.... and noticed what appeared to be a new Honda Africa Twin among them. It was silver and had a clutch handle so manual transmission but...... wait no shifter? That isn't a clutch after all it's the parking brake so it's a DCT automatic. Click the key and see it has 402 miles on it. Hmmmm the last thing I need is another motorcycle but this one's basically new so I walk downstairs and chat with the sales manager.

"I'll give you $8,000 for the Africa Twin." He looks in his book and says he can't do that. The bike lists new for $14k so after thinking a bit say $8,500. When he says "is that an offer?" I knew I had bought it.

I like to ride a bike for a few days before passing judgemnt, it's been three now and I must say I really like this bike. Enough that I ordered side cases and a center stand for it.

For those unfamiliar it's along the line of an improved Kawasaki KLR 650 with 60 more hp.

quote:

Honda Africa Twin

Here's a good article about them...
http://driving.ca/honda/crf100...crf1000l-africa-twin

Ive ridden Harley's for 40 years sold my Ultra when #1 daughter got married and never replaced it. Figure I pressed the envelope long enough and Metro NYC riding without dropping it or ever getting hit was a matter of time. Only once in a while do I ever think about it. When I do, I look at old bald/white hair men looking like they live in 1969 and realize I made a good decision.

I rode bikes until I was 70, stopped because my wife had a stroke and need constant care. I felt that I could not indulge in risk behavior.

I miss riding...

quote:

Originally posted by tleddy:
I rode bikes until I was 70, stopped because my wife had a stroke and need constant care. I felt that I could not indulge in risk behavior.

I miss riding...

I miss it, too

I came this >< close to buying a bike three-four years ago. We'd gone to an outdoor classic car show, and one of the big local Harley dealers had a Sportster set up on a dyno kind of a thing that allowed you to get on and run it through the gears. So I did.

*sigh*

But, SWMBO, who initially ok'd the idea, ultimately balked. Added to that I really have nobody to ride with and would've had nowhere to store it. So I reluctantly dropped the idea.

Then, a couple years ago, a friend and colleague was killed, riding his, when an impatient a**h*le dodged around a line of traffic into the oncoming lane to short-cut through a parking lot

That sealed it pretty much for good.

I stay out of motorcycle dealerships, but... *sigh*...

Congratulations on your new scoot, ridewv! I envy you.

I love the sound and look of Harley-Davidson bikes, but I can't ride any more. So I go by a dealer every so often just to get a "sound fix". When I told them what I was doing, some dealers even just started one up for me if business was light. (Harley-Davidson dealers have very clean restrooms, too, if you're on the road and need a place to stop....)

flashguy

I love the way the AT feels. If it had cruise I may have already bought one. They feel so small compared to GS's and my Tenere.

As I have no experience riding motorcycles but am experienced riding mountain bikes, I have a question regarding these off-road bikes:

If you're traveling long distance off-road, wouldn't it make more sense to have something more substantial to stand on that a simple foot peg? I'd imagine that would get old--and painful--really quick.

Off road riding boots negate that.

would love to hear how it shifts or details on the transmission. Still getting used to a DCT in the car.

Congrats on the Africa Twin!! It looks like a super fun bike. I'm interested in reading your review of the transmission. My first ATV was a Honda Recon with a auto clutch and it was pretty cool.

congratulations, nice bike, bet it's very nimble.

The transmission functions as both a button shift manual or full automatic with different shift maps, Drive, Sport 1,2, or 3, and Gravel. Drive is the default for "normal" riding and it can upshift through the gears to 6th in just a block or so. Sport modes hold gears longer. When grabbing a handful of throttle in any mode it runs out the gears longer to higher revs before shifting. I've not used "G" yet.
In auto mode no matter what gear it's in you can still use the manual buttons to up or down shift but after doing so it'll soon shift back into auto mode. I find this useful when say it's in 5th coming to a
corner to bump it down a gear or two then just let it resume.
In auto the transmission downshifts as you slow down. Starting off just involves clicking it from neutral to one of the drive modes and rolling on throttle. It's amazing how smooth it engages, not jerky at all.

It really functions well as it's programmed but I occasional up or downshift manually. I'm looking forward to riding it on dirt where it should be fun standing on the pegs and not having to worry about toe shifting, clutching, or stalling.

Glad to hear of your like for the transmission. My local dealer has a similar bike (used, low miles, priced right) that has been calling to me.
It won't get me to give up my GSXR's, but I recently sold my super moto and I'm looking for something I don't give a hoot about the weather.

Hrcjon if the used bike you're considering is a "dual sport or adventure bike" (whatever you want to call it) I think you'll really like it because you can do so many things on it and be comfortable at the same time.
This Africa Twin to a great extent duplicates the GS in my avatar but they're my favorite kind of motorcycles so why not?

All this dialog and not a single pic? Are ya kiddin' me. Pony up some pics of your bike pal.

OK,

I bought my first ever bike when I was retiring. This is what I am riding now.

I retired at 65.

Bob

Why, it's just like riding a maxi-scooter!

But better. I love having no worries in traffic as far as shifting.

The downside is that there is no way to put a scoot in neutral. Just doesn't exist.

I must check out this bike.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
All this dialog and not a single pic? Are ya kiddin' me. Pony up some pics of your bike pal.

Well my computer was in an err.... accident and I'm struggling pecking away on this iPad or phone. Also all my passwords are gone so I can't access Photobucket. Got to get that fixed next

My local dealer has one of these (another DCT, 2010) listed for about $8,000.00
I offered the manager $6,000 plus tax out the door. He laughed. I left him my card and said that he would probably call me after the bike sits there for 4 months. I know what these go for, and I'm pretty sure he only paid $4,000 in trade.
The 4th month is now starting! Waiting for his call!