I just test rode it yesterday. Hopping in from a Himalayan I was quite intimitated by the bikes size, as it was the first big bike I would be driving. I was blown away, it's just so comfortable and easy to ride, even for a 170cm tall guy like me. I was smiling the whole test ride from the engine sounds and the suddle blast of power it's capable of giving. I'm buying it for next season, whatever it takes, I've made that promise to myself.
I've already decided on this being my first bike... Already put the money aside for it, just need to get my license now and I'm good to go! The only thing I don't like is the god damn price... It's freaking expensive in my country... The Adventure Sports version in manual, is 18,500 EUR in my country... That's almost as much as the base BMW R 1300 GS Adventure...
The price is a bit baffling. I know you're getting a lot of kit… but it's still going shoulder to shoulder with bikes that make 70hp more (and I know it's not all about power, but it's a big gap!)
I’m currently going around in circles between this bike, the Desert X Discovery and the F900GS enduro. I can see for and against arguments for each one.
@@timrodierides I’ve covered 400 miles since I picked it, up. DCT is great in the context of adv bikes as the gearing is so short. Two up its great for the passenger as well. Needs to be in S2 or S3, in D mode it sounds like a tortoise in washing machine and vibrates more than something that should live in the bedside cabinet on ‘her side’. Mine has the full ally + pack as well. I had the Crosstourer before this and have my RR5 ‘blade for fun stuff. 👍
You ridden the NT1100? I know it looks as interesting as the mobile village library van, but it’s got all the good bits of the ATAS in a more manageable package.
Tim, I had a 2020 ATAS DCT ES with all the toys plus a foot change (which was excellent). This replaced my 2014 GSA similarly with all the toys. I had it a year but honestly felt it was a bad choice. The suspension was soggy, the front brake wooden, the luggage got in the was of getting on and off, it changed up quickly which was ok but it held on even if the throttle was opened ie didn’t change down meaning a manual shift. It was top heavy, the seat hard and riding position cramped. It never felt planted which the 21” front wheel could be blamed yet the Tiger 900 with similar geometry is very much planted. The lack of clutch but also lack of brake in its place caught me out twice. My fault but it was off the line before I was actually ready. Not the bike’s fault but years of riding manual bikes is a tough thing to reprogramme. Sadly to much bling and way overpriced. I’d go back to BMW were I in the market at the heavy end.
I had one of those excellent £99 deals 😀Honda changed the wheels and the forks (some pitting) under warranty - no complaints. I did the same Honda Off Course too - I was a novice & did it on the DCT too. I fell off more than everyone else - if Casey Stoner had been there he could justifiably have said that my ambition outweighed my talent (by a lot!). Nevertheless the course and the bike were great
I would love to give one of these a go, but my short arse can’t handle the larger adventurers. I’ve embarrassed myself enough testing a crosstourer to never want to try again.
How would you compare it to the standard 21" wheel version? Is the difference in handling so big? Which is the best choise for everyday riding to work and make some small trips (50-100 Km) ? I can't wait for the full review!
For work and small trips I won't use an Africa Twin. I have the 2016 manual version with a 21 inch front and it's a very easy bike to ride for commuting and short and long rides. The standard 21' is smaller, and uses tube tyres.
It's got way more weather protection and kit (hello cruise control) but I don't think it's twice the bike. The Transalp's engine feels a bit naughtier despite being less powerful. It also weighs a fair chunk less...
@@timrodierides I figured that was probably the case, I have a US spec Transalp. I agree the engine is pretty fun to rev out. The heart really wants an Africa Twin, but eh the cost is substantial.
It's a Richa Armada. It's completely waterproof and brilliant - looks like it's on sale down from £1100 to £851 at a few places at the moment. It feels lovely (and I just didn't want Rukka…)
The burning questions 🔥 I have are: How damn many buttons are on that left hand control block 😱??? And are they back lit so you don’t have to fumble your way through them in the dark 🤔???
You get used to them really quickly, but they're not back-lit. I liked mine a lot apart from the display - for how much you're paying for the bike it's just horrible and should be updated as soon as possible. Truly surprised Honda didn't change them by now.
There are better TFTs for sure, but once you get comfortable with one of the views and don’t change it, it does the job 🤷🏻♂️ plus carplay and android auto are complete game changers and only come on bikes x2 the price (still wondering why, it can’t be that complicated to implement).
On my second Africa twin - 5th Honda, I have the 21 inch front wheel, manual gearbox, electronic suspension with quick shift, love the bike in every way it’s legendary, especially with the fuel exhaust fitted.
