Africa Twin: 5 Reasons to Skip It 

That is a really great way to put it because these five things could probably be true to one degree or another with all big ADV bikes.

Or.. how ridiculous and ubiquitous the complaints are.

Yes, your complaints goes for ALL big adventure bikes. So why didn't you say that? Makes me think you are not an experienced motorcyclist.

Exactly my point.

That is hilarious. I never thought about all the extra time you have in a fall. That does seem like a significant advantage I had never considered. Thank you very much for the enlightenment.

😁

😀😀😀

I was definitely learning that day. Twelve is probably a little over the top but I will tell you, as the water and food were running out, it certainly felt that way. There are some routes that new riders shouldn't be on and I found myself right in the middle of one. Hopefully, I will be smarter next time but I make no promises. ;-)

@@BeGoneForGood So you made a mistake ....nothing wrong with the bike .

I bet you haven't touched a motorcycle in your life

@@shivacastelia6468 It´s not about something being wrong with the bike. It´s about whether the bike is right for you and your goals.

Addict - touched, ridden, enjoyed but its a good guess.

As you should. It is a great bike and if you are still interested after knowing the ups and downs, then you will love it.

Same

@@BeGoneForGood picking mine up tomorrow, thanx for the thorough breakdown.

Totally true. The height of the bike can easily be a pro or a con for people depending on what they are looking for in a bike. I really appreciate your added to feedback to the comments here to flesh out the different needs for each rider out there. Bikes are tools for what we try to accomplish as riders. Some tools are good for certain jobs and some are bad but it often depends on who we are as riders and what we want to accomplish in our travels.

I really appreciate the feedback and I understand your critique. Nice profile pic too by the way. I don't know that there are "real" reasons to not buy any specific bike as they all have their pros and cons. There are simply times when the AT might not be the best fit for certain riders. I wanted to highlight some of those areas just so potential AT owners could have all the info. I hope that clarifies some of my choices a bit. As far as the title, it is a tough balancing act between brief and informative titles. I still feel like the title accurately describes the vid while limiting wordiness. I am glad you watched and left feedback. Thank you.

I have the same issue as I am a one bike guy. I think my wife would lose her mind if I took up even more garage space with a second bike. I have the DCT too and I think it is the perfect bike for the type of riding I do right now. I had a chance to really dig in this past year with some serious off road riding in Utah and the bike was a dream. A heavy dream but a dream nonetheless. I look forward to the trips we have planned next year (TBD) and seeing how much more I can learn about this bike as I continue riding. I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback here.

We keep referring to the bike as "heavy." Heavy compared to what? A dirtbike? A 650? I'm not sure the weight is a legitimate complaint

Boo Radley 40 years ago I was racing motocross and riding 125-500 cc dirt bikes. Today, I find my AT top-heavy And not confidence inspiring off road. Perhaps it’s me and not the 550 pounds wet weight. Lol.

It’s only +-54kg heavier than small adventure bikes like the ktm 390, I think it has to do with the bikes top heaviness.. the top heaviness with a full tank makes it hard to pick up when you fall on a steep hill but on level ground, its totally chilled

That is sort of the whole point. There are goods and bads for every bike. There are things they are best suited for and things they aren’t suited for at all. I love my AT also but I’m well aware that isn’t the best option for everything.

That is awesome. I had considered a Boulevard oh so long ago before I found the ADV market. I am a huge fan of my AT as well and would gladly join you in that cross-state adventure on this bike. Twin twins as we went.

That is awesome. I have had mine for about 18 months now and every ride is a blast. I am hoping to get much more off-road time next summer but it is a steep learning curve for me since I have ZERO dirt bike experience to pull from. I am okay learning slowly though because even the tough times are pretty fun.

Thank you very much for the feedback. I am a huge fan of this bike for sure but I do realize that it might not work for everyone. The price is only getting better and better as these new models come out. I am super excited to see people being able to pick up more and more of these bikes hit the floor. Thank you again for watching and leaving a comment. It definitely helps to hear others' experiences as well.

