might need to consider these things too as they decide where their priorities are for the type of riding they are most likely to do. You are right though, if I were to pick up the bike the way you see in the video, I would break my back. Luckily, the guy who did lift his bike like that is a bomb dead lifter so he is ready for that type of load. I really appreciate you leaving some feedback after your watch.
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Being 4’-11”, I can say this bike is the best I’ve ridden so far. If I’m falling on a trail, I have the advantage of jumping off the seat quite far allowing my parachute to open
That is hilarious. I never thought about all the extra time you have in a fall. That does seem like a significant advantage I had never considered. Thank you very much for the enlightenment.
😁
😀😀😀
If these are your 5 biggest complaints; That shows how great of a motorcycle this is.
That is a really great way to put it because these five things could probably be true to one degree or another with all big ADV bikes.
Or.. how ridiculous and ubiquitous the complaints are.
Yes, your complaints goes for ALL big adventure bikes. So why didn't you say that? Makes me think you are not an experienced motorcyclist.
Exactly my point.
Picking it up 12 times in a day... sounds like you’re still learning. I’m 5’7 and absolutely love my AT. Seat adjusts to really low.
I was definitely learning that day. Twelve is probably a little over the top but I will tell you, as the water and food were running out, it certainly felt that way. There are some routes that new riders shouldn't be on and I found myself right in the middle of one. Hopefully, I will be smarter next time but I make no promises. ;-)
@@BeGoneForGood So you made a mistake ....nothing wrong with the bike .
I bet you haven't touched a motorcycle in your life
@@shivacastelia6468 It´s not about something being wrong with the bike. It´s about whether the bike is right for you and your goals.
Addict - touched, ridden, enjoyed but its a good guess.
I appreciate the comments and reasoning you used for your evaluation and they make sense. I've gone from 35 + years of Goldwing riding to riding an AT/AS DCT and, I love it to death! Heavy, yep, it's heavy but, 550# compared to 900# is quite a weight loss to enjoy so, the weight of the AT is quite tolerable to me. Not fast enough? Well, this is a matter of opinion. My last Goldwing, an 1800 was a rocket for its weight. And this AT, is also quite fast enough for this old man. I didn't buy it to drag race other adventure bikes. I'm not in it to impress people, just have fun.
Tall? Yep, it's tall. I'm 6'2.5" and a 31or so inch inseam and, I either mount the AT by just tucking a leg under me and over the seat or, if I feel like it, I climb on the foot peg and throw my leg over. But, with the seat adjusted to the low setting, when straight sitting on the bike, straight up and down, my feet are *almost* flat footed. Price? well, I got a brand new 2018 AT/AS DCT for $10,900 and, to me, that was a fair price for a brand new bike. And, at around $7K cheaper than a 2020, it's definitely gonna work for me.
If I find I love this bike more and more after a year or two or three, I might be looking for a 2020 that's new and, like my '18, has been sitting on a showroom floor for a while. I like this bike a lot. Nice video
SR
Thank you very much for the feedback. I am a huge fan of this bike for sure but I do realize that it might not work for everyone. The price is only getting better and better as these new models come out. I am super excited to see people being able to pick up more and more of these bikes hit the floor.
Thank you again for watching and leaving a comment. It definitely helps to hear others' experiences as well.
For me my AT/DCT is the perfect bike, I love it, off road it’s a blast, I ride single track with it no problem, she is heavy but whatever I’m a big guy so I can handle it, on the road I think it’s pretty brilliant, plenty of power, fun in the twisty’s....great all around and I don’t need two bikes (although there is nothing wrong with owning two bikes)
I have the same issue as I am a one bike guy. I think my wife would lose her mind if I took up even more garage space with a second bike. I have the DCT too and I think it is the perfect bike for the type of riding I do right now. I had a chance to really dig in this past year with some serious off road riding in Utah and the bike was a dream. A heavy dream but a dream nonetheless. I look forward to the trips we have planned next year (TBD) and seeing how much more I can learn about this bike as I continue riding. I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback here.
We keep referring to the bike as "heavy." Heavy compared to what? A dirtbike? A 650? I'm not sure the weight is a legitimate complaint
Boo Radley 40 years ago I was racing motocross and riding 125-500 cc dirt bikes. Today, I find my AT top-heavy And not confidence inspiring off road. Perhaps it’s me and not the 550 pounds wet weight. Lol.
It’s only +-54kg heavier than small adventure bikes like the ktm 390, I think it has to do with the bikes top heaviness.. the top heaviness with a full tank makes it hard to pick up when you fall on a steep hill but on level ground, its totally chilled
I have been buying and riding bikes for thirty five years and can think of five things on all of them that I improved. The 2020 DCT twin is the first bike I have changed things purely for visual colour coordination and to carry more luggage. Six months an owner loved every second and not missed a beat.
That is sort of the whole point. There are goods and bads for every bike. There are things they are best suited for and things they aren’t suited for at all. I love my AT also but I’m well aware that isn’t the best option for everything.
Thanks for the video! I am 5’8” and would argue that height is one reason not to skip the AT. At least in its standard form, the low seat position is unique in its category, and what made it possible for me to ride such a capable bike. At the time it came out it was either this or a KTM made for giants... being able to put both feet on the ground and take a breath off road can be a great relief for beginners
Totally true. The height of the bike can easily be a pro or a con for people depending on what they are looking for in a bike. I really appreciate your added to feedback to the comments here to flesh out the different needs for each rider out there. Bikes are tools for what we try to accomplish as riders. Some tools are good for certain jobs and some are bad but it often depends on who we are as riders and what we want to accomplish in our travels.
The africa twin has been my bucket list bike since they came out in 2016, finally was able to buy one a few months ago, found a decent deal on a very clean used 2017. I could not be happier with it. Coming from a suzuki boulevard the AT is so much more comfortable for me. Before it was "hmm 70 mile trip, I think I'll just take my truck" to now "across the state? Let's go" plus being able to explore off road
That is awesome. I had considered a Boulevard oh so long ago before I found the ADV market. I am a huge fan of my AT as well and would gladly join you in that cross-state adventure on this bike. Twin twins as we went.
Title of video should be " things to think about before buying an AT"
I was expecting some sort of actual reasons why not to buy one.
I really appreciate the feedback and I understand your critique. Nice profile pic too by the way. I don't know that there are "real" reasons to not buy any specific bike as they all have their pros and cons. There are simply times when the AT might not be the best fit for certain riders. I wanted to highlight some of those areas just so potential AT owners could have all the info. I hope that clarifies some of my choices a bit. As far as the title, it is a tough balancing act between brief and informative titles. I still feel like the title accurately describes the vid while limiting wordiness. I am glad you watched and left feedback. Thank you.
I love my 16 AT. Just got it in November with 1600 miles with extras (Dual sport tires). Hit the mud and icy trails. Had no problems. I am a dirt biker so I know how to ride. People think they need all the power. You don't. No spin and be smooth.
That is awesome. I have had mine for about 18 months now and every ride is a blast. I am hoping to get much more off-road time next summer but it is a steep learning curve for me since I have ZERO dirt bike experience to pull from. I am okay learning slowly though because even the tough times are pretty fun.
I love my ATS and much prefer it to my old 1200GS. I think you have some valid comments, but honestly I think you guys bit off a little more than you were ready for. It took me years to feel comfortable on a big bike on all sorts of terrain, especially advanced. Once you get comfortable and can relax, it is amazing what you can do on a big bike. Ultimately, I think the ATS is the best bike for me and you just need to figure our what is the best bike for you; don't blame the tool :)
Oh, I certainly wouldn't blame the tool as early as I am in the game. I am well aware that any difficulty I have on this bike is because of me as a rider and not the size or weight of the bike. I am REALLY glad though that I had a chance to at least learn how to ride on a smaller, lighter, slower bike. I can't say that it for sure saved my life but I am confident that I would have made plenty of bad choices if I had AT power when I was starting. My first off-road this past year taught me a lot and I do wish I had done it on a much smaller bike but unfortunately the commute and my budget wouldn't allow it.
I would also agree with you, the AT (I don't have the Adventure Sport) is the absolute best bike for me and the type of riding I do routinely. It will be more bike than I am rider for a good long time. Thank you very much for the watch and the feedback.
@@BeGoneForGood 👍
Oh definitely. I done the same thing. Bought an AT as my second bike after watching doubtless videos, and wow what a handful
Aha I'm 6'2" and I can BARELY flat-foot the bike on the low seat setting. That said, it's nice to know that I have a bike that only 30% of the population would be comfortable on.
