Great post. My experience exactly. I hate to think of how much damage I would have done to myself and the bike in the knarly stuff without TC. In the end it kept me upright instead of on its side when the going got rough. I ride it like a trials bike when the TC slows things way down. Balance and plan ahead. My biggest complaint is I can't flick it around as quickly as I'd like when feeling frisky. That big heavy Trailmax Mission on long suspenders up front doesn't like quick changes of direction. I keep the tank at half or less if I'm doing anything technical. The great thing about such a huge tank is you have it when you need the extra fuel, but you don't always have to keep it full. I love how well it blocks the weather when the sky is cloudy,
2018 ATAS Conversion from Touring and Dirt Bike riding.
Switching to a 1000cc Adventure bike from single track dirt and full out touring is an adjustment even after 40 years of riding.
Weight and balance skills needs greater refinement at low speeds with a full tank and taller seat height. Yes you can't always put your left foot down and expect the ground to be there.
ABS: skeptic no more. A hand full of brakes on a gravel road and "Hey I can stop without worry"
Engine Braking: Not tested fully.
Traction Control: I was annoyed at the immediate engine power cut off. Until I back tracked the road I was riding and saw the 5 foot spin patches before the cut off. Now I understand the system. This is a powerful bike, I was amazed how often it cut in or how much wheel spin I was enjoying. Now I knew how to adjust the sensitivity and when to shut it off. Again not a bad feature to keep you from getting over your head.
I was blasting down dirt roads at highway speeds. Suspension is soaking up the bumps but you could easily loose the front tire in a wet soft section....there's that weight and balance issue again. Skill vs. Risk assessment.
On the highway still a revvy 1000cc bike rides like a couch turns slower.....minimal adjustment.
Had a tipover, left foot on a ridge thing. Legs protected, bars protected tank, opposite leg dented tank. Still trying to figure that out. Lessons starting to be learned.
Last road bike tip over was 1979, last dirt bike tip over CRF450, 2016. 51 years of riding.
Final impression......great bike on and off the road. Tech helpful, useful and adjustable. Engine adjustable and powerful down low. Advise....still a powerful motorcycle, requires skill, practice, and respect, like all the rest that I owned through the years.
Only wanted to post this for the obsessive types that read everything before buying. None of of this is really new to the site. Hope a word or two helps someone.
Weight and balance skills needs greater refinement at low speeds with a full tank and taller seat height. Yes you can't always put your left foot down and expect the ground to be there.
ABS: skeptic no more. A hand full of brakes on a gravel road and "Hey I can stop without worry"
Engine Braking: Not tested fully.
Traction Control: I was annoyed at the immediate engine power cut off. Until I back tracked the road I was riding and saw the 5 foot spin patches before the cut off. Now I understand the system. This is a powerful bike, I was amazed how often it cut in or how much wheel spin I was enjoying. Now I knew how to adjust the sensitivity and when to shut it off. Again not a bad feature to keep you from getting over your head.
I was blasting down dirt roads at highway speeds. Suspension is soaking up the bumps but you could easily loose the front tire in a wet soft section....there's that weight and balance issue again. Skill vs. Risk assessment.
On the highway still a revvy 1000cc bike rides like a couch turns slower.....minimal adjustment.
Had a tipover, left foot on a ridge thing. Legs protected, bars protected tank, opposite leg dented tank. Still trying to figure that out. Lessons starting to be learned.
Last road bike tip over was 1979, last dirt bike tip over CRF450, 2016. 51 years of riding.
Final impression......great bike on and off the road. Tech helpful, useful and adjustable. Engine adjustable and powerful down low. Advise....still a powerful motorcycle, requires skill, practice, and respect, like all the rest that I owned through the years.
Only wanted to post this for the obsessive types that read everything before buying. None of of this is really new to the site. Hope a word or two helps someone.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
It's a really good post with good observations. I too have come from a few decades of street riding with several different Honda Goldwing's. Yep, it was a wakeup call to go from a lower center of gravity 900 lbs. of street mass to 540 lbs. of much higher center of gravity combo street/trail mass. But it is what it is. It to me, was not all that hard to adapt to. But I'm not a hot dogger and don't wring the neck of all the bikes I ride. I just enjoy riding.
I also have a small, Yamaha TW 200 that I have a ton of fun on while in the dirt/trails/washes and more. It's way more manageable at 278 lbs vs the 540 of the A/T. If it falls over in the outback, no biggie. I pop it right back up. If the A/T falls over, I bring out the portable wrecking crane I carry for just such a task.
I really, really like the A/T and especially the DCT part because it's just pure pleasure to ride. Smooth, shifts like butter, quiet and fast....if and when I need it to be. What's not to like?
Scott
I also have a small, Yamaha TW 200 that I have a ton of fun on while in the dirt/trails/washes and more. It's way more manageable at 278 lbs vs the 540 of the A/T. If it falls over in the outback, no biggie. I pop it right back up. If the A/T falls over, I bring out the portable wrecking crane I carry for just such a task.
