1-Year Review: Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (2020)
1-Year Review: Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (2020)
After a year sharing the 2020 #Honda #AfricaTwin Adventure Sports (semi-active), BikeSocial’s Steve Rose, Michael Mann and Luke Brackenbury #review the good bits and not-so-good bits.
This episode is available as a podcast via Apple, Google, Buzzsprout or BikeSocial.co.uk
📖CONTENTS
▶️ 00:00 Intro and video overview
▶️ 00:56 Main…
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Reviews
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TFT is not obligatory for a world touring bike. Your basic LCD calculator screen with various temperature sensors and battery voltage and other electrical sensors is the only critical component needed for screen information
Thanking my stars that they did make the 2016-19 A2 able cause here I am enjoying my time with my A2 AT
Really great content and discussion. Love the opposing views…
This guy has the most annoying scratchy voice!! Can’t listen…
interesting reading the comments and hearing your opinions in the videos on honda ATAS 1100, i currently own a Kawasaki Versys 650, had a Honda CB125F before, my current versys puts out 120hp from what i know and im looking at the ATAS DCT 2021 knowing its only got 100hp, im more than happy to accept 20hp downgrade for the plus side of better protects being wind wise and off road wise, gravel roads, off the beaten track etc and after an RTA in 2019 plus i use my motorcycle for commuting DCT will be a better benefit. i can agree with the statements of "who actually needs more than 100hp in a motorcycle" but again that depends on your style of riding
Well the younger bloke is a Ray of sunshine. You can do better bennets than this dude.
If your travel adventure is soft road, country back roads, gravel and some track work, would you choose this bike over a GS?
All motorcycles dealer customer support could be much better. Having someone knowledgeable to setup your bike as a base setup, levers etc. An introduction to the electronics by the dealer and some training YouTube videos by some pro riders etc would make the customer experience the difference between brand choice, not to forget a decent warranty.
Luke looks like its not bike for You, simple like that. Don't make a story, you don't know why…
It is in my future in the next 48 months… Adventure Sports ES with manual transmission and quick shifter… The left instrument block doesn't seem intuitive… Triumph got this right… my 4 year old Triumph has backlit buttons and they make sense but here is where the hype ends… that Triumph stick didn't last for 4 years… it is stuck and the removal of the left instrument block makes no sense (you can't split it… wtf)… BMW made a perfect solution using the wheel with click… as for now I am waiting for the next gen refinements and then I strike…
How can you call yourself a motorcycle reporter/reviewer and then completely dismiss the technology that the bike comes with??? He doesn't care about ABS, TC, Carplay, Android Auto, etc. Then buy yourself a bike and go on an ride it. Just don't do reviews. SMH
Guys, with regards to carplay not working properly. You have to follow the order.
1-make sure your phone is NOT paired to the bike and bluetooth is OFF.
2-pair your headset to the bike as normal, NOT the phone.
3-connect phone through usb to the bike.
4-enjoy
That is it. If you fail this order you will have a world of pain.
I'm have a 2017 Adventure Sport and a 2015 BMW G1200GSA….the AS is just a terrific bike in all parameters.. selling the GS….it's just tooooo heavy and bulky compared to the AS….just me
I test rode a GS 1250 I thought the controls were crazy too. However I feel most of us don’t ride multiple bikes all the time, so I think once you learn it, it will become intuitive.
“Not enough power” get real Luke it’s got more than enough power for any situation, unless your trying to take over a cruise missile
Buying a big GS to ride on the street is a joke! Buy an RT! Take my ATAS off road all the time and go farther than a GS!
Ducati and ktm is just an image … your pocket hurts badly just buying and then maintained is even worst … GS IS THE BIKE TO HAVE … africa twin it always will be a Honda … triumph is just a bad bike … far far from a real touring adv bikes
Would you say if the stock luggage are strong enough for off road stuff?
i am looking to buy either this , the KTM , the GS 1250 and the tiger but i have to say in this review it has to be taken into account the character difference in Luke as apposed to Steves character, Luke comes across as a competitive personality which can affect a review of a particular Bike if he has his OWN IDEA of what he likes over what is BEST ??
Steves comments i found were much more un bias , no offence intended , its just personalities .
there was a definite edge to the comments from Luke.
Valid niggles spoken about. Switch gear has to be lighted. Look at how Harley-Davidson chooses a name for a motorcycle or decides on the sound and, do your switch gear that way. Basically it's done by a panel of riders.
We love our 2019 AT DCT it is a bit Heavy but that is the only drawback The construction off the tubeless rims on the ATAS have sadly shown to be an Achilles heal drilling the holes in the rims from the center and bending the spokes cracking the rims
When you are Young and strong you can lift up an Honda Africa Twin DCT 240 kg but when you are getting older and mussels get weaker you need other techniques.
Surprisingly little mention of the 21" front wheel and the corresponding effects on road handling and cornering. Other reviewers will usually think enough of it to mention in the conclusions. Does this mean it's a non issue? Some even say it results in a loss of cornering feel, numbness, vagueness, more frequent need for corrections? Maybe others can chime in?
Practical considerations – for example , the Triumph resale value goes into free fall the moment you sign papers whereas the AT holds it well?
I owned the 2020 GS1250….GREAT BIKE but need a more dual purpose..this AT is for that ..gravel…tar…very well spread HP…Honda got it 100 %…..
