I wanted a 2017 BMW F800 but the dealer wouldn't deal so I (in slight anger) bought the 2017 Honda Africa Twin (AT) in manual trans. This bike *LOOKS* very off road oriented but *it is mainly a street bike* with high ground clearance. After ridging this Honda AT I would say it is 80% street/20% off road. It is a fun around town bike with all the power you need, very comfortable, easy to ride, & no vibration at any speed.
I know you guys did this review a while ago but found it to be a great “ real world “ review. I’ve been looking to get myself a new bike so been test riding a few and as I type this after watching your video and what you guys thought about it I think this maybe the bike for me didn’t even consider at first went straight for the KTM then tried the BMW and also the Triumph. My first initial impression of the Honda was it was quite ordinary but after the two hour ride I had it was the one I didn’t want to take back to the dealership at the end of the test even though it wasn’t a particularly pleasant riding day. Also I found it to be very well priced when compared to the others. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Hey Peter, thanks for the kind words. It was a great bike and surprised me quite a bit. Looks like you’ve test ridden a few to arrive at your decision and that’s the best way to do it as you know but I’m glad we were able to help out :) ride safe matey ;)
great video guys, I just got a new 2017 africa twin here in the states and so far it is the best bike I have ever had. and I have had a lot of them. Its tall but I can deal with that. Coming from a Harley rider for twenty odd years.
Thanks guys, another good video a great double act. May I ask what Mark was wearing around his neck, it looked like a ring for a diving helmet! Cheers and ride safe, Andy
Hi Andrew, thanks for the great comments, were glad you enjoyed the video. Mark was wearing a BMW neck brace which is a brilliant bit of kit to protect your neck... it wont let me put a link in the comments, but if you search BMW Neck Brace System you will find the page that explains all.. Or hang fire for a future video featuring our safety bits and bobs we use or have...... ride safe dude.
Hi Toby, as you know I had a AT in the same colour for 2.5 k and enjoyed it but it also had it faults. I pxed my Versys 1000 for it and initially loved it but the tyres in the wet were horrendous, it lacked the punch of the Versys and the comfort but change the tyres to a more offroad bias, throw a saddle bag over and trek the Pyrenees and it cant be beaten. unfortunately in Cornwall the offroading on dusty tracks or sandy trails is limited and so using the beautiful AT on road for me at least was disappointing but the looks OMG. I recommend a trip to Cornwall Kawasaki and test the Versys 1k. great Reviews and the red seat never lost its luster in my ownership but the spokes did.
Hi Richard, interesting to hear about the tyres especially in the wet (we see too much wet in Cornwall) haha. We will have to pop in at some point to Cornwall Kawasaki to take a look. I remember a few years ago riding the Versys 1000 and it was really smooth, but the got led astray by they GSA :) I agree, the looks, certainly a head turner indeed! Ride safe Richard, cacth ya on the road sometime soon :)
No headlight bulbs in the AT,there LED units. Honda also do a factory centre stand,you also have two height settings on the seat,it's set in its low setting on your video.
DervMan there are no H4 or bulbs of any sort,the main beam and dipped headlights are LED and the parts on the rear of the unit which look like access to where bulbs would be will possibly be heat sinks to cool the LED units.
great review . i have one a 2017 model. i lvoe this bike i truly do but ive had nothnig but issues, to a point were honda are actually replacing my bike for a new machine . it was in teh garage for 2 months for a knocking and grinding noise to which was incorrectly fixed and diagnosed . the spokes have tottaly corroded and i have continual starter issues . hopefully get my new machine in the next few weeks . 4 months ownership
It's a nice bike, but not for me. Too off road oriented with the tubed tyres and wheel size. I get a few punctures throughout the year and with tubeless tyres I can be back on the road in 10 minutes, with a tubed tyre I'd be waiting for the AA! If it came with cruise control and tubeless tyres I'd be tempted. I'd love a DCT bike, it's a great system, but until Honda make a bike that suits me then I'll stick with what I've got. A NC1000X (NC750X with the Africa Twin engine) would be great......
