Yep. This costs as much as a 790 Adventure R, weighs more, goes slower, and there is not a chance in the world I would pick the KTM over the Honda for a multi-thousand mile tour.
Very true! I have a ‘20 790 Duke and at 2k mi. It leaks oil from two different locations and now coolant from one location. That is why I am looking at Honda for an ADV bike.
Bought one earlier this month (2018 Adventure Sports manual - didn't like the DCT when I tried it). I absolutely love it. Almost clocked 1000 km's now, and I have very little negative things to say about this bike. Yes, it doesn't go as fast as the KTM's (though it did do 0-60 in about 3,22 seconds in a video I saw - DCT version though), and it doesn't have as many gadgets as the 1200GS - but it's incredibly good off-road, surprisingly good on the road and doesn't cost a fortune. I have never had so much fun on a bike before, out of the 7 I have owned. And I have owned a 1300cc sports tourer with close to 200 bhp, amongst many others. Lack of cruise control is a bummer for those long trips on the tarmac, and if you're planning to ride a lot with a passenger, I would look at a bike with a bit beefier engine. That said, obviously it can handle a passenger fine, but it might be a bit boring on long trips. I think I'll have many fun trouble free trips on this one. You can't really go wrong with a Honda, even though it might be less exciting than its European counterparts.
@Matthew Hoopes I can see why people like the DCT. It's incredibly fast and smooth, and you can even buy an original gear shift lever for it, meaning it'll be basically the same as a manual version without the clutch lever. I think the bike resets to automatic mode every time you start it though, which is a real shame. I was the same way about automatic transmissions in cars. Only just bought my first car with an auto gearbox 4 or 5 months ago, and now I am never going back to manual shifting in cars. Perhaps I'll be the same about bikes, sometime in the future.
I wanted the AT before...NOW I'M GOING TO COMMIT CRIMES IN ORDER TO OBTAIN ONE NOW! btw...Spencer...you need more wheelies in your reviews. Thanks dude!
I’ll have to take a second mortgage out, sell my leg, part of my arm, and first born just to afford this bike. It’s okay, though, I’m used to crushing and debilitating, inescapable debt, being a millennial.
You’re in debt because you can’t handle your finances not because you’re a ‘millennial’ that’s the typical BS young people come up with these days because they don’t get everything they deserve handed to them because they are so special !
@ Dean Thompson yea 8 months 12hr / day 7 days per week @ Mcdonalds with no shelter no food and no water . just like a slave. what cloud are you living on?
+Mabb 40 Millennial, 0 debt (besides my mortgage) . It's no BS if you look at how basic necessities (food, shelter, gas) are relative to salaries . Our generation doesn't have the opportunity of our houses appreciating 5X in value like your generation did .
I said it on your last video and I'll say it again, you're doing a fantastic job Spenser! I always look forward to your videos, and I think it'd be really cool if you Ari, and Zack worked as a trio in the next On Two Wheels episode
pcranebmw *IS STILL ON PROJECT THE TEAM OF HONDA NEW ZELAND IS DEVELOPING BUT SOME THING IS SURE 40L TANK BUT IF YOU GOT MONEY BUY THE ALL NEW (REALESED 2016)HONDA CRF 300*
Secession Cycles Close but not really an “L” model. It’s a KTM EXC equivalent. 2 gallons of fuel? 1.8 quart oil sump. Change the oil every time you ride it. This is NOT a Dual Sport it’s an Enduro. Just my opinion. Thanks for the reply.
Speed is usually no problem to read, but things like the clock and temperature can be if you have a dirty visir, have the sun shield down or whatnot. I need to take my own advice and turn up the brightness though. Keep forgetting to do it.
put it in manual mode? most premium manual bikes have quick shift up shifting and rev match downshifting anyway, so the lack of clutch integration is a non issue to me.
I talk to people like you every day at work (motorcycle dealer). I also talk to myself. What do we all have in common? We said that half the fun of riding is in shifting... I tried it and became a convert. The scooter comparison always gets me. Scooters feel like scooters not because they are twist n go, but because they have a lifeless CVT and make you sit in a completely different position with nothing to grip with your knees. Also, if half the fun is shifting gears, you are doing it wrong. The aspects of braking, turning, and accelerations are what seems to appeal to me, as well as being oit in the open. Shifting is only a small part of riding a modern motorcycle. Maybe people said the same thing when they moved the shifter off the gas tank and the clutch off the floorboard... The DCT rips up and down through the gearbox if you put it in manual or sport mode. Manual mode is very satisfying with the only inconvenience being that you have to use your thumb for both downshifting and cancelling your turn signal. Good thing they have auto cancelling signals for 2018. I miss those on my Beemer. Do what you think is best, but I encourage everyone to ride a DCT. Not everyone meshes with it, but nearly everyone I've sent out on a test ride of the Twin or new Goldwing comes back impressed.
i hate crash bars. Or crash "braces" as this is what they look like. ADV bikes should come with rugged plastics that protect everything. l think the good old Yamaha 660 Tenere shows the way..