As an Africa Twin owner, I think the characteristics you described are fair to call out. They are also reasons that make the Africa twin the right bike for what I am after. I was concerned about the weight and height but found the height OK once I set the seat in the lower position (I am 5'10"). I only find the weight a problem in gnarly off road situations. On "adventurous" roads the bike is stable and easy to handle. It can carry extra weight and I have been happy when riding all day on the bike when I get off and don't feel worn out. You can even through a pillion on and the bike won't struggle (unlike smaller off road capable bikes)
You are completely correct with all your assessments of the AT. The only time I had an issue with the weight was picking it up over and over again when we did some really nasty off-road stuff. On the road, we did tons of miles traveling across the country and I was amazed how easy it was on the AT. Every bike is a trade of various different capabilities and I think the AT is the best mixture possible for the types of riding that I do most often.
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.
Agree it is tall. I'm 6ft 2 and I still can't get both feet flat. Regarding weight: I rode it to Wales for an off road weekend and did some very messy stuff and everyone else was on something small - it was tough going, but bags of fun. The thing is, I was the only one who could ride their bike 150 miles home in comfort at 100mph - they all had to drive theirs home in the back of a van. It's all compromise. Love the bike.
I agree with you, I love the bike but there is no doubt it is heavy. I can't imagine how tough messy stuff would be but I might get a chance next year when we do MABDR. I also agree about the trade-off for comfort because I have to push enormous amounts of miles to get to anywhere really fun. I ultimately settled on the AT because even though it gets heavy when I drop it off-road, I get so much use out of it outside those times.
I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback. It really means a lot to us to have so many people interested in helping this community with what they know and have experienced.
Followed a similar bike lineage with the CB500X then 20,000km later went for the ATAS-DCT. Yes its heavy, but I can still lift it, yes its tall but that what I was looking for. Power it has more than I can sensibly use. As Jay Bee says it is not a light weight dual sport, but it is a great all-round tourer that can handle the off road.
I totally agree with your sentiments. There were only a few times on Lockhart Basin that I was lamenting my choice of such a heavy bike but that had a lot more to do with me being unprepared than the bike itself. I love the AT for all the reasons you mentioned because it does everything I want it to do plus so much more I haven't even touched yet. I look forward to plenty more adventures on my bike from here. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving feedback.
1. You dropped the bike 12 times? That's a skill issue, not a bike issue. 2. You think it's underpowered? Try gunning the new 1100 while passing a truck on the highway, it will rip your arms off. It's not a supersport, but power is definitely not an issue. 3. Yes it is a very tall bike. 4. Yes, the 2020 has all kinds of "bells and whistles". Maybe too much. I have yet to even try the apple/android play stuff, and probably never will. It is definitely not a comfort cruiser though. 5. New ones are definitely not cheap. Mine was $23000 CAD before adding the accessories like center stand and crash bars, lights, etc.
Oh, there is no doubt that skill was the missing element when I was in Utah but that is sort of the point of the video. There are plenty of other people out there that are similarly lacking in skill so this bike might not be the best choice if they are looking towards tough technical terrain. As far as power, this is obviously pretty subjective but all the reading I have done on the AT states it is a pretty linear power band without many frills which would leave it behind the KTM and others with more guts. It is funny that you don't opt for the Apple/Android portion because that is one of the things that most excites me about an eventual upgrade. I am glad you are enjoying the bike and thank you so much for stopping to leave feedback.
I love my 2016 manual. 40k miles. Buy the right bike for you. It's not for everyone. It is for me though. It's amazing offroad, but it's not magic so you need to be ready for an "offroad goldwing" which for me, is a big part of the enjoyment. The challenge of doing and not dropping. using that 21" front tire. keeping your momentum, etc. all the things you don't have to worry about on a 250 dual sport are what appeal to me about the AT. And you will be a better rider for it
Off-road Goldwing? That is hilarious and all of a sudden the bike doesn't seem that unmanageable. I have learned so much in a short amount of time when it comes to dealing with off-road environments. I obviously have a long way to go but it feels good knowing some of the basics as they have already improved my riding. The other good news is that I can only really afford to have one bike so I HAVE to manage on the AT no matter what kind of riding I am doing. I certainly do hope that I can get better and better so pickups become less and less.
I wanted to thank you for giving us your thoughts on the video. It helps everyone when you can give honest and interesting feedback about your experiences.
Why do people continually mistake Adventure Touring bikes for Dual-Sports? The people who seem to be happiest with these bikes are the ones who use them for their intended purposes.
It's not rocket science. Dual-Sports don't weight 400, 500 or 600+ lbs and come with factory luggage and heated grips! That's called a "touring bike".
or "Adventure Touring Bike"
Indeed.
You do have to admit though that all these names can get quite confusing, especially for us newbies. I do think this could technically apply as a dual sport though. I mean I rode across the country at 70-90 mph to go off-road in Utah on an expert only (way over my head) route and the bike (not the rider) performed exquisitely in both environments. I am sure a smaller bike on the dirt and maybe a larger one on the road would have been better but this bike handled both well. I will tell you though...I could go for some heated grips as our nights start slipping into 40s. ;-)
I appreciate the watch and the feedback.
In my opinion "dual-sport" means 50/50. That means it's equally good on road as it is off road.
These big Adventure Touring bikes are, in my opinion, somewhere between 70/30 and 90/10 on road/off road.
19" front wheels, excessive weight, wide radiators, fragile plastics, low sumps and cast wheels all limit the bikes ease of use off road.
For the record, I do not believe a maintained gravel road to be "off road". Some do. I don't.
ADV bikes are fine....when ridden in the correct environment. Treat them like a dirt bike and they'll crumble and leave the owner both angry and broke. Been there, done that.
This Term "Adventure bike" is bullshit its a Motorcycle, use it as intended and if you go out of it parameters it's not Adventure its just a bit harder. Wonder what e called it back in the day long b4 the interwebs and TH-cam
I'm not sure I'm following your reasons here. Comparing it to a V-Strom1000, Versys 1000, Super Tenure...you would have the same issues. On creature comforts, I installed a 12 volt, center stand, heated grips, and a throttle lock. And I bought 2017 new off the floor one year ago for $8500.00, hence my confusion on the 5 reasons to avoid the African Twin. Maybe 5 reasons to avoid liter ADV would be a better title?
You are very right that these "issues" would likely belong to any bike in this category but I haven't tried those others. I did a vid about the 5 reasons to love the AT (or something like that) and people asked me, "What do you NOT like about the bike?" It was a tougher list to come up with because I am a big fan but I constructed this vid as a response. There are definite downsides to the AT that may or may not be remedied with a different choice but it really comes down to personal preference and what you expect the bike to be able to do. I appreciate your question and the clarity it can give to other viewers as they parse out the best options for their own ride.
@@BeGoneForGood I would say the one thing I would like is a shaft drive. My old bike I had it and it was so nice for a lazy guy :-) I will say I did pick up a 250L for the real technical stuff that I ride and it's a blast. Safe Riding!
Shaft drive would be so nice for so many reasons.
Great to see honest reviews from people that own the actual bike. I too, had and sold the AT because of the weight. Now, if you do not ride back country adventure you will disagree, but with out a doubt a lighter, more manageable bike for that riding is so much nicer. From comfort, safety, picking up alone, water crossings, over a snow section, and just for rider enjoyment. Look, if you like the at off road and swear its the best for you, try a lighter more off road able adventure bike like the 790 or t7. And get ready for the obvious. Far more fun to ride. If you think your good on an AT off road, you'll be alot better on the ktm or T7.
I appreciate the feedback and I just thought it would be good to get some of the reasons out there why people might need to reconsider their choice depending on what they value in a bike. I didn't realize when I first bought the bike but you are completely right if you want to do off-road often this bike is crazy heavy.
As far as adventure bikes go the AT is actually very small and low to the ground (Compared to other literbikes). That is the key reason I got it at 5'10" (178cm) - inseam 32". Agree with the power comments - for me it is underpowered - even compared to an 03 VStrom1000 it feels a bit limp. Hoping a pipe and a tune might help, as well as maybe gearing down. Cheers, Cam from NZ
Ive worked on bike since 1980 certified mototerc mech I've owned a 22 Africa twin base model 11 months now and I'm old school and trail ride and been through sand and haven't dumped it yet. This is (to me) the best adventure bike for all around and when it wears out after 100k miles or so I will buy a new one . 56 to 62 miles a gallon cruise control lots of bells n whistles and it took time to adjust to what I needed to operate it of my needs. Only thing I will do to it is better seat and maybe 4" higher windscreen rear rack n kriega bags for now. Eng guards are on. But you might want a smaller bike this is your preference not everyone else's no manufacturer is going to build your perfect bike . That's why they have ecseseries and upgrades to build what you want for your bike..
That is sort of my point. Every bike is a tool and sometimes there are better tools for different jobs. Just be sure this is the right tool before going too deep into it.