That "Too off road oriented" is personal preference No one can argue with you & that is how you, DervMan feel. I wanted a 2017 BMW F800 but the dealer wouldn't deal so I (in slight anger) bought the 2017 Honda Africa Twin (AT) in manual trans. This bike *LOOKS* very off road oriented but *it is mainly a street bike* with high ground clearance. After ridging this Honda AT I would say it is 80% street/20% off road. Oh, and it is a fun around town bike with all the power you need, very comfortable, easy to ride, & no vibration at any speed.
RiderCamTV great video.....also slip up at 18.20 ish rear brake on the front right handle bar......or at I just hearing things, rear brake on the handle bars would be great for off roaring though and I know there's conversion kits for some bikes out there! Keep up the good videos though 👍🏽
RiderCamTV always a positive answer given. Not one to slate people for their hard work. Off to test ride an AT Tomorrow, planning a 6 trip to see my sister in Greece in august/September and I just know this is the machine to do it on.
+Mike Bee gotta be positive. Hehehe. That sounds like an epic trip matey, this machine would certainly do the job well. :) Ride safe and enjoy those empty beautiful roads :)
HA HA "the German Battle Bus" :-)) ..the BMW GS is not much heavier than this I believe, just a few kilos, but it has a center stand and shaft drive and 1,2 liter more fuel capacity (standard GS) and 30hp more! ... I'm not a fan of the GS but it must be said that its not heavy anymore and its the much better bike for traveling on roads. When you click thru Honda AT forums you'll find out that most people find the suspension too plush, the foot pegs and bash plate too small, hand guards come off with the first tip over, not center stand (wth?!) etc - after all people spend a lot of money on aftermarket parts which makes the bike effectively so much more expensive that one could already consider buying the BringMichWerkstatt (BMW) ... I find the KATO 1090 R which costs just a few hundred more (125hp, ride by wire, tubeless tires) the better bike unless you wana ride the long way round ;-)
kloppskalli sounds like your opinions are based on what others say, which carries no weight with me. It's apples and oranges. BMW GS is a great road riding bike, and they aren't terrible off road (I had a 1200 GSA until 8 months ago when it was totaled when a delivery truck pulled in front of me @ 60mph. I put 60k + on it and loved it). The Honda was designed NOT to be a GS or 1200 KTM, with all kind of electronic do-dads I don't need or want. They were making a more dirt oriented ADV bike and I think they hit a home run for their target market. I don't need 125 HP (and if you look there is a good article out there that blasts KTM and BMW for very exaggerated HP figures based on independent dyno's). The AT is very similar to the KTM 990/950 in weight, HP, torque, 18/21" wheels, and design (narrow, nimble, weight low, and tractable, usable HP). The Honda is a much more modern and reliable version of the 990/950, which was an excellent and somewhat quirky and unreliable bike or it would have been a market leader. GS is a good road bike, and the AT is a better all round ADV bike that is also good on the road. I have a 16 AT and off road I ride it like my DRZ 400 much more than the way I rode my GSA, which il like to think I pushed pretty hard in the dirt.
+Larry Krupa thanks for the comments, all our views are our own and how we find the bikes and that's just what I love about bikes, there something for everyone, and I certainly liked this bike an awful lot to be honest, but as there is a bike for everyone, unfortunately this isn't it for me but I was very surprised at how good it was. Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy the vids :)
I wanted a 2017 BMW F800 but the dealer wouldn't deal so I (in slight anger) bought the 2017 Honda Africa Twin (AT) in manual trans.
This bike *LOOKS* very off road oriented but *it is mainly a street bike* with high ground clearance.
After ridging this Honda AT I would say it is 80% street/20% off road.
It is a fun around town bike with all the power you need, very comfortable, easy to ride, & no vibration at any speed.
I know you guys did this review a while ago but found it to be a great “ real world “ review.
I’ve been looking to get myself a new bike so been test riding a few and as I type this after watching your video and what you guys thought about it I think this maybe the bike for me didn’t even consider at first went straight for the KTM then tried the BMW and also the Triumph. My first initial impression of the Honda was it was quite ordinary but after the two hour ride I had it was the one I didn’t want to take back to the dealership at the end of the test even though it wasn’t a particularly pleasant riding day. Also I found it to be very well priced when compared to the others. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Hey Peter, thanks for the kind words. It was a great bike and surprised me quite a bit. Looks like you’ve test ridden a few to arrive at your decision and that’s the best way to do it as you know but I’m glad we were able to help out :) ride safe matey ;)
great video guys, I just got a new 2017 africa twin here in the states and so far it is the best bike I have ever had. and I have had a lot of them. Its tall but I can deal with that. Coming from a Harley rider for twenty odd years.
