good changes for Africa Twin 2018

[tremens]

For 2018 we'll have few updates, among the others bigger tank and wider foot pegs mounted on steel brackets not alu cast. Good move from honda, but they should start with this from the beginning.

important changes:

chassis:
Wet weight 2kg lighter at 230kg (MT version)
Rider footepgs and pillion footpeg hangers redesigned for off-road use
Stainless steel spokes improve durability and ease of care
New Emergency Stop Signal function for rear indicators

engine:
New intake design and exhaust aid mid-range response
New exhaust also designed to improve engine note
New lighter balance shaft weight
New lithium-ion battery saves 2.3 kg and enhances durability
Power is smooth and consistent, with linear torque delivery

Engine management electronics:
TBW brings with it 3 rider modes to tailor engine character and traction
The riding modes are comprised of different levels of Power (P), Engine Braking (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
HSTC now has 7 levels and OFF
Assist/slipper clutch helps upshifts and downshifts

https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/motorcycl...0l-africa-twin

[NightAlp]

Hi, also:

- 12V socket
and
- grip heating

but only in the Adventure Sport model!
Let's wait and see what all this things will cost

Regards NightAlp

[Walkabout]

Wider, taller in the saddle - bigger all round basically, heavier, more electronic technology (fly by wire throttle in particular) and more expensive.
The new one comes in one colour scheme only, being a special edition to commemorate some date known unto Honda.

What's not to like?

[Endurodude]

I they're the same heated grips as the 'previous' model, I would stay well clear, even if free! I paid around £200 for mine and they were useless. I'd be interested to see what the mpg of the 'adventure sport' model is suggested as being, though. More fuel capacity buy heavier bike - will 5l add an appreciably longer distance? With the GS ADV being 30l, even 24l doesn't seem that much.

At the NEC last year, Honda made a big deal about the AT being simple (relatively, I appreciate) and robust for travel. Not sure how the newer one will fit into this mould?

Also, I appreciate hat the lithium ion battery will be lighter, but are there any other benefits over lead? If yes, I might look into a replacement!

[tremens]

Originally Posted by Endurodude

Also, I appreciate hat the lithium ion battery will be lighter, but are there any other benefits over lead? If yes, I might look into a replacement!

I don't know, I have new lithium ion battery on my ktm exc and don't see any benefits. When cold have to crank 2 or 3 times, while the lead starts my honda at first...

[tremens]

Originally Posted by Walkabout

What's not to like?

price but seriously I don't like tubed tyres and throttle by wire.

BTW Current model version ma be available at nice discounts soon, if there are any left overs.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by tremens

Engine management electronics:
TBW brings with it 3 rider modes to tailor engine character and traction

Assist/slipper clutch helps upshifts and downshifts

https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/motorcycl...0l-africa-twin

Fly by wire throttle technology leaves me distinctly underwhelmed.
Slipper clutches from the race track to shave milliseconds off the lap times, ditto.
The 2018 colour scheme is straight out of the year "eons ago" - "United Colours of Benetton" advertising would be appropriate.

Originally Posted by Endurodude

I they're the same heated grips as the 'previous' model, I would stay well clear, even if free! I paid around £200 for mine and they were useless.

At the NEC last year, Honda made a big deal about the AT being simple (relatively, I appreciate) and robust for travel. Not sure how the newer one will fit into this mould?

Quite a few bits and pieces fitted as OEM can be very cheap and need to be replaced quickly - that goes for more than one manufacturer, to keep down the headline pricing in the shop window.
Original sprockets, chains, tyres, suspension, handlebars, to name a few.
So long as the plastics are "shiny new" then the customers will buy.

Originally Posted by tremens

price but seriously I don't like tubed tyres and throttle by wire.

I prefer what Suzuki have done with their XT range of the VStroms; no holes drilled through a perfectly good rim = tubeless tyres fitted and spokes are still used.
BMW/Behr rims ditto, but Honda probably won't pay royalties to use a patent?

[Endurodude]

Originally Posted by tremens

I don't know, I have new lithium ion battery on my ktm exc and don't see any benefits. When cold have to crank 2 or 3 times, while the lead starts my honda at first...

That's not great. My lead battery so far doesn't like the cold, and it's not even that cold in the UK yet! Guess I'll avoid the LI one, then!

[mollydog]

It's clear Honda's Africa Twin still seems deficient in a few areas despite updates, but at present has a distinct advantage to most of the competition in the "BIG" and possibly middle weight ADV bike category. Sales are, and will continue strong ... for now. No discounts of any note yet on Africa Twins here in bike rich San Francisco Bay Area.

But ... as we know KTM, Yamaha and BMW all have new models on the way. Within a year we should see Yamaha's new Tenere' T7 and KTM's 790 Adventure and Duke. Add BMW's new 850 in the mix too.

One thing I would hope Honda address in the Africa Twin is it's lack of horsepower. To match competition, IMO they need to squeeze maybe 10 to 15 more HP out of that flaccid 1000cc parallel twin.