Good video, here are my thoughts on your points:
1. Weight: agreed, its not a dirt bike.
2. Engine: I have to disagree. I've owned much more powerful bikes, this engine is great, its got torque and sounds great (a slip on makes it sounds really great). The Tiger 800 feels like an i4 - 600cc engine compared to the AT. The F800GS and even the F850GS has nothing on the AT (and I tried them all back to back): th-cam.com/video/DNpwHjkw5YI/w-d-xo.html (power wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear, try that on any of the other listed bikes ;) ). Sure a KTM 1290 adventure will get you there faster but it weighs almost 100lbs more and offroad you can only put so much power to the ground, and the AT has got plenty of torque and power even for 2 up touring. Its no Tuono, but its no KLR650 either. It doesn't have the low down torque my Scrambler 1200 had, but it's not far from that. In first gear its almost impossible to accelerate aggressively without lifting the front wheel.
3. Height: Its tall, but all my friends can ride it (5'6" and above), seat is adjustable. There's few bikes out there great for us tall rider, this is one of them :)
4. Bells and whistles: Agreed, it could have come better equipped but what I mostly miss on my 2019 is tubeless wheels (easy to fix on the go, no center stand required).
5. Cost: You shouldn't pay full retail price for these (except for the first 4-5 months of a new model), Honda constantly offers rebates on them (got nearly 2000$ off my 2019 this summer). At full price its good value, at a discount, its a bargain. Buying a used one, fully equipped will also save you tons of cash and time.
First off, thank you so much for the feedback. I know it takes time to assemble something like this so I appreciate that effort. I don't know that I ever really considered the weight because riding it, even after the CB500X, seemed easy and fluid. It wasn't until I was dropping it over and over again at Lockhart Basin that I really wished I had something super light...like mountain bike light. It was an empty wish because I had to ride 2000 miles there and back, which the AT was perfect for but when I was hot, sweaty, dehydrated, and tired, I wished I could be lighter.
As far as the engine, I haven't ridden other bikes like you have (that wheelie is awesome) but I had heard a lot about the ho-hum power band. It is MORE than enough to keep me happy, especially coming from the VERY ho-hum CB500X but I know there are others out there wishing for more aggressive capability. I just don't happen to be one of them. My heart pumps every time I get to accelerate from a light even though I have never (intentionally) brought the front wheel up.
Height, I am just glad I am tall. Jocelin proves it doesn't really matter but I am still glad to be tall.
Honestly, the bells and whistles never really bothered me. I spent plenty of years in cars with everything so I kind of like the stripped down bike idea. It makes me feel more like Peter Fonda which is always an aspiration while riding. Cue up the Steppenwolf in the headset.
That is an awesome deal on the 19. I was lucky to get the price I did on a barely used 17 when I did but the prices these days are tough to ignore.
Again, thank you so much for the feedback and taking the time to watch. Good luck on your 19 and if you see a red, white and blue 17 blow by...give a wave.
I'm 5'5" and I own the AT DCT with the low seat and obviously in the low position. I also ride with Rev'It boots and they have a bit of lift to them. I would say the DCT does make it easier not having to deal with putting it in gear and switching feet and all that. I own several dirt bikes with 35" seat heights, so I'm no stranger to the Jocelyn Snow leg hang. Totally doable, but a bit trickier on a 500lbs bike.
But I completely agree you should consider this and I would say for certain, do not buy this as a first bike if you're on the vertically challenged side of life.
great observation
@@thagerm2390, that is a really great point. It is probably a good idea for a smaller rider to get used to Jocelyn's "I am the boss of it" capability on a smaller bike before trying to tame one of the big ones. I am not a short rider at all but I am extremely happy that, basically by dumb luck alone, I got to learn how to ride on a smaller, lighter, slower bike than the AT. I would imagine the same to be true of other new riders regardless of their height.
I want to thank you very much for watching and leaving your feedback for other riders.
Did you really try GS? Cause I tried both and I always loved AT, but F850GSA Rallye killed AT!!!!! Not GS but GSA, completely different bike...
I have a 2020ATAS, has all the bells and whistles. Height no problem. 6’2” here. Enough power for me. Yes it is heavy! Trails maybe a T7 is better. However, I put 5,320 miles on mine in 6 weeks. Guys down in Big Bend had a CRF 250, they were eating up the trails and back roads. Purpose built. Jack of all trades and master of none. Biggest issue for me is the seat hurts my ass after about 3 hours.
Thankis for the video. Do you ever miss your CB500? I have a CB and I'm thinking of moving up, but I;'m only 5 foot 7. Thx
I don’t. Not even a single day but I think that has a lot to do with how much I love the AT. The X was great for what I needed at the time but the AT is a much better fit both for my style of riding and my size.
What were you considering stepping into?
I was looking at the AT 1100 base with the smaller tank. I don't want a big tank primarily due to the extra wight up high. I thought I was going to love the DCT but, did a test ride and really didn't like how it down shifts coming a stop. That second to first was really grabby. Really made me wonder how that would be off-road. Im now thinking the manual with a quick shifter might be the best. IDK.@@BeGoneForGood
@@scotcook5 I wish I could give you a good idea of how this process works for me but when I was off-road in some pretty significant territory, I never had a single second thought or issue. It all worked exceptionally well for me. I think the difference is the folks who are comfortable with manuals might appreciate the hands-on nature of the manual.
Thanks for posting another interesting video. I'm learning to ride again after 20 years of being away from riding. The Africa Twin is the bike I aspire to own one day. I'm currently riding a Benelli TRK 500cc Adventure motorcycle. It weighs in at 518 lbs without luggage. Picking that up is not easy, but with good technique it is certainly possible without too much of a fight. It has already given me a little practice at the task! The Africa Twin coming from my perspective, is a lighter motorcycle! All of the other points you make are very good and worth consideration. I would say for me, Honda reliability would be my reason to buy one. Everything else is secondary if you are stopped at the side of the road with a dead motorcycle.
You are perfectly right about "The right tool for the right job!" Even that you can take a heavy bike like the AT out on single trails and real offroad (=terrain), this is not what that category of bikes are originally designed for. In German those bikes like AT, GS &Co are called "Reiseenduro", that is a comfortable, long distance travel/touring bike for all kinds of roads - paved and unpaved. KTM has even put he 790R in the category "travel"! And ues, a very able rider can take almost any bike anywhere, but for us average guys and girls lighter is better when the going gets tough. The most ridculous thing I have seen in this context is people mounting electric winches on heavy bikes, to get hem out of the ditch. And if you cant lift your own bike under even slightly awkward conditions without technical gadges, better get a lighter one!
I have seen some of those good riders doing all sorts of amazing things with these big ADV bikes. That is when I realized that it is definitely the rider that determines the "best bike" but there are obviously better options in every circumstance. Those winches are a pretty funny by product of bigger and bigger bikes. I am just glad I can handle the AT enough to pick it up even when I drop it over and over and over again.
Used 2019 Africa twin dct 30k kilo or new 2022 klr650 Adventure for an rtw 80/20 trip?
This is SUCH a hard question to answer because I don't really know what it is you want out of your journey. I will tell you how I ended up going with the bigger Africa Twin as opposed to my original CB500X. I was traveling through Mexico and Central America and had so many instances where I wanted more power on demand from the bike. I was okay getting a heavier bike. I was okay getting a taller bike. I just wanted more power. If you are going to be doing 80% roads, I would choose the AT but I might be looking for very different things than you are. If the 20% is just fire roads and gravel then the AT doesn't really have a downside. If the 20% is more aggressive and you might drop the bike and have to pick it up, my guess is that you would be much happier with the lighter KLR. Either way, you are getting a capable bike and one you will have a ton of fun on. Good luck.
Great bike. Yes, it is heavy and not nimble. It is fun in the twisties, but it is like muscling an oil tanker around corners once you start getting it over. Great for long distance but not agile.
Very good way to put it. There are obviously trade offs for everything but this bike does the best of hitting all my marks.
I last rode rentals about 10 years ago at age 30
haven't ridden after a gym slip disc incident.
But I wanna ride NOW for a few years before the Chinese kill me.
How is the Africa twin on the back and spine on
tarmac / cement /
bad roads / potholes
They’re is two types of duel sport riding. One is short trips or day trips in your local area. Two is cross county trips.
If you’re more of a day trip guy and ride hard core off road, them a small DS bike is by far the way to go. Now I’m not saying a big Adventure bike can’t do hard core stuff but you will need the skill set too, and a day on a big bike in rough stuff, trying to keep up with small DS bikes will definitely test your physical condition.
If you like to travel cross county and do fire roads and jeep trails, them the big Adventure bikes is the way to go.
A small DS bike on the asphalt for days is Just not near as comfortable... at least for me.
So, I think what I need is ADV in the streets and DS in the creeks (sorry that was the best rhyme I could come up with on short notice...)
I am stuck with the big ADV bike but I can definitely improve rider skill at this point because I am basically starting from zero. It should be pretty exciting to see if I can improve or if I continue to make bad choices.
I appreciate the feedback and watch.
Be Gone For Good
It does take time. I’ve been riding for 50 years. Raced just about every type of motorcycle racing there is and still love riding.
