Certainly going to be interesting next year regarding the new sport tourers. The RT1250 is beautiful, but bloody expensive. The new Suzi 1000GT, this new Honda 1100 and the new Moto Guzzi will certainly be worth looking at as a last bike for myself. Thanks for the Info mate, appreciate it.
Looks good but one major gripe - chain drive on a sports/tourer? At the end of the day or on tour you don't want to have to adjust, oil chains. I had a Honda XLV750 which had shaft drive, Yamaha have the Super Tenere also shaft drive. My point being Japanese motorcycle manufacturers can do them very well. Yamaha also had the XJ900 shaft drive.
I just doubt they could justify it. New drive/swingarm just for this model, especially keeping price down, versus riders giving the chain a quick lube, with the benefit of that being on the rider/at their expense (from Honda's perspective). The AT platform is pretty proven too at this stage, compared to anything new. Sure it probably benefits from a lube every 500 or 1000 km, but actual adjustment should be much less frequent playing devil's advocate. Some AT owners seem to reckon 4-8k miles between chain adjustments, in harsher conditions than a road bike is likely to traverse, but it does vary rider to rider. I guess it just depends if you ride with the tools necessary to do it yourself. On the one hand that seems a bit annoying, but then if I was doing big miles and trips I'd probably want them with me as a just in case anyway! It might mean replacing the chain early once it starts to stretch though.
@@MotoJournoKris Good points. Atleast they've given riders a centre stand. I had to pay extra on my CB500F to get one. A big chunk of builders plastic blew into my chain on the freeway. Luckily I could put the bike on the stand and pick enough out in the emergency lane to get home. I couldn't have done it on just the side stand which would probably have snapped.
I currently ride a Pan European which is excellent; so this bike got my attention. Looks good, only gripes are the bland colours (should have also offered a deep metallic blue or red), as well as the grey. The other gripe are the slim panniers (33lites)! Can they hold a full face helmet? Unless you order the top box; you have to carry your helmet everywhere you go.
Forgot to add; the front mudguard (other manufacturers are also guilty of this) is about as much use as an ashtray on a bike. The back end is so short all the muck and rain goes onto the engine and exhaust pipes. Might look 'design cool', but useless in the real world.
@@a.r.t.4611 Yep having to add guard extenders seems so common to get proper levels of protection, or a whole new rear guard, which is annoying. I guess on a sportsbike there's an excuse going for style, but on a tourer... I'd be hopeful we could fit a full helmet in there, but normally we'd get a picture demonstrating if that was the case, especially on this style bike. I guess it's possible smaller form factor helmets will fit but not all though.
@@MotoJournoKris Found out yesterday, a friend has the same frustration with his two bikes, so orders mudguard extensions from a UK firm. But we shouldn't have to do this for the sake of a few dollars.
Thanks for the preview Kris. Are sports tourers making a comeback? In many ways for many riders who don’t need to be Charlie and Ewan, they make a lot more sense.
It looks that way, I think the adventure bikes have been popular because they're so often do-everything bikes. But in reality these sport tourers are the same thing for anyone who doesn't need the off-road ability. And if you're just doing the occasional dirt road or a little gravel they should handle it anyway!
@@MotoJournoKris adventure bikes are a bit like RVs. I know a couple of owners who would never go off road. As one of them said to me, “My GS weighs close to 260kg and costs $37k with the options, I’m not going to take it off road and risk dropping it.” And a sports tourer gives you a much wider choice of rubber.
@@bruceleong9534 Exactly. I know the more hardcore adventure riders like to give people like that a good ribbing, but if that's the bike you like with all the features you want, it just makes sense, with more traditional tourers making a comeback maybe trying to appeal to those riders more directly, where the ole ADV seems to have become the default option.
@@roadwarrior8560 Showa gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster, 150mm axle travel is all they've got listed. Fairly basic compared to the base Africa Twin.
Yep, I like something which stands out a little, especially if your only other options are the fairly traditional grey, white or black. It's possible they are saving a snazy colour for a special version though... maybe a tri-colour or an eye catching red version with electronic suspension?
@@MotoJournoKris Everything has to do with money so they must still be test marketing, or don't believe it will sell well here perhaps? Or it might just come down to supply of parts which is a problem everywhere since covid. Here in Canada, you can't even buy a goldwing any more. They just aren't shipping them. Dealers are hoping for those next year too.
@@baldandbiking That could definitely be it as well, supply seems a real issue at the moment, so they might just not have enough to go around straight away.
