New Honda 2020 ES

[Scoop47501]

Problem is, we're all naturally inclined to dismiss/dislike something new or simply something we don't have experience with. I guess that makes life cheaper for many of us.

I really dislike the idea of DCT's, and to a lesser extent quick shifters. Yet virtually every DCT review is highly favourable, and quick shifters are an expected feature on any current high end bike.

Heck, for the longest time I hated the concept of an ADV bike for pavement touring. Why would I want a bike equivalent of a mallcrawler Jeep when I'm doing sport touring the "right" way with my FZ6 and then FZ1? Lets just say I don't share that sentiment anymore.

I was in the same boat on DCT. Then I bought my wife a Honda CTX 700 N with the DCT. She loved it. I was ok with it when I rode it but I paddle shifted it as I didn't care for the shift points Honda programed into it. Fast forward four years and I now own a Honda Goldwing DCT and think it is awesome. The shift mode differences and notable and today while playing around in Sport mode and manually shifting it I accidentally lifted the front end off the ground. Anyway everybody likes different things and it works for me but I still love my 2012 Tenere.
As for the Africa Twin the technology would be nice but the chain drive is a deal breaker for me.

 

[ballisticexchris]

It's funny how important shaft drive/tubeless is to some guys. Those are the last things I would consider when purchasing a bike. I have been fixing flats and lubing chains all my life. It's no big deal at all.

 

[regder]

It's funny how important shaft drive/tubeless is to some guys. Those are the last things I would consider when purchasing a bike. I have been fixing flats and lubing chains all my life. It's no big deal at all.

Every one has their preferences, I absolutely adore shaft drive. Didn't think it would be that big of a deal until I got the S10. Last thing I want to do when I'm dead tired after a long day of riding is crouch down and lube the chain. I'm not like some where it's a make it or break it feature, but it sure is nice.

Tubeless definitely is a must, though as has been mentioned you can convert a tubed wheel to tubeless. I'm sure I could patch a tube if I absolutely had to on the side of the road, but that is one thing I would never want to do.

 

[Sierra1]

If it aint sex you don't need it. You just want it

TomAto....tomahto....

 

[Sierra1]

It's funny how important shaft drive/tubeless is to some guys. Those are the last things I would consider when purchasing a bike. I have been fixing flats and lubing chains all my life. It's no big deal at all.

Yeah, but ain't it cool to NOT have to? Two less things to worry about.

 

[EricV]

One thing I wonder about, it appears that the new version will still have 21"/18" size wheels and still spoked wheels, though tubeless. I have had several former AT owners tell me one of the reasons they moved on was the basic instability of the 21/18 at interstate speeds.

 

[Sierra1]

My opinion is that AT was built for persons that wanted better off-road capabilities, and the Tenere for truly all-terrain; once again, not being best at anything, but doing everything well. The both have the same mission statement, but take different paths to complete it.

 

[dannyv]

"Agreed. But, I have to NEED it, before I can WANT it. "

I did not NEED a Super Tenere. Or any motorcycle. I wanted it.

 

[RonH]

I sure don't need or want a DCT. That will never happen. I don't need or want ABS, traction control either. Those things all are included unfortunately on about everything now.
The DCT combined with ABS is really amusing to me on the Honda's. Any wheel sensor does not work, ABS does not work of course, but the motorcycle will not ever shift out of first gear. Every post about this on the various forums just makes me glad I still have a left hand and foot, and sense enough to never buy a DCT.

 

[Sierra1]

….I did not NEED a Super Tenere. Or any motorcycle. I wanted it.

Yes you do. And....yes....you did.

 

[Xclimation]

I'm terrified of DCT!! Terrified that I'll like it! So far EVERYONE I know that has ridden a DCT has liked it. There is at least one member here who has a Tenere and a DCT Africa Twin and it seems he rides the Africa Twin more.
I drive a manual transmission car and do not like autos...(or paddle shifting or shiftronic) But I do not want to like DCT. I'm not convinced that DCT would be able to improve on the way I shift....I'm kind of a control freak on these things.

