Author Topic: Africa Twin newbie (Read 3797 times)

Ian in Great Brak River · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2018, 05:27:06 pm »

Quote from: SchalkL on March 10, 2018, 09:46:44 am

Ian, i watched all you nam video's and tx for sharing. I love that country to bits and did a similar trip as yours in 2014.

Ok, re the topbox BAttlestar; I also have a SW Motech topbox and have no problems with it doing good gravel roads and tar, i think SW Motech accessories are outstanding. However you must NEVER ignore the weight limitation you back luggage carrier have, normally around 10kg.
BUT
I don not recommend you do extensive rough gravel touring with a topbox. I can almost guarantee you that at some stage any brand topbox will either fall of or become loose. Good make panniers- yes - they have a low centre of gravity and i never had problems with hard panniers on bad gravel roads.
ANOTHER BUT
I switched to soft pannier bags. The weight factor made me decide to go soft. Many threads on hard vs soft panniers.....

Thank Schalk, I read the RR you did 3 times, it was great to see where you went and the road conditions.

Agreed with weight limit in Top Box and also that soft panniers are the way to go in future.

SchalkL · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2018, 06:03:05 pm »

Quote from: Ian in Great Brak River on March 10, 2018, 05:27:06 pm

Quote from: SchalkL on March 10, 2018, 09:46:44 am
Ian, i watched all you nam video's and tx for sharing. I love that country to bits and did a similar trip as yours in 2014.

Ok, re the topbox BAttlestar; I also have a SW Motech topbox and have no problems with it doing good gravel roads and tar, i think SW Motech accessories are outstanding. However you must NEVER ignore the weight limitation you back luggage carrier have, normally around 10kg.
BUT
I don not recommend you do extensive rough gravel touring with a topbox. I can almost guarantee you that at some stage any brand topbox will either fall of or become loose. Good make panniers- yes - they have a low centre of gravity and i never had problems with hard panniers on bad gravel roads.
ANOTHER BUT
I switched to soft pannier bags. The weight factor made me decide to go soft. Many threads on hard vs soft panniers.....

Thank Schalk, I read the RR you did 3 times, it was great to see where you went and the road conditions.

Agreed with weight limit in Top Box and also that soft panniers are the way to go in future.

I see you have the Hero session 5 and remote. How does the battery last of both? I have the same and haven't used them on a trip yet.
After you final video i went and checked my main stand immediately for 2 springs

and luckily i have them.
Re the flicker/hooter buttons: I am so glad there is somebody else that have the same problem - People think i am nuts hooting while i turn

Ian in Great Brak River · « **Reply #22 on:** March 11, 2018, 05:20:38 pm »

Quote from: SchalkL on March 10, 2018, 06:03:05 pm

Quote from: Ian in Great Brak River on March 10, 2018, 05:27:06 pm
Quote from: SchalkL on March 10, 2018, 09:46:44 am
Ian, i watched all you nam video's and tx for sharing. I love that country to bits and did a similar trip as yours in 2014.

Ok, re the topbox BAttlestar; I also have a SW Motech topbox and have no problems with it doing good gravel roads and tar, i think SW Motech accessories are outstanding. However you must NEVER ignore the weight limitation you back luggage carrier have, normally around 10kg.
BUT
I don not recommend you do extensive rough gravel touring with a topbox. I can almost guarantee you that at some stage any brand topbox will either fall of or become loose. Good make panniers- yes - they have a low centre of gravity and i never had problems with hard panniers on bad gravel roads.
ANOTHER BUT
I switched to soft pannier bags. The weight factor made me decide to go soft. Many threads on hard vs soft panniers.....

Thank Schalk, I read the RR you did 3 times, it was great to see where you went and the road conditions.

Agreed with weight limit in Top Box and also that soft panniers are the way to go in future.

I see you have the Hero session 5 and remote. How does the battery last of both? I have the same and haven't used them on a trip yet.
After you final video i went and checked my main stand immediately for 2 springs and luckily i have them.
Re the flicker/hooter buttons: I am so glad there is somebody else that have the same problem - People think i am nuts hooting while i turn

Yeah, that hooter/flicker set up is nuts, the only Honda in the last 10 years to do so I believe...?

The Session 5 is a big improvement on the Session and all the older GoPro's before the 5. The stabilizing function really works well. As for the battery I have yet to run out but was quite close I suspect after about 60-75mins. The remote battery gives about the same but I always turn off the Session with the remote as soon as I can after each video bit.

I have something new for the next ride that I will try ...

Battlestar · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2018, 11:34:54 am »

Greeting all

Ok so progress as follows. I decided on the SW Motech Bars and have ordered via bikegear. Also ordered OEM Honda center stand. After as much research as I can find the OEM appears to better than the Motech one. GPS and accessory socket will be fitted this coming weekend. Still undecided on which pannier/luggage racks and rear luggage plate to go with.

Have there been any major issues recorded on the AT locally? Obviously before buying a bike I do alot of research and sure as shyte you find threads on problems( Mostly in the states)

Mpandla · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2018, 12:14:15 pm »

Quote from: Battlestar on March 12, 2018, 11:34:54 am

Greeting all

Ok so progress as follows. I decided on the SW Motech Bars and have ordered via bikegear. Also ordered OEM Honda center stand. After as much research as I can find the OEM appears to better than the Motech one. GPS and accessory socket will be fitted this coming weekend. Still undecided on which pannier/luggage racks and rear luggage plate to go with.

