Looks like Honda has built a great motorcycle. A good quality offroader that will appeal to a lot of people and sell well. Btw I'd take Honda over Triumph any day.
YES! An affordable dual sport with plenty of power, a great suspension package, ABS, TC PLUS a dense network of dealers with available parts is just what this guy needs! Well done Honda!
94bhp are plenty for a bike like this, especially with the torque that it has. The 750 had only 61bhp and became a legend. Transalps, V-Strom 650, TDMs, GS800, GS1150, the first GS1200 all great bikes, all with way less or similar power. That is Africa's target group. The package is more important than bhp, a useful fun bike with a reasonable price and good fuel consumption that you can go anywhere. You can even cruise at 170-180 km/h easy if it has the stability and the right protection. All the great bikes that Honda have built during the years had less top power figures than their competitors, XR250, VFR750/800, CBR600F, RC30, Fireblade 900, Transalp 600/650, Africa twin 650/750 etc, and most of them are still around. The new Africa brings back the memories of Honda's late 80s and 90s, I wish it can live up its hype.
Coming from an NC700X commuter the Africa Twin seems to have plenty of power for fun. Just release it already so you can take by money Honda! Great review guys!
Great review guys! I'm really interested in test riding this bike next year when it arrives in the US. I do wish they had upped the hp to at least 110-120 which would make it a more fun street bike. My guess is they will at some point offer a model with more hp which is when I would seriously consider buying one.
Im surpriced how many people need rediculous amounts of horsepower to have fun on a bike... i have a 40bhp bike, and i fucking love it... you just need to get off the highway
Good review guys! I can't help but feel that Honda has drug the release of this bike out forever. Come on already and get the bike to the dealers so I can go so how much they are going to gouge me for it!!!!!
+moulin6801 To be honest, it could be compared to any of them; they all set out to do the same job. It's just that the Tiger 800 was the one that sprung to mind as we were talking.
My wife and I were fortunate to pass the group on Bainskloof and then saw them come past when we stopped for a breather. Bike looks really good in the flesh and it sounds mean as hell. Those are some decent stock exhausts they have on. BikeShow - can you disclose who the photographers were that went along? We got snapped in some pics and I'd like to find out how to get hold of them.
+Johan M Honda had their own photographers/cameramen on the launch and, as it was a Honda World launch, it could well have been an international crew. I'll ask Honda SA and see if they know anything.
Maybe they are half-way to conditioning people to electric hybrid bike soon? The DCT means this model would cry out for that extra zero rpm torque. Lastly, the cinematography/video is pretty top-notch in this piece, I guess that's high-speed 4k at work, awfully detailed and at 1080p I can make out it's ginger-shrek on the Africa Twin. Just kidding, good riding. Plus, you guys have scenery and tracks to rival the best, massively impressive, we in the uk just dream of that sort of dry weather for a spell, we're just soaked and watching our sheds rot. Yours looks like a Bond Movie, vg.
I'll keep My Triumph Tiger 800XC thanks. A more important question to ask about this bike is how does it make you feel when you ride it? Been riding my Tiger for 3 years now and I still can't stop smiling.
It behooves me that it has come to a time that people can not travel on a motorcycle without all the buttons. What happened to the endurance racers of the day, the motocrosses of the day?
94 BHP is plenty for the dirt, but most of these bikes made today hardly ever see dirt, 94 BHP isn't enough for the road, compared to EVERY other adventure bike....
+Patrick Wheeler 94hp for a 230kg bike puts the top speed at around 210kmh, and that would make it cruise around 150/160kmh all day long, that's already above legal limit for 99% of highways in the world, and enough to be noticed by cagers (and cops), also this is not a track bike, don't see the point beyond 100hp, maybe the point could be if you're going fully laden including a pillion, but this wouldn't be my bike for that sort of riding, I wouldn't do off road riding in any bike with a pillion, or fully loaded with hardcases.
+Nicolás Nückell That's not at all what I said, 35 horsepower will get you beyond 99% of the speed limits in the world, that doesn't mean I only want 35hp! And, how can you possibly know the top speed of a bike knowing just the weight and hp, shouldn't you take gearing in account? All I was trying to say was that compared to all of it's competitors (for example Ducati Multistrada, BMW S1000XR & KTM 1290 Super Duke Adventure to name a few) the horsepower pales. But, if Honda targeted this bike for Africa, let Africa have it...
