- Joined
- Jun 15, 2014
- Messages
- 2,722
- Reaction score
- 490
- Bike
- Honda CRF-1000L Africa Twin
Thanks to the friendly bunch of people at Honda Wing George, I got my first ride on the new Twin - albeit only tar as promised ...
I contacted Skolla, and asked him to join - an invite he instantly accepted! 8)
It's the standard model, and when we left it had a mere 248k's on the clock - on return - 306k's. He followed me for about 25k's on the GreatBrak road - with its normal slow traffic and ups and downs, as well as a few corners - nothing serious.
We stopped at "Mooiuitsig-kombuis" for a coffee and some discussion. While I was waiting there, he took the AT out to Sinksabrug and back, so everyone had his chance on the demo bike.
Just a few amateur notes:
One small point of criticism - foot pegs too small - forces my nr. 11 boots against the exhaust heat shield.
Standard screen - works very well for my 1,78m posture ...
Extremely smooth - Skolla told me over the coffee that he thought he was going at around 80kph, and when he checked he was actually doing 140kph!!
Sorry Skolla - but I have to say it leaves the 800XC for dead (especially the higher the speed climbs) - accelerating from 130 in 6 gear up a steep uphill - and when I reached the summit after more or less 1 km I saw 210 kph ! :ricky: (Granted I weigh much less than Skolla)
At this speed - which wasn't topspeed btw - I just let go of the throttle, cause I already felt bad to do that sort of speed on a new bike - it was as stable; quiet and smooth as at 120kph!
Brakes - very good & strong without sudden "biting" or any nasty surprises ...
Great exhaust note - like the old AT!
Suspension felt solid (as if it can handle abuse), yet comfortable to me - Skolla wasn't convinced here...
It is so tractable and smooth, that it can also handle George's congested streets very well at 20-40 kph ! :
It's fast, solid and obviously a quality product - I love it !!! :thumleft:
No, it hasn't got the "bite/scare" of a 990, but it's so smooth that it's difficult to say if there will be a real difference in performance should you line them up ...
I really don't think it's fair to compare the current 800's to it, and I feel where the 990 is/was a rough & ready monster, this AT is probably as rough & ready, but well hidden inside a velvet glove ...
My 2 cents ...
I contacted Skolla, and asked him to join - an invite he instantly accepted! 8)
It's the standard model, and when we left it had a mere 248k's on the clock - on return - 306k's. He followed me for about 25k's on the GreatBrak road - with its normal slow traffic and ups and downs, as well as a few corners - nothing serious.
We stopped at "Mooiuitsig-kombuis" for a coffee and some discussion. While I was waiting there, he took the AT out to Sinksabrug and back, so everyone had his chance on the demo bike.
Just a few amateur notes:
One small point of criticism - foot pegs too small - forces my nr. 11 boots against the exhaust heat shield.
Standard screen - works very well for my 1,78m posture ...
Extremely smooth - Skolla told me over the coffee that he thought he was going at around 80kph, and when he checked he was actually doing 140kph!!
Sorry Skolla - but I have to say it leaves the 800XC for dead (especially the higher the speed climbs) - accelerating from 130 in 6 gear up a steep uphill - and when I reached the summit after more or less 1 km I saw 210 kph ! :ricky: (Granted I weigh much less than Skolla)
At this speed - which wasn't topspeed btw - I just let go of the throttle, cause I already felt bad to do that sort of speed on a new bike - it was as stable; quiet and smooth as at 120kph!
Brakes - very good & strong without sudden "biting" or any nasty surprises ...
Great exhaust note - like the old AT!
Suspension felt solid (as if it can handle abuse), yet comfortable to me - Skolla wasn't convinced here...
It is so tractable and smooth, that it can also handle George's congested streets very well at 20-40 kph ! :
It's fast, solid and obviously a quality product - I love it !!! :thumleft:
No, it hasn't got the "bite/scare" of a 990, but it's so smooth that it's difficult to say if there will be a real difference in performance should you line them up ...
I really don't think it's fair to compare the current 800's to it, and I feel where the 990 is/was a rough & ready monster, this AT is probably as rough & ready, but well hidden inside a velvet glove ...
My 2 cents ...