Have there been any major issues recorded on the AT locally? Obviously before buying a bike I do alot of research and sure as shyte you find threads on problems( Mostly in the states)

I have the Motoradical luggage plate on the back. Happy with it, bar that I will have to figure out a way to stop tie down straps from being cut through by the sharp edges of plate.

Only issue so far I have heard are some guys have problems with the internals of the front forks. Havent had mine checked yet, but will see what they say when it goes for its first big service

dieseldawie · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2018, 12:45:53 pm »

I have Rockfox upper and lower crash bars as well as bash plate and pannier racks, All locally made and affordable. I like the fact that that they are all separate parts so you can replace one only if you damage or scratch them. (Mike will sell you LHS lower bar only for example).
Also Rockfox now sell their own soft pannier system, fully waterproof and fits their rack perfectly.
Had no issues with SW center stand.
Fitted additional ladder track header protection on lower header pipe (Motorradical)

Battlestar · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2018, 07:05:23 pm »

Here is my girl

Battlestar · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2018, 07:07:19 pm »

And another

funky_munky · « **Reply #28 on:** March 13, 2018, 07:30:01 am »

Nice One Battlestar!

Battlestar · « **Reply #29 on:** March 13, 2018, 09:12:03 am »

Chaps just an observation. When pulling off in first gear and right at the end of the clutch release cycle i find the engine shudders a bit if I dont keep the revs high Say above 2500rpm? Is this just a characteristic of a big Vee Twin? There is no slippage or anything and gear changes through out are silky smooth.

DavidMorrisXp · « **Reply #30 on:** March 13, 2018, 09:19:13 am »

Quote from: Battlestar on March 13, 2018, 09:12:03 am

Chaps just an observation. When pulling off in first gear and right at the end of the clutch release cycle i find the engine shudders a bit if I dont keep the revs high Say above 2500rpm? Is this just a characteristic of a big Vee Twin? There is no slippage or anything and gear changes through out are silky smooth.

Mine too

zebra - Flying Brick · « **Reply #31 on:** March 13, 2018, 09:26:17 am »

Quote from: Battlestar on Yesterday at 07:05:23 pm>Here is my girl

very nice; have MANY happy miles on her!

Chris

Ian in Great Brak River · « **Reply #32 on:** March 13, 2018, 12:48:46 pm »

Quote from: meurig on March 13, 2018, 09:19:13 am

Quote from: Battlestar on March 13, 2018, 09:12:03 am
Chaps just an observation. When pulling off in first gear and right at the end of the clutch release cycle i find the engine shudders a bit if I dont keep the revs high Say above 2500rpm? Is this just a characteristic of a big Vee Twin? There is no slippage or anything and gear changes through out are silky smooth.

Mine too

Can’t say I have experienced that ...

dieseldawie · « **Reply #33 on:** March 13, 2018, 12:53:32 pm »

Quote from: Battlestar on March 13, 2018, 09:12:03 am

Chaps just an observation. When pulling off in first gear and right at the end of the clutch release cycle i find the engine shudders a bit if I dont keep the revs high Say above 2500rpm? Is this just a characteristic of a big Vee Twin? There is no slippage or anything and gear changes through out are silky smooth.

I think thats the stepper clutch??

Battlestar · « **Reply #34 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:03:39 pm »

Quote from: dieseldawie on March 13, 2018, 12:53:32 pm

Quote from: Battlestar on March 13, 2018, 09:12:03 am
Chaps just an observation. When pulling off in first gear and right at the end of the clutch release cycle i find the engine shudders a bit if I dont keep the revs high Say above 2500rpm? Is this just a characteristic of a big Vee Twin? There is no slippage or anything and gear changes through out are silky smooth.

I think thats the stepper clutch??

What is such a thing?

Definitely a shudder right at the end of the full release. Too little RPM and its there. Higher RPM smooths it out.

edgy · « **Reply #35 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:04:51 pm »

I think he means slipper clutch?

Mpandla · « **Reply #36 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:11:06 pm »

Quote from: Battlestar on March 13, 2018, 01:03:39 pm

Definitely a shudder right at the end of the full release. Too little RPM and its there. Higher RPM smooths it out.

Nope, never had that. Just a clunk from 1st to 2nd but thats mostly just my fault at clutch control

Battlestar · « **Reply #37 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:36:48 pm »

Hmmm Maybe a clutch adjustment? Chain Tension too tight?

Mpandla · « **Reply #38 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:39:56 pm »

You can check the chain tension. I had a huge problem when mine got back from its first service. The chain was adjust so tight that you could hardly move it up or down

Battlestar · « **Reply #39 on:** March 13, 2018, 01:52:07 pm »

Quote from: Mpandla on March 13, 2018, 01:39:56 pm

You can check the chain tension. I had a huge problem when mine got back from its first service. The chain was adjust so tight that you could hardly move it up or down

Will check this tonight