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  #1  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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Honda Africa Twin

Does anyone know how long these go on for? I would love to take mine on a big RTW but have already done 30k km on it, and would probably put two or three times that on the clock. Is this pushing it?
Also would like to learn how it works! Any ideas what the best way of doing this is?
Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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take it!

my last one had 110,000 miles on it and was still going strong until some p***k stole it! i have one now with 34,000 miles and would not hesitate in taking her on a RTW (when i win lottery). 30k km is not alot to one of these. i always carry rectifier and fuel pump whilst travelling as these are about the only thing that goes wrong! hope this helps, good luck.
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  #3  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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Thats great to know, thanks.

Sorry to hear one of yours got half inched!
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  #4  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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Mines on 42,000 Miles and still purrs like new.

I did a full engine rebuild on one with 55,000 miles on for a pre-adventure prep and nothing even looked worn.

The rings and bore were well within spec.

I changed my fuel pump for a vacuum pump off a light plane(easy), and the fuel pump problem is over for life.

Reg/rect is a known issue too but Iv had 3 AT's and its never blown.
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  #5  
Old 2 Nov 2009
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Hi Henry,

Don´t worry imho 30k km is nothing for n AT...rode my 1st for 110k km and -being an idiot traded it for a KTM. No I am back on a beautiful AT with now 30k km on it .

When are u going to leave for ur RTW?

Bjoern
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  #6  
Old 3 Nov 2009
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Thanks to all for the piece of mind! Now will feel very confident setting out on the big trip - unfortunately still plenty more to save. But at least I don't need a new bike!

Cheers,
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  #7  
Old 4 Nov 2009
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Honda AT

Henry,

NO worries, I guess. Even though I am only riding the "little brother" (Honda TA) with now almost 50.000 ks - those 2 bikes are almost indestructable.

2 years ago I met a guy during my Hokkaido touring (75 years old, native Chinese, who has lived in Japan since the end of WWII), who was riding an AT with close to 180.000 kilometers on the clock. He told me that he never had any problems, just the regular maintenance, that was it.

So, yup, go for it as soon as time and $$$$ permit!!!
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  #8  
Old 4 Nov 2009
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one more go for it...
started our trip with 50k miles already done 20k more and it is going strong.. just bring a new fuel pump (or change it anyway), rec/reg (get electrex one) and make sure you dont run your chain too tight ( you will kill your out put shaft splines).

see you on the road


Cheers from the Ghana border!
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  #9  
Old 4 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
my last one had 110,000 miles on it and was still going strong until some p***k stole it! i have one now with 34,000 miles and would not hesitate in taking her on a RTW (when i win lottery). 30k km is not a lot to one of these. i always carry rectifier and fuel pump whilst travelling as these are about the only thing that goes wrong! hope this helps, good luck.
I agree with Kevin here - I have two ATs, one at 110,000 miles, still going beautifully. Just came back from Northern Spain on it this evening, and I'm frozen. (Not the fault of the bike!). The other AT at 75,000 miles, the same. Kevin's comments on the rectifier and fuel pump are spot on.

Get that bike. But CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES. This means removing a plastic cover. There's a recent post on this here on HU.
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  #10  
Old 5 Nov 2009
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Mines done 80.000 kms and I would leave tomorrow for a RTW trip !! just did 8k to Jordan with only a broken rack, my fault, overloaded and dropped the bike – welded for €1… and the front calipers died… had them totally rebuilt in Turkey for €40

Shipped it from Cyprus to London – didn’t even disconnect the battery, just turned off the fuel.. it started first time … the guys at the shipping agent couldn’t believe it..

All excellent advice listed above…

Cheers
M
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  #11  
Old 5 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xander View Post
one more go for it...
started our trip with 50k miles already done 20k more and it is going strong.. just bring a new fuel pump (or change it anyway), rec/reg (get electrex one) and make sure you dont run your chain too tight ( you will kill your out put shaft splines).

see you on the road


Cheers from the Ghana border!
Hey Xander! great trip...my very best wishes to you for a safe and terrific journey!!!
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  #12  
Old 5 Nov 2009
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same as above, I ride my second AT.
beside pump and rectifier, wheels and steering ball bearing are typical fault you can simply prevent by installing better ones.
Voltmeter is very usefull to check rectifier work
I regretted my BMW r80 for long, but in reality I admit the AT is much better
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  #13  
Old 22 Nov 2009
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AT in oz

hi i shipped my 2000 AT out to perth oz 2 months ago from the uk and its just clicked over to 31000 mile.had 9000 on the clock when i got it and apart from a knackered battery which was probably the original ive not had a prob!i did change the fuel pump and reg/rec and chucked a pair of wavy discs on and im off across the nullabore in a few weeks and working my way round oz then plan to ride back to old blighty.with regular oil, filter changes and the odd set of plugs i reckon shell get me there too .
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  #14  
Old 2 Dec 2009
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My first AT an RD04 had about 55,000 miles up when I sold it cos it's a pain to service when doing a high weekly mileage.

My second, an RD07 owned from new, was still running nicely at 130,000 miles when I sold it to get a lower mileage bike. That one had a new camchain at 70k as a precaution.

My current AT (RD07 also) is showing 91,000 miles at the moment. It's still on the original (quiet) camchain, although I have had the output shaft bearing replaced at 50k when it broke up, previous owner ran the chain too tight I reckon.

Carry a spare regulator (a few minutes to change if required), fit a contactless fuel pump, keep the chain at the right tension and you're set for high mileage reliability.
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  #15  
Old 4 Dec 2009
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chain tension?

just wondering how slack you AT riders are running your chains?when my bike is parked with no luggage,if i lift the chain it just touches the swing arm.i weigh about 80kg and luggage about 25/30.ive done an putput shaft bearing on a previous AT after some guy on a cbr told me the chain was too loose and i over tightened it.im always paronid about it now.
cheers
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