Is The Honda Africa Twin Good Off-Road?
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- čas přidán 1. 03. 2024
- Single track, rocks, water crossings mud...we do it all on the Honda Africa Twin to see if it is off-road worthy.
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Your skills on bigger bikes are impressive dude! I started watching your videos when I bought my 22 KLR almost 2 years ago and your content is always cool to watch. Even when you left the KLR in the forest and moved on to another adventure bike, I kept watching your videos. I wish I had a quarter of your courage on bigger bikes! Keep up with the badass content Bro!💪✌
Thanks for sticking around mate!
Two class riders on Big bikes …in fair dinkum rough stuff …several instances of foot paddling with proper boots on ….when no alternative .
Take note shorter riders …the tall guys will bullshit you seat height don’t matter …this video proves once again …in the dicey scenarios it surely does .
Great video ..out of all the you tubers this channel showcases the big adventure bikes with a rider or riders with hardcore ability and attitude .
Definitely a hardcore attitude and not ability 😂
That was brutal to read.
Your riding skills are always impressive mate. And the Africa Twin seemed to handle that hard stuff damn well for a stock bike.
She loved it. Be great with good tyres and protection
My 2021 ATAS es will take me anywhere I wanna go.
Scenic spots, excellent skills! Thanks mate for this great video. It is obvious you do it because of true love toward the ride&motorcycles and it makes yours YT channel one of my most favourites. Just keep on! 💪👍
Thanks mate. You're right, I absolutely love getting out, riding and testing bikes
Now that's A proper off Road test, Awesome Vid bud 👍
Cheers mate
Curtis, mate!! 😃That was yet another brilliant test review. You took the bike to the limit, gave real world feedback on the bike and made a video that was just plain fun to watch. And picking that beast up 3 or more times was a super effort. Made my sunday morning, bro!...and made me miss oz just that little bit more too! Awesome job!👍 (and Honda should NOT make you pay for the dinky piece of plastic crap and lever...useless rubbish).
I'm not mad if I have to fork out, my bad! We've certainly got some good riding here
Beautiful content!!! Your local trails look amazing....
They are very good
I'm more impressed by your riding than any bike you've ever reviewed. You're a real professional, mate!
Thanks mate. Certainly no pro but looking to improve all the time
Good test, definitely one of the better tests on a big bike. Cool to see someone taking the big bike into stuff it really isn't meant for, but its plenty capable with a good rider.
Thanks mate, enjoyed every minute (except breaking the lever 😬😂)
As an African twin owner, I was happy to see your off-road video. thkank u!!!
Hope you are enjoying the bike mate
No messing about there Curtis, proper off road test ride for sure! Good stuff, despite being a “big rigg” certainly appears capable with a couple of the usual tweaks you have to do to the majority of ADV bikes out the showroom if you put them (clearly as you did) through their paces 💪🤙👍
Thanks Jason. Had a blast out on the big rig
Sat on the edge of my seat here! lol great ride
Haha was good fun
Mate you handled that bike like a boss mate, killing it 👍
Cheers mate 👊
You take big adv bikes places that I wouldn't even dare touch with my CRF250L. Good stuff mate
Thanks mate. The CRF would be in its element here
Great test 👍
Thanks mate
You’ve just demonstrated how capable these bikes are off road even with street tyres, with a little skill from the rider of course 😉 Great review 👍✌️
Thanks mate. Would love to have some decent tyres on her
Very impressive riding on a big bike! Best looking ADV bike in my opinion!
I think so too, beautiful
i own a transalp xl750 because dont had the money for TA, but defnitly its what i wanted... :PP love it!
They aren't cheap!
Great review as always!
I am really impressed by the big girl's capability.
As someone who is a bit shorter and weaker (5'9, 150lbs) I still feel that I would struggle to handle her in difficult terrain.
I think you are spot on, she's just a big bike. If you stay on the flowing or normal adventure trails it is great fun
Your a beast lol. Overhead press of the twin after the tip, crazy feats of strength ....
Nearly got a hernia doing it 😂
You were not kidding when you said off road! Just picked up an 17' AT. Got a little cocky and went off road last weekend. Hit a wet wooden bridge (slimy) and laid on the ground for a few minutes after the front end disappeared reflecting on what just happened! LOL some good bruise trophies and a broken brake lever. This was a great video demonstrating the bike but I think I will stick to a little less demanding terrain for a little while anyway until I am used to the machine. Coming off a KTM 530 EXC.😰
They are a bit different to the dirt bikes hey?! 😂 Definitely makes you realise how much better the dirt bikes are in the tricky stuff
I am NOT lending you my bike to test....excellent work fellas keep it up
Cheers mate. I swear I'm nicer with friends bikes 😂
This was equally stressful and enjoyable to watch. Class acts.