 

[Tenman]

Last standard transmission I had was a 68 chevy c10 truck. It was a motor and wheels. I don't miss it a bit. Automatic for me. On a bike its a different story. My cr500 has a auto clutch in it. Its like cheating.

 

[Cycledude]

Hopefully next month I will get a chance to take a new Africa Twin DCT for a test ride in Arkansas.
Yes I am a pretty big Honda fan.

 

[Boris]

Yeah, very disappointed in this new Honda, I was really hoping they’d go back to drum brakes and twin rear shocks.

 

[cyclemike4]

I rode a African Twin at a demo ride. they only had the DCT for demo's. I asked for the manual shift. No luck but hey i wanted to ride. I took it out of auto and started using the paddles pretty quick to keep it in the right gear and rpm for the fun roads. I got the hang of it pretty quick. I could ride it smooth and it did OK. that was it just OK. It really wasn't fun for me. I am sure i would have liked it much better with manual shift. Just by the seat of pants feel my Yamaha has way more grunt out of the corners and feels better going left right left quickly.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'm terrified of DCT!! Terrified that I'll like it! So far EVERYONE I know that has ridden a DCT has liked it. There is at least one member here who has a Tenere and a DCT Africa Twin and it seems he rides the Africa Twin more.
I drive a manual transmission car and do not like autos...(or paddle shifting or shiftronic) But I do not want to like DCT. I'm not convinced that DCT would be able to improve on the way I shift....I'm kind of a control freak on these things.

My longest experience with DCT was two days with this Cross Tourer. It was totally functional but not something that I ever really enjoyed.

On the same idea of not needing to shift, I did enjoy the instant torque of an electric Zero DSR. None of the wondering why the thing just shifted.

 

[HeliMark]

I'm terrified of DCT!! Terrified that I'll like it! So far EVERYONE I know that has ridden a DCT has liked it. There is at least one member here who has a Tenere and a DCT Africa Twin and it seems he rides the Africa Twin more.
I drive a manual transmission car and do not like autos...(or paddle shifting or shiftronic) But I do not want to like DCT. I'm not convinced that DCT would be able to improve on the way I shift....I'm kind of a control freak on these things.

After owning and driving manual transmission cars/trucks for close to 40 years, I am a-ok with only owning an automatic now. Although I really don't want one, the DCT does have my interest to at least ride one (might be a mistake). Like what has been said before, a lot of the people wanting to hate them, are finding out they actually like them.

 

[Squibb]

UK prices now announced - here is a few paragraphs from the UK MCN site ......

''The headline figure is £13,049 for a standard CRF1100L Africa Twin, with monthly PCP payments of £159 a month for 36 months if you can find a £2,729.22 deposit. APR is payable at 6.9% across the range.

Adding DCT costs a further £900, while it's £1600 to move up to Adventure Sports trim. Then the Adventure Sports is available with electronic suspension for an extra £1400.

That makes the most expensive Africa Twin £17,349, with monthly payments of £229 and a customer deposit of £3,189.71, with all other parameters the same as above.

We're expecting the first bikes to arrive at dealers in late November.''


Whilst I can't make their sums add up, it's still a tad more expensive than suggested previously, in sterling terms at least. It will be intersting to see the US figures idc.

 

[Sierra1]

I'm terrified of DCT!! Terrified that I'll like it!....I drive a manual transmission car and do not like autos....

I actually DO want to drive one....for curiosity sake. I don't think it will end in an "ah hah" moment though. At this point, I don't even think about shifting; it actually/literally comes second nature since I've been doing for soooo long. I had to special order a manual transmission in my Jeep because, at the time, dealers around here didn't have any. I refer to the transmission as my anti-theft device.

 

[regder]

Whilst I can't make their sums add up, it's still a tad more expensive than suggested previously, in sterling terms at least. It will be intersting to see the US figures idc.

Damn, you guys are paying a serious premium. US prices are already on the website, $17200usd (14000gbp) for Adventure Sports, $18000 with dct, no option for Adventure Sports without electronic suspension.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/adventure/africa-twin/build

Edit: Just thought that UK prices likely include VAT and other fees, North American prices do not.