[Honda Africa Twin News]

Honda’s Kumamoto plant was damaged by last month’s earthquake and the Africa Twin delay may be longer than expected.

On the 14th of April, around 9:26 p.m, a magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck Kyushu and production factories and supply chains were damaged by it. Besides Honda, other manufacturers were affected including Toyota, Bridgestone, and Mitsubishi.

Originally, Honda was hoping to have the plant up and running at full capacity again within days after the earthquake but it looks like the delay will continue beyond this timeframe because the plant was too badly damaged in the quake. Understandable since this was the largest earthquake in the History of Japan.

Partial production has been restored at the plant since May 6th and the rest of the factory’s production will resume in stages depending on their circumstances. Honda is expecting to have the plant fully recovered and operational by mid-August of this year. This means those who are waiting for their Africa Twin may experience longer than expected wait times.

We say ‘may’ because the Africa Twin is still in high demand and if Honda has to choose between cranking out CBR1000s or the new and popular ADV bike, they’ll probably choose to use what production capacity they have on the Africa Twin.

 

[Stazza_Brendan]

There's no "May" about it. We are getting told in Oz they will start building AT's September for November shipping due to the earthquake.
Not sure if this meant AT's just for the Oz market or Worldwide.

 

[FullThrottle]

Maybe for OZ only? Production has already resumed so I assume they'll try to push out a bit of every model.

 

[Elvisto]

I did hear today that a couple of 20 ton machine tools were still on their sides after the earthquake, the place must be in a bit of a mess,:frown2:

 

[mike dew]

It would be nice if Honda Japan did a press release stating what the damage was to the plant and the time delays expected with production.
If they have already, then it hasn't been will published?
Having lived through a number of large earthquakes here in Christchurch I can fully understand the issues they (management & staff) will be experiencing and the time it takes to repairs things.

 

[Stazza_Brendan]

I cant see them announcing officially any massive delays.
From Hondas point of view that doesn't do any favours for share price or consumer confidence.

 

[PhiPhi]

My order for a DCT in Thailand was meant to be early June, they called me last week to say maybe coming in October. Ordered and received a Triumph Tiger 800 XCX last month already but was still toying with the AT if they responded quickly to the wheel corrosion issue but as that looks unlikely given the wider issues Honda have to deal with I asked for my deposit back and will look at the AT in a few years time (if I ever get bored with the Tiger). Sorry for all those who have to wait, mother nature can be a bitch!

 

[sandan]

Tiger is a great bike mate, you can't go wrong with it. That triple engine is just so sweet, I had one for a few years . I still have my original DCT on order but I have bought the manual and when the DCT eventually arrives will have the option to change it. I will of course be out of pocket.

I just got my Manual tricolour yesterday. The dealer has promised to minimise the damage but there is always only one winner in this game.

 

[Barry Snyman]

Honda CRF 1000 2016 Africa Twin Luggage Plate.
Ek maak hulle vir R900 elk. 5mm 6082 Aviation Alum.
Enige Design welkom met bending.
[email protected]

 

[magconpres]

My dealer showed me a memo from Honda USA indicating that production is ramping up and all orders will be filled by late August. It indicated they may fill earlier, but the commitment was August.

 

[Akrapovic Exhaust Systems]

A few Honda Powersports dealers across the US have started to receive Africa Twin's over the last 2 weeks.

Check with your local Honda dealership to see if they are a "Powersports dealer", you just might get lucky.

And... don't forget to pre order your Akrapovic Slip-On for your new bike! Header kit coming soon.

 

[NBV]

http://www.morebikes.co.uk/hondas-kumamoto-factory-back-business/

 

[NBV]

2016 Honda Africa Twin USA Shipment Delay | UPDATE June 28th 2016

http://www.hondaprokevin.com/2016-honda-africa-twin-usa-release-date-shipment-crf1000l-update-motorcycle-news

 

[HondaPro Kevin]

2016 Honda Africa Twin USA Shipment Delay | UPDATE June 28th 2016

http://www.hondaprokevin.com/2016-honda-africa-twin-usa-release-date-shipment-crf1000l-update-motorcycle-news

Thanks for sharing my link NBV!

Hopefully the info helps at least a person or two out there...

 

[bart de mare]

Hi Kevin HondaPro, perhaps you can tell us something more on that issue about the heated grips that don't heat at all. Any news on that?

 

[HondaPro Kevin]

Hi Kevin HondaPro, perhaps you can tell us something more on that issue about the heated grips that don't heat at all. Any news on that?

Nothing 'official' so-to-say but Honda has pulled them to where we can't order them. It's not like anything they typically do either with a backorder where there isn't an FRD or where they'll give an FRD etc. They have just flat out pulled them to where they can't be ordered and I've tried every day for the last two weeks. Honda's parts division doesn't handle accessories as the sales side covers them and they've got no info that I can say at this point publicly. I may be reading to much into it but if there's a problem with a large number of them, then this would make sense with the current ordering problem as something may be in the works. Can't say 100% at this exact moment though. Sorry I'm not of more help on that topic but I'm still digging and once I have more and something that I can post publicly without getting in deep water I'll throw up a blog post to help spread the word.

 

[Zoro]

Seems strange that Honda would remove the product from sale and not inform the dealers with a bulletin of some sort?

 

[HondaPro Kevin]

Seems strange that Honda would remove the product from sale and not inform the dealers with a bulletin of some sort?

Strange indeed... If something is wrong with them then Honda is on the ball and will release an update very soon. It's a rarity to have any sort of problem when it comes to Honda's "Genuine / Signature Accessories". I'll post an update as soon as I have something more concrete.

 

[rodooo]

Strange indeed... If something is wrong with them then Honda is on the ball and will release an update very soon. It's a rarity to have any sort of problem when it comes to Honda's "Genuine / Signature Accessories". I'll post an update as soon as I have something more concrete.

Any news on the corroding spokes issue after a few hundred miles ????