Great to meet you Leo and I am glad the vid was useful for you. I have heard great things about the 850GS. It is a really nice bike and you will have a great ride for a long time.

2020 Africa Twin weighs 505lbs.

I appreciate the feedback and I just thought it would be good to get some of the reasons out there why people might need to reconsider their choice depending on what they value in a bike. I didn't realize when I first bought the bike but you are completely right if you want to do off-road often this bike is crazy heavy.

Did you change bikes or were those things just minor annoyances with an already great bike?

I switched to another bike

Oh, I certainly wouldn't blame the tool as early as I am in the game. I am well aware that any difficulty I have on this bike is because of me as a rider and not the size or weight of the bike. I am REALLY glad though that I had a chance to at least learn how to ride on a smaller, lighter, slower bike. I can't say that it for sure saved my life but I am confident that I would have made plenty of bad choices if I had AT power when I was starting. My first off-road this past year taught me a lot and I do wish I had done it on a much smaller bike but unfortunately the commute and my budget wouldn't allow it. I would also agree with you, the AT (I don't have the Adventure Sport) is the absolute best bike for me and the type of riding I do routinely. It will be more bike than I am rider for a good long time. Thank you very much for the watch and the feedback.

@@BeGoneForGood 👍

Oh definitely. I done the same thing. Bought an AT as my second bike after watching doubtless videos, and wow what a handful

The white gray and black is super sharp. I have the 17 and love the hell out of my bike. I feel like I am just starting to get to know her after doing my first REAL off-road section this past summer in Utah. Thank you very much for watching and commenting.

I agree with you, I love the bike but there is no doubt it is heavy. I can't imagine how tough messy stuff would be but I might get a chance next year when we do MABDR. I also agree about the trade-off for comfort because I have to push enormous amounts of miles to get to anywhere really fun. I ultimately settled on the AT because even though it gets heavy when I drop it off-road, I get so much use out of it outside those times. I wanted to thank you for watching and leaving your feedback. It really means a lot to us to have so many people interested in helping this community with what they know and have experienced.

Thank you very much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. I must tell you that I am completely in love with my bike as well. I can't get enough of it even when our weather is dipping below 40 degrees. Yikes!

Thank you very much. I am glad you found the video valuable.

I am glad you are riding and enjoying the DCT. It was a few weeks of riding when I first realized that with the DCT you really don't even need a left hand or left foot. There are so many options for future riders and I really appreciate your feedback on this vid.

Absolutely. I am glad you found something worthwhile in the vid and I appreciate the feedback.

Very true. One man's critique can be another's promotion. I am a big fan of this bike even knowing some of the reasons others may not love the bike.

I have the DCT too and have been super impressed with the bike. There obviously are good and bad places to take the bike but it does a solid job with everything I have thrown at it so far.

That is sort of my point. Every bike is a tool and sometimes there are better tools for different jobs. Just be sure this is the right tool before going too deep into it.

Andrew, these are very good points you've made. It is true that most of the "issues" I bring up in the video have more to do with big bikes than they do with the AT specifically. Unfortunately, I have only ever been on a couple of bikes so I didn't include the other bikes in this category in the review but I definitely should have mentioned what you stated for clarity. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to leave feedback.

Well said.

Thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback and glad you agree with my assessment. It wasn’t easy because I love this bike so much but every positive has a downside as well.

I have an NC 750x. Was looking at an upgrade to AT. Glad you posted this before I went and traded. I think I have plenty of bike for the riding I do.

Yeh, there was a point at which I knew I wasn't happy with my current bike so I stepped up to the AT. It might still be a good fit for you but if you are content with what you have, I would say don't risk it.

Yeh, it can definitely be done and the low seat helps for sure. Jocelin Snow rides a HUGE GS and she is barely 5'2" so skill can get you anywhere for sure.

