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Showcase cover image for Willy's 2016 Manual AT

General Information

Name
Ol' Red
Year
2016
Make
Honda
Model
CRF 1000L Africa Twin Manual
Color
Silver-Black (and Red)
History
2nd owner. Purchased used (2,400 miles) in October 2019 on Long Island, NY.
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The day we met...

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Ol' Red, on the trail, out and about...

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Ol' Red, in the Florida wilds...

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Ol' Red, taking a rest in the swamp...

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Ol' Red, on the Tail of the Dragon...



Ol' Red, on the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route...



New farkle changes in RED.

Rider Comfort & Control:
Original owner-supplied equipment
Titax fork adjuster knobs. No need for them on the Öhlins FFHO 101 forks.
Titax adjustable red anodized front brake & clutch levers.
Boano Race Parts red anodized front brake reservoir cover.
Boano Race Parts red anodized rear brake lever.
Boano Race Parts red anodized foot pegs.
Boano Race Parts rear brake reservoir cover.
SW Motech adjustable folding shift lever.
Galfer stainless steel-braided brake lines, front & back.

Willy-supplied equipment
Tall Honda windscreen.
Fork shield tunnel dam.
Grip Puppies.
SW Motech 20mm handlebar risers.
Barkbuster Storm Guard handguards.
Snakeskin Techspec black tank grips.
Doubletake Adventure mirrors.
Seat Concepts Rally Comfort seat.
Öhlins STX 46 Adventure rear shock with a stiffer-than-OTS spring: 600 lbf/in.
Öhlins FFHO 101 forks stiffer-than-OTS spring: 42.8 lbf/in/fork.
Kaoko KBB310REV1 throttle "stabilizer."
MSC Moto RM3 Steering Damper.


Luggage & Storage:
Original owner-supplied equipment
Honda OEM rear trunk.
-Sold online.

Willy-supplied equipment
SW Motech EVO City tank bag & mounting ring.
-Retired for a Mosko Moto tank bag, bag-to-tank plastic locking lug broken.

SW Motech Pro Off-Road side carriers.
Mosko Moto Backcountry Panniers: 25L & 35L.
Mosko Moto Backcountry 40L Duffle/Backpack.
SW-Motech Adventure-Rack Top Case Rack.
SW Motech Urban ABS 16-29L Rear Top Case.
SW Motech Adventure Rack mating plate for Urban Top Case.
Mosko Moto Hood tank bag (grey).

Engine & Drivetrain:
Original owner-supplied equipment
K&P S1 oil filter.
K & N air filters.
Rugged Roads radiator guard.
Moose Racing red radiator hose kit (SAMCO silicon hoses).
Red carbon fiber front sprocket cover.
- Changed out for a MMG Parts cover.

EJK electronic fuel injection programmer.
MIVV stainless steel header.
MIVV titanium silencer.
Acerbis chain guide block.
Rugged Roads steel chain guard.
-Lost riding in NC after fatigue failures at all 3 attach points. Replaced with 2-piece Touratech chain guard.


Willy-supplied equipment
Black ESJOT 44-tooth rear sprocket for 4.76% torque improvement over stock at 13,200 miles.
Replacement DID 525 VX3 chain (124 links) and replacement OEM 16T drive sprocket at 18,590 miles.
MMG Parts anodized aluminum sprocket cover.


Electrical:
Original owner-supplied equipment
Dual USB power connector, 2.0 & 3.0. Retired...never used.

Willy-supplied equipment
Garmin Zumo 396 LMT mount & integrated power.
OEM 12V power socket.
Eastern Beaver Power Center 8 (PC-8).
Eastern Beaver front power splitter.
Eastern Beaver rear power splitter.
Battery Tender SAE connector attached to the unswitched PC-8 circuit.

Safety & Protection:
Original owner-supplied equipment
R&G front and rear axle sliders.
3-Tech red anodized clutch pivot arm cover.
3-Tech red anodized kickstand foot.
3-Tech rear brake reservoir protector.
3-Tech black voltage regulator protector.
3M Scotchbrite red reflective tape on rims.

Willy-supplied equipment
AltRider black headlight guard.
Camel ADV right peg brace.
SW Motech black crash bars & light mounts.
Black Denali Soundbomb Mini horn.
Black Denali DR1 2.0 Trioptic LED w/ dual intensity controller and switch eliminator. Triggered on the PC-8 switched circuit.
Aluminum SW Motech bash plate.
Dual black Denali B6 LED license plate-mount brake and running lights.
ChiCom knockoff stainless steel pipe protectors.

Chassis & Bling:
Original owner-supplied equipment
Carbon fiber aft front fender extension.
-Lost somewhere in Colorado riding the COBDR.

Plastic Bike black carbon fiber trim.
Honda OEM centerstand.
Red anodized ProBolt fasteners throughout.

Willy-supplied equipment
Shinko 804/805 tires (worn out after 10 months & 9,820 miles of 70/30 use).
Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires.
Camel ADV windscreen brace.
Michelin Heavy Duty MX tubes, front & rear.
Ride-On tire sealant & wheel balance front & rear.
Camel ADV standard-length kick stand.

