Help me make up my mind?????

[Computer Doctor]

This is only my second post here so be gentle!

To put things into perspective, I have had lots of Dualsport/ enduro/ Adventure bikes from large to small , the last large one being a 1999 R1100GS and my current one, a 2016 Suzuki DL650 ABS.

Currently, I have a tentative deal set up at a local Powersports dealer to buy a new 2017 Africa twin, manual gearbox for right at $10,500 out the door AND they will give me a fairly good trade in for my 2014 Honda CTX1300D, which I can't seem to sell

Things I like about the AT:

That red, white and blue color scheme, the great ergonomics, so called Honda build quality and it's much lower price than the Super Tenere.

Things I don't like:

Chain drive, smallish gas tank, reported fueling problems, short valve adjustment intervals, no center stand, no cruise control and the 21 inch front tire which is fine for the dirt and not so fine for the road, where 90% of my riding will be done. TUBE tires and reported corrosion and spoke problems!

Things I like about the Super Tenere:

Shaft drive, large gas tank, reported excellent fueling, LONG valve adjustment intervals, center stand???, cruise control and a good dual purpose size front tire. 200cc's extra doesn't hurt either. Tubeless spooked rims

Things I don't like:

Sorry, sorta/ kinda dated and ugly in my extremely humble opinion Like my past first year Suzuki DL1000 that Suzuki continues to bore the market with till this day! The AT looks modern and 'flashy.'

I want some opinions please---what say you?

The price bothers me and it's hard to find a reasonable bargain nearby.

CD

 

[Nikolajsen]

Well, hard to say because everyone is different.
The things you dont like about the AT, would consern me more, than the things you dont like about the S10.
So I say, take the S10

 

[yoyo]

The response is always going to be biased when you ask a 'which bike' question on a manufacturer specific forum but it's always worth asking I guess.

For me I chose the S10 for the reliability, the shaft drive, cruise, comfort etc were all a bonus, I like the look of the AT but not enough to warrant choosing it. Fit a good automatic chain oiler and the gap to a shaft bike is reduced a bit (from a frequent maintenance point of view at least).

Test ride them both and then decide if the budget will stretch to the S10 if you prefer it.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[MFP]

I went through pretty much the same dilemma as you last Spring before I ultimately chose a used S10.
Luckily I was able to use a quite nicely farkled AT for a day through a friend's friend and the biggest dislike I had (as well as the items you mentioned) was the way the AT rode on the the highway at highway speeds. I just could not embrace the feeling of riding what basically felt like a really large motocross bike. I am 6'2" so I fit on the AT fine.
The S10 just felt right all around with what I was looking for.
Be aware that with '16 and '17 ATs there is a widespread issue with the front forks that is kind of a major buzzkill:
https://advrider.com/f/threads/afri...and-prospective-new-owners-must-read.1253181/
Regardless many folks still choose an AT and when I am out riding and come across AT riders they almost always speak
very highly about their choice.

 

[oldguy]

I was also attracted to the AT, but quickly compiled a list of negatives identical to yours.
Earlier this month l took delivery on a new 2018, non ES S10.
No regrets and at the risk of an obvious bias, the Honda at least in this case, is way over matched.
A friend just got a new AT and l wouldn't trade him two for one!
The S10 is just the better bike.

 

[barkingllizard]

I don't believe you are comparing the same thing, Computer Doctor,
the Super Tenere and the Africa Twin...
apples to oranges in my opinion...
get what makes you happy.....

 

[craigincali]

If I was gonna ride in the dirt I would have gone AT. I don't drive dirt so Cruise Control, shaft, and maintenance were the deciding factors for me

 

[Jeff Milleman]

Well said craigincali , Its all depending on use conditions and the s10 got my vote , as for today I would still get the s10 ,great machine and its got what I like.

 

[EricV]

Take a moment to fill out your profile, at least the location. Need only be country or state if in the US. It helps add context to your posts and helps us better understand and answer more specifically.

That's a great price on the AT. You can always convert the wheels to tubeless. That's a pretty well figured out procedure now days. No center stand? I wasn't aware of that. Looks like $160 - $350 for various options from used to new.

There are plenty of low mile used Super Tenere bikes in that same price range too. Some already farkled a bit.

Ride both if you can, that may help you decide how you personally feel about the road handling of the AT vs the ST.