Life is a journey... enjoy the ride!
Very true Husk. Very true.
BAM. I bought a used 06 1200GS and a very used 93 XR650L for just under $9K total. Horses for courses as the Brits say. The more time I spend on the XR, the better I get at taking the GS into the rough. Though picking up the XR 4 or 5 times in a couple hours does get hard...she aint no lightweight and keeps me looking at Craigs for a good deal on a 250 =D
@@orangelion03, I have heard about how much off-road riding can help all other types of riding. I know I spent a little time on some squishy gravel and felt so much better when I got back to the road. I would love to have a smaller dirt bike to bomb around and learn on but I am stuck on the AT all the time. I just have to get better on that bike.
I love my 2018 Adventure Sports! Yes, it's heavy. Yes, it's tall. You need to be comfy getting one foot down at stops to really use this bike correctly. But what an engine! What a ride! And who buys an ugly bike? She's stunning to look at.
Been riding my Africa Twin since 2016. I’ve ridden several difficult trails and I’ve yet to drop it twelve times in one ride. I’d suggest you try the new Trail 90.
It might not have actually been a full twelve but I will tell you it certainly felt like it as the water was dwindling and the sun was going down. I am thinking the Trail 90 would have made the ride a bit more fun and worst case, I could have thrown it over my shoulder and walked it out.
I’ll add to the fact that the height is something that can be something that needs to be managed. I’m 5’ 11”, bought the low seat, and still can’t flat foot both feet. Best bike in the world to me. But it is a tall boi. Definitely took some work to get comfortable after starting on a triumph Bonnie.
It is definitely a big bike but manageable once you get used to it. I appreciate you leaving some added context and feedback to the video for others to check out. It is very helpful to see everyone's different opinions on the AT.
I have 32 inch inseam. Installed Soupys lowering links to my AT and adjusted to lower just 1 inch. So much better! Now can flat foot. Changed kickstand to Camel ADV shorter kickstand for more lean. Perfect! Installed Kaoko cruise control and big Garmin LMT 61 GPS car nav on Camel ADV bracket for bells and whistles. Perfect! BMW sells their GPS for $1000 and it is tiny! Cant read it! The DCT is a rocket from a standing start to 60 or so. Only a rider truly ready for a race can keep up.
I love that the AT is accessible for so many riders especially with a few simple modifications. I am curious to hear about the Kaoko because I great super tired of the ride while going through Nebraska this past summer. I have seen great reviews for them but never quite pulled the trigger. I go even cheaper on my GPS by just using my phone. ;-)
Thank you so much for watching and offering your thoughts as well. I am hoping all of these comments as well as the video help others with their choice of bike.
Be Gone For Good The Kaoko would be perfect for Nebraska, just set and forget! It simply adds friction to overcome throttle’s spring return. Once friction is set you can rotate the throttle to any position and it stays. Setting it with pinky finger as advertised can be done but its not easy. I usually let go of throttle to dial in some friction if no one is behind me. Anyway, it beats a throttle lock any day. BTW, phone is indeed best navigator, Garmin is best moving map - always shows speed, speed limit, direction or elevation, road youre on and what intersecting road is coming up next. Id be lost without it (yuk yuk).
That is a pretty solid endorsement of the Kaoko. I might have to pick one up before our next long road trip because it would be nice to take my hand off every now and again. I also should be clear, not that it matters to our convo, but I actually really enjoyed riding across Nebraska this past year. I thought it was going to be a bear but I loved seeing the bright blue sky set against the deep greens all around. It was a perfect day to be riding through and I enjoyed every mile of it far more than I expected. It felt like the very picture of freedom spread out before me so don't jump all over me Nebraska people.
Buys a Ltr bike winges about the weight.......Buys a off rd bike winges about its height..... Buys a price built bike winges about the lack of goodies.....Buys a Ltr bike winges about how it doesn't have the punch of a larger cc bike.....Yea great points none of them ....with well over 100,000 klms on my AT with no issues I can't see the problem here ......You ppl crack me up
BehindTheBars good point mate, longevity and long term cost is never mentioned, plus the cost when shit break!
Behind The Bars, I don't know what a winge is but I think I like mine with buffalo sauce. ;-)
Seriously, I get that the AT is a great all-rounder. I mean hell it is my bike and I plan on going all around on the thing but do you think there are some people out there where this "tool" just doesn't fit what they are trying to do? This question came up in my own head as I was doing a pretty rugged off-road loop in Utah this past summer. I have only ridden two bikes for any amount of time. My first was a CB500X and then the AT. While I was in Utah on the AT, dropping the bike all over the place, I wondered if I wouldn't have been better off on a smaller, lighter bike. The 2000 mile ride out to Utah wouldn't have been as good but maybe my off road experience would have been better. It is tough to say I guess but I thought it was at least worth starting the conversation with the video.
I appreciate you leaving a comment and adding your insights to the conversation.
Daniel, that is very true about the long term cost. I never really thought of that. Partially I am guessing because I haven't had the AT that long really and I haven't seen the costs associated with the other bikes. That would be a definite factor in overall cost for the bike for sure. Thank you very much for adding that feedback.
@BehindTheBars More vids please! Africa Twin is awesome. Beach too sandy, water too wet for some people.
@@BeGoneForGood Wasnt directed you personally just the message, its piss funny. I hear it all the time. so not a personal attack just the message mate
I have room for one bike. I picked the 19 Africa twin. I’m a big guy 6’3” 300lbs so it feels just small enough on trails. I love my bike and I think I’ll hold onto it for as long as I can maybe 10-20 years. It have low end power, high end power and it’s reliable. Really my only big issue on the twin is the front suspension and the rear valving. I plan on tuning when I can.
I am getting to the point where a suspension upgrade may be in my future as well. We shall see what the new year brings.
Just have 2 bikes: Africa Twin or GS for long road trips with light trails, and something like an old Honda 250 CRF for off-road fun. Easy to pick up, won't break, and if anything snaps it's cheap and easy to replace yourself.
I have an ATAS and at 5'11" I might be the shortest you would want to be to ride this bike. Its for sure on the tall side. Yeap its a little heavy but it is a 1000. Are there 1000cc+ bikes that are significantly lighter?
Power, I dont mind the power at all. My previous bike was an ST1300 and I was OK with the power of that bike as well.
Bells and whistles, I do wish I had the color screen, the black and tan LCD kinda sucks in certain lighting. I think the bike could do without all the riding modes. Its kinda silly to have all these settings on a 90 hp motorcycle. Not needed at all in my opinion.
Price? I think I paid $16k for mine new (2018 30th anniversary model). I used part of an inheritance so didn't feel the pain of the purchase. Having said that it seems that everything is expensive now. If I get rid of my AT it will be because I want to go back to a Sport Touring ride and that might just happen. I miss my ST1300.
You nailed it Mike. This bike definitely has trade offs but all bikes do. There is not a lot you can do about some of these issues if you are in the 1000cc category but they may be the sort of issues that are big enough to drop down in size a little. I am pretty happy dealing with the size and weight sacrifices because I like the power exchange.
Thank you very much for watching and leaving feedback. It helps us out a ton to hear from our viewers.
As some guys said - if those are the reasons for skipping it, then its a damn good bike. Its not a "bikes problem" that You are too short for it, or weak for picking it up. Just know where you gonna go with it, and decide on bike choice accordingly. Power - it is very balanced allrounder, nothing to add. And not having cruise and USB port is so minor... just add them youself.
That is true that it isn’t the bikes fault but if those elements become issues for a person then this definitely isn’t the right bike for them. Ultimately, we all have to decide what kind of ride we are shooting for and pick the best ride accordingly.
love my AT. i had a lot of other different type of bike and the AT is still my dream bike. power: on the road maybe but off road you really don't need that much. weight and height.... well its pretty much in the same range as the competition and the AT have more ground clearance than most adv bike. bell and whistle: well me i didn't want a goldwing, so i didn't need all those accessories, i just bought those that i really needed. i can understand why people wouldn't buy the AT but the AT has is own space in the ADV segment and is the best bang for the buck 1liter adv bike. nice video BTW
Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. I must tell you that I am completely in love with my bike as well. I can't get enough of it even when our weather is dipping below 40 degrees. Yikes!
I own a 2018 Africa Twin with DCT transmission. The overall usefulness of the bike is excellent. DCT is great for heavily congested city roads.
I have the DCT too and have been super impressed with the bike. There obviously are good and bad places to take the bike but it does a solid job with everything I have thrown at it so far.
Someone falling 12x a day...and talking about having more experience now...dont know, id go back to offroad school being you
The Utah BDR was my off-road school and I think my buddies are going to make me go back. This time I will bring a lot more water though. ;-)
Dude .....falling is part of it ......if you aren't falling down you are riding too easy of a trail.