Just stop winning..this bike is brilliant…come to Africa…and test it…
Thanks fellas 👍🤓🇦🇺
Bikes are getting far to electronic dependent. I have no desire to ride a bike offroad with a laptop bolted to the bar.
Funny how different perspectives are from country to country. UK seems to do lower speeds and far less actual offroad. Here in Texas average speed on hwy is 80-90mph. Hitting single track quite often.
As chopper Reed said
“ winge winge f*****n winge “
I have the manual black/gold Adventure sports after 3 Gs's since 2010 and think it's the best looking one of all!! I agree with the Apple stuff and with the screen – Hopefully google maps will work for me when I'm in France! 🙂 What a challenge this bike is. The chain maintenance is done on the sidestand ironically! But getting the rear wheel out the centre stand I have is usefull!
can this carplay do wireless connection with my iPhone ? or I still have to connect to the screen with a cable ?
Why is not 100bhp enough that’s just a nonsense saying it needs more! I think Honda got it bang on! If you want to loose your license or pocket rocket for track days buy sports bike!
Great review. Why every manufacturer doesn't just simply copy Ducati Multistrada V4's literal single finger up and down adjustment of the screen blows my mind – patents, I guess?
Great review! I always look forward to your videos, so thanks for all your work in their production.
When I moved to France from the US, I had to sell my beloved 2011 R1200GS Adventure (as well as a magic Moto Guzzi V11) since import hassles to bring them were too much, so after moving I decided on the exact same 2020 Africa Twin Adv Sports that you fellows have—ES, manual transmission. It took me a few weeks of riding to really begin to appreciate the Honda, given my long-term previous relationship to the GSA, but I became a solid convert. The Honda just exudes quality and craftsmanship, and thanks to the better efficiency of the chain drive versus shaft on the BMW, the Honda’s torque positively rocket launches the bike on low-end acceleration, and the 100 HP seems quite enough at the top end, at least for me. The seat, though less padded than the BMW, is surprisingly more comfortable on long hauls, with none of the truly painful hot spots and “monkey butt” that nothing I tried could alleviate. On the Honda, no pressure points at all.
One huge benefit was that a similarly equipped GSA would have cost me 5000€ more than the Africa Twin, and service, parts, and maintenance costs on BMWs have—to me—always been ridiculous, with the added hassle of a sparser dealer network. I still love BMW’s GSA with that distinct boxer tractor vibe, and in their latest guise they are beautiful in my eyes, but for me now (I’m almost 70) the Honda ATAS is my perfect match. It really inspires me every time I swing my leg over. And even at my age, I figured out the switchgear with not too much stress. The two custom modes really let you makes it your bike exactly as you desire, and it’s quite nice to toggle into a custom city mode when crawling through traffic, and then switch into hell hound mode back in the twisties.
Awesome could you please speak in gallons and miles were not from Poland
I now own this bike, standard/manual. I paid 13.5 US out the door. The power modes are amazing and I'm still learning the electronics, but more so because it's been freezing the last week vs the difficulty in learning. LoL, they keeping talking about the left hand control, but the TFT is touchscreen.
I own 17 AT DCT, love it not too much tech, will add c c. One ADVantage is reg. gas & only change oil/ not oil filter every time.(it's in the manual). No one else has 5 transmission modes. It does everything so well& super reliable!
I really like (I will not say love…haha Luke) the three different perspectives on the Africa Twin. We all use our bikes differently and the three of you brought your own opinions and experiences riding the Twin over twelve months. I am thinking about making the change from a very reliable and comfortable ST1300 to an adventure bike. It was very interesting and educational to hear how differently the bike met each riders expectations and needs. I always appreciate when reviewers give their height and wait so you know how the ergonomics of the handlebars, foot pegs, riding positions and wind screens might affect you. Great job guys. The people who gave thumbs down reviews just don't respect other peoples opinions for what they are. Keep up the great work and looking forward to the following the podcast.
I had over the years a Ktm 990 (Quebec to Mexico ++), a Multistrada, a Stelvio, a FJ09, GS1100, GS1200 and then a 2017 Africa Twin DTC. For me it is uncommon to buy the same bike twice… and now I have a 2020 AT Adventure DTC. It is just the best all around motorcycle. Suspension is just perfect, smooth engine and love the electronics ! People should invest half of the time they complain in reading their manual….
Hi I have had my AFT AS DCT ES for a month, due to the lockdown restrictions I have been to work and shop runs, the bike feels amazing compared to me previous Tiger xca, BUT the only thing that is driving me nuts is linking my Cardo Packtalk and iphone into the Honda tech I just cannot get it to function seamlessly its a faf until I get my head around it… For me Tour mode in sport 1 ticks my box, the indicator button is a pain but overall the bike is comfortable and more than enough power for me my days of gooning around have gone, I want reliability, good looks and a enjoyable ride …
High speed stability, above 180km/h , any shakes?
Luke, you didn't want to like it! That shone through.
He thinks it's a bit underpowered. He hasn't had it kick down while passing a truck and hammering the throttle. I did it once and it shot forward so hard I nearly lost grip on the bars! Don't be fooled by it's gentle cruising mode, when this engine wants to take off you better be hanging on.
I completly dislike scooter DCT with no manual clutch on any motorbike! Normally this type DCT is specially equipped disabled person machine ! Who actually wants no clutch and automatic bike ? I certainly do not ! I hate all the electronics because it totally distracts from the actual riding a bike ! Screens are cool but WTF Where is touch screen !