Haha cheers mate
Awesome review and vid mate put a deposit on one Saturday pick it up next week my second one CAN NOT WAIT 😊😊😊
Nice mate. Did you go with the base or adventure sports?
@@onthebackwheel base model
@@Daveryan23ATenjoy bud!
LOVE THIS TRAIL
It's pretty hard to beat
Another quality video. I think the AT is just too top heavy for that type of riding on a regular basis. Obviously better tires would solve issues with traction. The 800DE is also heavy for the same terrain but carries it's weight lower. I wonder if the 800DE 's stock adjustment would handle heavier springs without revalving. The stock springs work fine for what I use the 800DE for and just slow the pace when it gets technical. Having a better tool for the job is also nice. If I know I'm going to do difficult trails but need to have a plated bike, I take the trusty DR650. Here in the USA, once you put Cogent suspension and a Seat Concepts seat on, it transforms the old girl into a dual sport weapon on a budget. DR650's are everywhere, it would be cool to see you pick up a used one with all the goodies already on it.
The trusty DR, hard to beat isn't it. And yep, I'd happily ride an enduro bike through these tracks
When a video on an AT starts with, "I have all the electric nanny's turned off" I normally roll my eyes and prepare to watch somebody who would have benefited from those tools to help keep them moving and upright.
LOL
In this one about 30 seconds in you made it very, very clear this is a different kind of video. Great riding man, keep this shit up and thanks for showing what an AT can do!
Haha thanks mate. Got a couple more videos coming on the big AT
You Legend, Curtis.
That is some tight terrain for the Big Pigs.
Cheers mate. She got pretty technical in some spots. A didn't add in a few bits that was a real handful and pretty tough
Best off road test for africa twin by a long way.
Bravo mate.
Thanks mate, loved it
Some amazing riding on those big bikes! The only negative thing about watching your videos, is that I realize how bad of a rider I am.
I'm nothing special, I'm definitely a crasher 😬🤣
Impressive mate, some of those trails were pretty hard core! ❤️🔥 gets the old chest clanger pumping eh!❤️🔥
I'm hoping to get an AT out in the mud here this June. I've got two days on the trails in Wales on an 890r before that though, then putting my WeeStröm into full off road spec in May. Ride safe bud
Have fun 🤙
Cheers mate. 890r and weestrom, interesting combo
Hahaa yeaaah true that. On paper anyway. The WeeStröm will be anything but stock when it's done. It still won't get some of the places the 890r will or have quite the ground clearance or spring travel but it'll give most stuff a fair crack I reckon, but that's not entirely the point 🛠🔧🔨🔧🛠🎆🎇
Jesus man, you really put those bikes to the test 😅, really enjoy your content
Thanks mate, love making these vids
@@onthebackwheel would like to make content the way you do, but haven’t had the courage to do it. I have some hang ups with it because I just don’t have the self confidence yet. Do you have some words of wisdom for me?
@@Thepig-wm5hq I find with most riding, if you've got the basic skill set the rest is just having a go. You'll then be really surprised with where a bike will take you. I'm no pro though, got so much to learn
I think you make it look easy.
I have an older 1000.
I'm just learning the ropes of riding a big bike in the bush.
You certainly need to get your weight in the right spot.
I'm just over 5, 10.
And I reckon you wouldn't want to be any shorter.
Id love to see you go with some good off road tyres.
Perhaps other riders might like to know how tall you are so they can get an idea of how they would fit on such a bike. Well done great review
They are big bikes mate, no doubt about it. The weight is the big thing, hard to handle on your tippies! I'm 6 foot or 183cm
We were up at Mt Mee tracks today....looks like we're a week behind you 😀
Not far mate. How was it? Guessing it was perfect
@@onthebackwheel Yeah mate we had a great time up there this week, went in at Lacey's to the Gantry then popped out down at Delaney's Creek Road. Awesome conditions. Trust you had another winning day on that big beast!
Engine sounds great
I agree, sounds mean
Great video, I'm thinking dct 2024 africa twin for me, I would like to test ride one there first.