If you know how to ride AT has plenty of power. I never had problems keeping up with ktm and bmw and smiling knowing i spent a lot less of my hard earned cash..Plus I like doing extra mods to make it my own
Maybe that is true but some of those bikes turn more raw power so I would be surprised if the AT could match their quickness or top speeds without some healthy changes to the stock system. Either way, different needs call for different tools and if your goal is to go nuts with your adventure bike, I think you may be happier on an alternative to the AT.
I know people that buy a new bike every year but yet they still struggle on the easiest dirt roads and inclines . Just saying the average rider need not spend so much money . Remember going to last year's rally and some guy drove his bmw off into the woods while the lead rider had a old AT that was killing most of the riders there. Invest in your skill set take lessons and buy a At 🙂.
Totally agree brother, my sports bikes mates are surprised and impressed that the mighty ATAS keeps up with them….. gotta love the big wheel lift off when coming out of the bends whilst rascally giving it some!
Love my AT 2016 the only complaint I have is why did they not put 12v power Access in the bike at factory and what were they thinking on where they put the air filters Access but still all and all love my AT
That is completely true. It seems like a simple addition that wouldn't have been expensive to add when all the plastic was off during assembly. That is probably why it HAS been added to all the new models.
Yes, it's quite heavy but not more than a GS and yet , there is always a technic on how to lift it. Position well and use your legs strength or drift it off downhill if that's the case. AT is my dream bike and I can wait to hit the road with my kids.
Got a AT Adv. Sport 2019 manuel, the white grey and black. L.O.V.E. it!!! 🏍🌫😉👍
The white gray and black is super sharp. I have the 17 and love the hell out of my bike. I feel like I am just starting to get to know her after doing my first REAL off-road section this past summer in Utah. Thank you very much for watching and commenting.
I am 5'7 and I ride a AT. I bought the optional lower seat and have it in the low position. This combo knocks 2" off the seat height
Yeh, it can definitely be done and the low seat helps for sure. Jocelin Snow rides a HUGE GS and she is barely 5'2" so skill can get you anywhere for sure.
So, basically what you’re saying is that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this spectacular bike?
There is nothing “wrong” with the bike but as with all tools, there are wrong times to choose this bike over others.
Still gonna get one
As you should. It is a great bike and if you are still interested after knowing the ups and downs, then you will love it.
Same
@@BeGoneForGood picking mine up tomorrow, thanx for the thorough breakdown.
Thanks, Just 2 weeks ago I sold my africa twin 2017 for those 5 reasons. Now I bought an F 850 GS full equiped. Lighter and with digital display, tire pressure indicator, cruise control, etc, etc. Thanks for your video, now I am sure that what I did is fine. I am Leo from Argentina.
Great to meet you Leo and I am glad the vid was useful for you. I have heard great things about the 850GS. It is a really nice bike and you will have a great ride for a long time.
2020 Africa Twin weighs 505lbs.
Some harsh comments. Anyone can venture into a track and find that it is insanely slippery. We have chalk in UK and it gets damp and green slime grows on it. You can't even stand up on it. It's like ice. Dry chalk grips really well even on pure road tyres.
I haven't ridden the chalk but we have mud and clay over here that do similar things. If you catch it at just the right amount of wetness it is like ice. Thank you very much for the watch and comment.
I'm also only 5'-6" with an AT - DCT (2017). I occasionally think about selling it because of the weight. Then I decide to keep it because of the DCT! For low speed riding on the trails, the DCT has saved me from stalling/falling more times than I'd like to admit. Most dirt bikes I've owned are just as tall as the AT, and I'm sure if I practiced perfect clutch control, stalling wouldn't be a problem. But I'm not great at it, and the DCT solves it! Also, most standard dual-sports are geared too high for tight trails, so you gear it down, and its rev's too high on the highway. DCT solves for this too.
I never really had the “I’m selling it moment” because even when I was struggling with the bike’s weight, I knew I still had a long comfortable ride home afterwards. I think if I was going to be doing regular, hard-core off road, I’d look for a second lighter bike. As it stands, most of my riding is going to be road based so the big bike is perfect.
I also agree about the DCT. It was such a great asset off road and allowed me to deal with my inexperience on a dozen other levels and not worry about the clutch. Life saver for those of us not in the highly proficient category.
Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a line. It is great to see feedback from all different riders and their thoughts on the bike.
@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for taking the time to reply to the comments! Perhaps I should add, "this is my second, lighter bike" lol. First bike is a GoldWing, weighs about twice as much! Had to pick it up once... had to get 2 other guys to help, hopefully THAT never happens again!
That is hilarious. I can’t imagine the AT being my downsized bike. I have heard great things about the GW and I think if I ever started traveling WITH my wife I’d probably consider going that route because I imagine it’s a spectacular ride.
If I drop it though, I will be selling it right there where it lays.
The only real complaint I have with my AT is the stupid heat shield for the catalytic converter. I wear a size 15 so when I ride on the balls of my feet my heel hits it and pitches it out diagonal. If it wasn’t for that annoyance I’d love the bike.
I only wear a 13 but I have similar issues for sure. I can't imagine how bad it would be at 15. ;-)
Thanks for the vid. Looking at buying one. Why on earth are all the bikes so tall these days. Was never like this through the 70s & 80s. Surely they can offer good ground clearance without sending you to the sky? What's wrong with manufacturers that they do this? Would be doable, surely, to make a setup like the DR650 where the height can be dropped with a simple suspension adjustment OR have an adjustable height seat (not a separate 'low' one). Anyway, they could sell more bikes if the bikes simply fitted more people. People like me at 167cm (5'6in).
It’s funny because I have the same question but in the opposite direction because I’m 6’5” and so many of these bikes seem cramped. I am surprised that there isn’t a little more flexibility in the sizing structures of these bikes to fit more bodies. I guess we will just have to rely on the modification field to help us out.
Some of this is a statement of the blinding obvious and while some of us were born at night, it wasn't last night. I tried loads of bikes and love my AT. I accept of course that we all have different tastes and there are many different requirements!
Ray, you are very correct. This obviously isn't groundbreaking information by any degree but just simple observations I have made with 18 or so months on the AT. I have done a decent amount of riding and just thought this type of vid would have helped me with my decision to get the AT. I am in love with this bike and watched a ton of videos before deciding to buy. It seemed everyone has made vids about what they love about the bike. My thought was there might be some room to talk about things people might not love because of those different tastes. Either way, I guess it is too late to pull back now.
Thank you very much for watching and leaving your feedback. It all helps me and others that might be checking in.
My first bike is a ktm 390 adv, really hope to get the AT one day. Checked out at the dealership, the size is absolutely intimidating, but I'm sure I'd get use to it
You would indeed because the bike, though big, is very manageable. I bumped up from a CB500X and had a little learning curve to get used to more power but it was pretty quick.
@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for the reply! Funny enough, the seat height between my 390 and AT was pretty similar, just a bigger bike. Love that tri color 😍
1st I am not sure how many times YOU ll drop down with this bike so it’s gonna be really hard for you to lift it up. 2nd as you said now that you’re a bit more experienced try another bike that suits you and of course 3rd try to avoid it as you are too tall and talk with Honda or Yamaha etc to release a bike for your height. Just remind you 2018 Africa twin bike of the year!
Couple of things you missed:
1. The 2016 and 2017 models have a big problem with the long term reliability if the front forks, the inner anodization along the lower triple tree clamp is prone to premature wear which causes some degree of stiction. Some owners (myself included) report that the stiction issue is showing up relatively early in the bike's life lets say around the first factory service at 16k. I personally rebuilt my forks at that time due to a blown seal and noticed the wear as well as the resulting stiction however I have managed by rotating the fork bodies 10degrees every once in a while
2. The Africa twin is prone to drive shaft wear. I have 33k on the clock and am now looking into having the motor removed and the transmission rebuilt due to this issue. Not acceptable Honda!
I love this bike, its perfect for me in nearly every way but Honda let me down with this. I do ride off road about 30 percent of the time and use the bike to commute for work long distance cross country. I have modified her to suit that role and added cruise control, wind protection, luggage, etc and have it suitably kitted out to properly go off road as well with crash protection, skidplate, bark busters and the right tires.
No suspension mods, no gearing mods, no engine mods. I also do all the maintenance myself and follow the factory guidelines as such.
Whoa, this is bad news. I am still a ways below your 33k but am heading toward 16k now. I hadn't heard this before but I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention. I hadn't heard these complaints about the bike before but it is good info to have for potential buyers. I appreciate you watching the vid and leaving valuable feedback.
Good to know. You would think EVERY KTM breaks down every ride-- unless you are riding the KTM in The Dakar 1000 race--then you just win that grueling race for the 17th year in a row--and any Honda never breaks. You comment adds a little balance.
