2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT | Full review on and off road
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 05. 2024
- Join me as I try and get my head round the updated Honda Africa Twin, tested here in bells and whistles electronic suspension DCT trim with all the electronic gizmos Honda could throw at it. Updates include a new upper fairing, adjustable screen, increased engine torque and more besides…
A lot to take in, and a lot of bike. A heavy one as well, as I found to my cost when I dropped it turning round for some pictures, hence the ugly taped up mirror you may clock in the riding section of the vid. Apologies to Honda for that…
Other than that a great ride out and a really, really interesting motorbike. The vid’s a bit longer than my usual ones but, hey, there’s a lot to say!
For more great motorbike content don't forget to like, subscribe to @midlifecrisismotorcyclist and hit the bell to be the first to find out when a new vid drops, including my ride on one of the Triumph’s key rivals in the shape of the Suzuki GSX-8R.
#motorcycle #motorcycling #motorcyclereview #motorbike #motorbikes #motorbikereviews #midlifecrisis - Auta a dopravní prostředky
At 72 with over fifty years of riding on many bikes in many countries across different terrains I can say definitively that almost every bike produced today is amazing. This has to be the golden age of ICE’d bikes. Presently, one of my bikes is an Africa Twin DCT and, over time, it’s won me over. Hated the DCT at first, after a year and 30 000 kilometers I’ve grown to love it. To call the DCT an automatic is foolish, there’s nothing automatic about learning how to use it properly. In fact, I’d argue in many situations it’s counterintuitive. A demo ride may actually leave one with poor impressions; it’s an acquired taste and demands new attitudes and skills. Still own and love manuals, but I also love the DCT.
Really interesting to hear, thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hello! Do you mind sharing a few of those examples where the dct may be counterintuitive as you mention? Thanks!
@@aaccmm1398 To be honest it was just a few times when it shifted early or held a higher gear on corner approach rather than shift down as you would naturally. But as the owners who’ve commented have said that is more when in D mode, and in S settings is less of an issue.
D is for "Dreadful" mode, use S2, much nicer shift points in my opinion.
Or use manual mode and get lazy just using fingers on the left paddles to change gear
@@aaccmm1398 Upon reflection, I’m not sure “counterintuitive” is the best term. Counter steering is counterintuitive, perhaps not so much using a DCT. What I mean is that the usual things we do shifting gears has to be adjusted when using DCT. For example, when using a manual I usually anticipate the gear change, filter then clutch, and use the throttle appropriately. A DCT is best used keeping the throttle steady (like a quick shifter) and allowing the stuff below your knees just do its thing. For me, it’s allowing the DCT to work as designed rather than me forcing it to do as I desire in the moment that is “counterintuitive” and, at first, unnerving. On top of that, learning how the DCT works in conjunction with the other modes (IE engine braking, traction control, power level) to fit your situation and riding style takes some experimentation. This also applies to learning when to use the manual “paddle shifter” to override the DCT. I never had to learn how to trust a manual gear box (well, maybe on my Boxers) but using the DCT required me to learn how to trust the darn thing. One last thing I’d say is that there are versions of the DCT, the earlier versions are subtly but noticeably different from the later versions. And, while what I’ve tried to explain still holds, the later versions are a tad more “forgiving” and the learning curve is not quite as steep. Bottom line, the DCT isn’t for everyone and I’m not sure it would be for me all the time, but it’s certainly an interesting and worthwhile piece of technology. Safe riding!
As a car guy I just love checking out the scenery, learning about stuff with bikes I know nothing about and coming along for the ride!
I have 70,000m on my 2020 AT Adventure Sports DCT and here are some suggestions from my experience regarding DCT and Ride Modes. Firstly, there are 4 default riding modes; Tour, Urban, Gravel, and Off Road plus 2 customizable “User” modes (User 1 and User 2).
Each of these modes presets Power delivery, Engine Braking, ABS settings, and HSTC torque control.
All modes can be adjusted for your rider preferences.
Your test ride and review was done in User 2 mode using the least aggressive “Power” setting and Full Engine braking. You would find this setting very docile in acceleration and up shifting. You were basically riding it set up like a Rain mode.
Try just using the factory default settings in Tour and your riding experience will be much more exciting.
Secondly, the Transmission modes are Manual or Automatic. When in Automatic you have choice of D, or Sport. Sport has 3 levels S1, S11, S111. Using D is like an Eco mode and is useless. The transmission upshifts way to early and feels like you are short shifting or lugging. I only use Sport 111.
I think you stated it in your review but you can manually shift in any mode at anytime with the paddle/ trigger shifters. It will shift just like a quick shifter with a slipper clutch.
The DCT is not an “Automatic “ transmission… it is a “Manual” transmission with an “Auto” shifter.
Most negative or unimpressive reviews on the DCT is because the reviewer did not understand how to operate and program the system to maximize the full potential and riding experience.