Cheers. Keen to try one out too
I have been watching your videos for a short while now. Your riding skills are excellent, and your reviews spot. I wish we had off road trails like this in UK. Just how do you get away with trashing dealer’s bikes like this? They would ban me over here. 😂
I wouldn't say it's a thrashing 😂. The bikes are generally from the manufacturer so they are much more forgiving
Really impressive riding! I have the same bike and know how big it feels when things get more technical. I can not imagine doing this on the stock tires! I really struggle with the front abs; it feels like it activates too easily; rather nerve racking. Any tricks for riding around the abs?
The only thing I found works is presuming it will kick in, and better tyres
Gday mate , yeah ill hand it to ya for getting into the tough stuff on these big bikes , but surely its more fun on something with a better power to weight and is actually designed for serious offroading . Gets a little expensive to keep dropping the big bikes . Makes me cringe when you keep dropping something as eye appealing as the AT . We all know these bikes have the grunt ,clearance and fruit to get through most stuff but I reckon its time to mix up your channel content and wack on some luggage and head off on a good run . I've followed your channel from way back , always liked what ya do and what you give the viewers . Thanks 👍
Hey mate, appreciate it, good to know people are sticking around. Yep, enduro bike territory for sure, can't stand dropping them either! Would love to head on some big trips, I just can't is all. Got 2 little ones at home, work and renos sadly. So I just have to stick to day trips for a while (unless I get some serious brownie points with the Mrs 😂)
Mate loved it was out around there the others day
Nice mate. Conditions were great hey
@@onthebackwheel for sure, dry enough for some grip wet enough for fun
When you shut off traction control then you feel its power off-road 😊..you need to be very aware then.. (a ATAS-driver)
The power is good fun!
Curtis- when you get these Demo bikes, what tyre pressure are you running with these stock bikes? Cheers thanks again for the awesome content! 💪🏻
Good question. I dropped the front to 27psi and rear to 30psi for this ride. They come with standard recommended settings generally which are pretty high for the dirt
Crazy skills
Cheers. I've got to stop dropping them though!
awesome trail!
Love it out there
so sickbro
Cheers, loved it!
Thank you for creating these videos! I'm really interested in Africa twin, vstrom 800, and tiger 900. I want a bike that will be capable to do bdr type riding here in the States, and be comfortable for my wife when she wants to join for more mellow riding. Which do you think will be best for this? I'm leaning towards Africa twin. Currently have a KTM 990, but it's getting tired, runs hot, and it's not very economical on fuel.
I'd go either the Tiger or AT for what you are after, both great options
Curtis.....you and the big girl dance well together...the blue looks better on you than the yellow....just need better shoes on big blue!....Great video... After this video, maybe other dealers may not let you take a bike for test rides...just saying...🤔🤔🤔.....Garth
Hehe maybe mate not mate, need to keep them upright 😬
Boy some of that has erroded badly since I was there last on the Tenere Curtis! That AT sure is quiet though, and yes, sounds like a Tuareg a bit, but more muted!
The rain wasn't kind, it makes for good riding though 😈
Damn. I was tired just watching that! But shows what a good rider can do.
Certainly a work out
Ace, I have a 2019 ATAS I still have the original tyres on there which are Bridgestone AT41 they are great in these conditions still loads left on them so I’ll scrub them off before I spend any dolla lol, but yes great video and great riding ❤
Cheers mate. I'm with you there bud, get every cent out of them 😂
I just love the way you ride! Understated and efficient. I was very impressed by how nimble the AT is. Was this the new 19 INCh FRONT WHEELS OR THE 21? I'm an old MX rider, writing to you from France and i'd just love to come out and ride some of OZ outback and terrain with you. If I had the time, I'd ride there! But I can't:) I'm 82 and can't do that long a trip anymore! Say, how do you rate it compared to the 800DE?
This was the 21 front. The new adventure sports has the 19, looks like a nice bike. Vs the 800? More power , better stock suspension and more ground clearance
Tks. Indeed, I think it's perfect. With good tires it can go anywhere and the 19 inch wheel makes for a better road feeling, I believe.
Crazy dude Curtis, incredible riding talent you are. Does the Suzuki have front ABS on permanently on too or can it be disabled? Have you pulled the fuse for it?
I’m really keen to know if you would change bikes or go something lighter with less power for off-road only?