After watching the MotoNomad series I would think KTMs are bulletproof. They beat those things like crazy but I have always had a soft spot for the Hondas. I really hope I never run into Anjin's problems because that might ruin me for the red. It is good to see all experiences here though so we can have a better overall view of these bikes pros and cons.
@@BeGoneForGood it is a common issue in Australia.
I´m 6´1" and in reality, only adv bikes fit me really well. I´m considering the 1000 Africa Twin. Love the colors, especially the blue one.
There are some good bikes with DCT under 10.000€ where I live.
Don´t have that kind of money yet and it´s quite a lot for a used bike, but it will surely never go wrong on me.
This is a GREAT bike if you are okay with the things mentioned here. I still love mine.
@@BeGoneForGood Thank you. Did you have any problems with the spokes or tubes? I‘d rather have tubeless cast wheels but maybe they are not so bad.
No problems at all and I have ridden som pretty rough areas. I have been very happy with every stock part other than the pegs.
It happened that I have both of these motorbikes. CB500X is a great machine but AT is much more serious and more versatile bike. I had normal AT (2016) after 1,5 year changed to DCT (2018). Did many thousands km. 1- yes AT is heavy but relatively easy to lift and its traction is awesome 2- power is suitable for applications (in 2018 model you can adjust the power) 3- height, I am not very high guy and height is good but you can buy lower seat to feel more confident (I did it) 4- cruise control (very useful during long trips, I missed it) USB port (absolutely necessary), new AT 1100 has it all and much more 5- yes everyone should start from smaller motorbikes and then grow-up to AT step by step. Look how beautiful AT is. The most beautiful bike in the world. ;-) My woman still loves her CB500X but for long trips we use only AT.
Thank you so much for your feedback on this video. You are very right about all your points and ultimately it really comes down to each individual rider determining what is their best fit. I also agree with you that the AT is the best bike out there...at least for me. I would love some cruise control though. ;-)
I love my 2016 DCT and will probably never get rid of it but I agree nearly 100% with your assessment of the Africa Twin. Especially in the power department. My bike is more powerful and much more capable as a machine than I am as a rider but after riding with guys on big KTMs that can just roll the throttle into a power wheelie on a whim does bring about a small bit of jealousy. I just did a 950 mile weekend with a wide range of sand, mud, gravel, and blacktop. My bike was not the best at anyone surface but provided me with an awesome experience.
th-cam.com/video/DNpwHjkw5YI/w-d-xo.html
And you wont be jealous of the KTM reliability :)
Speedy, now you're just showing off. ;-)
I appreciate the watch and feedback Jim. I ride with a guy on a KTM and I have had those same pangs when he blasts off of a light. I am happy with the AT but I could see how someone interested in power might see the KTM and want to go that route instead. I am content keeping both wheels on the ground and making sure I get home every night.
Good video. Most points I agree with you. In 2018 I was close to buying one. By this time the discounted price was just under $12k usd. Even then I would have been making payments. My dealer then bought about 25 leftover 2017 V-Strom 650S and was selling them at $5995.00. At this price I was able to pay cash. I was looking at the Africa Twin because I have the want to go off pavement , I just don't have the skills. Since my adventures are on tarmac the V-Strom is a better choice for me. For those with the skills to go off pavement I think the Africa Twin is a good choice. I can still find new 2017's just under $9k. As far as weight and bells and whistles it was right in line with it's direct competition (1090 Adventure R and V-Strom 1000).
When I first started riding I made a similar choice on getting a CB500X instead of a bigger bike mostly because I wanted to see if I really liked it before dropping major money. I don't do a ton of off-road riding but when I do, you're right, the AT is an absolute monster. I am glad you came by to watch and leave your feedback.
I reckon that’s a fair assessment I own a 2018 DCT I can’t pick it up on my own I’m 67 years old It’s just too heavy however it’s not ridden off road as I’m also 6ft 3” it’s a wonderful comfortable daily rider love the Dct it’s not a perfect bike but I really like mine .
I host an adventure bike training camp at my ranch that teaches how to manage the challenges of handling a big bike off road. There are many techniques to conserve your energy and increase the confidence of riding in the rough. The classes include picking up the bike in a manner that the smallest riders can perform safely and without injury. This class was the best money spent since owning my AT!
if so, those reasons can be the same to skip almost all bikes !!! AT is a great bike, it's the most capable offroad among the big adventure range of bikes, the power it has is plenty to do all rides, you can cruise at 130kmh comfortably
Very true. These issues could be the same for almost any big ADV bike. The problem is I haven't ridden EVERY other ADV bike. I have ridden this one and in doing a pro/con list, I could only really speak about the AT.
Yes, youre out of youre mind!
The Africa Twin is a good all rounder, its built to suit certain rider styles!
Im a BMW1200GSA rider, but love the Africa Twin, its a great bike!
I agree with you that the AT is the best all rounder, at least for me but it does suit certain styles and not others. I am surprised the BMW crowd doesn't kick you out for saying something nice about the AT. ;-) Don't worry, we can keep a secret here.
I agree with everything. However, in my case it is PLENTY POWERFUL. I test rode an older Super Tenere, and it was way too much for me. I then rode the CB500X, which felt like home, but had NO power by comparison. A few minutes later I rode the AT, and it felt near perfect in the get up and go arena. Now that I’m an owner of a 2019, and loving it, I’m also keeping my eyes open for something lighter, that makes me feel safer.
I feel the same way about the power because I don't need much to be happy especially after coming off the CB500X. The new lighter, baby AT could be the perfect fit for guys like us. Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment.
Opinions are like elbows
Everyone has a couple.
That being said, Honda builds good stuff, from lawnmowers to F1 Engines, even Jet Air Planes. And, that being said, life’s a compromise and I’ll do it on a Honda. 😎
Very true. In the game of compromise we all have to play I am very happy to be on my AT. Even when I was digging my heels in to pick the bike up over and over, I never wished to be on something else. I wished I was a better rider or I had more water but never to have a different bike.
Now I just have to get a test drive on one of those Honda Jets. ;-)
Great video! I think some people got defensive because the title makes it sound like the AT is inferior to the KTM, Triumph, BMW. Most of the flaws you pointed out apply to new riders or riders looking to off-road primarily which if that is you then any bike Over 700 is not the bike for you
Andrew, these are very good points you've made. It is true that most of the "issues" I bring up in the video have more to do with big bikes than they do with the AT specifically. Unfortunately, I have only ever been on a couple of bikes so I didn't include the other bikes in this category in the review but I definitely should have mentioned what you stated for clarity. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to leave feedback.
Well said.
I am 5' 6". The first test ride was on AT Adventure Sports. For me that was at the limit. I own a 2018 AT and started with standard seat in the low setting considering the optional low seat. After a few rides I reconsidered. The standard seat now is in the high setting. I am satisfied with the power and even more with the smooth power curve when rolling on throttle. As you said that is about preference.
Coming from the XLR 750 AT height was not a real concern. As a short rider on tall bikes you learn balance.
It is awesome to hear from a smaller rider on the AT. I could see how the height could take some balance capability. I am happy with the power too but I could see how it could leave a little to be desired from folks craving speed.
@@BeGoneForGood Those tall ADVs are actually easy to balance. They have excellent feedback and a good response to steering inputs. For a shorter rider keeping balance just comes easier to mind than dabbing. I had a couple of situation where that saved me from dropping the bike.
In my neck of the woods the speed limit on the streets is at 60 mph max. The AT can go at twice that speed. That´s fast enough for me. For folks craving speed a big ADV may not be the right tool anyways. That´s what supersports and hypernakeds are for.
As I forgot to mention it in the first comment: I think you made valid points in the video. All of them are a matter of personal choice. I did not perceive them as complaints.
For sure. Thank you again for the feedback as it is very helpful, not just to me, but also others looking at this for a potential bike.
Dumping a bike off road is normal.
Lift the bike with it behind you, with your heels dug in, not facing it. Its the only way to lift a 600 lb. GS. Also, always lay it down on the uphill side if possible.🙂 sometimes, in the sand, I would have to take off some bags, it was a bich.
All sorts of different options but no matter what...it is a tough lift.
How’s the stock seat comfort mate on Africa twin for longer rides?
Sorry for the late reply. I have always found the stock seat VERY comfortable. To be fair, though, with my size I ride all the way back by the pillion plate so it may be a little more plush that far to the rear.
It’s like you said right tool for the right job an AT is a big bike with a big engine if you are doing serious off road get a KTM or something else light but for medium / long distance trips in comfort and trail
Riding it’s hard to beat I love mine
I agree. There are trade offs but for the type of riding I do and what I need out of a bike, the AT is a monster.
Love my 2020 AT 1100. CC adjustable suspension, android auto, Great bike! plenty of power.
It is a really great bike. I have the 2017 and have been very satisfied. I can't wait to upgrade to a newer model in a few years.
