Here is a short review. Forgive me, but I have to write an article for both Bike Sa and Offroad & Adventure SA, with both articles being unique, which is difficult. This then is just a quick highlights package. Obviously a more thorough review will go in the January issue of the mags.
They took us to the Aquila Private Reserve, and the first day was mostly road riding through the mountain passes with some easy offroading, and the next day was a proper offroad day.
Honda have kept very clear of the horsepower war, with the parallel twin engine (with a 270º crank offering the same sort of firing order as a Super Tenere) pushing just 93hp and 98Nm Torque.
What they have done is concentrated on its capabilities, especially offroad. It is made to be compact, light and easy to ride in any situation. The specs speak for themselves – Wheelsize F/R: 21"/18", Suspension travel F/R: 230mm/220mm, wet weight Std/ABS/DTC: 228kg/232kg/242kg.
The weight is less than all of the bigger adventure bikes, but it feels even lighter when you ride it. I'm a good notch less than six foot tall and I can put both feet on the floor without even lowering the seat. It really feels slim and compact, and more manoeuvrable than any of the big adventure bikes, and possibly even more so than the middleweight bikes.
The engine is smooth and compliant, but not the most exciting, although it's perfect for the trickier offroad sections.
Suspension (standard Showa units with no newfangled electronic involvement) is fantastic.
It has three levels of TC and there is an option for no ABS. The best part about these features is that they are controlled via actual, easy to reach, buttons on the handlebars, and can be easily adjusted or turned off on the move. Thank the heavens!
The DCT automatic system has been reworked and really works. There is a special G button that tells the bike that you are riding offroad, and generally it gives you whatever gear you need for whatever scenario. If need be, you can push the manual button and use the buttons to change gear manually.
It doesn't feel like a big adventure bike made into more of an offroad bike, it feels more like an offroad bike made into more of an adventure bike.
It should be available in April next year.
Prices depend on which option you go for, but should be somewhere between R155,000 and R170,000.
Topic: Honda Africa Twin launch (Read 15944 times)