The best looking adventure bike, but why do they make you have it with parts that have more different shades of gold than peter stringfellow’s jewellery box? Just looks tacky imo
@@KikoBW7 we have a lot of 20mph limits around here and cruise control is really useful for sticking to them. 20mph is actually tricky to stick to as it's soooo slow.
the most useless crash bars, engine guard I guess ok, but upper part is... what the hell is that, protecting front part of the fairings, tank sides are literally unprotected, and in this new model motorcycle should be wider at the upper part... dunno, I would like to see it placed on the side, but I think it will 100% be on the tank side...
I'd buy it in a heartbeat......if it didn't have 15 buttons on the LHS, the horrendous weight, and a steel frame. Come on Honda, give us what we actually want.....just like the CRF 450 Rally.......oh wait....
Over priced for its quality and performance. Great bike but really no better than its Japanese competitors. Not in the same league as the European bikes .
I just test rode it yesterday. Hopping in from a Himalayan I was quite intimitated by the bikes size, as it was the first big bike I would be driving.
I was blown away, it's just so comfortable and easy to ride, even for a 170cm tall guy like me.
I was smiling the whole test ride from the engine sounds and the suddle blast of power it's capable of giving. I'm buying it for next season, whatever it takes, I've made that promise to myself.
astroturfing
Dct? Thinking of trade my t7 for africa twin as because its a little lower than the L i’m 169cm 😄
But did you feel the weigth!!!!
"Since the night my life changed" cracked me up :D haha
Looking forward to your full review of this….this could well be my next bike
I've already decided on this being my first bike... Already put the money aside for it, just need to get my license now and I'm good to go! The only thing I don't like is the god damn price... It's freaking expensive in my country... The Adventure Sports version in manual, is 18,500 EUR in my country... That's almost as much as the base BMW R 1300 GS Adventure...
Had a test ride on one of these, loved it, it's just too expensive
Will wait a year and find a 2nd hand one
But this is a great bike
The price is a bit baffling. I know you're getting a lot of kit… but it's still going shoulder to shoulder with bikes that make 70hp more (and I know it's not all about power, but it's a big gap!)
I’m currently going around in circles between this bike, the Desert X Discovery and the F900GS enduro. I can see for and against arguments for each one.
Fwiw, the Elephantized Rectal Alteration, is only available on the European bikes. It occurs automatically at service time. 👍
Hahaha
Absolutely love my 2021 atas! Very off-road capable.
Just picked up my ‘23 ATAS DCT ES last weekend… 👍
Let us know how you get along with it! Is it your first DCT bike?
@@timrodierides I’ve covered 400 miles since I picked it, up. DCT is great in the context of adv bikes as the gearing is so short. Two up its great for the passenger as well. Needs to be in S2 or S3, in D mode it sounds like a tortoise in washing machine and vibrates more than something that should live in the bedside cabinet on ‘her side’. Mine has the full ally + pack as well. I had the Crosstourer before this and have my RR5 ‘blade for fun stuff. 👍
Test rode the “standard” with ES brilliant, lighter, faster much more fun. Very close. I went for a new 24, XR instead!
You ridden the NT1100? I know it looks as interesting as the mobile village library van, but it’s got all the good bits of the ATAS in a more manageable package.
I haven’t but that’s a good shout for someone who only does road riding
Tim, I had a 2020 ATAS DCT ES with all the toys plus a foot change (which was excellent). This replaced my 2014 GSA similarly with all the toys. I had it a year but honestly felt it was a bad choice. The suspension was soggy, the front brake wooden, the luggage got in the was of getting on and off, it changed up quickly which was ok but it held on even if the throttle was opened ie didn’t change down meaning a manual shift. It was top heavy, the seat hard and riding position cramped. It never felt planted which the 21” front wheel could be blamed yet the Tiger 900 with similar geometry is very much planted. The lack of clutch but also lack of brake in its place caught me out twice. My fault but it was off the line before I was actually ready. Not the bike’s fault but years of riding manual bikes is a tough thing to reprogramme. Sadly to much bling and way overpriced. I’d go back to BMW were I in the market at the heavy end.
Thanks for sharing! I'm struggling to swing a leg over this with all the luggage on...
With the exception of the luggage/leg issue, you'll find the 2024 version is a very different experience as all those issues have been addressed.
I love the 19" front wheel. But Honda lowered the bike too much to still be a great ADV bike.
I had one of those excellent £99 deals 😀Honda changed the wheels and the forks (some pitting) under warranty - no complaints. I did the same Honda Off Course too - I was a novice & did it on the DCT too. I fell off more than everyone else - if Casey Stoner had been there he could justifiably have said that my ambition outweighed my talent (by a lot!). Nevertheless the course and the bike were great
Haha! I fell off once or twice, probably means I was going too steady. Thanks for the update on the warranty stuff!