IMO, a Tubeless option should be a must on the AT. NO ONE wants to screw around with TUBES these days. I loath them on my trusty DR650.

I would still always carry a tube (for variety of reasons) but nice to be able to insert a simple plug into puncture and be back on the road in 15 minutes vs. 1 hour pulling wheel off to swap out Tube.

On Li-Ion batteries:
Like lots of old geezers on here I've been suspicious of these batteries. Now that I have one in my new KTM 690 Duke, must say I'm getting to trust the Li-Ion battery in that bike. (PO put it in the bike on day one)

Also been READING a lot about the Science behind this technology and learning how they really work and about their CARE and FEEDING ... which many get WRONG.

Most common mistake punters make is OVER charging their Li-Ion battery using conventional or even so called SMART charger ... yes, they can ruin a Li-Ion batt if left on too long. (OK for short time)

In addition, most resist the idea (it IS counterintuitive) that you have to "waste" battery power by turning on lights or other accessories in order to "warm up" the Li-ion battery which quickly gets it up to 100% power output ... even in below freezing conditions. IT WORKS!

Most Li-ion batts have more CCA to equivalent Lead Acid batt and can sit for a LONG LONG time and not go dead or discharge. They also RECHARGE in record time vs. typical lead acid battery.

If your bike's Alternator does not put out a lot of Watts ... and you run a lot of accessories like heated clothing, grips, Aux lighting, GPS, communication, then you can run down your Li-Ion just like a conventional Lead Acid battery.

The good news is a Li-Ion will recharge back up in less time than a Lead Acid battery ... and mostly all that is required is RIDING the bike with some accessories turned OFF.

For me, I now carry a tiny Anti-Gravity Li-ion jumper battery. Works a treat. Or, carry a small charger to hook up at Hotel at day's end. Good news? Your Li-Ion will be recharged to 100% in an hour .. or less!

[tremens]

Originally Posted by mollydog

In addition, most resist the idea (it IS counterintuitive) that you have to "waste" battery power by turning on lights or other accessories in order to "warm up" the Li-ion battery which quickly gets it up to 100% power output ... even in below freezing conditions. IT WORKS!

well, I know about this, that's the reason you have to crank it 2-3 times to just to warm up the battery but from the user experience standpoint it's a little like step back, isn't it?

Imagine you are camping in Rockies Mounties and in the morning grizzly woke you up, what you do? you jump on motorcycle trying to start it up and run for your life but no luck! battery needs to be warmed up, you need to crank 2-3 times with few seconds pause between...and you're dead

[Endurodude]

Just in case anyone was considering using the new larger tank with last year's bike, it doesn't appear to be that easy. Although Honda told me at the NEC that there were no changes in the frame between the two bikes, the front fairing is different; this means that you'd need to buy the new tank AND the fairing, quite an outlay! Far easier to get a 5l can!

[Grant Johnson]

Re the battery debate, here's a REALLY GOOD article and discussion on the technologies of various batteries.

[Tim Cullis]

Originally Posted by mollydog

IMO, a Tubeless option should be a must on the AT. NO ONE wants to screw around with TUBES these days. I loath them on my trusty DR650. I would still always carry a tube (for variety of reasons) but nice to be able to insert a simple plug into puncture and be back on the road in 15 minutes vs. 1 hour pulling wheel off to swap out Tube.

I couldn't agree more, and the forthcoming BMW F850GS has tubeless tyres on spoked wheels which is a great step forward. Given the choice in the past between the F800GS and the F650GS twin I twice chose the F650GS due to it having alloys wheels and therefore tubeless tyres as standard.

There's no tubeless option on smaller KTMs so I run mousses on my KTM 690 Enduro. No need to carry tyre levers (tire irons), bike support, spare tubes, compressor. The first set of mousses I ran for 9,500 km, the second set for 7,500 km. Now on my third set. The decision to fit new mousses was more a concern whether they would last another 4,000 km for the next trip rather than them being at end of life.

[tremens]

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

There's no tubeless option on smaller KTMs so I run mousses on my KTM 690 Enduro. No need to carry tyre levers (tire irons), bike support, spare tubes, compressor. The first set of mousses I ran for 9,500 km, the second set for 7,500 km. Now on my third set. The decision to fit new mousses was more a concern whether they would last another 4,000 km for the next trip rather than them being at end of life.

wonder how mousses fail, I mean what happens actually with the wheel when mouses breaks. Can you still ride at least slowly?

Been thinking about fitting them to my 500 exc but still a bit expensive, 100 euro or so vs 5 euro for a tube...I understand no mouses yet for heavier bikes like tenere etc?

[tremens]

Originally Posted by Endurodude

Just in case anyone was considering using the new larger tank with last year's bike, it doesn't appear to be that easy. Although Honda told me at the NEC that there were no changes in the frame between the two bikes, the front fairing is different; this means that you'd need to buy the new tank AND the fairing, quite an outlay! Far easier to get a 5l can!

there is also longer front suspension travel probably because of bigger tank.