That is a great way to put it and I totally agree. I have done some pretty mean off-road trails with it and if it was lighter or I was better, I think we both would have had much more fun. As it stands, I do not want to drop this thing too often because I can only get so strong before it is just obscene. ;-)

Off-road Goldwing? That is hilarious and all of a sudden the bike doesn't seem that unmanageable. I have learned so much in a short amount of time when it comes to dealing with off-road environments. I obviously have a long way to go but it feels good knowing some of the basics as they have already improved my riding. The other good news is that I can only really afford to have one bike so I HAVE to manage on the AT no matter what kind of riding I am doing. I certainly do hope that I can get better and better so pickups become less and less. I wanted to thank you for giving us your thoughts on the video. It helps everyone when you can give honest and interesting feedback about your experiences.

I totally agree. I love knowing that the Honda will just go no matter what.

Ditto, it is an incredible bike. Thank you so much for your feedback.

That new AT looks incredible. I will be curious to see how many of these issues this new bike solves for many. The whole slate of new ADV bikes coming out is really encouraging.

Thank you so much for the feedback. It is our pleasure and we hope it was worthwhile for you.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DNpwHjkw5YI.html And you wont be jealous of the KTM reliability :)

Speedy, now you're just showing off. ;-)

I appreciate the watch and feedback Jim. I ride with a guy on a KTM and I have had those same pangs when he blasts off of a light. I am happy with the AT but I could see how someone interested in power might see the KTM and want to go that route instead. I am content keeping both wheels on the ground and making sure I get home every night.

Thank you for the watch and feedback. I’m glad it was helpful.

Thank you so much for your feedback on the vid Scott. It means a lot to us to hear what people think about our stuff. The AT is an incredible bike and sounds like it might be tailor made for the type of trip you are going on. I just finished a trip, not nearly as robust as yours, to the MABDR and the bike was perfect. It dealt with road riding, rocks, sand, dirt and everything else exceptionally well. A test ride is certainly a good idea but I would be surprised if you weren't more excited about a purchase after getting a chance to ride. Thank you again for watching and checking in with us. Good luck on your trip.

I am getting to the point where a suspension upgrade may be in my future as well. We shall see what the new year brings.

It is definitely a big bike but manageable once you get used to it. I appreciate you leaving some added context and feedback to the video for others to check out. It is very helpful to see everyone's different opinions on the AT.

I am so glad you left a comment because I am sure others have had similar worries about their bike choice. Let me say this, it all depends on what type of riding you are looking to do and what sacrifices you are willing to make. Obviously, there is no perfect bike out there that can do everything well so we have to decide our tradeoffs. For me, the AT is a great choice because MOST of my riding will be on the road over potentially long distances so I need something that can handle the road well. I am also interested in moderate to heavy off-road portions which the AT can do but its a bit tougher because the bike is heavy. That is my tradeoff. If you are looking to do a lot more off-road than one of these big bikes probably isn't the best choice but it is all up to the individual rider. Whatever bike you choose, you will find the good and bad with it over time. It is only a problem if the good you find isn't better than the bad you find. Good luck and thank you again for your feedback.

It is awesome to hear from a smaller rider on the AT. I could see how the height could take some balance capability. I am happy with the power too but I could see how it could leave a little to be desired from folks craving speed.

​@@BeGoneForGood Those tall ADVs are actually easy to balance. They have excellent feedback and a good response to steering inputs. For a shorter rider keeping balance just comes easier to mind than dabbing. I had a couple of situation where that saved me from dropping the bike. In my neck of the woods the speed limit on the streets is at 60 mph max. The AT can go at twice that speed. That´s fast enough for me. For folks craving speed a big ADV may not be the right tool anyways. That´s what supersports and hypernakeds are for. As I forgot to mention it in the first comment: I think you made valid points in the video. All of them are a matter of personal choice. I did not perceive them as complaints.

For sure. Thank you again for the feedback as it is very helpful, not just to me, but also others looking at this for a potential bike.

I totally agree with your sentiments. There were only a few times on Lockhart Basin that I was lamenting my choice of such a heavy bike but that had a lot more to do with me being unprepared than the bike itself. I love the AT for all the reasons you mentioned because it does everything I want it to do plus so much more I haven't even touched yet. I look forward to plenty more adventures on my bike from here. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving feedback.

