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Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

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


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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Old 10 Dec 2015
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New Africa Twin (I don't get it)

Anyone tempted by the new Africa Twin?

I'm going to be in the market for a new 'adventure bike' next year, and I really want to like the new Africa Twin, but I just can't wrap my head around the point. Is there something I'm missing?

Lets compare it with the Yamaha Super Tenere which can be had for roughly the same price here in the US where there are big discounts to be had. The Super Tenere has more power, electronic suspension adjustment, cruise control, shaft drive, more fuel capacity, tubeless tyres, probably higher alternator output. I would expect Honda reliability and Yamaha reliability to be similar, so lets call that a tie.

Where does the Africa Twin beat the Super Tenere? It's about 40lbs lighter (if compared with the DCT model), has 1.7" more ground clearance, and has more off-road friendly wheel sizes. Ok, so it's probably slightly better off-road, but surely at these weights the gains are marginal? They're both over 500lbs, so neither is going to be ridden like a dirt bike by the average rider... and when riding along easy gravel roads, is the slightly lighter weight and bigger wheels going to make a huge difference in reality?

The other possible advantage for the Africa Twin is the DCT transmission. I read that for off-road novices (like me!), the DCT transmission actually makes it a lot easier to ride off-road because the bike handles gear changes/selection for you. Apparently Honda have tuned the system well for off-road.

But lets assume most riders aren't prepared to give up conventional gear changes for a DCT system... where is the advantage of the Africa Twin over a more powerful, better equipped Super Tenere?

If anyone is head over heels in love with the Africa Twin, please don't think I'm trolling here... I love the looks of the bike, and really would like to find an excuse to get one, but I just can't make sense of it when you compare the spec list with other bikes. I also know that no-one can truly know until test riding bikes which is better... so I realize this is a somewhat theoretical exercise!
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