You're making too many excuses for the high price.......bottom line, it's just too much. A KTM super adventure or BMW R1200GSA or even the Triumph tiger explorer are all in a completely different category
That's right, at least the two last ones you mentioned are both inferior when it comes to off-roading. And the KTM is much more expensive, and heavier. And not nearly as reliable. But, the BMW is absolutely better for trips on pavement, and when riding with a passenger, due to the significantly higher power output. And the KTM is much more exciting, I'll give it that.
Well, cruise control, as you mentioned, would be an easy addition. A TFT screen, with the connectivity that it affords, does not cost that much money either. And definately, and the most important in my view, is the fact that they should raise that horsepower to around 120. I say this because I dont have enough money to buy a KTM SA for the road and an AT for offroad. And there have been a lot of critics in relation to the AT's performance on the road when loaded up. Maybe a 1200cc, which would not weigh that much more, would convince me and many others to take the plunge in the direction of the Honda. Beautiful machine in any case.
Yay for Prescott! (Preskit!) Shoutout to my fellow Embry-Riddle alums. Twisty road... was that 89A? Between Prescott Valley and Jerome? There are some killer motorcycle roads in that area. 89 going south out of downtown Prescott, Iron Springs Road, and several others. Anyway... Generally good review. The longer range than the standard model, plus the improved off-road capability, and cheaper than the big Beemer. I need one. Honda reliability, plus a DCT that solves my shifter leg problem (cancer sucks, but damage from it won’t stop me from riding).
I really don’t get why the AT is constantly compared to R1200GS. Honda has a higher end adventure bike with the VFR1200X. But just like this one, it’s also throttle by wire and no cruise control. This guy claims that Honda will add it soon, I don’t see that happening.
I am a bit of a GS1200 snob, but Africa Twin has grown on me quite a bit. Great job being able to speak coherently and extemporaneously about the bike while riding. My only comment is your hand gesturing is not that useful when the camera is in first-person view and I found it somewhat distracting ("We're riding along... hum de dum.. HOLY CRAP! WHAT WAS THAT?! Oh, just his hand."). Maybe try to keep your left hand on the bar a bit more. I realize it's not a conscious thing you do (and Zack tends to do it a bit as well), I'm just offering what I hope is constructive criticism. Excellent video overall.
So, for $3000 more, you get a lighter bike (535lbs wet vs 555lbs), more powerful (160hp vs 95), more features (cruise control, keyless start, tft display, far better lights)... why wouldn't you just get a 1290 super adventure r?
Charles Koekemoer lol that’s not what I’ve experienced at all, and not what I have read. As someone who use to race district 37 desert courses on a ktm 450 exc and have ridden both through big bear mountain trails, the 1290 sar has one problem outside it’s weight, and that is the shock valving. That also goes for the Honda. They were clearly setup for very light off-road trails and will both blow through travel easily when pushed. Then you need to consider their philosophy of use. At the end of the day the KTM is just a far better value for anyone doing significant road miles, which is the hallmark of this class. People that are extensively off road will choose a 450,500,or 690 single that weighs in at half (not the 690). all the comparisons I’ve seen are 1090 vs Africa Twin, so where are these journalists that you’re talking about. both bikes are equally as capable with professional suspension setups both these bikes are so large and heavy that the OVERWHELMING majority or purchasers dream of riding the dunes of Dakar, yet won’t get out of a mall parking lot. Ktm launched the SAR by doing extreme, for a 550 lbs machine, riding with journalists... the bike ate it all up easily. Capability is not something the SAR is lacking.
Right away my first impression was “fuck this stupid looking thing”. After watching the review I have changed my mind to “fuck this overpriced stupid looking thing”. That paint job is a feature? Lmao would rather have a GS or KTM for the money.
adv bikes are like the luxury suv's of motorcycles, kind of cool looking, but pretty shit off road and not great on road, more status symbols than anything. America destroyed the auto market with the bloated, overpriced SUV/crossover now they are destroying the bike market too.
It was about 19.000 euro's new in the Netherlands yay They're now second hand without the cases you pay about 15.000 euro. With like 40.000km on the clock
Completley pointless. Just add bar risers to the original africa twin if u want comfort standing up. The taller seat height, extra weight etc going to put people off. The original is big and tall enough already. Very strange version this one...