Totally agree! It is my baby but it isn't for everyone for sure.

I feel the same way about the power because I don't need much to be happy especially after coming off the CB500X. The new lighter, baby AT could be the perfect fit for guys like us. Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment.

I love that the AT is accessible for so many riders especially with a few simple modifications. I am curious to hear about the Kaoko because I great super tired of the ride while going through Nebraska this past summer. I have seen great reviews for them but never quite pulled the trigger. I go even cheaper on my GPS by just using my phone. ;-) Thank you so much for watching and offering your thoughts as well. I am hoping all of these comments as well as the video help others with their choice of bike.

Be Gone For Good The Kaoko would be perfect for Nebraska, just set and forget! It simply adds friction to overcome throttle’s spring return. Once friction is set you can rotate the throttle to any position and it stays. Setting it with pinky finger as advertised can be done but its not easy. I usually let go of throttle to dial in some friction if no one is behind me. Anyway, it beats a throttle lock any day. BTW, phone is indeed best navigator, Garmin is best moving map - always shows speed, speed limit, direction or elevation, road youre on and what intersecting road is coming up next. Id be lost without it (yuk yuk).

That is a pretty solid endorsement of the Kaoko. I might have to pick one up before our next long road trip because it would be nice to take my hand off every now and again. I also should be clear, not that it matters to our convo, but I actually really enjoyed riding across Nebraska this past year. I thought it was going to be a bear but I loved seeing the bright blue sky set against the deep greens all around. It was a perfect day to be riding through and I enjoyed every mile of it far more than I expected. It felt like the very picture of freedom spread out before me so don't jump all over me Nebraska people.

When I first started riding I made a similar choice on getting a CB500X instead of a bigger bike mostly because I wanted to see if I really liked it before dropping major money. I don't do a ton of off-road riding but when I do, you're right, the AT is an absolute monster. I am glad you came by to watch and leave your feedback.

I kind of love the gutlessness and it does do a great job of everything I need. Thanks for watching.

I am pretty sure any of these bikes are going to be tough to pick up over and over again. I guess that is why they keep telling me to just stop falling off. ;-)

Even as a low bike it could still be tall for some smaller riders, especially given its weight as well. It may not be a big deal to some but it is at least worth acknowledging if a big bike could be problematic for newer or shorter riders. I do appreciate your feedback though as it definitely helps to round out people's choices as they look for the perfect bike.

@@BeGoneForGood I've seen 5.4 ft guy ride Africa twin and he owns some other dual sport bikes

The seat heights on ktm's are much higher. Even the 790 has a much higher seat height. You can adjust the seat and pre-load

I am 6'5" and rode the 2015 CB500X for about 16,000 miles throughout the States and Central America. You will feel a difference in the size of the CB and AT but I don't know that I would have ever described myself as scrunched on the CB. I am more comfortable now on the AT but I don't know that it is significant enough reason to solely go for the AT. My biggest reason for stepping up to the AT was the power I received from the CB on the highway. I rode down to Honduras with a KTM 1190 Adventure and couldn't really keep up with him at takeoff or cruising speeds. Once I was comfortable riding I knew I wanted to have a bit more available to me when I turned the throttle. Ultimately, I think if you are more comfortable on the CB500X, then you should definitely stick with the CB because all the AT is going to do is throw more weight and power to you. I know the 19 CB and 15 CB are very different but I added the Rally Raid kit to mine, which added some extra shock capability. I weigh about 185 and tend to overpack quite a bit so maybe at 200, a shock exchange might help your ride as well. I envy you being able to charge out your backdoor in Utah for some really spectacular riding but I think either of those bikes will do you really well. I might start on the CB and if it turns out to not have everything you want, maybe you can change. I bet it takes care of you nicely though. I really appreciate​ you stopping by and leaving a comment. If you need anything else please feel free to reach out to me further. chad@begoneforgood.com

I never really had the “I’m selling it moment” because even when I was struggling with the bike’s weight, I knew I still had a long comfortable ride home afterwards. I think if I was going to be doing regular, hard-core off road, I’d look for a second lighter bike. As it stands, most of my riding is going to be road based so the big bike is perfect. I also agree about the DCT. It was such a great asset off road and allowed me to deal with my inexperience on a dozen other levels and not worry about the clutch. Life saver for those of us not in the highly proficient category. Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a line. It is great to see feedback from all different riders and their thoughts on the bike.