I am looking at getting a 2019 CB500X, and plan on some longer weekend trip, but mostly local trips here in Utah. I am 6’ 3” 200lbs. I have risen my dads AT, and it just feels too big to maneuver. But I am concerned I am too tall for the CB500X. How tall are you and what are your thoughts?
I am 6'5" and rode the 2015 CB500X for about 16,000 miles throughout the States and Central America. You will feel a difference in the size of the CB and AT but I don't know that I would have ever described myself as scrunched on the CB. I am more comfortable now on the AT but I don't know that it is significant enough reason to solely go for the AT. My biggest reason for stepping up to the AT was the power I received from the CB on the highway. I rode down to Honduras with a KTM 1190 Adventure and couldn't really keep up with him at takeoff or cruising speeds. Once I was comfortable riding I knew I wanted to have a bit more available to me when I turned the throttle.
Ultimately, I think if you are more comfortable on the CB500X, then you should definitely stick with the CB because all the AT is going to do is throw more weight and power to you. I know the 19 CB and 15 CB are very different but I added the Rally Raid kit to mine, which added some extra shock capability. I weigh about 185 and tend to overpack quite a bit so maybe at 200, a shock exchange might help your ride as well. I envy you being able to charge out your backdoor in Utah for some really spectacular riding but I think either of those bikes will do you really well. I might start on the CB and if it turns out to not have everything you want, maybe you can change. I bet it takes care of you nicely though.
I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. If you need anything else please feel free to reach out to me further. chad@begoneforgood.com
The AT weighs 230kg, the KTM 890 weighs 210kg, BMW GS 850 is 240 kg ana so on....even the Yam T700 is 206 kg... all way too heavy but the AT is not heavier than even smaller bikes..
So what you're saying, if you're small or inexperienced and want to ride hard terrain, not for you. If looking for a bigger bike, they are all heavy?? It's got just the right amount of electronics ( less to go wrong) and very adequate power. Had a few bikes and absolutely love it..
Funny how people get worked up over things like this. But they miss the point. Just because a 5'2 woman can ride the bike well doesn't mean it is good for her or other shorter riders. Lets see her pick it up and get back on it when it laying on its side and no crew to help out. I'm 5' 7" tall and avoided the At because of the seat height and top heavy feel. It's not lack of experience that lead me to this decision. It is the opposite, I've been riding for 35 years and I am realistic about my skills and what can happen when riding off road alone. You have to be able to Handle the bike... not just ride it.. if you can't pick it up or drag it around into a better position after falling ( which you will do ) then you should be on a different bike.
I totally agree and it has been very informative for me to see the reactions to what I thought was pretty benign points. It has been an amazing run. Jocelin is a freak of nature to ride that BMW the way she does but I wouldn't say that is typical for most riders. There is a point where we all have to make decisions about what we want versus what we are willing to sacrifice. There is no such thing as a perfect bike but there is the best bike for what we want to do. Find that spot and you will undoubtedly be happy.
Being in Africa twin owner yourself I think you're were it objective and pertaineth in your points but I'm not a hater and I appreciate your input
Thank you so much for your feedback and watching. It means a lot to me to hear what people think of the vids.
You've got me a little worried about my own bike choice WRT weight and picking it up. I plan on getting a Royal Enfield Himalayan. 420 pounds, then add luggage and crash bars... I'm not a new rider, but I haven't ridden in 20 years and never off pavement. I wonder now if a light dual sport is a better choice, but the Himalayan is SO PRETTY. I hope it works out for me and I hope you stay well and have fun out there. Thanks for the video.
I am so glad you left a comment because I am sure others have had similar worries about their bike choice. Let me say this, it all depends on what type of riding you are looking to do and what sacrifices you are willing to make.
Obviously, there is no perfect bike out there that can do everything well so we have to decide our tradeoffs. For me, the AT is a great choice because MOST of my riding will be on the road over potentially long distances so I need something that can handle the road well. I am also interested in moderate to heavy off-road portions which the AT can do but its a bit tougher because the bike is heavy. That is my tradeoff.
If you are looking to do a lot more off-road than one of these big bikes probably isn't the best choice but it is all up to the individual rider.
Whatever bike you choose, you will find the good and bad with it over time. It is only a problem if the good you find isn't better than the bad you find. Good luck and thank you again for your feedback.
Can someone explain to me the word "afford ". Like if you have the money but you have other things to do or you think the bike is overpriced and does not want to pay 17k for it. 17k can get you a car .
I will take a shot with this but I don't know if my explanation will help at all. When I talk about affording the bike it carries two meanings really. First would be whether you have the money to begin with to buy the bike. The second would be if it hits enough of the "wants" you have to make it something worthwhile for you to spend your money on. It is an expensive bike and there are cheaper options that will take you 80% of the way to its capability. Each rider has to determine if they see the value in that higher priced bike.
I ride a 2019 AT CRF1000L standard shift and I can say that not one of the 5 points you made, has even come close to being an issue whatsoever for me. I do know that the 2019 corrected some of the issues with the 2016 thru 2018.
Your height concern makes no sense, AT has different height options that take it lower than most 500's.
Even as a low bike it could still be tall for some smaller riders, especially given its weight as well. It may not be a big deal to some but it is at least worth acknowledging if a big bike could be problematic for newer or shorter riders. I do appreciate your feedback though as it definitely helps to round out people's choices as they look for the perfect bike.
@@BeGoneForGood I've seen 5.4 ft guy ride Africa twin and he owns some other dual sport bikes
The seat heights on ktm's are much higher. Even the 790 has a much higher seat height. You can adjust the seat and pre-load
I’m in the market for a bike. Moving possibly soon to Austria from central america and I have not ridden in about three yrs. I did have a 2013 R1200GS and a 2008 DYNA 1600 that I loved but where I live having these bikes makes little sense. I am considering a new AT or a used GS. I would vote for the AT because its a honda and reliability is not usually an issue. With GS’s thats not necessarily the case sometimes. Great vid by the way! I have not ridden the AT so any heads up is always a plus.
That is such a hard choice but I am clearly very biased. I love my Africa Twin so I would almost always suggest going that route. Reliability and reasonable prices for fixes is what really drew me to the bike because I didn't plan on spending tons on the bike after purchase (I'll let you all know how the 16k service goes).
I would imagine with the long distances you can do throughout Europe a good long range bike would be a top priority. I am sure either will do just fine for your needs but I can't imagine a better choice than the AT. Good luck with that tough choice though.
Thank you very much for watching and leaving a comment. It means a lot to us.
I think the main issue with the AT is that people don't understand what the bike was built for, Honda didn't build it as a rocket, they built it as an Adventure bike, which means getting it out away from civilization, and it is nearly perfect for what it was designed to do. Honda designed the engine to travel the world. Could they have given it more power? of course, but designed it with a lower compression ratio so it can run fine on shit 3rd world gasoline, try some of that in your big KTM or Ducati and see how well it runs. Pretty much any bike with decent suspension is gonna be tall, the bike wasn't built for doing single track but is as capable as any adventure at doing so, I also ride a GS and the AT is about 100 lbs lighter and more nimble while maintaining the comfort on the highways, I could go on but you get the picture, oh and did I mention Honda reliability?
You are 100% right and that was sort of the point of the video. I like to think of the bikes as tools for experience. There are some tools that are good for certain jobs and bad for others. It is up to us to determine what we want from our tools and if it matches our desire for experience. The AT may not be the best for everything but it can accomplish almost anything pretty well.
2 of these gripes, weight and seat height are for Adv bikes in general. In fact many other bikes are heavier and higher in this same class. The only legitimate complaint is number four.
You are completely right and not that it was fair at all but I was talking about bike OUTSIDE of its class. Ultimately, there might be a better tool for a rider if they were shorter or wanted a lighter bike. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan and willing to deal with the heavier bike but some others might find that trade off difficult.
I appreciate the feedback because each and every thought about this bike can probably help a potential buyer looking at options.
Weight is definitely an issue if you’re riding terrain that makes you fall 12 times. If that’s where you ride most of the time, then I agree, there are other better bikes out there. Also, as you said, weight is an issue of all the liter class adv bikes out there. In regard to creature comforts, the price difference between the 2019 ATAS and the Europeans kinda explains that, which is why now when all of these creature comforts are in the 2020, the price is now almost the same as the rest. Completely agree on power. But even for my 2018 ATAS, I’ve never really been arrived late by more than a few seconds, and never had ang problems overtaking slower traffic. That said, power isn’t an issue when riding off-road. Also agree 100% on height, but never bothered me since I’m tall like you. Also has better ground clearance because of it.
Weight for sure and skill were HUGE contributing factors to that roughest of days off-road. We are considering going back on much lighter bikes to see how much more enjoyable the experience could be without heaving an AT around all day. Updates forthcoming ;-)
I didn't even consider how many of the creature comforts that have been added will now drive up the price of the AT so the competitors are now much more competitive. The power is there for sure but it just isn't as jumpy as some of the others in this category. I don't need that at all but there are some that I have heard calling the AT's acceleration rather dull.