Not including cruise control shows just how out of touch Honda is with the upper-end adventure bike buyers. I would not even remotely consider a large adventure bike that doesn't include cruise control. And I'm not alone. This is so typical of the myopic company that Honda has always been, unfortunately. They present some really amazing machinery and then miss the point entirely on such trivial things. Include throttle-by-wire, but no cruise. Shaking my head... Steve
The Honda will be reliable, but lacks some obvious features like cruise control. That’s Honda for you. But, the KTM 1090 is likely far better off road, costs less in this case, fewer dealers, most parts are expensive and is maintenance intensive! Really, depends on who you are and where you plan to ride, as in all motorcycles.
Why is the KTM far better off-road? Most reviews have stated the opposite. Though both are very good off-road, the edge is usually given to the Africa Twin.
I've watched dozens of reviews between the 2, never have I heard someone say the Africa twin is superior off-road. Usually attributed to the KTM's suspension being spot on.
I’ve never watched or read a comparison between these two bikes that stated the AT was superior off road. Some journalist may have that opinion. In my opinion, from experience, the KTM off road suspension is better than anything from Honda. But, that’s my opinion. Also, bar, peg, & seating position of the KTM is probably more off road oriented as well. Not that it would be a bad street bike, but probably not as comfortable as the Honda. I’ve only been riding 52 years, most of it participating in off-road racing, but have logged well over 100k road miles around the country. That most certainly does not make me an expert, only allows me to share my insight. Which, of course, no one has to agree with.
Ok, well it doesn't really matter. Let's say the KTM is just better. I'm still glad I bought the Honda. I want something reliable, not something that's prone to malfunctions and breakdowns every week. Not specifically saying the KTM 1090 is like that - but I know for sure that the Africa Twin isn't. And the few gravel roads I've tried the AT on - it kinda feels like a huge version of my Suzuki DR-Z 400S - which would smoke every single ADV bike out there off-road. When I get my Heidenau K60's, I do not think I will need my DR-Z anymore. At least not in its current form. If I can say that - then the Honda is more than good enough.
The most important thing is to ride the AT! You will certainly enjoy it. The DRZ is also a fantastic, reliable, low maintenance bike like the Honda. In my opinion, the Honda will be a very dependable bike, as I said before, it all depends on the rider and where you plan to ride! It’s 80% rider, 20% bike! Most importantly, have fun, introduce friends to the sport and ride aware.
funny u actualy reminded me of zach, he is quite a character and a cutie. thanks for this review, im really contemplating betwwn this bike or the tracer 900gt
I think this is the beef I have with big ADV bikes. Fire roads like this could just as easily be done by smaller bikes and they cost half as much. But we are so obsessed with bigger being better we buy bikes that are so big and heavy they become clunky and not very good offroad. So you end up with a tall pavement queen with some knobbies on it. When will Honda see the light and give us a CRF500L Rally?
Why does every motorcycle reviewer on RU-vid sound & act like *Zack Courts??* I guest "it is the most sincerest form of flattery. Anyway, I own a *2017 Africa Twin* & it is great. Although a little big for my commuting, it is a fun & comfortable bike. The *2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports* should work well too for long adventures. In the city &/or as a commuter it is too big. Way too big (IMO). Stay frosty
Question... I recently had a miracle ALS REVERSAL, I was in braces, and a walker. I had to use a breathing machine, but last year I hit my head, and my ALS went away... Now I have my strength back I want to ride to the Grand canyon. I also want to start a VLOG traveling to different ALS events through out the US. I was wondering if you might know where I could talk to someone about possibly helping me make my dream come true. After being sick for 4 years I have means to purchase a bike like this, but I fell in love with it. I in the process of writing a book, and screenplay and this would make a amazing ending to a already amazing story....
Greetings from Australia. Great review. I’m planning a RTW trip shortly. Ive narrowed my choice of bike down to either the new BMW GS 850 Adventure Rallye or the Honda Africa Twin (this bike). I’m leaning towards the BMW. Why? Because of cruise control. Sorry Honda, you stuffed up here. Thanks for the great review.
Well, compared to the ktm, I guess this Honda has a much more smooth and driveable engine. I mean it's capable of driving at low speed in the highest gear with no trembling no kind of engine rejecting the gear. This was my experience with some ktm engine. It's a matter o philosophy when designing the bike. Ktm s are more explosive and require a well experienced rider when riding them offroad. This honda has another target.
I have a 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure, the engine is extremely smooth, I was surprised by the lack of vibration and that there wasn't a heavy surge/chug at low rpm. I think it's cause of the dual spark ignition?
Solid review, but I have to point out that a 1290 Super Adventure R is $17,999 - not "easily over 20 grand." While $3k isn't an insignificant difference, I think the KTM is the better deal.
does it have a petrol gauge? big mistake if it doesn't, after all its main role(apart from possibly commuting to work etc) is that of a tourer! 80bhp from 1000cc is a bit limp, after all Triumphs 800 Tiger models are 200cc shy of this bike and are 95bhp even in basic form! what's you're thoughts on that?