@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for taking the time to reply to the comments! Perhaps I should add, "this is my second, lighter bike" lol. First bike is a GoldWing, weighs about twice as much! Had to pick it up once... had to get 2 other guys to help, hopefully THAT never happens again!

That is hilarious. I can’t imagine the AT being my downsized bike. I have heard great things about the GW and I think if I ever started traveling WITH my wife I’d probably consider going that route because I imagine it’s a spectacular ride. If I drop it though, I will be selling it right there where it lays.

We shall see. This sounds like we might be kicking up more dust on this one. I appreciate the feedback and watch.

I have heard about it but I haven’t experienced anything like that. I’m hoping it is just a small, localized issue that gets more attention than usual because of forums and groups circulating the information.

You would indeed because the bike, though big, is very manageable. I bumped up from a CB500X and had a little learning curve to get used to more power but it was pretty quick.

@@BeGoneForGood Thanks for the reply! Funny enough, the seat height between my 390 and AT was pretty similar, just a bigger bike. Love that tri color 😍

I think you are correct and if you are going to be in this class of bike, the AT is probably your best "low option" for sure. If, however, the size is a big issue, there are other, smaller, bikes you can try out to make the ride a little easier. Or you could just be like Jocelin Snow and command the big bikes regardless of size. ;-)

Very good way to put it. There are obviously trade offs for everything but this bike does the best of hitting all my marks.

It might not have actually been a full twelve but I will tell you it certainly felt like it as the water was dwindling and the sun was going down. I am thinking the Trail 90 would have made the ride a bit more fun and worst case, I could have thrown it over my shoulder and walked it out.

That is such a hard choice but I am clearly very biased. I love my Africa Twin so I would almost always suggest going that route. Reliability and reasonable prices for fixes is what really drew me to the bike because I didn't plan on spending tons on the bike after purchase (I'll let you all know how the 16k service goes). I would imagine with the long distances you can do throughout Europe a good long range bike would be a top priority. I am sure either will do just fine for your needs but I can't imagine a better choice than the AT. Good luck with that tough choice though. Thank you very much for watching and leaving a comment. It means a lot to us.

I am a huge fan of mine as well. When the time comes a new AT is certainly on my radar.

@@BeGoneForGood 😁👍👊

BehindTheBars good point mate, longevity and long term cost is never mentioned, plus the cost when shit break!

Behind The Bars, I don't know what a winge is but I think I like mine with buffalo sauce. ;-) Seriously, I get that the AT is a great all-rounder. I mean hell it is my bike and I plan on going all around on the thing but do you think there are some people out there where this "tool" just doesn't fit what they are trying to do? This question came up in my own head as I was doing a pretty rugged off-road loop in Utah this past summer. I have only ridden two bikes for any amount of time. My first was a CB500X and then the AT. While I was in Utah on the AT, dropping the bike all over the place, I wondered if I wouldn't have been better off on a smaller, lighter bike. The 2000 mile ride out to Utah wouldn't have been as good but maybe my off road experience would have been better. It is tough to say I guess but I thought it was at least worth starting the conversation with the video. I appreciate you leaving a comment and adding your insights to the conversation.

Daniel, that is very true about the long term cost. I never really thought of that. Partially I am guessing because I haven't had the AT that long really and I haven't seen the costs associated with the other bikes. That would be a definite factor in overall cost for the bike for sure. Thank you very much for adding that feedback.