I really, really like the A/T and especially the DCT part because it's just pure pleasure to ride. Smooth, shifts like butter, quiet and fast....if and when I need it to be. What's not to like?
Scott
I think it really depends on your experience and comfort level when tackling off-road obstacles on such a large machine. The ATAS with a full tank is a beast while trying to do anything too technical. The TC thing has me torn...my past experience tells me to turn it right down just like turning off ABS for off road. And, I do. I got caught a couple times forgetting the TC and then nearly having a tip over because the bike refused to go forward on a hill with loose rock. Ever since, I go TC to lowest setting and ABS off, when off pavement.Great post. My experience exactly. I hate to think of how much damage I would have done to myself and the bike in the knarly stuff without TC. In the end it kept me upright instead of on its side when the going got rough. I ride it like a trials bike when the TC slows things way down. Balance and plan ahead. My biggest complaint is I can't flick it around as quickly as I'd like when feeling frisky. That big heavy Trailmax Mission on long suspenders up front doesn't like quick changes of direction. I keep the tank at half or less if I'm doing anything technical. The great thing about such a huge tank is you have it when you need the extra fuel, but you don't always have to keep it full. I love how well it blocks the weather when the sky is cloudy,
When you're descending really steep, loose terrain you need that ABS off or you're gonna be in big trouble fast. Sometimes you really need that rear wheel lock up to prevent descending too quickly...ABS just won't cut it in those situations. Running full knobbies is a must for that type of riding.
Having just re-sprung the whole bike, I'm hoping it will inspire more confidence in tackling even more technical and gnarly trails. We shall see!
You are absolutely correct. I don't have years of off road experience with dirt bikes but, I have done some. I have seen Youtube vids with guys tossing around A/T's like they were/are measly 220 lb. 2-stroke dirt bikes on various trails/hills and all that. Well, if one can develope the skills to do that kind of riding or, already has them when they acquire an A/T, than more power to them. Have a ball. As for me, pretty much graded forest service roads are about the max my A/T will and has seen.I think it really depends on your experience and comfort level when tackling off-road obstacles on such a large machine.
Scott
Thanks for the feedback all, helps with the adjustment. I wrestled a KLR 650 down a steep incline learning about gravity, weight, and traction. Having the ABS on the front and off the rear would certainly give you the best advantage. You can slide the bike sideways if you have too.
Thanks for the advise on fuel, I was mindful not to fill it up but over did it.
Yes, the heavy steering will take some getting used too on the road. A 10 minute YouTube video is very deceiving, it doesn't show the out takes. I could have made an impressive one too until you saw this pristine bike laying on its side.
When I dropped the bike, I was In an area were there was no cell service but on an active State Park gravel road. I walked 2 miles and flagged down 2 young strapping Park workers. Both were bikers and enjoyed the rescue more than I. "Bikers helping bikers they iterated" wouldn't take a tip. "Pay it forward they said" what they didn't realize after 50 years I, (we), have many times over. The one recommended I get a Dirt Nap, told him I just took one. Its some sort of portable jack. New to me. Any experience with these things?
Again thanks for the supportive replies.
Thanks for the advise on fuel, I was mindful not to fill it up but over did it.
Yes, the heavy steering will take some getting used too on the road. A 10 minute YouTube video is very deceiving, it doesn't show the out takes. I could have made an impressive one too until you saw this pristine bike laying on its side.
When I dropped the bike, I was In an area were there was no cell service but on an active State Park gravel road. I walked 2 miles and flagged down 2 young strapping Park workers. Both were bikers and enjoyed the rescue more than I. "Bikers helping bikers they iterated" wouldn't take a tip. "Pay it forward they said" what they didn't realize after 50 years I, (we), have many times over. The one recommended I get a Dirt Nap, told him I just took one. Its some sort of portable jack. New to me. Any experience with these things?
Again thanks for the supportive replies.
I have a competing product (MotoWinch). It works well. Recommended....one recommended I get a Dirt Nap...Its some sort of portable jack. New to me. Any experience with these things?
Keep in mind your traction control and wheelie settings.
pits soo important you turn them off if you plan on any hill clImbs. .
I had mine on a minimal setting and got caught out when I lost traction up a hill. It was not even a steep climb but very sandy and loose. Half up I was stopped in my tracks. It’s not a dirt bike that you can drop and it turn around easily.
im still learning how to and what settings to use.
i think the TC saved me many times on sand roads though.
pits soo important you turn them off if you plan on any hill clImbs. .
I had mine on a minimal setting and got caught out when I lost traction up a hill. It was not even a steep climb but very sandy and loose. Half up I was stopped in my tracks. It’s not a dirt bike that you can drop and it turn around easily.
im still learning how to and what settings to use.
i think the TC saved me many times on sand roads though.
