[Fuzzcat]

Unlike many folks, personally not motivated to have multiple bikes, want the fewest, most versatile, machines. Don't have much time to ride and would rather have one or two go-to platforms that can be better understood, maintained, appreciated.

Rode my AT for the first time in four months, put on 45 miles. While riding was thinking, there's just nothing I don't like about the machine - across the board it's fine - year, transmission, color. Had ridden a T700 in October and yeah they're great but what could they do my AT couldn't? I appreciate there's a world in which the desire for 3mm additional fork travel would mean a bike trade, for me something like that couldn't be more of a wash. So got to thinking, although I'll never willingly part with this AT, what would be a big enough game-changer in a machine to make it worthwhile acquiring another road-going bike? ....

And so - maybe - what might motivate me to open the checkbook might be a nicely designed, nice riding, extra-high-range, rave-reviewed, revolutionary new ADV electric. I've heard it before "I'll never own an electric" and I might never either but that's at least something different enough from my AT to even consider. Sure, I'd take a hover-bike but that's probably a little too far away. So for you, what could come down the path that would be revolutionary enough to say, "I need to think about talking to a dealer about this"?

 

[WeeWilly]

I suggest staying away from electric. The tech just isn't there yet. It is getting better but still has a way to go. As has always been the case, the short pole in the tent is specific energy storage, a battery problem. And it's not getting any better soon. The tech just isn't ready unless you just want to go down to the corner 7-11 and (maybe) come back.

Thinking about things like any of the BDR rides or my desire to go on and off-road anywhere, I should like to be riding a 500 to 650-sized bike if I truly wanted to go where my soul leads without compromise. The AT is a big girl which I have dropped several times fully-loaded on messy single track outings. It is always a challenge to get her back on her feet and back on our way. The trepidation I feel when it's clear I'm in questionable territory is palpable. And this from an older US Army paratrooper and Ranger. As I get older I would like to wrestle less off-road with the bike and enjoy the ride more, even when it's sloppy. My target today is focused on a Honda XL650R or a Kawi KLR 650. These bikes are pretty inexpensive, though the cost to bring them up to gear level w/ Ol' Red is sobering. My plan for the future is less sloppy single track and more fire roads. This getting old stuff isn't for wimps as my 87-yr-old dad reminds me often enuf.

YMMV.

 

[Autonomity]

Give me the Africa Twin, but 50kg lighter.
OR
Give me a CRF450L with a 10kkm+ service interval while not passing 120kg wet.

 

[DoubleThumper]

Unlike many folks, personally not motivated to have multiple bikes, want the fewest, most versatile, machines. Don't have much time to ride and would rather have one or two go-to platforms that can be better understood, maintained, appreciated.

Rode my AT for the first time in four months, put on 45 miles. While riding was thinking, there's just nothing I don't like about the machine - across the board it's fine - year, transmission, color. Had ridden a T700 in October and yeah they're great but what could they do my AT couldn't? I appreciate there's a world where 3mm additional fork travel would mean a bike trade, for me it couldn't be more of a wash. So got to thinking, although I'll never willingly part with this AT, what would be a big enough game-changer in a machine to make it worthwhile acquiring another road-going bike? ....

And so - maybe - what might motivate me to open the checkbook might be a nicely designed, nice riding, extra-high-range, rave-reviewed, revolutionary new ADV electric. I've heard it before "I'll never own an electric" and I might never either but that's at least something different enough from my AT to even consider. Sure, I'd take a hover-bike but that's probably a little too far away. So for you, what could come down the path that would be revolutionary enough to say, "I need to think about talking to a dealer about this"?

Do it.

 

[Fuzzcat]

Do it.

Yeah!

I get into this circular reasoning thing where I would swing a new machine but then if so would want it to represent some living-end newfangled really cool new development ...... and realize that if not, any potential attraction would be just that it's different and that's not what I want to make a decision on. When the AT Junior in what would have been hopefully, potentially DCT turned into a fizzle I kinda lost interest in what else might be coming available. If I could snap my fingers and have my same AT in DCT in 850 and 150 lbs lighter and a few inches narrower that might be my ultimate machine - ain't gonna' happen and I appreciate I've made that same post enough to sound like a broken record -

 

[DoubleThumper]

... I am stuck in circular reasoning, @Fuzzcat.

 

[Beowulf]

Adding a side car was the only reason I was willing to swap my 2017 DCT Std for a 2021 AS DCT.

Figured with the huge money sink that a sidecar project is, I just as well get the larger gas tank, cruise control and slightly more power. The bike was the cheap part of the project.

 

[SXSthumper]

Give me a reverse gear! Can I get an AMEN?!!!

 

[Fuzzcat]

Adding a side car was the only reason I was willing to swap my 2017 DCT Std for a 2021 AS DCT.

Figured with the huge money sink that a sidecar project is, I just as well get the larger gas tank, cruise control and slightly more power. The bike was the cheap part of the project.

I remember your original posts and reasonings for the sidecar project. Riding along today I did have a fleeting thought of whether a three-wheeler (of any kind) would eventually have some appeal?

 

[Lupolee]

Standard model AT with electric suspension, tubeless wheels and 25kg lighter - I’d buy that!

 

[HartmanFoscari]

Give me a reverse gear! Can I get an AMEN?!!!

so you want a goldwing?
tho Would be kinda cool if they rehashed the vfr1200x to be a lighter version of a goldwing with standard steering and reverse but keeping to a v4 or ptwin. Make it low as a vfr tho for a more adventure touring design where it is more for 70/30 at most but capable to do 50/50 if you really wanted. BUT TUBELESS WHEELS ARE A MUST

 

[dlee]

Just my opinion, but I think I have the best of both worlds, having the Honda AT for longer rides, log roads, cruising, and having a Honda 450X for trail riding, more technical single track. It's really hard to find a do all bike, unless I've missed something. It kind of makes me giggle to see AT owners try and do trials they just really shouldn't be doing. But who am I to judge.

 

[Shunpiker]

Why have just one lol, as my garage now has a "No Vacancy" sign.

 

[Fuzzcat]

 

[DoubleThumper]

Ah, ... that is an idea where your head is at @Fuzzcat. Indeed, different.


(time for a little cat nip)

 

[Fuzzcat]

Nah, not really ... just being silly because it looks like the never-to-be AT Junior will remain a phantom

 

[Kcruisin]

The Goldwing sets the standard for a touring bike that can't be matched. But, they are limited to good pavement.
Any 1800 is worth the money. I personally think the ’14-’17 models are the best work Honda has on the highways today.

 

[Shunpiker]

View attachment 78706
View attachment 78707
View attachment 78708

That top one is cool!!!

 

[Fuzzcat]

Agree - I'd take one

Brutus: The Two-Wheeled SUV

 

[dlee]

Just my opinion, but I think I have the best of both worlds, having the Honda AT for longer rides, log roads, cruising, and having a Honda 450X for trail riding, more technical single track. It's really hard to find a do all bike, unless I've missed something. It kind of makes me giggle to see AT owners try and do trials they just really shouldn't be doing. But who am I to judge.