@BehindTheBars More vids please! Africa Twin is awesome. Beach too sandy, water too wet for some people.

@@BeGoneForGood Wasnt directed you personally just the message, its piss funny. I hear it all the time. so not a personal attack just the message mate

Sorry for the late reply. I have always found the stock seat VERY comfortable. To be fair, though, with my size I ride all the way back by the pillion plate so it may be a little more plush that far to the rear.

I host an adventure bike training camp at my ranch that teaches how to manage the challenges of handling a big bike off road. There are many techniques to conserve your energy and increase the confidence of riding in the rough. The classes include picking up the bike in a manner that the smallest riders can perform safely and without injury. This class was the best money spent since owning my AT!

Thanks a lot. I am glad you are getting something out of it.

It is no fun, I tell you. The KTM is a great bike and I think if I wasn't such a fan of Honda, the KTM might have won out in the end.

Alright...its not a total loss. I would just make sure you get a chance to test ride one first. As I said, the bike is MORE than powerful enough for me as a cautious, relatively new rider but I have some KTM and BMW friends that found it tame comparatively. You might be completely satisfied and happy with what Honda is delivering here but you might not be also. If speed and power is a consideration for you, check it out. Good luck and we would love to know what you thought after giving it a go.

I haven't ridden the chalk but we have mud and clay over here that do similar things. If you catch it at just the right amount of wetness it is like ice. Thank you very much for the watch and comment.

That is completely true. It seems like a simple addition that wouldn't have been expensive to add when all the plastic was off during assembly. That is probably why it HAS been added to all the new models.

It is a really great bike. I have the 2017 and have been very satisfied. I can't wait to upgrade to a newer model in a few years.

This is a GREAT bike if you are okay with the things mentioned here. I still love mine.

@@BeGoneForGood Thank you. Did you have any problems with the spokes or tubes? I‘d rather have tubeless cast wheels but maybe they are not so bad.

No problems at all and I have ridden som pretty rough areas. I have been very happy with every stock part other than the pegs.

I agree with you that the AT is the best all rounder, at least for me but it does suit certain styles and not others. I am surprised the BMW crowd doesn't kick you out for saying something nice about the AT. ;-) Don't worry, we can keep a secret here.

Maybe that is true but some of those bikes turn more raw power so I would be surprised if the AT could match their quickness or top speeds without some healthy changes to the stock system. Either way, different needs call for different tools and if your goal is to go nuts with your adventure bike, I think you may be happier on an alternative to the AT.

I know people that buy a new bike every year but yet they still struggle on the easiest dirt roads and inclines . Just saying the average rider need not spend so much money . Remember going to last year's rally and some guy drove his bmw off into the woods while the lead rider had a old AT that was killing most of the riders there. Invest in your skill set take lessons and buy a At 🙂.

Totally agree brother, my sports bikes mates are surprised and impressed that the mighty ATAS keeps up with them….. gotta love the big wheel lift off when coming out of the bends whilst rascally giving it some!

That is EXACTLY right. This bike is perfect for some people and terrible for others. It all depends on how you plan on using this tool. I am glad you found the bike that works for you. My time with the CB500X was really great and it was only when I needed slight change that I looked somewhere else. Thank you very much for the watch and the feedback.

@@BeGoneForGood no worries. Most of these ADVs are a compromise and ADV doesn't mean gnarly terrain it just means covering distances with heavy loads. I don't understand why people think they need to ride single tracks with a 250kg machine. That's not ADV, that's just torture. -)

Oh man, those T7s look amazing. I have been reading up and that is one sharp bike. I would love a chance to feel the difference in weight especially in an off-road setting. I don't go too crazy off road but the weight of this bike really got me sweating during our Utah trip. It would be nice to have an easier time out there. Good luck when your ride comes in and thank you so much for leaving feedback.

Also not a comparison motorcycle

That is true that it isn’t the bikes fault but if those elements become issues for a person then this definitely isn’t the right bike for them. Ultimately, we all have to decide what kind of ride we are shooting for and pick the best ride accordingly.

