Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
new Africa Twin or F800GS? new Africa Twin or F800GS?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree7Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
new Africa Twin or F800GS?
Hi,
I'm returning to adventure riding after a break and I am on the market for a new bike. I have tested tiger 800XCx already but I didn't like it at all, also tested DL650 XT which was way better but not dirt oriented. Finally I rode F800GS and I quite liked it but new crf1000l is to be released soon and wonder if not to wait and try that too. What do you think, will new AT be too heavy based on specs posted already on honda sites? I really prefer offroad and bad road riding but don't like very light bikes, planing trip to Mongolia soon so bike has to be reliable, torquey engine, high ground clearance and good range.
thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 95
I'd wait to see what the new AT has to offer, price will be it's major consideration and unfortunately they still have not given it a decent sized fuel tank so distance will be a bit limiting, otherwise it is shaping up to be a good bike. You can't beat Honda reliability and build quality.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
If you've got that kind of cash to buy, personally I'd get the new AT over any of the bikes you mentioned.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
Quote:
Originally Posted by docsherlock View Post
If you've got that kind of cash to buy, personally I'd get the new AT over any of the bikes you mentioned.
that's what I am inclining to but the AT is kinda expensive for throwing around...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Tremens, where do you live? its good to know which market you will be buying a bike in, as some bikes are not available in different markets, take a moment and fill in your location in your profile!

Im interested to know what you didn't like about the 800XCx?

The new AT looks good, but I couldn't recommend buying the first year of a new production run, there are bound to be some niggles with it, unless you have time for them to work themselves out and be addressed before you head to Mongolia.

If you want a bigger bike, then its hard not to recommend the 800 GS Adventure, with its 24 litre tank, though be aware that some owners have found the rims are made of cheese..... if you don't mind a thumper, the XTZ660 has good range and is physically quite big (and heavy)

Also, if you are handy with the wrenches and don't mind buying an older model, a late, low kilometre KTM 990 Adventure would be a lot of fun
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 83
I rode the f800 for a year, but found it "buzzy" on road right at the speeds I wanted to cruise
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Aug 2015
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
I find the first and even second year of a new models bike's are generally a bit unfinished.

This is where they let YOU find all the problems.

If you really want the Africa twin why not wait a year until ride reports are back in and maybe pick up a nearly new one for £2000 less than new.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Last edited by *Touring Ted*; 11 Aug 2015 at 09:39.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Aug 2015
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,077
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnail View Post
I rode the f800 for a year, but found it "buzzy" on road right at the speeds I wanted to cruise
One of the problems with the F800GS and its F650GS twin and F700GS twin variants is that it has a close ratio gearbox which is fine for a road sports bike but not ideal for a dual sport. Consequently BMW had to choose between having all the ratios biased towards low (F800GS) or biased towards high (F650GS).

If you had changed the F800GS 16/42 sprockets to the 17/41 of the F650GS twin you would have found it much nicer for road cruising. I once did 960 miles in 23 hours on the F650GS twin from Poland to the UK (with the help of an AirHawk saddle).
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Last edited by Tim Cullis; 11 Aug 2015 at 09:22.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
Tremens, where do you live? its good to know which market you will be buying a bike in, as some bikes are not available in different markets, take a moment and fill in your location in your profile!

Im interested to know what you didn't like about the 800XCx?
Hi Gipper,
Regarding Tiger 800 XCx I didn't like fly by wire, I didn't like high pitch, annoying engine sound, disconnected engine from throttle feeling, lack of torque at low revs, heat coming to my heap from the left side etc etc
I live in Poland at the moment BTW and I don't see anything interesting on the market except F800GS and xt660z but the tenere is not available somehow in here this year. That's why I'm looking forward to new AT. If not, BMW will be the one.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Aug 2015
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
I test rode a Tiger 800XC a couple of years ago and I found the throttle was pretty bad - the fact that the dealer had not bothered to set up the bike properly and adjust a bunch of slack out of the throttle too did not help, I agree it feels snatchy and disconnected.

Its bottom end torque can feel pretty weak compared to a twin, a lot of owners drop a tooth on the front sprocket or increase rear sprocket size, but it is super smooth at highway speeds and loves to rev

Good luck!
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
I test rode a Tiger 800XC a couple of years ago and I found the throttle was pretty bad - the fact that the dealer had not bothered to set up the bike properly and adjust a bunch of slack out of the throttle too did not help, I agree it feels snatchy and disconnected.

Good luck!
if you felt tiger cable throttle was bad then I can assure you now it's worse with the new fly by wire one...
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9 Mar 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1
I rode an AT today
I rode the CRF1000l today and I am impressed. It was only the base bike but I liked it much more than my r1200GSA - 2012. It was relatively balanced. Excellent application of power. The sound it makes is most addictive also.

I would stay with the base bike. I rarely ride on the tar so ABS, auto,
and anything else that involves electronics and flaps is not a great option in the dirt.

Am definitely getting one.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 9 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Esperance, WA
Posts: 252
AT all the way. I know the model is new and some issues are bound to show up, but the AT should beat the 800GS on all fields relating to build quality and longevity

But look at the price- here an AT is upto 25% cheaper than an 800GS (depending on model and specs), so a no-brainer. If you have to pay more for an AT- apart from personnel preferences, is it really that much better in relation to the price difference?

The AT is very easy to ride off-road, well balanced and lots of torque. Not as fuel efficient as the GS IMO (or not mine anyway) and mixed offroad riding only gives me a range of only 250-280km.

But at $300 cheaper than a 800Xcx Tiger and $1500 for the top 800GS compared to the DCT, its the best available at the moment
__________________
Squily
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 1 Aug 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 16
F800GS vs Africa Twin.
I finally got to test drive a manual Africa twin this weekend. I wish they had the automatic but they did not.
I have a 2013 F800gs that I bought it new. I have to say, Africa twin kick ass!
Way more powerful and smooth. Felt at the same weight and hight.
To do 90mph on F800GS you have to install a Handle bar stabilizer. I could not believe how smooth and no vibration the Africa twin was a t 90mph. Night and day. I am just holding up for October to see if BMW will have a new model, like an F900 or something, because as it is, just change color scheme on F800GS as they have done in the last 3 years will no longer be enough!
I really want to test drive the automatic next, but I think it is time to have another Honda! For sure, this is my last year owning an F800gs, even though it has being a fantastic bike, I am sure the Africa twin will be just more fun.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 1 Aug 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 489
Unfortunately I see more and more complains on different forums about new AT build quality and finish. Kinda deal breaker for me at this price range.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
why i travel on Africa twin ? omar mansour Which Bike? 7 23 Apr 2016 02:09
Honda Africa Twin 10 Years Review Sixtring74 Which Bike? 25 13 Sep 2015 19:11
Africa Twin Mileage dubsvibes Honda Tech 15 10 Feb 2013 11:47

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 15:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top