I believe the closest rival is the BMW F800GS.....
Ned posted this over on ADVI believe the closest rival is the BMW F800GS.....
http://advrider.com/index.php?threa...frica-twin-merged-threadfest.1064796/page-707I 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".
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.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?
http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...ica-twin-key-questions-answered/#.VoVJ2vnyuM9We’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."
If any of my close friends on here want to read it I can 'lend you my iPad'...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.
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!
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.GSA1200 better on road - more power , better handling , more comfort , better build IMO , nice bike .
Offroad the AT wins , level above the BM .