Comments

· Registered
Joined
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109 Posts
Really sweet mods there Willy....love the FL trails, although the deep sand keeps things interesting!
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
Joined
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1,196 Posts
Thanks Wolfe. I'm heading to NC tomorrow to visit my dad & ride some nice trails in Pisgah & The Great Smoky Mountains.
 

· Registered
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109 Posts
I see you’re an IBA guy...my buddy finished middle of the pack last year on his K1600. That rally is nuts.
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
Joined
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1,196 Posts
Hola Wolfe, I just did the qual ride with a buddy, 1k miles in 24 hrs or less. That gets you a license plate frame you can see in the picture above, a nice little medal and an IBA number you can impress your friends with, if they're the impressible type. That rally is the next level of insanity. I follow the daily posts when they're rolling. Hat tip to your buddy for finishing. That's a real achievement. Many riders in the rally ride Yamaha FJRs. I bought my Feejer with an eye toward running an IB rally some day. I rode this qual ride on my Feejer. It was a fairly easy day I suspect compared to my buddy on his Kawi Ninja.

Here's the route we took - it was a perfect autumn day in CA-NV for it. Our only big mistake was rolling onto PCH late in the ride. We got stuck behind a 35 mph cager for almost 45 miles. But it was nearly a full moon and the light on the surf made this leg memorable.

#DateTimeZone LocationAvg SpeedOdometerDeltaTotal
200924 hrsUSOdo mphWhole MilesMilesMiles
13-Oct0407LPDTInitial fillup @ Sand Canyon Mobil, Santa Clarita, CA0846800
23-Oct0558LPDTRefuel at Pearsonville, CA Shell64.38587119119
33-Oct0820LPDTRefuel at Bishop Creek Chevron56.48706119238
43-Oct~0950LPDTBreakfast at Hays Street Café, Bridgeport, CA57.4879690328
53-Oct1155LPDTRefuel at Gardnerville, NV Chevron50.5886266394
63-Oct1435LPDTRefuel at Elk Grove, CA Chevron. Lunch at attached McDonalds (~30 mins).51.49006144538
73-Oct1725LPDTRefuel at Gilroy, CA Chevron51.69154148686
83-Oct2040LPDTRefuel at Cambria, CA Chevron50.19297143829
93-Oct~2300LPDTRefreshment stop at Santa Barbara, CA McDonalds, State St.50.69423126955
103-Oct2335LPDTRefuel at Santa Barbara, CA Shell49.294263958
114-Oct0115LPDTReturn for refuel to Sand Canyon Mobil, Santa Clarita, CA50.09524981056
Totals21.13 hrs1056 Odo mi

56078
 
Last edited:

· Premium Member
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13,323 Posts
Nice machine riding resume. (y)
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
Joined
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1,196 Posts
Nice machine riding resume. (y)
Thank you sir. That was a long day. The last 100 miles from Ventura to Santa Clarita on CA 126 (bottom of the map above) were a blur. I stood on the pegs of my FJR for almost half of that leg to keep focused. My riding buddy looked a little wiped out at the end. I imagine I did too. But this ante pales when compared to the IBA rally event. Every 2 years these guys hold an 11,000 miles in 11 days (with rest days mixed in) points rally. That ride is a real challenge. Just finishing all 11 days successfully is an accomplishment like surviving H*ll Week at BUDS. It truly is an insane ride.


Let me know if you're ever in the Daytona Beach area and we'll hook up. Cheers my friend.
 
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2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
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1,196 Posts

· Registered
2019 CRF1000
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296 Posts
I feel like such a noob... but I’m working on it. So much to look forward to!
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
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1,196 Posts
I feel like such a noob... but I’m working on it. So much to look forward to!
Don't sweat it Pete. It's far easier to ride the harder rides with others who push the envelope as well. We challenge and support each other to reach our collective goal(s). My best recommendation is to find someone to ride with who shares your 2-wheel need to succeed. Wife, friend, office mate, soul mate...it doesn't matter who they are. This ride was not that tough because I had a good riding buddy along.

But you have to get out there and ride. My buddy & I planned this ride for 2 months before we headed out. When the date came around and the weather was perfect, our only mission in life that day was to complete the Saddle Sore 1k ride. That attitude helped us overcome a lot of the discomfort.
 
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· Registered
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803 Posts
Really nice and well sorted ride, Squire (y)
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
Joined
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1,196 Posts
Really nice and well sorted ride, Squire (y)
Thanks, Sled. I'd love to get down your way someday and ride some of the sights. What could you recommend a Yank try to take on for a 2-wheel adventure? I would think a four or five-day ride built into a 2-week stay. And I'd likely rent a machine instead of trying to ship Ol' Red down and back.

Reach out if you're ever in the Eastern US. I can recommend some glorious scenery and sights.
 
