2019 Africa Twin Adventure Sport - To buy Y/N

[PieterKLR650]

So….my ass is itching for something with a little more excitement especially when it comes to not having to feel to concerned about handling should you go off the tar for a little bit of dirt(nothing major)

Currently on a 2014 new shape VStrom 1000, not a day’s issues to date even though just over 2 years ownership but now have my eyes on a 2019 Africa Twin Adventure Sport. Just over 4000k’s done, lots of extra’s. MT & not DCT

Am I buying into another bike that can be expensive to maintain in the long run?

Durability of these bikes in comparison to similar adventure bikes….

What surprises me is that you don’t see so many of them on sale….mmm…makes you wonder….do people keep them cause they cannot sell them/don’t want to sell them or are they just not big sellers?

And anything to perhaps look out for on such a bike?

Main purpose would be to do long distance trips with the wife BUT if the tar ends and dirt road leads to your destination or a nice place is off the tar…then I want to know that my bike can handle the same.


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[RyC]

I'm stunned. Subbed to this as I was expecting the AT crowd to weigh in and offer some good advice. Are these bikes selling?

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[PieterKLR650]

I'm stunned. Subbed to this as I was expecting the AT crowd to weigh in and offer some good advice. Are these bikes selling?

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My question as well.......


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[XRRX]

You cannot go wrong with the AT!!
The first 2 year's models had mainly some front suspension issues, but after that - Bulletproof!!!

The Adv Sport came with the "face-lift" and various improvements like:
1.   Suspension as hinted
2.   Improved Engine response
3.   Improved foot pegs - front and rear
4.   Improved speedo cluster
5.   More riding modes
6.   ...and of course the larger fuel tank

Show us pictures when you have it please...

[Kobus Myburgh]

Go for it!
I love the Adventure Sport and would easily trade mine for one.  Larger fuel capacity and higher seat is what attracts me, oh and the colour scheme.
Maintenance is no more, or less than any other big adventure bike IMO.  Reliability is good, problems few and far in between and the common ones well documented.

Pity it’s not a DCT, that’s certainly ideal in the AS.

[PieterKLR650]

[mention]XRRX [/mention] & [mention]Kobus Myburgh [/mention] , 2 up with luggage, panniers and topbox, anyone of you perhaps ridden this way?


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[Kobus Myburgh]

[mention]XRRX [/mention] & [mention]Kobus Myburgh [/mention] , 2 up with luggage, panniers and topbox, anyone of you perhaps ridden this way?


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Unfortunately not, I don’t do the pillion thing. 

There were more than one couple when we did Adventure Roads last year and they all had a blast, although the worst off tar roads were Sani and Swartberg Pass.

[McSack]

So I love my DCT (1000L)....easily my favorite bike to ride and it has given me not one bit of hassle over about 20k of pretty hard riding.
My wench though finds it quite uncomfortable in comparison to the S10. After trip to KZN bash this year I was told in no uncertain terms that anything more than a breakfast run on the AT ....I was going to be on my own

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[PieterKLR650]

So I love my DCT (1000L)....easily my favorite bike to ride and it has given me not one bit of hassle over about 20k of pretty hard riding.
My wench though finds it quite uncomfortable in comparison to the S10. After trip to KZN bash this year I was told in no uncertain terms that anything more than a breakfast run on the AT ....I was going to be on my own

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And that’s what’s important to me.....being able to enjoy trips with the wife, panniers and top box loaded, weekend breakaway etc...so not only should there be minimal discomfort but the bike should also be able to carry the load.


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[Bikerboer1973]

So I love my DCT (1000L)....easily my favorite bike to ride and it has given me not one bit of hassle over about 20k of pretty hard riding.
My wench though finds it quite uncomfortable in comparison to the S10. After trip to KZN bash this year I was told in no uncertain terms that anything more than a breakfast run on the AT ....I was going to be on my own

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And that’s what’s important to me.....being able to enjoy trips with the wife, panniers and top box loaded, weekend breakaway etc...so not only should there be minimal discomfort but the bike should also be able to carry the load.


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You will have to take her for a test ride and let your wife tell you, not everybody is comfortable on the same bike.

Example my wife loved to pillion on the Varadero but my son hated it.

[XRRX]

I don't have experience on the AT with pillion, but I really can't see why it should be worse than any other bike except for something like a Gold Wing... Friend of mine does that regularly also on an ATAS, no complaints there...

[McSack]

So I love my DCT (1000L)....easily my favorite bike to ride and it has given me not one bit of hassle over about 20k of pretty hard riding.
My wench though finds it quite uncomfortable in comparison to the S10. After trip to KZN bash this year I was told in no uncertain terms that anything more than a breakfast run on the AT ....I was going to be on my own

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And that’s what’s important to me.....being able to enjoy trips with the wife, panniers and top box loaded, weekend breakaway etc...so not only should there be minimal discomfort but the bike should also be able to carry the load.


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Bike can definitely handle the load. Maybe your missus fits the geometry of the bike better than mine does. We do a lot of dirt and are standers rather than sitters...the pillion pegs are miningi.
As Bikerboer says, take her for a test ride and see from there.

[Lord Knormoer]

I enjoyed a long weekend in Whales with Touratech UK. We were two up on the 800GS and another couple on the AT Adventure Sport DCT. The bike can definitely handle the load on mixed terrain from what I could observe.

Best advice given already, take your wife for a test ride, only she can tell. My wife loves to pillion on the 1200GS, less so on the GSA but still OK. She hated the 1600GTL. Ergonomics plays a big role and each pillion will have a different experience on the same bike.

Go ride one, as much as you need to feel the bike and cannot go by other’s opinions, your pillion needs to do the same.

[DavidMorrisXp]

I enjoyed a long weekend in Whales with Touratech UK. We were two up on the 800GS and another couple on the AT Adventure Sport DCT. The bike can definitely handle the load on mixed terrain from what I could observe.

Best advice given already, take your wife for a test ride, only she can tell. My wife loves to pillion on the 1200GS, less so on the GSA but still OK. She hated the 1600GTL. Ergonomics plays a big role and each pillion will have a different experience on the same bike.

Go ride one, as much as you need to feel the bike and cannot go by other’s opinions, your pillion needs to do the same.

My lady hated the AT but the Akro may have been the culprit

[Lord Knormoer]

I enjoyed a long weekend in Whales with Touratech UK. We were two up on the 800GS and another couple on the AT Adventure Sport DCT. The bike can definitely handle the load on mixed terrain from what I could observe.

Best advice given already, take your wife for a test ride, only she can tell. My wife loves to pillion on the 1200GS, less so on the GSA but still OK. She hated the 1600GTL. Ergonomics plays a big role and each pillion will have a different experience on the same bike.

Go ride one, as much as you need to feel the bike and cannot go by other’s opinions, your pillion needs to do the same.

My lady hated the AT but the Akro may have been the culprit

That’s why it’s relative to each pillion. My other half has no issue with my Acro on the 1200 and I have the full system with no cat or db killers. Funny thing is that she generally hates loud noise but loves riding and owned a Harley at some point