@@MotoJournoKris right, or even other sport tourers like the f900xr or the Tracer9. This one seems very plain oatmeal. There's nothing wrong with it exactly, but it's pretty bland. Like the KLR of sport tourers.
@@lovelessissimo Exactly, and while that can mean some people won't even consider them, bikes like the KLR have a big following for being such solid machines. There's been a few Hondas I've ridden which have done everything so well, it almost worked against them!
150 mm fork stroke and 150 mm rear travel is what's listed from the European release, but it wouldn't be the first time there's different figures in different places!
Already looks dated (looks like a 12 year old FJ). No shaft drive, also... I'm so sick of neutral colors on cars and bikes that I could puke!! I'm still interested though.
Again Honda releases a 💩💩💩 bike 🤮 Instead of making the BEST MC concept they created, really good - yes the NC750X - they twist their asses arround and make another crappy, useless bike. At least they could have made the valve clearance check, evere 40-50000 km.... but no, nothing of that. This company needs a propper reformating.
![F.HERO Ft. JSPKK x ลำไย ไหทองคำ x M-PEE - ไม่สนิทบิดหมด (Thai Riders Anthem) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kPJZ0UihBfk/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a 2020 Africa Twin DCT, the moment these hit the show room floor I’m on one.
Extra bike or thinking of replacing the Africa Twin?
Certainly going to be interesting next year regarding the new sport tourers. The RT1250 is beautiful, but bloody expensive. The new Suzi 1000GT, this new Honda 1100 and the new Moto Guzzi will certainly be worth looking at as a last bike for myself. Thanks for the Info mate, appreciate it.
Looks good but one major gripe - chain drive on a sports/tourer? At the end of the day or on tour you don't want to have to adjust, oil chains. I had a Honda XLV750 which had shaft drive, Yamaha have the Super Tenere also shaft drive. My point being Japanese motorcycle manufacturers can do them very well. Yamaha also had the XJ900 shaft drive.
I just doubt they could justify it. New drive/swingarm just for this model, especially keeping price down, versus riders giving the chain a quick lube, with the benefit of that being on the rider/at their expense (from Honda's perspective). The AT platform is pretty proven too at this stage, compared to anything new.
Sure it probably benefits from a lube every 500 or 1000 km, but actual adjustment should be much less frequent playing devil's advocate. Some AT owners seem to reckon 4-8k miles between chain adjustments, in harsher conditions than a road bike is likely to traverse, but it does vary rider to rider. I guess it just depends if you ride with the tools necessary to do it yourself. On the one hand that seems a bit annoying, but then if I was doing big miles and trips I'd probably want them with me as a just in case anyway! It might mean replacing the chain early once it starts to stretch though.
@@MotoJournoKris Good points. Atleast they've given riders a centre stand. I had to pay extra on my CB500F to get one. A big chunk of builders plastic blew into my chain on the freeway. Luckily I could put the bike on the stand and pick enough out in the emergency lane to get home. I couldn't have done it on just the side stand which would probably have snapped.
@@MrAndrew1953 Ouch, that's a real hassle, lucky you were ok - and made it home!
Weight
Moto Guzzi's are shaft drive too...
Great video. Waiting to see it on the road. :) Kee doin great work. Thumb up.
Bring back updated version of Vfr 800fi with gear driven cams
I currently ride a Pan European which is excellent; so this bike got my attention. Looks good, only gripes are the bland colours (should have also offered a deep metallic blue or red), as well as the grey. The other gripe are the slim panniers (33lites)! Can they hold a full face helmet? Unless you order the top box; you have to carry your helmet everywhere you go.
Forgot to add; the front mudguard (other manufacturers are also guilty of this) is about as much use as an ashtray on a bike. The back end is so short all the muck and rain goes onto the engine and exhaust pipes. Might look 'design cool', but useless in the real world.
@@a.r.t.4611 Yep having to add guard extenders seems so common to get proper levels of protection, or a whole new rear guard, which is annoying. I guess on a sportsbike there's an excuse going for style, but on a tourer...
I'd be hopeful we could fit a full helmet in there, but normally we'd get a picture demonstrating if that was the case, especially on this style bike. I guess it's possible smaller form factor helmets will fit but not all though.
@@MotoJournoKris Found out yesterday, a friend has the same frustration with his two bikes, so orders mudguard extensions from a UK firm. But we shouldn't have to do this for the sake of a few dollars.
Thanks for the preview Kris. Are sports tourers making a comeback? In many ways for many riders who don’t need to be Charlie and Ewan, they make a lot more sense.