This is SUCH a hard question to answer because I don't really know what it is you want out of your journey. I will tell you how I ended up going with the bigger Africa Twin as opposed to my original CB500X. I was traveling through Mexico and Central America and had so many instances where I wanted more power on demand from the bike. I was okay getting a heavier bike. I was okay getting a taller bike. I just wanted more power. If you are going to be doing 80% roads, I would choose the AT but I might be looking for very different things than you are. If the 20% is just fire roads and gravel then the AT doesn't really have a downside. If the 20% is more aggressive and you might drop the bike and have to pick it up, my guess is that you would be much happier with the lighter KLR. Either way, you are getting a capable bike and one you will have a ton of fun on. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your feedback and watching. It means a lot to me to hear what people think of the vids.

I agree. It is perhaps the best all rounder out there or at least a solid case could be made for it.

Thank you so much for your feedback on this video. You are very right about all your points and ultimately it really comes down to each individual rider determining what is their best fit. I also agree with you that the AT is the best bike out there...at least for me. I would love some cruise control though. ;-)

I only wear a 13 but I have similar issues for sure. I can't imagine how bad it would be at 15. ;-)

I will take a shot with this but I don't know if my explanation will help at all. When I talk about affording the bike it carries two meanings really. First would be whether you have the money to begin with to buy the bike. The second would be if it hits enough of the "wants" you have to make it something worthwhile for you to spend your money on. It is an expensive bike and there are cheaper options that will take you 80% of the way to its capability. Each rider has to determine if they see the value in that higher priced bike.

I have the DCT 2017 version of the AT. My biggest worry when I first bought it was how it would do off-road. I can tell you after our trip out to Utah that it performs really well but there are definitely some factors that change slightly in how the bike needs to be piloted. I am super glad you are being safe. I am definitely a big ATGATT proponent. The Klim gear is incredible. I bought the jacket without realizing just how good the gear is. I have been very happy with everything and it feels super sturdy. You are going to love the new bike I am sure even though I have never been on the Tenere. Good luck and let us know what you think of the bike after riding for a bit. Thank you so much for watching and leaving feedback. It means a lot to us.

@@BeGoneForGood Looks like California is last to get them , so the dealer said July and I sniveled a bit then he said maybe June . Who said sniveling doesn't work . Maybe I should call back and whine some more and he get the bike in May , haha . I am buying the Badlands Pro jacket next week . Right now I wear a moisture wicking base layer then my 661 downhill mountain bike crash protection shirt with soft padding front and back with hard shell shoulder protection . Then over that is a Fox Racing full chest and back MX hard shell protector , they both work great together . Then I wear a high vis reflective jacket that's waterproof and has a removable liner . Oh also have Fox Racing Titan Pro elbow protection and use the thinner Fox Titan knee/shin guards under the Badlands Pro pants . I went with the 2nd most expensive Racer full length gloves . Those thinner knee/shin guards work okay under the Klim pants and with both impact protectors I feel better . Watched a video from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC detailing the best 2020 knee braces . I hadn't thought about a brace before but I think I will upgrade to a good pair of those also . Anyway , thanks for the reply and have a Happy Thanksgiving .

That is hilarious. I fully expect you to have the bike by April or you simply didn't whine enough. Good luck. As far as the gear you sound a lot more covered than even I get routinely. The Badlands jacket should cut down on your "assembly" time to get all that gear on. What do you do when you need to stop by the grocery store to grab some bread? I couldn't afford the Badlands when I was looking into my Klim gear but one of my riding buddies has the jacket and pants. You are buying a world class system as you already know with the pants. I can't imagine you will be unhappy with the level of protection and comfort you get from the Badlands. Good luck with everything and I will check in with you again in April to hear about your new bike. ;-)

@@BeGoneForGood Well I had to use my plastic money to get these high priced items . So far I only have 500 miles on the DR650 qnd I am waiting for it to stop raining over here in Northern California . Have to get to that 600 mile mark in the odometer to bring it in for the new bike inspection . Only stop buy the bank and down the coast for lunch if I have time . Just getting familiar with the bike and practicing the basics . We have some cool coastal mountain roads and I only get an hour or 2 to ride if I am fortunate . We don't have much offroad places unless you know some farmers on private property . I didn't get it for daily riding but more for getting away from large population areas . Once I build my skills and knowledge of how the bike works and how to fix it I will travel around more and more . Want to take a 2 month trip to Australia someday maybe in 2021 . Next year I need to check out the BDR Adventure routes and join up so I can meet other riders . And I promise not to eat another turkey sandwich with gravy .