+Patrick Wheeler if the bike can cruise at 80mph that's enough for me, and gives me plenty room for overtaking, on the other hand a bike whose rims are 21/18 and where suspensions are so soft they dive heavily in twisties unless correctly dialed (manually) won't have great road manners, this move by Honda is clearly intended for riders that will see a lot of dirt, only comparable to KTM 1190 adv r and f800gs, occupying the slot (and price IIRC) left by the 990 adv, the rest of the ADV bikes are good road bikes that can handle some dirt, fireroads mainly. If a rider gets the AT (model name CRF for a clear reason) and does less than 10% fireroads, I would dare to say that guy may have got the wrong bike.
+Patrick Wheeler It's competitors: Ducati Multistrada, BMW S1000XR & 1290 Super Duke Adventure... Maybe you should look for real competitors. The bikes you named are not the bikes the Africa Twin has to compete with. - Multistrada is mainly a road bike (except for the Enduro, they're all defined as 'When touring meets...) - The KTM is on their website categorized under 'Travel' bikes - BMW S1000XR is high seat road bike, you can take on gravel, but not much more than that. So i don't really think you can them competitors. Oh, i'm riding a 2005 BMW R1200GS, exact 100hp. More than enough for as well on as offroad. You tell me on how many roads you can use the 160 hp in a legal way... And on most of the bikes with mappings will the hp be reduced to ca. 100 hp when put on offroad/enduro mode...
Looks like Honda has built a great motorcycle. A good quality offroader that will appeal to a lot of people and sell well. Btw I'd take Honda over Triumph any day.
YES! An affordable dual sport with plenty of power, a great suspension package, ABS, TC PLUS a dense network of dealers with available parts is just what this guy needs! Well done Honda!
94bhp are plenty for a bike like this, especially with the torque that it has. The 750 had only 61bhp and became a legend. Transalps, V-Strom 650, TDMs, GS800, GS1150, the first GS1200 all great bikes, all with way less or similar power. That is Africa's target group. The package is more important than bhp, a useful fun bike with a reasonable price and good fuel consumption that you can go anywhere. You can even cruise at 170-180 km/h easy if it has the stability and the right protection.
All the great bikes that Honda have built during the years had less top power figures than their competitors, XR250, VFR750/800, CBR600F, RC30, Fireblade 900, Transalp 600/650, Africa twin 650/750 etc, and most of them are still around. The new Africa brings back the memories of Honda's late 80s and 90s, I wish it can live up its hype.
+Achilleas M I agree. Just holding my breath for a comparison with 1190 R !!!!!
+kostis outback That is dirt comparison. Couldn't care less for the road. I know the whole class rocks the twisties for touring.
Coming from an NC700X commuter the Africa Twin seems to have plenty of power for fun. Just release it already so you can take by money Honda! Great review guys!
Top video, thanks fellers.
It's good to see ALI G still conducting interviews.
+soundzRinmygarden Big up respect to the Bike show massive, aye!
Great review guys! I'm really interested in test riding this bike next year when it arrives in the US. I do wish they had upped the hp to at least 110-120 which would make it a more fun street bike. My guess is they will at some point offer a model with more hp which is when I would seriously consider buying one.
Great honest review guys. Thanks.
Im surpriced how many people need rediculous amounts of horsepower to have fun on a bike... i have a 40bhp bike, and i fucking love it... you just need to get off the highway
All stuff aside , how tall are you ,reason am 5'8 will it be ok for me ?? its 40% More expensive though in India
Good review guys!
I can't help but feel that Honda has drug the release of this bike out forever. Come on already and get the bike to the dealers so I can go so how much they are going to gouge me for it!!!!!
Where is that road on the end where they ride on the spine of a range?
Need a bike comparision video for this and it's rivals!
+tacamo21 You'll get one as soon as the bike is released to the public here. Should be around April 2016.
Great review, but what make you guys think of Tiger 800!? It should be compared to 800gs or Ktm !!!
+moulin6801 To be honest, it could be compared to any of them; they all set out to do the same job. It's just that the Tiger 800 was the one that sprung to mind as we were talking.
wow for Honda!! could a 2 stroke enduro bike be next? we can only dream!
