Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Jul 2012
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Paris, FRANCE
Posts: 12
Africa Twin Mileage

Hi all,

I am planning a trip from France to SE Asia next year and I am looking for an Africa Twin RD07 dated between 2000 and 2003, with low mileage like 20 000 km.

I found a nice one dated Nov 2002 with 39 000 km with apparently good maintenance records. Its price is very reasonable.

My questions:
- in general what is a good mileage for starting such overland trip with an Africa Twin?
- between a 20 000 km and a 40 000 km bike, considering the maintenance is properly made, is there any real difference?

My questions might sound a bit stupid as I know the Africa Twin can last much longer than 100 000 km but as I was initially looking for a bike with 20 000 km mileage, I would like to gather several opinions before going for the 39 000 km bike.

Any advice & remarks are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Sebastien.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I am not an Africa twin owner but would say a bike that has been looked after for 39,000 km is better than one that has been abused for 5,000.

I have done a trans Africa trip without problem on an R80G/S that had done 200,000 km before I started although I did rebuild it first., so don't be put off.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Jul 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: aveyron FRANCE
Posts: 8
Bonjour sébastien
mon Africa a passé ses 100 mkms....sans problèmes réels
les points à surveiller sont le régulateur..( connectique) lâche souvent autour des 80 mkms et la pompe essence...tous les 40 mkms
la pompe il suffit de changer le petit contacteur interne ( comme une vis platinée) que tu trouves chez "wemoto " ( environ 30€)
nous sommes plusieurs proprio d'Africa qui ont " passé" allégrement les 100.000 kms
moto fiable...mais peut-être lourde suivant ton gabarit
conso..6.5 l /100
je rentre du maroc...la moto était chargée comme une mule...aucuns soucis!!
tu as plusieurs sites de passionnés sur le web...
amitiés
Yves
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Jul 2012
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
Thumbs up

^^sounds a bit frech to me...

ok, my AT I bought with 60.000km. Drove another 50.000km and after I started our RTW trip... still doing it. 35.000km later stil driving. IMHO there is no difference between 20 and 40k ...

Check some things at the AT, doesnt matter the milage, something like the rectifier and its wiering (get a new rectifier from Ebay and do the wiering new), the chainkit and the Driveshaft (Antriebswelle).

Put always enough of the correct oil, water, brake pads, tyres and you are fine all the way.

cheers Sascha
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
we are on a RTW-trip now with two Africa Twins: (now 58.000km's in the trip)
1993 model now on 168.000km's (uses one liter of oil in 21.000km!!!)
1996 model now on 137.000km's (uses one liter of oil in 5.000 km)

The engine and gearbox are bullit-proof, as long as you keep an eye on the oil levels and do proper maintenance.
Fuelpumps: you need to take a spare with you anyhow.
Rectifier: ours both failed around 70/80.000km's
For the rest: no worries!

Driveshaft: yeah, that can be nasty. The spines can wear of, although this is very rare! If it is okay when you leave, and you only use GOOD QUALITY FRONT SPROCKETS, you'll be fine. Can send you pictures of ours, as I make pictures of the cleaned shaft every time I change the sprocket. After the mileage above, on our bikes you only see a bit of wear which you can just feel with your nail.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Usually the africa twin needs only a fuel pump and a rectifier...
The driveshaft issue is, mainly caused by overtightening the chain.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Aug 2012
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Paris, FRANCE
Posts: 12
Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your useful advices. I then decided to go for this 39k bike. The owner apparently took good care of it and it has already several nice pieces of equipment (seat, crashbars etc.).

I wrote down all your advices regarding regulator, drive shaft etc. I will definitely apply those advices when I will be preparing my trip.

Thanks again to all of you! I will keep you posted. Can't wait to get the AT now.

Cheers,

Sébastien.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
a lot of people indeed tighten the chain way too much on the AT!

We disconnected the rear shock once to check out the optimal play on the chain, the result:

- Put the bike on the centre stand, so rear wheel off the ground
- Push the chain against the rear edge of the chainslider (lower part). If it can just touch this plastic it is perfect. May need a bit of force to push it against it, no problem.
Seems to work perfect, as both our bikes were bought with around 40.000km's on them... and the driveshafts are still fine now! (only used JT sprockets by the way ;-))

other tips:
- We moved the rectifiers, they are now strapped to the passenger-footpegs on the left. Nice and in the wind, as they are out of the wind and thus cannot cool enough (I think....) and fail.
- Check the clutch-cable: where it leaves the outer part above the gearbox is where it will wear and break. Bend the bracket a bit so that the inner cable does not touch the metal parts of the adjustment rings, and you'll be fine!
- On this RTW trip, we take apart the brake calipers around every 6.000 km's. Clean the pistons, grease them up a bit. They don't really cope well with salt and tend to rust. 1,5 hours work for two bikes now that we do it regularly, but it can prevent a lot of 'shit'.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by dstehouwer View Post
a lot of people indeed tighten the chain way too much on the AT!