Absolutely agree on the cruise control thing - it's a 20quid update for Honda and they could easy charge another £250 and make some cash. I'd then seriously consider it...but not until...'cos I'm a big baby like that. :-) Great review too - waaay better than a certain .com motorcycle channel from the US.
Honda needs to start making premium bikes if it wants to capture the premium market - NO work ethic left in Japan. This bike is expensive but is missing all the premium features like cruise control and a proper adjustable windscreen etc..
Why would you buy this when in about eight months time you will have the option of buying a KTM 790 Adv / dual sport or the Yamaha tenere 700? Both bikes will be about a hundred and twenty pounds lighter than this and will have twin cylinder engines so that you can ride them long distance on the freeway, and go much further offroad then you would dare on a 550 lb bike.
revised model all right - still roll it out the door on dual sport (read street) tires, the "cage" around the plastics is cosmetic crap, there are still no hand guards that will survive a drop, the bash plate is aluminum and the seat is high enough to make the reach to the ground precarious...and i have a 32 in inseam. there's plenty they got right - the dct is brilliant, the bike is all day comfy, the risers were smart and they tweaked the suspension...nice. love my 17 but there's nothing that they're offering that you can't update to a higher spec on your own for the same/less money. buy last years at a discount, spec it out to how you're going to use it and avoid paying for this thing...it's pretty...but it won't take a punch.
I wish they would put steps on them for us short guys. Lol. Seriously, I would love to ride one but with a 29 inch inseam I don't see how. Once rolling no problem but the starts and stops are very interesting. What a nice bike though. Kind of a mid range price wise adventure bike.
I would love to see one comparison, KTM 950 Superenduro vs all those Adventure Bikes of the day. I am pretty sure that besides the traction control, ABS and cruise control stuff, so just in means of pure riding on and offroad, she would smash them all to pieces.
The only thing I would want from that model over the original is the suspension and windscreen. Electronics don’t need to be on an adventure machine, and if I want more fuel I’ll carry a cam-can. But the bike will be much lighter.
How would this bike be in the deep woods on 2 tracks, lots of mud , rain and lots of black flies and mosquitoes . North western Ontario Canada , we have a trail almost to Hudson Bay.
I'm torn between this and the Super Tenere but I'm still favoring the Yamaha.The cruise control issue along with the 110hp of the Yamaha are big factors. I still have nearly a year before I buy so maybe Honda can win me over...cough...cruise contol...cough
Wow look at all the people commenting on not getting a DCT but havent ever tried it. Go out and try it before you comment on it. The DCT frees up your mind to enjoy the ride MORE not less. Try it.
I’m up to 18,000 miles on my 2016 twin... no issues so far. I really have been considering the new 1290 r lately, but the only thing that scares me is that KTM doesn’t even offer extended warranties....
I wish it had cruise control and electronic suspension. It's just easier to change the setup on the fly. Other changes not mentioned are different airbox and exhaust. Also the American version doesn't have the LED indicators, probably some regulation about size as the LED ones are physically smaller.
Hi Man, I am from india and i own a bajaj avenger 220cc bike. I had a problem occurred while hitting a big pothole. Due to which some misalignment happened between handle and front fork. It means while riding i can see that the bike is going straight but handle is little bit tilted towards left. So could you please help me to get the proper alignment.
great bike,but with a chain..need a shaft drive.also cruise control..but good looking bike!i think the tenere 1200 is a better bang for your bucks..and got a much better saddle for long trips..
When your helmet is shuberge,then you can easly afford this bike..! Yes, it will known that AT is off-road biased,..it seems the Japanese trying to fill the gap between KTM and GS..!
In all seriousness, I love the Honda AT. The 2017 models are at my height limit, this just put it out of my inseam reach. Bummer because, I was hoping for a bigger tank, but with my luck they put it on the taller model.
If they did active suspension, cruise control, and a movable windscreen? I may think about changing from my KTM. I hear obscenities from my garage right now, got to go.
i love anything with the honda name on it, but i bought my s10 after long study based on my needs and i got the s10 was a great bargain, with electronic suspension, heated grips, comfortable seat, cruise control, adjustable traction control and much more
Nice bike, but I'm not an adventure bike fan. I wish they'd bring out a supermoto version of this bike. I'd buy it if they did. The KTM comparison: add, it's probably more reliable. Too heavy, though. Good review, Zack Mk II.
Okay..... cars are all going automatic .... I had hoped they would leave our bikes alone.... but apparently they are trying to turn them into scooters.
I'm in the market for an Adventure bike and I love Honda and their legendary reliability. I've owned 5 Honda bikes in my 47 years. The absence of Cruise Control is a deal breaker though.
Great review and great bike! I look forward to more reviews from you. Zack and Ari are the face of motorcyclist mag but it’s refreshing to get a new perspective. And you look like you’re having lots of fun! I felt like I was there with ya!