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803 Posts
oops
 
Last edited:

· Registered
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803 Posts
Thanks, Sled. I'd love to get down your way someday and ride some of the sights. What could you recommend a Yank try to take on for a 2-wheel adventure? I would think a four or five-day ride built into a 2-week stay. And I'd likely rent a machine instead of trying to ship Ol' Red down and back.

Reach out if you're ever in the Eastern US. I can recommend some glorious scenery and sights.
Hi WeeWilly
May I suggest options. Riding up the coast from Brisbane with the destination being Cape Tribulation passing threw the Daintree forest. 1800km! (one way)
There are many options but the two main reasons for starting off in brissy, is overseas flight connections and hiring a decent bike.
To enjoy and with r&r probably 10/11 days. Or more time if you want to return via inland routes, looking for dirt.

You could connect and fly into cairns and head to Cape Tribulation 202km or just the Daintree in 2 hours, taking time out to explore.
The only thing is doing it on dirt bike out of Carins. But you could go much further north also

Ive never been passed Port Douglas, north of cairns, great accommodation there. (Raddison, Sheration etc) Im told the Daintree wilderness is nice,
bus tours etc from PD, depends what your in too. Say 4 or 5 days in Port D and 1 or 2 Cairns, (doing the Karanda mountain train to hippie town.)

From Brisbane you could also hook into a Black Dog Tour, Usually short 1 to 5 day tours, bail out when you want too.
Or on FB, the SEQ Africa Twin Owners or the Aussie Africa Twin Owners run tours as well.

Another option is going to the Red Centre to a city/town called Alice Springs for the Finke Desert Race, a 2 day event.
Held early in June, Its 2,500km from brisbane. (Dodgin big red roo’s) While your there you have to go to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) another 450km.

Time of year is worth considering too. Suggest June to October, our winter and into spring for the above.
Winter temps in Brisbane may get down to 10/12 degrees C, mostly 15 in early mornings by 8am its glorious.
Cairns winter temps 16/18 C early mornings. It only briefly. Im thinking similar to Florida?

If November threw March suits better maybe go south, can recommend Tasmania.
On a bike you could do the Island in 4/5 days. It’s a nice quiet place.

The US dollar goes a long way here.

We (the wife a I) love exploring the south Is of New Zealand, been there 4 or 5 times and going back is soon as where allowed.
Mostly in winter so we hire a tintop. The South Island is a quiet place and not over governed like Oz.

We have been to LA three times and 10 days in Las Vegas, man that place is just great. Six weeks in Michigan and then into Canada and BC.
We have close friends that tell us “ you got to go to New Orleans” saying the music scene is jumping.
Also other friends in Atlanta.
So Florida would be great to see and definitely on the cards!

Anyway make sure you give me plenty of warning I may be able to join in!
Hope this make sense!

Regards Paul Sled


61405
 

· Premium Member
2020 ATAS ES DCT Sold
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431 Posts
All I can say Wee Willy is you are the man/biker! Nice Africa Twin set up. I only dream about rides like you are doing. My longest day, at 32 yrs old, was 800 miles across US southwest on an 86 Gold Wing Aspencade Sei. The most comfortable gold wing I have ever had. The stock seat was perfect for me. These days the hands start screaming at me and even if i medicate the pain, the loss of feeling is unnerving. The point is you have my respect as an accomplished, passionate rider.
 

· Registered
2016 Honda CRF 1000L Manual
Joined
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1,196 Posts
All I can say Wee Willy is you are the man/biker! Nice Africa Twin set up. I only dream about rides like you are doing. My longest day, at 32 yrs old, was 800 miles across US southwest on an 86 Gold Wing Aspencade Sei. The most comfortable gold wing I have ever had. The stock seat was perfect for me. These days the hands start screaming at me and even if i medicate the pain, the loss of feeling is unnerving. The point is you have my respect as an accomplished, passionate rider.
Hey TN, are you still in the area? I'm in Mooresville, NC. I'm interested in camping & adventure riding in NC, TN & GA. My daughter is coming out in a couple of days and we're heading to Tail of the Dragon so she can get the T-shirt.

Anyway, I'm always looking for locals to ride with. Drop me a line: adv.rider@avalanche.aleeas.com.

Best,

W2
 

· Premium Member
2020 ATAS ES DCT Sold
Joined
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431 Posts
Hey TN, are you still in the area? I'm in Mooresville, NC. I'm interested in camping & adventure riding in NC, TN & GA. My daughter is coming out in a couple of days and we're heading to Tail of the Dragon so she can get the T-shirt.

Anyway, I'm always looking for locals to ride with. Drop me a line: adv.rider@avalanche.aleeas.com.

Best,

W2
Sorry I did not see your question until now. I took a project for a friend in Indiana and have not been getting in here much. I hope you found the information you were looking for. One of the campgrounds I would have recommended got flooded out a few weeks ago. Probably a good thing you did not get the recommendation and stay there. Hoping you weren’t there when it flooded out. Please let me know how your trip went. And accept my apologies for not responding when you needed the information.
 
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