We disconnected the rear shock once to check out the optimal play on the chain, the result:

- Put the bike on the centre stand, so rear wheel off the ground
- Push the chain against the rear edge of the chainslider (lower part). If it can just touch this plastic it is perfect. May need a bit of force to push it against it, no problem.
Seems to work perfect, as both our bikes were bought with around 40.000km's on them... and the driveshafts are still fine now! (only used JT sprockets by the way ;-))

other tips:
- We moved the rectifiers, they are now strapped to the passenger-footpegs on the left. Nice and in the wind, as they are out of the wind and thus cannot cool enough (I think....) and fail.
- Check the clutch-cable: where it leaves the outer part above the gearbox is where it will wear and break. Bend the bracket a bit so that the inner cable does not touch the metal parts of the adjustment rings, and you'll be fine!
- On this RTW trip, we take apart the brake calipers around every 6.000 km's. Clean the pistons, grease them up a bit. They don't really cope well with salt and tend to rust. 1,5 hours work for two bikes now that we do it regularly, but it can prevent a lot of 'shit'.
it will be great if you give all of us a link for photos of your beloved bikes ,or you may can upload it here ,
thats will be very helpful for all of us
cheers and greetings from Egypt
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Sorry for the delay Mansour, it's only because there is a relaxed attitude by one or two here to helping out.

The bike is good - no worries. But do take a spare Regulator/rectifier, and also a fuel pump. Or change the pump to a Facet pump. Go to XRV. orgHond a Trail Bike forums for all info. You should also check the condition of the splines on the drive shaft, and again you must go to XRV for all info. This bike will roll on for ever if you attend to these issues.

Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
just check my website; there are hundreds of pictures of our bikes there! ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 895
Thumbs up AT mileage

Just my 2 c worth

1995 model 223.000 kms (uses one liter of oil every 3000km) done in Europe and South America

so far I had the usual problems: voltage regulator, fuel pump, had to rebuild the brake calipers twice, change the front rim (salt on Swiss roads), rebuild the clutch basket once but will have to change it soon (500 Euros Honda part)

.... all in all a fantastic bike and I will keep riding it every day.

saludos de Brazil Mika
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 25 Jan 2013
Xander's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Back Down Under (WA)
Posts: 562
I bought mine with 24000 kilometres on it.. did not burn oil..
By the end of Africa 150000k we started to burn 1/2500 l/k oil .. changed the oil rings and then no loss at all we then went though SE asia. (AWSOME). Anubis now has almost 200000 and we dont burn any oil.. I will start to worry about a warn out engine at half a million Kilometers....

An AT will take you where you wan to go.. just basic maintenance and you are golden
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 27 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
what do you mean with 'changed the oil rings'? The piston rings?
We're thinking of rebuilding the engines of our bikes for the next trip(s)...

My brother in law opened up two AT engines at around 80.000 km's, and did a full measurement on all bearings etc. He found that both engines were around 50% towards their wear limits, vith a bit of variation between parts.
Our bikes ar at 150.000+ km's too....

Did you also measure other stuff on your bike, or just swap the piston rings and that's it? What was the status on e.g. your cam chain tensioner?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 27 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
I bought my AT (2000 year) with 20,000 miles showing.
Sold it with 26,000 miles.

Never used a drop of oil.
I think between services, 3000, miles, it would use may be zero oil.
I didn't ride it hard, it was a summer toy, so was kept in good condition.

I even bought sparky plugs for it, and the special box spanner.
When I took the plugs out they were like new, so just cleaned them a little and put them back in.

No point wasting to put new plugs in, when nothing wrong with the old ones.

Run like a dream !!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need new tyres and oil change in Darwin for our Africa Twin RTWbyBIKE.com Australia / New Zealand 16 24 Jan 2013 13:11
Africa Twin 1997 for rent in ARGENTINA.- maxitwin Bike Swap or Rent 0 30 Jan 2012 22:52

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:49.