I found that attempting to grab power with traction control intervening to difficult to master. I can manage a spinning tire much easier than an electronic power chop. Only benefit I can use is on pavement on wet surfaces when traction breaks loose.
Mitigating total power is useful off road considering how quickly the bike revs. 2 or 3 setting helps here.
They got it right on the ABS. Engine Braking is another marginal intervention. Maybe helpful coming down a slippery hill. I have not played with it enough to find it beneficial.
Thanks for the winch options. I travel on gravel roads alone more than I probably should.
Mitigating total power is useful off road considering how quickly the bike revs. 2 or 3 setting helps here.
They got it right on the ABS. Engine Braking is another marginal intervention. Maybe helpful coming down a slippery hill. I have not played with it enough to find it beneficial.
Thanks for the winch options. I travel on gravel roads alone more than I probably should.
Been enjoying the heck out of the ATAS. Got 350 miles out of a tank averaging 59 mpg. Amazing. Got suspension dialed in best I can w/o spending money. Super nimble, nice road handling manners. I pushed the Dunlops on the 21 inch wheel with no probems.
All this after recovering from a serious back injury. If anyone is hesitant to ride the towering beast don't be. I'm 5'10", with a low seat.
All this after recovering from a serious back injury. If anyone is hesitant to ride the towering beast don't be. I'm 5'10", with a low seat.
Yeah, very nice @Bfair.
Glad you've been getting out and enjoying your ride! At least someone is!
My season has been a bust...been sidelined by family responsibilities (elderly parent w/ health issues) and renovations. I insured my bike a few weeks after my last post above and have hardly turned a wheel. Spent a bundle on the bike this spring and have just been staring at it sitting there begging to be ridden...LOL. Oh well...that's life.
TW don't get discouraged life happens and the work your doing with family is an important one. A 20 minute ride does wonders for the mind and soul.
During rehab I took daily 35 mile evening rides around a local state park....starting to name the wild animals. Slower riding helped ease the adjustment and helped with physical healing.
"Too tall" intimidation factor is gone, slow speed maneuvers are effortless too. Get on your bike and ride, enjoying riding is part of life too.
During rehab I took daily 35 mile evening rides around a local state park....starting to name the wild animals. Slower riding helped ease the adjustment and helped with physical healing.
"Too tall" intimidation factor is gone, slow speed maneuvers are effortless too. Get on your bike and ride, enjoying riding is part of life too.
ABS: skeptic no more. A hand full of brakes on a gravel road and "Hey I can stop without worry"
Engine Braking: Not tested fully.
Engine Braking: Not tested fully.
Got a start on the riding season, building dirt miles for BDR travel. Engine Braking got tested. When the bike is in gravel mode EB is 3.
On steep downhill descents engine braking helps prevent gaining too much down hill speed past safe braking. 3 is better than 2, noticeble. With 2 I noticed I would gain too much speed and there was a bit of a pucker factor getting slowed down. This was on loose gravel.
As for the settings I tend to run urban setting on dirt. I like the reduced power delivery. Hilly gravel on unfamiliar roads I'll run gravel setting 50% and toggle to urban.
I feel EB set to 3 on touring is to aggressive and 2 is easier on the engine. EB 1 would get you ready for the electric age.
On steep downhill descents engine braking helps prevent gaining too much down hill speed past safe braking. 3 is better than 2, noticeble. With 2 I noticed I would gain too much speed and there was a bit of a pucker factor getting slowed down. This was on loose gravel.
As for the settings I tend to run urban setting on dirt. I like the reduced power delivery. Hilly gravel on unfamiliar roads I'll run gravel setting 50% and toggle to urban.
I feel EB set to 3 on touring is to aggressive and 2 is easier on the engine. EB 1 would get you ready for the electric age.
Alien logic ...I'm confused by your engine braking discussion. Isn't EB1 the most aggressive?
View attachment 81696
The integer represents the quantity of "intrusiveness" of the feature.
That is, "1" is low functional intrusiveness and hence, EB is not impeded to perform strongly.
Conversely, "3" is high functional intrusiveness and hence, EB is impeded to perform strongly and is thus weak.
Please forgive me, because I suspect the last functioning synapse that I have may have just given up the ghost. So to put it in terms that someone with a single digit IQ can understand:
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 1, the bike will slow more and
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 3, the bike will slow less,
or, is it the other way around?
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 1, the bike will slow more and
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 3, the bike will slow less,
or, is it the other way around?
The former.Please forgive me, because I suspect the last functioning synapse that I have may have just given up the ghost. So to put it in terms that someone with a single digit IQ can understand:
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 1, the bike will slow more and
If I release the throttle with the engine braking set to 3, the bike will slow less,
or, is it the other way around?
It is not you. It is crazy baby making.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
Honda Africa Twin Forum
A forum community dedicated to Honda Africa Twin motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about troubleshooting, maintenance, performance, modifications, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
