Africa twin

Love this debate. I bought the crf250l primarily for it's reliable reputation, long service intervals and finally where I would be riding it. If I were mostly riding in the States or Western Europe the 250 would not be my first choice, just too small. I went for reliability and availability of spare parts. I should note while I bought a 2016 crf250l at the end of the season for $3990 I have spent at least another $3k to upgrade the poor stock suspension, increase the fuel range, lighten the bike by 20 pounds, protection, heated grips and a decent seat.

I researched for quite sometime and communicated extensively with Steph Jeavons and Peter Schltens/wife who were well into a RTW on their CRF250l's. In the end I just took a flyer and went for it. I still lust after the KTM 690'S though, especially when I am getting blown off the road by strong winds.

We all benefit from research and selecting the right tool for the job.

RTW is a whole different animal than the kind of riding I do. Different because of the purpose focused on the journey much more than any performance expectation. Look at the bikes taken RTW, that will prove my point.

Best of luck on your preparation and journey Marty.

RSL said:

Good point. Traveling to 3rd world countries demands being prepared, both before to fail-proof your equipment, and during by being able to make things function again.

A prudent traveler, with the concern over a too-small battery, like KTM is often accused of, will carry a small Earth-X jump lithium battery.

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You'd be amazed how poorly prepped some moto travelers really are. Many jump in at the deep end ... and just muddle through. Self Abuse? Yep!

Some look like the pics you've posted ... and worse. Many young Brits, Irish, Aussies head to S. America, buy a local bike (usually a cheap Chinese 250). Some have travel experience, many don't and just wing it.

RSL said:

Something I wish I had the one time I had a motorcycle battery fail. One time in decades of riding.

Many wait for failure to perform what I consider routine maintenance. Maintenance like battery replacement, or additives in fuel to keep the entire fuel system clean.

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The tiny/powerful portable Lith batts are for sure the Go. Really could have used one back in the "bad old days" of really crappy batteries. Like you, had very few batt failures in last 20 years but on many group rides I've dealt with dead batts on friends bikes. Our best solution out on the road is buy a small car batt., strap on seat, ride away! Even if the bike has a failed charging system, you can run "total loss" for quite a while before having to recharge that car battery! Wiring it up is biggest challenge ... and keeping it from falling off the bike off road.

Sometimes things happen even to well prepped bikes ... like Ducati's. Hung out with some long time Ducati riders yesterday on our famous Sunday Morning Ride ... heard some positively hair raising Ducati nightmare stories. OFF THE SCALE.

Good prep and maintenance is an art form, both bike, luggage and rider. Back packers and climbers do well with luggage and camping, not so much on mechanical side. Many can only follow UTube tutorials and rely on dodgy 3rd world mechanics to bail them out of trouble. Many simply "walk away" once moto is dead. (or they think it is!)

I've got my eye on the new G 310 GS Rally Raid. Ungraded level 2 suspension, tubeless wheels, better protection, lighter exhaust. Of course you are going to have to drop another $3k over the stock bike but it looks like a winner in the small displacement adventure space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKY8ko7Kf0

Sadly its a thumper

I took my HS out for a quick spin last Friday and went to my local Yam/Honda/Suz/Kwaka dealership to look at the AT. They're blowing them out for 10k so I had to go and look. Didn't ride one but size wise, they're huge compared to our little HS. Based on that alone I don't think they're in the same category. lol.

Friend of mine showed up on an AT he got a great deal on. Well optioned with all the high-end touring farkles: hard luggage, ABS, DTS, cruise, GPS. He liked the DCT. I ribbed him about my lighter bike with smaller motor making more power, but it was way more tractable at low speed/ rpm. Definitely more adventure than touring.

I came away after a quick ride around the block thinking I would certainly consider it over a GS. His had less than 5K miles and he got it for $10K.

Some guy from DC went through a bad divorce. Bought himself a Honda Ruckus and rode it all around the States then up to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. A Ruckus.

I still haven't ridden the Africa Twin, but a friend bought one ... and after just 2 months and 4K miles he sold it off ... cheap. Why?

He test rode a new KTM 1090 and bought it on the spot. We recently did a 4 day ride and I was lucky enough to spend about 20 minutes riding the 1090 on some nice roads. It was too tall for me (35" seat height!!) I managed it ... barely.

Once I got on and go going ... WOW! Very nice in every regard! Great power, light yet stable handling, fantastic brakes. Pretty comfy for a KTM!
Owner Peter has since taken it to Baja and says it was magic off road. "like riding
a 650 thumper with triple the power".

Unlike the Tube Tire Africa Twin, the KTM uses some proprietary tubeless system
which I haven't heard much about yet. I'm betting Honda will have to go tubeless or offer as an option. Tubes are absurd for such a bike.

I was really interested in the Africa Twin as I've had a few Hondas and I appreciate their reliability. I think the main downside for me is the weight as I really enjoy light bikes.

It's a big bike, like a Multi or GS. All tank and dash shooting up from your crotch. A Dakar-style bike I guess has to be, between suspension travel, protection, fuel volume, large diameter tires, etc. They all kinda get that heavy-beaked, stork look that I don't particularly care for but would ride if that was my mission.

gatdammit said:

It's a big bike, like a Multi or GS. All tank and dash shooting up from your crotch. A Dakar-style bike I guess has to be, between suspension travel, protection, fuel volume, large diameter tires, etc. They all kinda get that heavy-beaked, stork look that I don't particularly care for but would ride if that was my mission.

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The AT doesn't have a beak. Though it is in a similar weight class (lighter though), the AT isn't as bulky as the other big ADVs, and is more dirt oriented.

appliance821 said:

The AT doesn't have a beak. Though it is in a similar weight class (lighter though), the AT isn't as bulky as the other big ADVs, and is more dirt oriented.

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Compared to the "BIG" ADV bikes, the Africa Twin feels a lot smaller when sitting on it. The R1200GS, KTM 1290, Multi 1200, Tenere' 1200 and Capo Nord ALL feel substantially larger, wider and heavier than the Honda.

Only the KTM 1090 compares, both in actual weight and in feel (perception). The 1090 is about same weight as Africa Twin and, according to buddy Peter ... is FAR better riding off road.

I believe him. Which would I take RTW? Honda thank you.