 

[tntmo]

The Africa Twin is a very nice looking bike, I agree 100% with you on that. It's also much better off road with the better suspension, dirt sized wheels and lighter weight. The chain does require some maintenance, but on the plus side you could re-gear it if you wanted more low end torque or more relaxed highway cruising. I don't believe the "Honda build quality" hype in the current time.....maybe 20-30 years ago. You can easily add a center stand to a Honda. The Honda gets a bit better fuel mileage than the Tenere so they have very similar range.

I think you've pretty much made up your mind, especially since you're having a hard time selling your other Honda. The Tenere is a damn good bike, but very different from the AT. I don't regret buying my Tenere, but I regret missing out on some more difficult off road sections because it's not as capable as the AT.

 

[Clawdog60]

I wish my S10 had come from the factory with a 21" front wheel. I prefer a 21" on the street.

 

[Cycledude]

I like the Africa Twin but because of chain drive and no cruise control I will probably never buy one. Tube type tires is another big reason for me not to buy one. If I was buying Africa Twin it would be a DCT. The Africa Twin would be a much better choice for off road use but you won’t see me riding very many places a regular car couldn’t go.
A nice 3 cylinder 800cc with cruise control and shaft drive is something I would like but so far no manufacture has offered that option.

 

[MFP]

A nice 3 cylinder 800cc with cruise control and shaft drive is something I would like but so far no manufacture has offered that option.

The new Moto Guzzi V85 TT almost fits your requirements, 850 twin, shaft drive, cruise control and off road capabilities.

 

[VRODE]

I like the AT. It’s a fine looking ride. Tube tires was an non starter for me. Also no centerstand. Yes, I could make the wheels ok for tubeless and add a centerstand. I still wouldn’t have cruise, heated grips or e-adjustable suspension (ES). And I like the looks of my ST.

 

[EricV]

I
A nice 3 cylinder 800cc with cruise control and shaft drive is something I would like but so far no manufacture has offered that option [AGAIN].

Fixed that for you. Seems crazy that everyone offered small displacement shaft drive or enclosed chain drive bikes in the '80s and now no one does. BMW should be dragged out in the street and shot for building that abomination of chain drive bikes. 45 years of telling us why shaft drive was the only way, then they go cheap instead of bringing back updated designs of bikes they already sold in the past.

Note to Honda... CX/GL500/650/750 with a modern EFI motor, updated LED lighting, ABS and a 'standard' seating position will SELL.

 

[bigbob]

Cousins used to have a Honda dealership. On demo days I would lead or tail rides taking whatever a customer did not want to ride. Rode ATs several times, both manual and DTC. As the ride leader when we got back I would ride ditches and whatever to kill a few minutes before the next ride. Found the automatic really nice in slowly coming out the ditch. But both were ok.

Anyway for me my 10 I rode there and home was so much more comfortable. Let alone the tires, chain, and cruise.

My suggestion is what I did when I could not decide between the Triumph Adventure and the Ténéré. I took the demo 10 (1 mile on it) and rode it to the Triumph dealer. Rode theirs. Came back and said sorry. Took the 10 back and bought that bike.

Ridden separately weeks apart both were good. Back to back the Ténéré won! Never been sorry since.

 

[EricV]

@bigbob - You're a genius Bob! I love that idea. Although, I secretly loved the reaction when I rode to the Ducati dealership on my S10 and the sales droid started in on his speel, then noticed the 100k+ on my odo and just shut the f**k up. Not too bad for a 4 year old bike. Not nearly what I've done some other years, but enough to keep him quiet while I picked up the Multistrada Enduro for a demo ride.

 

[old1959]

I've ridden a DCT AT, and while a very nice bike, the idea of having tubed tires was a deal breaker for me. Yes, the wheels can be modified to be tubeless but I rather not have to. Also, the S10 just offered so much more with cruise, centerstand, longer maintenance intervals, and shaftdrive. No regrets for me. Note: I used the S10 as an all around touring bike. And don't really consider either bike to be dirt bike. Enjoy.

 

[jpward]

This is a tough decision. It sounds like you're sold on the sex appeal of the AT. I get it, I personally am sold on the sex appeal of the SuperTen. I love the looks of it. When I bought my SuperTen last year I wanted to limit myself from basing too much of my decision on how sexy it is. So, I made a decision matrix made up of 3 categories and scored each category on a scale of 1-10, then added up the score for each bike.
My categories were:
1. Reliability - 10
2. Utility - 9
3. Sex appeal - 10
Total score was 29.
I did this with the AT as well, and while think it's a great bike, it scored lower than the SuperTen.
Good luck on your decision!

 

[Clawdog60]

The new Moto Guzzi V85 TT almost fits your requirements, 850 twin, shaft drive, cruise control and off road capabilities.

If only there were more dealerships.