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General feedback Africa Twin

1.6K views 19 replies 18 participants last post by  Royal450L  
#1 ·
Short intro:
I own the 2022 ATAS in The Netherlands after having the BMW R1250 GS Adventure for a couple of years.

Background:
I make long distance travels and just came back from Stelvio Pass and The Dolomites. 1 friend on the GSA1250 and me on the ATAS.

Improvements to make:
Tyre pressure control, Hill Hold assist, MORE power please (I thought it is not needed, but I miss some HP with all the luggage on the mountains man), USB-C and wireless Apple Carplay, give us the option to choose all black accessories now I went for GIVI cases and outback crashbars (love them by the way)

If you do all of this, believe me, BMW will cry.
If not, 2027 I will go back to the GS.
 

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#6 ·
Great choice on the Outback crash bars - I love mine also. Regarding power, the GS1250 has a lot more torque and HP than the CRF1100. You will certainly feel the difference. There is no denying it. There is no place on Tach where the AT has more power than the 1250.

The AT has an under-stressed (10.1 to 1 compression ratio) engine. It's also distinctly over-square (though a few others in this class are more over-square). The point is, it will breath if you rev it. It doesn't have an especially high redline, but it was engineered to be rev'd.

I have the 1000 model. Whenever I think the bike feels sedate (Hondas can do that), I channel my inner 17 year old and twist the throttle. A lot.

There is sweet, delicious, smooth power up there above 5,100. You will not hurt the engine. Put some synthetic oil in it and rev it all the way up the mountain in 4th or 5th floating between 5,000 and 6,200 for as long as you want. She's fine. The harder I work the engine, the more I appreciate it. It's outstanding.

BTW - shifts are silky above 5,000 on the manual.

Look. Who doesn't want more power. It's fun. And abundant "low RPM" power is relaxing and can be confidence inspiring. But the feeling of plentiful power (with torque) on demand at any RPM can also be a little lazy.

Drop a gear (we have 6 to play with), twist the throttle and get it on.
 
#8 ·
I have the 1000cc bike and like Tom I find it is super sweet at high revs. I don't like the bike at low revs. I have a perfect comparison - a Triumph Rocket 3 which produces quite a lot more power and torque than the BMW or Honda. It is lovely idling around at low revs, but a pig when you rev it at the top end.
I might however, consider a bmw GS as I've always considered them beautiful bikes, but I won't get one until they catch up with Honda's DCT ( Hill Hold Assist .... who needs that 😄 ?)
And finally - I much prefer this system of monitoring tyre pressures - been using them for about 15 years now. A quick glance before you set off is all you need. My daughter's toyota on the other hand is often warning her when the pressure in a tyre has dropped by a couple of pounds - she just ignores it now.
Mike
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#9 ·
Don't worry.....if you get a puncture you'll soon know. Being old 64.......and old school (with some things) I always check my tyres before a ride even when I had a 2014 R1200RT which had tyre pressure monitors. A tyre pressure monitor won't tell you if there is a cut or any other sort of abnormality that might ruin your day. Had my first front wheel puncture in years last week (I reckon 9 out of 10 punctures are rears)

This is a picture of the sticky string plug on the inside of the tyre.
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I took the tyre off and replaced it with a part worn one i had in the garage. 21 Inch tyres are so easy to get on and off, much more so than an 18inch rear. I'll leave it in to get a vulcanised patch.

Oh and BMW haven't made a devent GS since the 1150.

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:):)
 
#11 ·
If y'all could stop trying to turn one of the better allround adventure bikes into a street bike that would be great.

The AT is basically the only teched up option that is very capable off-road and has modern tech, unlike something like the T7. It also isn't really middle weight (class of touareg, T7, TA, 790/890) while also not being full weight like GSA, Super Ten or Multi Strada.
This thing effin rips off the roads and is capable enough on the road to keep things fun. The other competition does not fare as well as soon as they leave the pave, which is what makes this bike so unique.

Go buy a SAS, XR or Tracer if you want a road bike.
 
#13 ·
I have been thinking lighter bike, because wife has now own, and we ride mostly own bikes. But I have 70000 km on mine, and have done some improvements. If I swap I need to start over. And maybe my skills don't benefit from lighter bike. My friend has Aprilia Tuareg and he speaks good from it, and I could test drive it.
 
#15 ·
Do we all need this?

I never watch on my screen only my speed and rev
 
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#16 ·
Your list of needs are of no value to me. The AT is perfect out of the box for my needs and desires. You just bought the wrong bike for your needs and desires.

Put it up for sale and get the bike you want. Life is short, act now.

Ps: I check oil, tire pressure, and fuel level before each ride. Old school stuff, but I don't like surprises.
 
#17 ·
You see a ton of BMW's on videos. We just got back from the New Mexico BDR,and we didn't see one. As far as power goes mines gets it on the highway,but it's geared a little high in some of the rough stuff. I'm thinking of changing the sprockets out. That will give it more power,and slow it down in that first gear for the rougher stuff.
 
#18 ·
My 2017 never lets me down and i'm probably too stupid for the newer models with more tech. So I dont really care if they try to compete with a BMW. After a long time of offroad racing I hung the racing up and went with the AT years ago because of a mangled left knee and crushed ankle that has a hard time with upshifts. DCT was a lifesaver for me and remains my only real option for 2 wheels. I ride 60% street and 40% offroad and I couldnt be happier, especially since I probably wouldnt be riding if it werent for the DCT. All about what is the right bike for your own interests. Someone like me enjoys not having the upgrades honestly