[Paige]

Ned from ADV wrote a brief piece for CW comparing the AT to various other rivals on the market like the KTM 1190 and 1290, the BMW 1200GS and the S10.

As many have said the closest rival is the KTM 950/990.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/12/24/2016-honda-crf1000l-africa-twin-adventure-motorcycle-versus-the-rest-of-the-adventure-bike-world/

 

[Davy F]

I believe the closest rival is the BMW F800GS.....

 

[Paige]

I believe the closest rival is the BMW F800GS.....

Ned posted this over on ADV

I understand the temptation to compare to the F800, but in my opinion, they are only close on the spec sheet. In person they are chalk and cheese. The F800 is vibey and unbalanced to me, with odd ergonomics for standing. The AT is none of those things... It is closer to the 990, with less "I am channeling the spirit of Meoni" and more "Honda polish and reliability".

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/2016-honda-crf1000l-africa-twin-merged-threadfest.1064796/page-707

 

[Davy F]

Yes, I read that.....But...the 990 is no longer in production, so I base my obs on current new machinery.

 

[marsbeetle]

I was interested in getting the BMW F800GS at one stage but then the total lack of adjustable suspension up front was the deal breaker for me, especially for going off-road(and the price).

Otherwise a decent motorcycle.

 

[GSH]

Hi, I have an F650GS, the 800cc twin with a lower spec. I use it is Spain mainly - mostly on road but with with some limited rough surface track use. Contrary to the opinion above I don't find it vibey at all. Quite pleasant and rorty to use in all circumstances and fine whilst standing up too. Plenty of low down torque but not a whole lot of top end - but gets to 100mph plus very rapidly nonetheless. My longest single days run was from Northern France to Moraira in South eastern Spain. 850 miles approx and I can't say that vibes were ever a big problem. I am thinking of the new AT as a replacement as I like the idea of the DCT (I've ridden a friends 1200 DCT and liked it - particularly the inability to stall it at low revs.)
I see the AT as an updated and purpose designed replacement for my current bike with more power - especially for two up with my wife, the DCT box and better off road capabilities - but am not keen on the tubed tyres!
I also have to say that the weight of the AT is a big disappointment. How do Honda manage to add so much of it?

 

[marsbeetle]

I also have to say that the weight of the AT is a big disappointment. How do Honda manage to add so much of it?

They chose strength over weight - things like the subframe are made of steel and not aluminium. It also may have had something to do with keeping the manufacturing costs down to make the AT more marketable in an already crowded market. If they used lighter alloys/metals then you can be sure the AT wouldn't be selling at its current price.

Anyway, from reading the reviews the AT doesn't feel heavy which is a bonus.

 

[Davy F]

I've ridden the F800 and honestly don't know how they can be classed as vibey and unbalanced ? I found it to be really nice and although not super smooth, it certainly didn't give me white finger or tingles in my hands or feet. If anything, it has 'character' !
Still wouldn't buy one tho ' !!!

 

[ricecrispy]

 

[FullThrottle]

Hate that beak on the BMW GS.

 

[ricecrispy]

AT is 70% off road biased

We’ve been bringing out adventure-type models for the last five or six years now, with the 500s, 750s, 800s etc so we wanted something that actually does off-road properly. The Africa Twin is 70% off-road biased, harking back to some of the core values as to why Honda built the original 650 and 750s to begin with and why they went racing.

“We needed to almost finish the range - the icing on the cake. People are now recognising that Honda has an adventure range and we needed that jewel in the crown to say ‘here is the bike that can really do it’. From 500 to 1200, we’ve now got a full adventure range and this 1000cc bike sits right in there as the model that can do everything anyone wants to do off-road.

“The Fireblade used to be that iconic Halo product, we’ve now seen the sports bike market shrink by 80% in the last decade but adventure bikes have grown. We needed a halo product in this sector to say, ‘here is the full range of bikes’. Just like we have the CBR125, 500, 600 and 1000 we’ve now got X versions of the 500, 750, 800 and now we’ve got this."

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2012/2015/december1/honda-africa-twin-key-questions-answered/#.VoVJ2vnyuM9

 

[tjjj2006]

Anybody in UK read Bike mag BMW GS V AT.

Interesting write up, dont think the pillion is as bad as they recon, obviously not good for his Mrs.

Summary was, that they prefer to ride the AT over the GS.
That will not please the Bavarians.

 

[African Twin Mofo]

Talking about the other brands, It's going to be an interesting conversation around the campsite......I'd say it's going to be almost like talking about a cousin the family kinda avoids but puts a good face on when talked about. LOL.

People will have preferences and no doubt the passion will flow either way but the reality is the AT will be cross shopped from anything from a WR250R to a 1290. It's the nature of this game, lots of choices and options. More importantly, riders skills are all over the place which should be the actual restriction instead of the ridiculous talk about bolt sizes and/or widget comfort.

