middle of the road bikes - T7 - Africa Twin - Norden

[steele01]

Edit: original post under the line - here's a more consice one now I've narrowed it down a bit after having some time to go to the showroom

Hey everyone hope we are well I'm looking for information mainly relating now to the Norden 901 and the Africa Twin from 2018-2019 has anyone had one if so have you had any issues or problems with them?

I've been reading about soft cams on the 890/901 engines but not sure how widespread the issue is?

Currently on a 300 Rally but giving that my dad (moving to the North off Scotland so switching to a larger travel based bike. Narrowed it down to those two now but thought I'd just ask if anyone has had any issues having had a bad experience with the 390s in the past. So thought I'd do some due Diligence before looking at the 890 platform. An am I right in saying most of the issues were sorted on the Africa Twin none adventure sports 2018-2019?

Thanks in advance.


(Thanks to Chris for the info on the AT servicing)


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Hi everyone hope we are all well just wondering if I can pick the groups collective knowledge on a few bikes

I'm currently in the process of moving up to Perthshire in Scotland an next year dad and I are going to Norway the Nordkapp / Iceland.

He's gonna be taking my 300 Rally which I'm giving him after the move and I'm thinking of moving back onto a bigger bike as there's 0 lanes up Scotland an ill be about 6 hours or so from the nearest ones + I'll be doing alot of road based adventure touring to see my new home. I've also sussed out I prefer the easier lanes and overland travel rather than the harder routes on unsealed roads, preferring just to take in the views.

Which leads me onto possible bikes in the past I've had in order over a 7 year period:

R1200gsa te 2014, vstrom 1000xt, f800gs 2015, vstrom 650xt 2020, Ktm 390 adv x2 which was my initial choice for the trips alas both got rejected for refunds at 147 and 269 miles (mine and dads)

Then I had a r1200gs te Rallye for a few months unfortunately had to part with that due to some financial stuff and my shoulder.
Then I ended up with a Himalayan which got rejected at 500 miles full of issues an now the Honda 300 Rally which has been flawless since I put the Rally Raid Rear shock on.

I'll be covering quite high miles with not having a car an wanting to keep the miles down on my Nortons (used a 650ss as a daily for 4 years inc winters) I'm also leaning towards something with good weather protection as buffeting can set my neck off now an im fancying the smoothness of a twin. Where as dad prefers the lightness of the Rally.

I've been considering a Yamaha T7 or T7 World Raid, Super Ten, an the 1000cc Africa twin has anyone had all of these or a mix? What did you prefer for mainly adventure touring with some easier gravel routes n roads thrown in?

I also thought the Norden 901 seemed to fit the bill an that was the initial plan if the 390s had worked out but I wanted to try the brand first so guess I'm trying to find the Japanese equivalent split wise for adventure touring. It's a shame to see the 390 SW still has the same display when the others have an updated one.

It's a tricky one I'm curious to hear from anyone whos has a T7 an used it for 80-20 road /unsealed road riding what are they like to live with from that respect an anyone thats gone either way from the AT as it's a bike I'm not familiar with at all.

I thought I'd get a Vstrom 800De 900 with suzuki insurance but the insurance is a bit mad on it an not many were quoting same for the transalp.

Where as the 2019 AT was £300 fully comp, my 300 Rally is £600 with the shock( just gone up at renewal) T7 £600-700 World Raid £900
Clean licence no points max no claims and a good post code mid 30's paying more now that I used to for my blade lol

Anything to watch out for on the Africa Twins?

Once I'm back in work it's an one issue but after the move and the trip I'll be down as unemployed so it's a consideration at the mo.

Thanks in advance.