I would love to give one of these a go, but my short arse can’t handle the larger adventurers. I’ve embarrassed myself enough testing a crosstourer to never want to try again.
How would you compare it to the standard 21" wheel version? Is the difference in handling so big? Which is the best choise for everyday riding to work and make some small trips (50-100 Km) ? I can't wait for the full review!
For work and small trips I won't use an Africa Twin. I have the 2016 manual version with a 21 inch front and it's a very easy bike to ride for commuting and short and long rides. The standard 21' is smaller, and uses tube tyres.
I bought an NT1100 DCT because I wanted that gearbox and was too small for an Africa Twin.
ahh the strap holds the lid down, chief 😉
Not exactly the same target market but does this feel like a big step up from the Transalp? For almost twice the cost, in most markets.
It's got way more weather protection and kit (hello cruise control) but I don't think it's twice the bike. The Transalp's engine feels a bit naughtier despite being less powerful. It also weighs a fair chunk less...
@@timrodierides I figured that was probably the case, I have a US spec Transalp. I agree the engine is pretty fun to rev out. The heart really wants an Africa Twin, but eh the cost is substantial.
Cool bike, way too many buttosn amd to close in price to the big boys though. I think the super tenere is the way to go
What's the brand of Your jacket?
It's a Richa Armada. It's completely waterproof and brilliant - looks like it's on sale down from £1100 to £851 at a few places at the moment. It feels lovely (and I just didn't want Rukka…)
@@timrodierides thanks 👍
The burning questions 🔥 I have are: How damn many buttons are on that left hand control block 😱??? And are they back lit so you don’t have to fumble your way through them in the dark 🤔???
You get used to them really quickly, but they're not back-lit. I liked mine a lot apart from the display - for how much you're paying for the bike it's just horrible and should be updated as soon as possible. Truly surprised Honda didn't change them by now.
This bike reminds of a Tenere 1200, specs side by side without the electronics similar ?
Since when was there a tenere 1200
@@ThePresidentofMarssuper tenere 1200
Two reasons i never bought this bike:
Spaceship button controls on left handlebar.
Pillion seat not as comfortable as the 1250GSA.
So GSA it was....
There’s a lot to like about the AT ..however it’s quite expensive ..too many buttons and that TFT is honestly awful
There are better TFTs for sure, but once you get comfortable with one of the views and don’t change it, it does the job 🤷🏻♂️ plus carplay and android auto are complete game changers and only come on bikes x2 the price (still wondering why, it can’t be that complicated to implement).
On my second Africa twin - 5th Honda, I have the 21 inch front wheel, manual gearbox, electronic suspension with quick shift, love the bike in every way it’s legendary, especially with the fuel exhaust fitted.
That funny strap on tank bag? Try hooking it to lid to keep it closed???
Where's the fun in that?!
The best looking adventure bike, but why do they make you have it with parts that have more different shades of gold than peter stringfellow’s jewellery box? Just looks tacky imo
haha, I'm stealing that line! It does seem to be the hardest colour to match properly
Are Honda still doing that stupid thing where the cruise control only works if you’re doing more than 30mph and have to be in 3rd gear or above?
What’s the use case for cc in 2nd gear? I own an Africa Twin, but I never thought of trying to use cc other than 5-6 gear on highway rides 🤔
@@KikoBW7 I use cc a lot in the UK 30mph speed limits Zone.
@@KikoBW7 we have a lot of 20mph limits around here and cruise control is really useful for sticking to them. 20mph is actually tricky to stick to as it's soooo slow.
@@TheDervMan understood, that makes sense. In my country, speed limits are merely a suggestion, so I’ve never had those issues 😂
Yes, 30-100 mph , 3rd gear +
Fighting Rommel in the desert…….lol
the most useless crash bars, engine guard I guess ok, but upper part is... what the hell is that, protecting front part of the fairings, tank sides are literally unprotected, and in this new model motorcycle should be wider at the upper part... dunno, I would like to see it placed on the side, but I think it will 100% be on the tank side...
I'd buy it in a heartbeat......if it didn't have 15 buttons on the LHS, the horrendous weight, and a steel frame. Come on Honda, give us what we actually want.....just like the CRF 450 Rally.......oh wait....
😂
The night your life changed 😂😂
For better or worse ?
Differenter
Really! Do you mean KTM 😂😂😂 and i tryed gs 900 yesterday! So much china buttons and overpriced . T7 and aprilia is a better choice
Over priced for its quality and performance. Great bike but really no better than its Japanese competitors. Not in the same league as the European bikes .
This is actually above any European league...