It looks that way, I think the adventure bikes have been popular because they're so often do-everything bikes. But in reality these sport tourers are the same thing for anyone who doesn't need the off-road ability. And if you're just doing the occasional dirt road or a little gravel they should handle it anyway!
@@MotoJournoKris adventure bikes are a bit like RVs. I know a couple of owners who would never go off road. As one of them said to me, “My GS weighs close to 260kg and costs $37k with the options, I’m not going to take it off road and risk dropping it.” And a sports tourer gives you a much wider choice of rubber.
@@bruceleong9534 Exactly. I know the more hardcore adventure riders like to give people like that a good ribbing, but if that's the bike you like with all the features you want, it just makes sense, with more traditional tourers making a comeback maybe trying to appeal to those riders more directly, where the ole ADV seems to have become the default option.
Yes they are. Still waiting for a nice 4 cyl bike to come. :) You can check my content, you may like it. :)
@@RRRRefuelRideRace Kawasaki Versys 1000?
I have an NT700, why?
it has a shaft drive...
where did that go?
A lot easier to keep the basis of the Africa Twin as much as possible I'd guess.
i love new twin Africa.. nice performance for long ride.
Yep it should be a great all-rounder!
Does it have damping adjustment on the suspension, I thought it was preload only?
Only preload at both ends as far as I could see. I mentioned the base Africa Twin in comparison as it's preload, rebound and compression.
@@MotoJournoKris rear shock must have rebound adjustment, they had that 30 yrs ago.
@@roadwarrior8560 Showa gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster, 150mm axle travel is all they've got listed. Fairly basic compared to the base Africa Twin.
Only thing I can fault is the drab colours a red would of been nice. Can't fault the rest of the bike 👍
Yep, I like something which stands out a little, especially if your only other options are the fairly traditional grey, white or black. It's possible they are saving a snazy colour for a special version though... maybe a tri-colour or an eye catching red version with electronic suspension?
Pink would look good,many can chase around the car park🤣🤣
It's like this bike was designed just for me
Always great when it feels that way, narrows the next bike choice down a bit!
@@MotoJournoKris Was just told by dealer "Not available in North America"
@@baldandbiking Yikes really. Seems a strange exclusion, I wonder why...
@@MotoJournoKris Everything has to do with money so they must still be test marketing, or don't believe it will sell well here perhaps? Or it might just come down to supply of parts which is a problem everywhere since covid. Here in Canada, you can't even buy a goldwing any more. They just aren't shipping them. Dealers are hoping for those next year too.
@@baldandbiking That could definitely be it as well, supply seems a real issue at the moment, so they might just not have enough to go around straight away.
Although this bike is not exactly exciting, I do like that manufacturers are making sport tourers again.
They definitely seem utilitarian, especially in comparison to the more expensive ADVs.
@@MotoJournoKris right, or even other sport tourers like the f900xr or the Tracer9. This one seems very plain oatmeal. There's nothing wrong with it exactly, but it's pretty bland. Like the KLR of sport tourers.
I personally like low key but classy
@@stevenbatley8666 Yep, I reckon the price is meant to be the wow factor on this, which can definitely work.
@@lovelessissimo Exactly, and while that can mean some people won't even consider them, bikes like the KLR have a big following for being such solid machines. There's been a few Hondas I've ridden which have done everything so well, it almost worked against them!
as far as i have seen the suspension travel is less than you suggested.
150 mm fork stroke and 150 mm rear travel is what's listed from the European release, but it wouldn't be the first time there's different figures in different places!
Need the smaller lighter Transalp
They should have made it shaft drive, big mistake.
Hideous-looking and too heavy, but doubtless efficient.
Haha, isn't that the motto of most ADVs!
Africa Twin looks better bike
Suspension specs even on the base Africa Twin is quite a step up too.
No electronic suspension..c'mon Honda
Seems strange not to see at least an up-spec variant offering it.
Already looks dated (looks like a 12 year old FJ). No shaft drive, also... I'm so sick of neutral colors on cars and bikes that I could puke!! I'm still interested though.
Definitely has that back to basics vibe, but no reason it couldn't have a splash of colour. I'm not a fan of all the neutral colours either.
Nope, just nope. AT all the way.
Again Honda releases a 💩💩💩 bike 🤮 Instead of making the BEST MC concept they created, really good - yes the NC750X - they twist their asses arround and make another crappy, useless bike. At least they could have made the valve clearance check, evere 40-50000 km.... but no, nothing of that. This company needs a propper reformating.