All in all, it is a great bike for many different uses but there are some that likely won't find it as wonderful as you and I. Thank you very much for watching and for the feedback.
Be Gone For Good Thanks for the reply! Will wait for the vid where you guys are using lighter bikes!
Pretty fair video except that I would say that how you plan to ride is the biggest factor. If you lean ‘adventure’ with mostly pavement, gravel and two track, it’s hard to beat the AT ESPECIALLY when you factor in mechanical reliability and parts availability because if you put these machines into thousands of miles of dust, dirt, rocks and rivers, you’re going to break them in the worst places. There’s literally a Honda powersports dealer in almost every po-dunk town in the Midwest. Good luck getting that special German part in the middle of nowhere.
What the AT did for me was to make riding off pavement accessible enough, enjoyable enough and reliable enough that I could just focus on racking up lots of seat time quickly.
If I had to truck or trailer a dirt bike (or equivalent dual-sport) somewhere every time I wanted to ride then 80% of my developmental riding would never have happened and if (as I did first) tried to get something like a klr then the miserable 45 minute trip I needed to take to get to any ‘fun’ off pavement stuff would be just enough to keep the bike in the garage.
The AT is great on pavement and exceptional off pavement as long as you’re willing to put in the time. Unlike a lot of the lighter bikes, it also has the ABS and traction control features that make learning to ride off pavement much friendlier. The DCT also really helps as you start tackling the nasty stuff. Not having to try and find a gear on a nasty gravel-mud ascent with switchbacks is just lovely. Just putter along and hang on ands it’s amazing what it can get you through.
All that said, I’m now looking for a second bike that’s more trail friendly and more appropriate for those multi-drop days.
Todd, I feel like I should make you a part of the team to write my reviews. This is exactly what I really wanted to say about the AT in this video. It is a great bike and as I routinely have 1000s of miles to ride for any "fun" I am going to have, this bike makes the trip enjoyable all the way through. I definitely have a lot to learn to tackle the off-road stuff (Utah BDR) but the problems certainly weren't the bike. I also have the DCT and it was very much just turn the crank and make sure you follow the bike up the inclines. It was so much fun to ride as long as I didn't drop it. To be fair though, I was even getting better at that by the last day as well. It isn't necessarily something I want to be good at but the practice certainly helped.
Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving your feedback as I am sure it will be very helpful to others in the market for an AT. I also wish you luck in shopping for a more trail friendly bike. If you get a chance, stop by again and let us know what you settled on.
5'10" barely flat footing this behemoth.
I not bult huge neither. But you learn how to shift its weight. Put quality rubber on this machine, formidable.
I agree. It is perhaps the best all rounder out there or at least a solid case could be made for it.
Dont take this personally, may I ask what off road training have you had? Riding back ground? Thanks!
Not personal at all. I have next to nothing. No training and not much experience. We took off for the UTBDR this year and tackled some expert sections because we didn't know any better. I have been riding for about four years and have done some extensive traveling domestically and internationally but still pretty fresh comparatively speaking.
@@BeGoneForGood If I may be so bold > I have over 50 years riding experience and taking a course like West 38 Moto or similar would greatly reduce the amount of time needed to pick up dropped bikes, as your skills may prevent much of the need. It would also IMHO increase the enjoyment from riding ten fold both off and on road. People tend to invest in farkeling their bikes rather than investing in themselves. Stepping off soap box now, I do enjoy the quality and amount of work that goes into making them. Please keep up the good work,!!
You are 100% right and I found that out very quickly when I took a shortened version of Bill Dragoo's off-road course upon returning. I think, if I were to EVER do Lockhart Basin again, I would be much more confident and capable just practicing some basic stuff. I don't know if I mentioned it in the video or not, I do not fault the bike at all for y shortcomings in skill and experience. I do, however, recognize that others like me, limited in skill, might travel the same routes and this is simply a cautionary tale about how this tool might not be the best fit if you are looking for an alternative experience. That is to say, skill can take you a long way on this bike but it will also take you much further on a smaller bike if you are looking primarily off road.
I do appreciate your feedback and your delivery as well. It is a big deal to have people willing to critique your work and not just walk away so thank you very much. I look forward to offering something else worth your while in the future.
I think you talked me out of it. And that's a good thing. I'm a novice rider that needs practice. Maybe the CB500X is better for me.
I can’t say specifically for you but I know that I’m VERY happy that I learned and spent some time on a CB500X before moving on to the AT. I found more than enough trouble on the 500.
Maintenance costs should be on your list. 500.00 for a value clearance check and 800.00 if it includes an adjustment is a bit much on the wallet.
Luckily, I haven't had a ton of maintenance necessary on the bike so far but I wonder, are these costs outside of other bikes? It is definitely something to be aware of because costs like this seldom get mentioned in the overall ownership costs for a bike. I am probably going to produce a vid for my experience with the 16k service but I am hoping to keep it cheap. Thank you so much for bringing up another consideration for the AT.
@@BeGoneForGood The AT doesn't have ease of access to the valves themselves. You have to remove a considerable amount of stuff to get at them. I once had a KTM Duke 690 that only cost me 65.00 dollars to do a valve inspection because of ease of access and the fact it was a single cylinder.
Very cool video thanks. Background music just very distracting. (just some constructive criticism buddy). But otherwise great vid.
I appreciate it. There are so MANY things I would do differently if I had the chance to do it all over again.
@@BeGoneForGood Ha Ha no worries man, loved everything else, great channel, i even subscribed. Little things can make a good video a GREAT video, haha, keep up the good work.
Wel i don't buy a bike to crash 12 times a day and i don't think i will picking up the bike ever since i don't use it for driving in the wilderness it is mostly on road and now and then some offroad carefully, but the new 2020-21 is lighter than the older version and you can adjust the higth also so it is perfect for your body and i have the 2020 and never regret one day to buy such a great bike! :)
For sure. The newer models definitely knock down some of these issues but it still very much depends on what you plan on doing on the bike. It is all about the intended experience and what you are likely to get. For me the AT is a great bike and I am super happy with mine but that is because it does a little of everything I need well. I could see choosing a different route if I was going to be handling tougher terrain more often but for where I am at and our yearly trips to the gnarlier stuff, I love what it does.
While I like this review in most respects, I do feel the need to comment on one topic and that's ride height. It's simply incorrect to say that going down cc will correlate with ride height as nothing could be further from the truth! Certain makes and models are quite "tall" for the inseam-challenged (regardless of CCs) but I do NOT feel that the AT is tall in general. I have a 30" inseam and played around with the stock seat and could easily get flat-footed in the "low" seat position, but I preferred the stock seat in the regular position. And while I also thought the stock seat was pretty good, I opted to buy a Corbin one-piece as I really like their seats. The stock seat weighs NOTHING while the Corbin is quite heavy (esp with the heating element which I opted for). However, you also get much more cushion (and resulting height) with the Corbin I can still get enough of my feet on the ground but think the extra comfort is worth it for long rides. So, go by my inseam example with the stock seat and even if your inseam is 29" or less, this bike may work for you regardless of its 1L displacement.
Very great point. Those two are NOT connected directly but I think that recognizing height and power as aspects a rider need to evaluate before purchase is valuable.
great video, gas n go reliability is what makes this bike a world beater
I totally agree. I love knowing that the Honda will just go no matter what.
The weight is a factor but I have a cb500x and the Africa twin and with arthritis and done disc's in my back I've had to move to a new type of bike.
I've never looked back love the Africa twin dct.
Had a f750gs for a month and was so disappointed 😞
Great review. I was wondering if you have heard anything about fuel issues with flaking in the tank.
I have heard about it but I haven’t experienced anything like that. I’m hoping it is just a small, localized issue that gets more attention than usual because of forums and groups circulating the information.
I have a 2014 V Strom 1000, weight is a huge deal for me, picking it up on a incline, leaves, mud sucks! But love the power..
I am pretty sure any of these bikes are going to be tough to pick up over and over again. I guess that is why they keep telling me to just stop falling off. ;-)
If you try to pickup your bike as it was showed in the back, than it is not the bike’s problem. Turn the bike so that the bike does look downhill. In general, you compare not apple with apple. How can you compare power and talking about highways. Not enough power in gravel? Are you worldchampion in Cross bike?
I am ABSOLUTELY not anything near a world champion but the dilemma I dealt with is an issue for many who don't live near their off-road areas.
I don't know if there is a perfect answer but I need the big bike to get the 2000 miles to my off-road area and the small bike to do the rougher off-road sections. I thought others might need to consider these things too as they decide where their priorities are for the type of riding they are most likely to do.
You are right though, if I were to pick up the bike the way you see in the video, I would break my back. Luckily, the guy who did lift his bike like that is a bomb dead lifter so he is ready for that type of load.
I really appreciate you leaving some feedback after your watch.