You need some power to get to the dirt, but will anything smaller be acceptable? Will you give the 450MT a try too when it becomes available?
Yep, I'd change to the Tuareg. 25kg lighter, still plenty of powerm we'll see about the 450, power usually doesn't worry me though. The 800de abs is similar in that it's always on, but it doesn't activate initially like the AT. It's really good
@@onthebackwheel but which bike would you have confidence in as far as reliability for multi-day trips, the Honda or the aprila?
Impressive riding for sure. Question: you briefly mentioned the T7 at the beginning, can you expand on how much better the T7 is off-road and under what conditions and circumstances? Is there anything the AT does particularly well off-road vs the competition? I’m most interested in hearing what it’s like compared to others I might be shopping against.
Hey mate. You're in luck, I'll be doing a dedicated video on this (mainly the 800de but also others). The main thing it does well is have really good ground clearance and be narrow. Everything else it is good at, not great but solid. It has better suspension than the T7 stock, though the T7 is good when set up. The T7 is definitely lighter and easier to throw around, and I like the lack of electronics. I did do a few videos on one recently if you're interested
@@onthebackwheel Thank you for the thorough response! I just found your channel while searching for 2024 Africa Twin reviews and think it's great. I'm now subscribed and will go back and watch your other adventure bike reviews, among others.
@@MCGMB no worries. Have a look and if you've got any more questions just ask
Good job 👍 Would you say it's more capable than the Vstrom off road?
Yeah slightly. The ground clearance is significantly better
Cheers
Great thing about being a ‘big girl’ is that one is more harder to kidnap ………..is the joke I’ve seen doing the rounds on anti-social media (he says in the hope he’s covered from any “I’m offended” lawsuits)😆
No idea why I love this bike so much…I don’t think I’d hardly ever take it off road, but it just looks soooo good and with a low seat I’M able to get my feet flat without any issues. Win win in my book…and thanks for showing what it can do when not on flat smooth roads.
It's a beautiful bike, I can definitely see the appeal
Spent close to 20 years riding that place. Some of those tracks would be tricky on my 300........really impressive, both rider and bike.
Cheers mate. Be interested to hear how it has changed in those 20 years
@@onthebackwheel The mud holes get bigger, that's about it. Some amazing single trails gone due to getting too flogged out. It's an amazing place to ride
Holy Crap! I’m not sure I’d take my DR650 down some of those trails and your on a AT.. You make that big bike look easy but I know it’s not.
It was hard work!
Pretty impressive riding on street tires.
Cheers, would love a good set of off-road hoops on her
The best of the big Japanese ADV bikes and rivals most of the Euro brands, particularly off road. 👍
I've never understood why handguards aren't standard equipment on these bikes. It makes no sense.
You and me both mate
Which handguards are better, Acerbis or BBusters?
I've always run Bark Busters
That’s a bigger bike than my skills would allow on trails like that.
She's a big girl
Whats your thoughts on second hand Africa Twin vs a new 800 DE for 70/30 on-road and off-road?
Depends on the off-road riding you do. The AT is ultimately more capable. If you're doing easier tracks, I think the 800DE with the suspension set up. I do like the extra power, 18 inch rear wheel and ground clearance on the AT
@@onthebackwheelyou can increase the ground clearance of the vstrom 800de if you get a 18" rear wheel and move the forks. I am short legged so I cannot do it but relacing the current hub with a bigger rim shouldnt be that expensive.
@@trailrider1980 not as cheap as you'd think. I felt like it was a misstep not putting an 18 on the rear. You can still get lots of good tyres though
Theses only one question i have to ask !! Do you think the Aprilia Tuareg would have done it better than the A,T,...
Oh for sure. 25+ kg lighter, suspension is better, great balance and the ABS turns off
In rough and tight terrain, smaller and lighter is always better.
😍
Well done video, I watched it all. But it has just confirmed how dumb it is to take bikes that big on single tracks.
It gets tough for sure 😬
Honda has played a blinder by providing an unprepped base model machine for this review. If you can master a large bike in such challenging conditions, you can benefit from the comfort it offers on the long journey home.
It is a comfortable machine on the long hauls, would gladly cover big distances on it
What a strange question ! Those tyres don't look too bad, except in the wet. Weight helps on those dry rocky climbs when you got the torque. She does look nicely balanced. Would it have been easier to move some of the tree branches ?