+Joe Schlabotnick wow, that's a complete change in style and bike. Glad your liking it though. Thanks for your kind words :)
Make it shaft drive,and it would be just about perfect.Thank you for the excellent review!👍👍
Another great video chaps 👍
thanks buddy
Thanks guys, another good video a great double act. May I ask what Mark was wearing around his neck, it looked like a ring for a diving helmet! Cheers and ride safe, Andy
Hi Andrew, thanks for the great comments, were glad you enjoyed the video. Mark was wearing a BMW neck brace which is a brilliant bit of kit to protect your neck... it wont let me put a link in the comments, but if you search BMW Neck Brace System you will find the page that explains all.. Or hang fire for a future video featuring our safety bits and bobs we use or have...... ride safe dude.
I wish it didn't have tubed tires. I wish it did have cruise control and a adjustable screen as it's become a popular touring bike. Nice review!
+T Sav thanks for the comments mate. If it had those bits on it could fit so many more people's needs :)
Ride safe
🙄😂😂😂
2:59 wild GTR spotted
great vid....subscribed!
+Robbi Hong Kong hey, thanks for the kind words. Means a lot. Ride safe :)
Hi Toby, as you know I had a AT in the same colour for 2.5 k and enjoyed it but it also had it faults. I pxed my Versys 1000 for it and initially loved it but the tyres in the wet were horrendous, it lacked the punch of the Versys and the comfort but change the tyres to a more offroad bias, throw a saddle bag over and trek the Pyrenees and it cant be beaten. unfortunately in Cornwall the offroading on dusty tracks or sandy trails is limited and so using the beautiful AT on road for me at least was disappointing but the looks OMG.
I recommend a trip to Cornwall Kawasaki and test the Versys 1k. great Reviews and the red seat never lost its luster in my ownership but the spokes did.
Hi Richard, interesting to hear about the tyres especially in the wet (we see too much wet in Cornwall) haha.
We will have to pop in at some point to Cornwall Kawasaki to take a look. I remember a few years ago riding the Versys 1000 and it was really smooth, but the got led astray by they GSA :)
I agree, the looks, certainly a head turner indeed! Ride safe Richard, cacth ya on the road sometime soon :)
Dunlop is horrendous, really. Sadly mandatory tyre change has to be included in a cost of a new bike for any sort of spirited riding.
+Михаил Строгов I find that with tyres too. The anakee's on my GSA arent half as good as the tourance I had on the old one
Richard Harwood t
No headlight bulbs in the AT,there LED units.
Honda also do a factory centre stand,you also have two height settings on the seat,it's set in its low setting on your video.
thanks for the info Philip. Ride Safe :)
Looks like there are LED daylight running lights but also an H4 bulb in each unit, would explain the access hatch on the back of each light.
+DervMan :)
DervMan there are no H4 or bulbs of any sort,the main beam and dipped headlights are LED and the parts on the rear of the unit which look like access to where bulbs would be will possibly be heat sinks to cool the LED units.
Philip Roberts Thanks for clearing that one up. 👍🏻 mystery solved. 😬
Love my DCT.
great review . i have one a 2017 model. i lvoe this bike i truly do but ive had nothnig but issues, to a point were honda are actually replacing my bike for a new machine . it was in teh garage for 2 months for a knocking and grinding noise to which was incorrectly fixed and diagnosed . the spokes have tottaly corroded and i have continual starter issues . hopefully get my new machine in the next few weeks . 4 months ownership
It is a great bike and we loved riding it but wow! That’s so many faults. Crossed fingers your replacement is better. Ride safe matey
Channel is very beautiful, you are a person on your nature and this positive, stay away from music please 🇰🇼🌹🌹🌹
+Faisal thanks for the kind words
Julian clary does bike reviews, very niiice...😂
Having both the indicators on is a Japanese idea. All bikes in Japan do that.