My twig of knowledge, coming from owning a previous 1200GS, the AT is a BARGIN! Yes, argue all you want about hp, weight and no cruise or heated grips...... The reality is for the price, there is NOTHING like it and if it's anything like the previous AT, Honda won't change much on this bike for a while. Surely the competition will add God knows what to it's bikes but the AT will still be what it is, simple, reliable and capable.

 

[JasonWD]

Anybody in UK read Bike mag BMW GS V AT.

Interesting write up, dont think the pillion is as bad as they recon, obviously not good for his Mrs.

Summary was, that they prefer to ride the AT over the GS.
That will not please the Bavarians.

If any of my close friends on here want to read it I can 'lend you my iPad'...

...PM me

 

[cadoganpier]

I came from a pretty trick 990R Adventure and I have ridden the GS1200 & 800 a lot. As a pure road bike maybe the GS12 is a bit better in as much as its a bit quicker, a little bit comfier, handles a bit more like a true road bike but there isn't much in it. The AT is a way better road bike than the & 990, sure it's a tiny bit slower ( i've fitted a Termi system to mine which has perked it up a bit) but it's much comfier, smoother, more manageable, more refined etc. Surprisingly it's also better off road. I'm sure ridden by a pro at very high speed the KTM might have the edge over big bumps and there is no doubt in a crash the KTM would come off much better but for the rest of the time I prefer the AT. As for the GS 800 it doesn't beat the AT in any category I can think off, just my 2 pence worth.

 

[Twister]

as someone coming from a Multistrada & versys 1000 then the AT I'm a happy bunny its comfortable enough, fast enough and whey better than me offroad, each to there own with brands, personally my KTM was vague in reliability, never bmw:ed and cant comment but I would think its more a 15K bmw that would even get close to the AT

 

[Glennswe]

I don't own an AT but had the opportunity to take a very long testride. I've owned Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak, BMW f 800 GSA and have now the BMW R 1200 GSA LC.

I must say that I was VERY impressed about the AT and can easily buy one myself. I did a lot of gravelroads, wonderful and easy handling, not heavy either when moving, easy controls. On asphalt surprisingly easy to go into curves with 21# front, but I liked it a lot.

Probably one of my future bikes, have promised that never buy a japanese bike again but AT made med change that opinion, I just loved it!

 

[Mad Frosty]

GSA1200 better on road - more power , better handling , more comfort , better build IMO , nice bike .
Offroad the AT wins , level above the BM .

 

[Tenere]

It's easy to say what bikers would choose if they had to make that choice, if I could only have one more bike ever, it would be the bmw1200 gs, but you can't compare the two bikes as there are good for different reasons, I've had bmw's for a good few years, I wanted a change and the only bike that made me change from a Bmw was the twin, I do love it, I can't say how long I will keep it till I change the bike again, in my work shop I've got three Yamaha 600 tenere's that I have had for a long time, I've enjoy riding them every minute I can't see me selling then anytime soon but you never know something my come along to change my mind.
I plan to tour this year on the twin so that's going to decide for me weather I keep it for a long time, my wife rides a cb500x so riding with her with the twin makes more sense for me,

 

[oalvarez]

I don't own an AT but had the opportunity to take a very long testride. I've owned Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak, BMW f 800 GSA and have now the BMW R 1200 GSA LC.

I must say that I was VERY impressed about the AT and can easily buy one myself. I did a lot of gravelroads, wonderful and easy handling, not heavy either when moving, easy controls. On asphalt surprisingly easy to go into curves with 21# front, but I liked it a lot.

Probably one of my future bikes, have promised that never buy a japanese bike again but AT made med change that opinion, I just loved it!

GSA1200 better on road - more power , better handling , more comfort , better build IMO , nice bike .
Offroad the AT wins , level above the BM .

Gents....on the tall bike front, i've owned multiple GS's (air/water), Multistradas (air/water), a Caponord (water) and a Stelvio. I will ALWAYS own a Multistrada (i think) as i like my bikes a little bit more sporting that full out touring at this juncture in my riding life. If i was a longer distance road rider i'd opt for a GS for certain, maybe even a Super Tenere (a little on the heavy side for me). My question to the two of you (or others) is do you think i will be seriously disappointed in the AT or is the experience totally different ("different type" of fun, different ownership experience, and totally different feel, i.e., engine, taller, wheel config) and one that could justify owning two 500lb upright twins in harmony? Or will i most likely be disappointed at the end of the day? I think the former, but am trying to formulate a more definitive opinion prior to pulling the trigger on one and it costing me $2,500 to $3,000 to determine such! I know the specs of the AT well, I know what it is and what it is not, but that doesn't mean I know the bike exactly feels when riding on the open road. Yep, i'd be buying one without having even sat on one. Nope, i don't do dirt, but it doesn't mean that i won't.

Thanks in advance,