You sound like you are going about learning everything the right way...or at least the same way I did. I bought my CB500X in December and had a trip across country the following May with a big trip to Honduras scheduled for just under a year after I bought the bike. If you are interested you can take the two starter courses with MSF to learn some of the basics and get some practice with an instructor on a range. I found the course really helpful. We also have a day ride provided for free with local state police where they can help you with tips and suggestions for how to improve your riding. I still haven't done it yet because I am a little scared to ride with cops but if you have something similar in CA, it would be an awesome resource. Again, good luck and keep us up to date on your riding because I am looking forward to hearing all about Australia.

Jeff, I appreciate the feedback on the vid. You are very right that often opinions on here can stir up some controversy but it all comes with the territory. I am glad people have such strong ideas about what makes a bike good or bad. It makes the discussion and choosing of a bike so much more interesting. All I can do is talk about my experience and hope it helps. If not, no big deal but if it does, then it was worth all the hype. Thank you for leaving a comment.

That would probably be a great bike but I haven't ridden it. My only real worry would be the same as the AT, its weight. At 900, that is probably a massive bike and depending on how far out your adventure goes, it can get taxing. As long as you are comfortable on it, though, my opinion isn't a factor.

You are very right that these "issues" would likely belong to any bike in this category but I haven't tried those others. I did a vid about the 5 reasons to love the AT (or something like that) and people asked me, "What do you NOT like about the bike?" It was a tougher list to come up with because I am a big fan but I constructed this vid as a response. There are definite downsides to the AT that may or may not be remedied with a different choice but it really comes down to personal preference and what you expect the bike to be able to do. I appreciate your question and the clarity it can give to other viewers as they parse out the best options for their own ride.

@@BeGoneForGood I would say the one thing I would like is a shaft drive. My old bike I had it and it was so nice for a lazy guy :-) I will say I did pick up a 250L for the real technical stuff that I ride and it's a blast. Safe Riding!

Shaft drive would be so nice for so many reasons.

My first real off-road with the bike definitely toughened up my back quite a bit with all my pick ups. We are stronger for it, right?

K

I wish I was interested in lifting at all because it would be nice to throw this thing around a little easier but I would rather ride if I had the free time. My goal is just simply to do a lot less falling on this next trip out. ;-)

Very true. These issues could be the same for almost any big ADV bike. The problem is I haven't ridden EVERY other ADV bike. I have ridden this one and in doing a pro/con list, I could only really speak about the AT.

I don’t. Not even a single day but I think that has a lot to do with how much I love the AT. The X was great for what I needed at the time but the AT is a much better fit both for my style of riding and my size. What were you considering stepping into?

I was looking at the AT 1100 base with the smaller tank. I don't want a big tank primarily due to the extra wight up high. I thought I was going to love the DCT but, did a test ride and really didn't like how it down shifts coming a stop. That second to first was really grabby. Really made me wonder how that would be off-road. Im now thinking the manual with a quick shifter might be the best. IDK.@@BeGoneForGood

@@scotcook5 I wish I could give you a good idea of how this process works for me but when I was off-road in some pretty significant territory, I never had a single second thought or issue. It all worked exceptionally well for me. I think the difference is the folks who are comfortable with manuals might appreciate the hands-on nature of the manual.

Get it! Just make sure you report back to us what you think about it. ;-)

I agree. There are trade offs but for the type of riding I do and what I need out of a bike, the AT is a monster.