It's a nice bike, but not for me. Too off road oriented with the tubed tyres and wheel size. I get a few punctures throughout the year and with tubeless tyres I can be back on the road in 10 minutes, with a tubed tyre I'd be waiting for the AA! If it came with cruise control and tubeless tyres I'd be tempted. I'd love a DCT bike, it's a great system, but until Honda make a bike that suits me then I'll stick with what I've got. A NC1000X (NC750X with the Africa Twin engine) would be great......
know what you mean matey, hadnt thought about the tubed tyres... the NC1000X is a great bike too :) Ride safe matey
That "Too off road oriented" is personal preference No one can argue with you & that is how you, DervMan feel.
I wanted a 2017 BMW F800 but the dealer wouldn't deal so I (in slight anger) bought the 2017 Honda Africa Twin (AT) in manual trans.
This bike *LOOKS* very off road oriented but *it is mainly a street bike* with high ground clearance.
After ridging this Honda AT I would say it is 80% street/20% off road.
Oh, and it is a fun around town bike with all the power you need, very comfortable, easy to ride, & no vibration at any speed.
We loved riding it too. Nimble and a very good looker too :)
Slip of the day: "buffering" instead of "buffeting". Too much video watching eh? ;)
hahha, when i was editing i wondered if anyone would notice..... caught out... doh!
RiderCamTV great video.....also slip up at 18.20 ish rear brake on the front right handle bar......or at I just hearing things, rear brake on the handle bars would be great for off roaring though and I know there's conversion kits for some bikes out there!
Keep up the good videos though 👍🏽
+Mike Bee hey matey thanks for the kind words. I probably did slip up with saying rear brake. Hahaha. Glad to have you along for the ride :)
RiderCamTV always a positive answer given. Not one to slate people for their hard work. Off to test ride an AT Tomorrow, planning a 6 trip to see my sister in Greece in august/September and I just know this is the machine to do it on.
+Mike Bee gotta be positive. Hehehe. That sounds like an epic trip matey, this machine would certainly do the job well. :)
Ride safe and enjoy those empty beautiful roads :)
HA HA "the German Battle Bus" :-)) ..the BMW GS is not much heavier than this I believe, just a few kilos, but it has a center stand and shaft drive and 1,2 liter more fuel capacity (standard GS) and 30hp more! ... I'm not a fan of the GS but it must be said that its not heavy anymore and its the much better bike for traveling on roads. When you click thru Honda AT forums you'll find out that most people find the suspension too plush, the foot pegs and bash plate too small, hand guards come off with the first tip over, not center stand (wth?!) etc - after all people spend a lot of money on aftermarket parts which makes the bike effectively so much more expensive that one could already consider buying the BringMichWerkstatt (BMW) ... I find the KATO 1090 R which costs just a few hundred more (125hp, ride by wire, tubeless tires) the better bike unless you wana ride the long way round ;-)
+kloppskalli very good point made there matey :)
kloppskalli sounds like your opinions are based on what others say, which carries no weight with me. It's apples and oranges. BMW GS is a great road riding bike, and they aren't terrible off road (I had a 1200 GSA until 8 months ago when it was totaled when a delivery truck pulled in front of me @ 60mph. I put 60k + on it and loved it). The Honda was designed NOT to be a GS or 1200 KTM, with all kind of electronic do-dads I don't need or want. They were making a more dirt oriented ADV bike and I think they hit a home run for their target market. I don't need 125 HP (and if you look there is a good article out there that blasts KTM and BMW for very exaggerated HP figures based on independent dyno's). The AT is very similar to the KTM 990/950 in weight, HP, torque, 18/21" wheels, and design (narrow, nimble, weight low, and tractable, usable HP). The Honda is a much more modern and reliable version of the 990/950, which was an excellent and somewhat quirky and unreliable bike or it would have been a market leader. GS is a good road bike, and the AT is a better all round ADV bike that is also good on the road.
I have a 16 AT and off road I ride it like my DRZ 400 much more than the way I rode my GSA, which il like to think I pushed pretty hard in the dirt.
+Larry Krupa thanks for the comments, all our views are our own and how we find the bikes and that's just what I love about bikes, there something for everyone, and I certainly liked this bike an awful lot to be honest, but as there is a bike for everyone, unfortunately this isn't it for me but I was very surprised at how good it was. Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy the vids :)
And then you get an SA S or R. ;)
+EU Bike Dude you never know ;)
Football and for girls...
+Sérgio André lol
no, there is no everything good about it...
+Peke Esu very true