Post by: RIDEMYST on May 12, 2015, 08:52:51 am
http://www.hondanews.com/releases/the-africa-twin-is-back-crf1000l-africa-twin-confirmed-for-2015 (http://www.hondanews.com/releases/the-africa-twin-is-back-crf1000l-africa-twin-confirmed-for-2015)
Post by: DirtFlier on May 12, 2015, 10:16:04 am
Post by: RIDEMYST on May 12, 2015, 10:48:06 am
"...American Honda can now confirm that the all-new CRF1000L Africa Twin will be in U.S. dealers early next year..."
Post by: David on May 12, 2015, 09:19:43 pm
Post by: TN2Wheeler on May 13, 2015, 06:53:35 am
It also seems everyone here In Va. wants a H/D except me! I can't handle the forward lean of the R series sport bikes. So something between, like the Africa twin is good news to me, only wish I could see a good picture of it. I don't think Honda cares about the USA market anymore.The USA market is a very small percentage of the world market and as you have pointed out everyone (well most anyway) think they want a Harley. There's only been one in recent history that spoke to me and it was not very successful from a sales perspective - the XR1200. Oh well, I'm too cheap to pay for one anyhow.
I expect the only reason Honda are willing to certify the new Africa Twin here is the current popularity of the "adventure" genre. It's expensive to do so but they really don't currently have a US-certified option to compete with the Tenere, 1200GS, DL1000, KTM990, Explorer and the like. Truth is relatively few adv bikes actually see any adventure just as very few SUVs ever leave pavement. And, IMO, those big bikes look cool but are too heavy to be much fun for most riders in low traction conditions. What they do provide is a comfortable and controllable riding position and good on road performance. Hmmm, sort of like a "standard" without the boredom.
Post by: RIDEMYST on May 13, 2015, 09:09:06 am
I ran the wheels off of a couple of Honda ST1300's, a great trouble free bike. However, when Honda left me by not updating their sport touring line, I chose the adventure bike style.
I have found that they handle very similar to the sport touring line but are several pounds less (kinda like losing a fat passenger). My use, as Jim pointed out, is primarily for on-road use.
However, as folks that ride with me will readily agree, I've never had the good sense to turn around when the pavement ends and the road turns to dust but at least now I look like I belong there! ;) -JEP-
Post by: Paco Bulto on May 13, 2015, 09:17:14 am
Post by: VersysRider on May 13, 2015, 09:29:42 am
However, as folks that ride with me will readily agree, I've never had the good sense to turn around when the pavement ends and the road turns to dust but at least now I look like I belong there! ;) -JEP-I'll second that. But not much is said for the idiot with a passenger that continues to follow him and decides to cross a very questionable "bridge" that even he wouldn't cross.
Post by: HawkGTRider on May 13, 2015, 10:09:58 am
The USA market is a very small percentage of the world market and as you have pointed out everyone (well most anyway) think they want a Harley. There's only been one in recent history that spoke to me and it was not very successful from a sales perspective - the XR1200. Oh well, I'm too cheap to pay for one anyhow.
I liked the news release when H-d announced they were dropping the XR1200 from their lineup. I think it was something along the lines of "It seems that everyone that wanted one has already bought one."
Post by: David on May 13, 2015, 11:32:42 am
Post by: RIDEMYST on May 13, 2015, 12:27:25 pm
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Post by: boatanchor on May 13, 2015, 03:55:02 pm
It also seems everyone here In Va. wants a H/D except me! I can't handle the forward lean of the R series sport bikes. So something between, like the Africa twin is good news to me, only wish I could see a good picture of it. I don't think Honda cares about the USA market anymore.
It looks like Honda is late to the dance again. They wait waaay too long to bring bikes to market and are usually behind the popularity curve when they do release that model.....just too slow to react to what is currently selling and popular....with most people wanting cruisers...they always seems to be releasing the wrong bike anymore.....they really need to reinvent themselves....
Post by: TN2Wheeler on May 13, 2015, 04:50:15 pm
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F13%2Fdcd0e568b4a7ee63be1a2022a8bcd318.jpg&hash=6df9f6a4978e9e3afe5644ff6be92559d0672f15)
Post by: HawkGTRider on May 13, 2015, 09:30:40 pm
Post by: Brick on May 14, 2015, 07:23:28 am
I saw this photo on some site recently. Looks more possible as the engine in all the other photo's shown here are the old V-twin this is the parallel twin that is supposed to be in the new Africa Twin.
YMMV
I must be out riding my Super Teneré'!
Post by: DirtFlier on May 14, 2015, 07:45:33 am
Post by: TN2Wheeler on May 14, 2015, 09:01:17 am
This morning I got an E-mail from across that pond that surmised the weight could be 180 kg (396 lbs)! Is this the same company I worked for? :DI'm guessing the parallel twin is a LOT lighter than the 52 deg V-twin of the earlier efforts. That motor was built like a tank but it was kind of hefty.
Post by: Brick on May 14, 2015, 09:15:21 am
BTW... that is funny. "Is this the same company I worked for?"
This morning I got an E-mail from across that pond that surmised the weight could be 180 kg (396 lbs)! Is this the same company I worked for? :D
Post by: boatanchor on May 15, 2015, 07:43:50 am
Actually, I think Honda was early for the dance and left before the fun began. Arguably the TransAlp, which was released in the USA in 1987, was the first "adventure" bike available here. It took a long time for our market to turn its interest to this type of motorcycle. I think that if Honda had continued to refine the Transalp using the more modern 4 valve heads and EFI that the Deuville eventually got it would have remained a low volume but steady seller. It would also have positioned them at the forefront of the adventure bike movement. The TransAlp design is somewhat long in the tooth now but personally I think it's still one of the best of the genre.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F13%2Fdcd0e568b4a7ee63be1a2022a8bcd318.jpg&hash=6df9f6a4978e9e3afe5644ff6be92559d0672f15)
Sadly Honda was once again following someone elses lead. BMW came out with the R80GS in 1980 and produced it for 7 years before moving up the displacement ladder. BMW, Yamaha, Triumph, Suzuki and KTM have all come out with new Adventure bikes since 2010 and finally Honda decides to produce something......seems everyone was already boogying to the music when Honda tapped the DJ on the shoulder to play the same song again....
Post by: DirtFlier on May 15, 2015, 02:22:10 pm
The once solid 600cc sport category has essentially disappeared and sport touring never was to be honest. I know a dealership in central OH that sells all 4 Japanese brand and last year he sold only 6 sport bikes!
Post by: HawkGTRider on May 15, 2015, 08:48:10 pm
As by brother-in-law has often said, sport touring is more a state of mind than a style of bike. The uptick of ADV bikes used for that purpose, virtually never seeing an unpaved road, certainly bears that out. Even a cruiser (think Honda CTXxxxx) can be ridden in an enthusiastic, ie sport touring, manner within the limitations of the particular model.
With all of that being said, I still find it a more comfortable seating position, and one giving me the impression of more control, to have my feet more underneath me than out in front.
The MSTA has certainly shown an acceptance for ADV, standard, and sport bikes being ridden in a sport touring manner. I hope we can add cruisers to that as well.
Post by: stevegrab on May 16, 2015, 10:21:34 am
I agree it is a state of minf, and you can tour on any bike, I did it for years on a CBR600.
Post by: VersysRider on May 17, 2015, 11:39:37 pm
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/more-2016-honda-crf1000l-africa-twin-news-patent-photos-leaked-adv-adventure-touring-to-speed?src=SOC&dom=fb