2 stroke and enduro don't click...
Vstrom in this category? I'm not sure. That could be in the same category as the Versys 1000, the mere assertion is near sacrilege..
My wife and I were fortunate to pass the group on Bainskloof and then saw them come past when we stopped for a breather. Bike looks really good in the flesh and it sounds mean as hell. Those are some decent stock exhausts they have on. BikeShow - can you disclose who the photographers were that went along? We got snapped in some pics and I'd like to find out how to get hold of them.
+Johan M Honda had their own photographers/cameramen on the launch and, as it was a Honda World launch, it could well have been an international crew. I'll ask Honda SA and see if they know anything.
Exhaust Note?
Maybe they are half-way to conditioning people to electric hybrid bike soon? The DCT means this model would cry out for that extra zero rpm torque. Lastly, the cinematography/video is pretty top-notch in this piece, I guess that's high-speed 4k at work, awfully detailed and at 1080p I can make out it's ginger-shrek on the Africa Twin. Just kidding, good riding. Plus, you guys have scenery and tracks to rival the best, massively impressive, we in the uk just dream of that sort of dry weather for a spell, we're just soaked and watching our sheds rot. Yours looks like a Bond Movie, vg.
how much...
I'll keep My Triumph Tiger 800XC thanks. A more important question to ask about this bike is how does it make you feel when you ride it? Been riding my Tiger for 3 years now and I still can't stop smiling.
It behooves me that it has come to a time that people can not travel on a motorcycle without all the buttons. What happened to the endurance racers of the day, the motocrosses of the day?
Hello There- Way To Be Responsible% irate grin # !!!
Jesus guys tell the chick on the phone to GTGO 1:20
94 BHP is plenty for the dirt, but most of these bikes made today hardly ever see dirt, 94 BHP isn't enough for the road, compared to EVERY other adventure bike....
+Patrick Wheeler 94hp for a 230kg bike puts the top speed at around 210kmh, and that would make it cruise around 150/160kmh all day long, that's already above legal limit for 99% of highways in the world, and enough to be noticed by cagers (and cops), also this is not a track bike, don't see the point beyond 100hp, maybe the point could be if you're going fully laden including a pillion, but this wouldn't be my bike for that sort of riding, I wouldn't do off road riding in any bike with a pillion, or fully loaded with hardcases.
+Nicolás Nückell That's not at all what I said, 35 horsepower will get you beyond 99% of the speed limits in the world, that doesn't mean I only want 35hp! And, how can you possibly know the top speed of a bike knowing just the weight and hp, shouldn't you take gearing in account? All I was trying to say was that compared to all of it's competitors (for example Ducati Multistrada, BMW S1000XR & KTM 1290 Super Duke Adventure to name a few) the horsepower pales. But, if Honda targeted this bike for Africa, let Africa have it...
+Patrick Wheeler if the bike can cruise at 80mph that's enough for me, and gives me plenty room for overtaking, on the other hand a bike whose rims are 21/18 and where suspensions are so soft they dive heavily in twisties unless correctly dialed (manually) won't have great road manners, this move by Honda is clearly intended for riders that will see a lot of dirt, only comparable to KTM 1190 adv r and f800gs, occupying the slot (and price IIRC) left by the 990 adv, the rest of the ADV bikes are good road bikes that can handle some dirt, fireroads mainly. If a rider gets the AT (model name CRF for a clear reason) and does less than 10% fireroads, I would dare to say that guy may have got the wrong bike.
+Patrick Wheeler It's competitors: Ducati Multistrada, BMW S1000XR & 1290 Super Duke Adventure...
Maybe you should look for real competitors. The bikes you named are not the bikes the Africa Twin has to compete with.
- Multistrada is mainly a road bike (except for the Enduro, they're all defined as 'When touring meets...)
- The KTM is on their website categorized under 'Travel' bikes
- BMW S1000XR is high seat road bike, you can take on gravel, but not much more than that.
So i don't really think you can them competitors.
Oh, i'm riding a 2005 BMW R1200GS, exact 100hp. More than enough for as well on as offroad.
You tell me on how many roads you can use the 160 hp in a legal way...
And on most of the bikes with mappings will the hp be reduced to ca. 100 hp when put on offroad/enduro mode...