READ the Operators Manual!
Wow, what a detailed reply - thanks for sharing!
I’ve been riding bikes for 42 years and I can honestly say (having had analogue and electronic suspension on over 30 bikes), the Africa twin Showa electronic suspension is some of the best available and can be setup in the menu settings to be anything you want. Manual suspension with adjustability can be setup similar although it may need re-shimming and a rider weight suitable spring, but most owners don’t bother. Having ES means you have a suspension setup for any road surface or speed at the touch of a button. As you say, honda also do a standard version.
Me and my wife test rode both version of the african twin 2024 no complaints here i like both versions good bike for what we will do with them
You just can’t beat the Honda Reliability! Price is irrelevant to me just because of the reliability alone. ✌🏻🇨🇦
Great review, I'm on my second Manual Africa Twin Adventure sports (2022), but this time with ES and I can't praise these bikes enough.
Sport I, sport II, or sport III, forget default D mode, thats an eco mode that the EU insist manufacturers have! You don’t need to select manual mode to use the paddle shifters.
As for suspension, it has to be one of the best electronic suspensions on a motorcycle. Go into the user mode setup, and you can fine tune the suspension way beyond what other manufacturers allow, on their electronic suspension. More importantly it allows pre-load to be finely set for your weight, as well as the predefined default. If I had one criticism, it would be the under sprung rear spring (no doubt set for a 70kg Asian test rider), but this has been dialled out using the user mode setup. Just love the ES, allowing me to choose depending on mood or state of road!
Really interesting, and thanks for sharing the insight. Like I said towards the end of the vid, with all you can configure on the bike it’s something you’d appreciate more as an owner than a reviewer having a quick go, as demonstrated by your good self. Appreciate the extra insight, thanks!
It's not nearly as complicated as your first impressions I assure you. I've owned one for almost four years now. Also, anyone that owns one never drives it in D. Put it in S2 or S3 and then it behaves like a proper motorbike.
Good to hear and I was getting that sense but, sadly, just didn’t get enough miles on it in this instance. I enjoyed it a lot more than I assumed I would as well, is a hell of a machine!
A small thing -DCT was immediately available on the 2016 model, they did not wait until 2018.
These are very important observations about the DCT: It has an easy, but very long learning curve. It is easy to hop on, and go; any one can do it! But to use DCT to full advantage takes a LONG time.
Very interesting insight, thanks for sharing.
The first 'automatic' Honda I rode I was suitably impressed ! I said then it was the future. Why other companies don't produce a similar 'gearbox' is beyond me. But I will admit that I still prefer playing tunes on the gearbox !
I had the manual vfr 1200x crosstourer and changed to the dct crosstourer and the dct is superb. Mines is the 2nd generation dct ie Drive &Sport only and I don’t need the 3 tier sport . It’s a pity no other manufacturer makes DCT . I would consider this bike if I was changing.
That is a nice motorcycle jacket! Please describe it!🙂
Thanks! It’s a Furygan Brooks jacket I have for review. See: www.furygan.com/produit/brooks/?lang=en
Beautiful bike but I wouldn’t want an automatic at all, I love to shift gears and I hope Honda doesn’t ever get rid of manual transmissions!
I am considering buying the AS but I would like the e-clutch fitted as an option instead of the dct. Do you think they will offer the e-clutch across the range ?
Please jump on a Streetfighter v4. Looking forward to that review 👍
When did you take your test?
It was … July last year now. So 10 months or so.
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclistso how come its 2024 model? Its was introduced few months ago...
@@predragkardashian3730 Indeed, but I wasn't on the initial launch wave and we needed a review of it for the day job so I booked it in.
This doesn't look like the 2024 Africa twin adventure sports. And the regular Africa twin comes in red color only no?
Also for the 2024, the front mudguard is blue in color.
Hi! Not sure where you are in the world and colour options may vary from market to market but can confirm this was a ‘regular’ 2024 Africa Twin and not Adventure Sports. In the UK we get black or red as standard, with white as you see in the vid an option for Electronic Suspension models. But, like I say, this may vary in other countries.
Ah I see .. I'm in Toronto, Canada and the base Africa twin here comes only in red.. That's why I got confused.. Sorry about that and thank you for the great review. I've booked an Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT myself and am expecting delivery in early July.
@@johninflamez Gotcha! Big bike for a big country and definitely the right tool for the job - can only imagine the adventures you could have over there on a Twin. Bet you can’t wait! Enjoy…
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclistyou said in another comment you took this test 10 month ago...no way its 2024 model...
@@predragkardashian3730 Ah, when I said 'test' I was referring to the test to get my licence, not the test of the bike which I did a couple of weeks back (May 2024) - sorry for confusion!
It seems that this is the hardest you've worked on a bike as you sound permanently out of breath, breathing hard😁😆😂