Still way too much of a bike for me, seen you struggle to pick it up, my back hurt just watching. Good job and a good length clip for a quick look, any longer and I might not have stayed. 👍
Hey they got me through all the tracks, not my first choice but good for cruising
@@onthebackwheelYou reply before I finish watching and my comments! Are you at work ? 😉
@@ShadowVonChadwick yeah I'm trying to keep them a bit shorter and digestible. We moved some tree branches, some were just too heavy/stuck
@@ShadowVonChadwick and no, got time off 😂
@@onthebackwheel Was it the stick in the foot ? Gee, I hate that. One more month till new bike. But now the CFMoto has their 450mt out at the same price! I like the idea of a 270deg twin with twin balance shafts. But not sending my money to China, though. Although I did just spend a grand on a Hisense fridge/freezer, it was the best for the money, well-made, poor state of affairs.
Love to see the guts of that motor, have you seen any cutaways ? PS: and it's a bit lighter.
did you trade in the vstrom already?
Nope, it's still sitting at home (and will make an appearance in the next video)
Gotta try a Transalp ;)
Hehe soon mate, unless you let me have yours!
@@onthebackwheel Well you're a hard man to track down, so it's up to you. I've got suspension going on it at some stage but next is offroad tyres.
@@MyRandomLife247 hehe I am. Well maybe it'll be worth comparing the stock vs modified when I get it
Can you turn the abs off?
Only on the rear 😡
Is the AT good off road? 'That Guy on an Africa Twin' certainly think so!
I'm that guy!
👍👍👏
There’s a guy doing these trails on a cb125. Not sure what to make of that
I definitely want to see that!
@@onthebackwheel this Guy czcams.com/video/HA1iQgsA_Eg/video.htmlsi=6OX1i2rseFOTI5KI
You lift that thing up like a 250cc dirt bike. Are you the hulk?
Plenty of practice with how much I drop them 😂
@onthebackwheel I finally had my transalp on some dirt and gravel roads today. Some wet loose stuff in there too. That thing holds its own. I can't believe how planted it feels. Mine came with Metzler tires, but some come with Dunlops.
@@Sventy11 nice mate. Which Metzler does it have?
@onthebackwheel Karoo street. I'd be curious to see if others have luck with them. Running at 33 front and 40 rear which is basically honda spec. I figure my weight helps everything at rough 250lbs
@@Sventy11 same as this one, they are really good on the black top hey
Once again you did incredible but we can see the weight of this beast is killing you.
They were some tough tracks for a big bike
Put some better tires on it and you'll feel a big difference
For sure, would be the first thing I do
Seeing big bikes in the bush, really makes me appreciate my 300 Rally 😅
AT is a whale of a bike! But would be good on the freeway.
Three of us picked up an Africa twin top side down on a muddy hill recently.
If you're curious, here is the vid.
czcams.com/video/nyZBEXTZvQQ/video.html
Haha yep, they get heavy! Can't wait to get my hands on the Rally, looks like a real go anywhere bike. Just checked out the vid, its crazy how mud turns something into a nightmare
The center stands slap loudly even in slow small bumps, specially with the altrider skid plate on the stand.
2:50 mark, looks like the hill @oldmanspeed got stuck on.
The 1000 will do 100 in 2nd! 😂 I'm sure the 1100 will too.
Must be the tyres, supposedly the ABS is better in the 1100. The 1000 takes a lot of squeeze before the ABS kicks in in a RallZ front.
This one seems to be fine when squeezed, just that initial pull 😐. Shame it doesn't have better tyres to cancel that out. Yep that is the same hill he got stuck on! Lucky we were going down it this time
@@onthebackwheel yeah thats strange, I've only ever experienced the 1000s ABS on the front at a training weekend where the instructor made us bang across a rough grass paddock at 70kmh and grab a fist full of front brake to set off ABS on purpose.
Or on the occasional emergency stop right at the end of the stopping distance.
Must be the tyre just slipping a little unloaded on initial pull.
Great video as usual very entertaining and as always amazing riding skills
The DE looks easier to handle
Certainly not much in it
Unreal banana peel
simply no
Brutal
Your way better rider than you think 🤔
I'm ok, certainly no gun!
No. However good you are on a heavy bike that dresses like a dirt bike you'll do infinitely better on a lighter one. 1000cc "adventure" bikes are just tourers with an identity crisis. Get a 690 if you like a mix of road and dirt.
Oh no doubt we'd all be better off on a lighter bike, but it's fun.