We spent a fantastic couple of days in sunny Wales with the guys from the Dave Thorpe Honda Off-Road Centre. It gave us the chance to get the Africa Twin in some mud.
This is a damn honoust and good review about starting offroad. More if this will be relevant for a lot of peeps. Very well editing and presenting. Thanks for that, love to see more of this guy taking along with creating and doing adventures. (And the most relevant showcase of why DCT is here to stay)👍🏽
Can identify with the tense-up reflex. Been watching videos and playing off-road and the biggest improvement is when I remember it and consciously relax my muscles. Letting the bike move under you, letting it find the traction. Off-roading will definitely improve you as a rider both on the pavement and off.
Some advise on getting off the bike; step on the peg and stand up then swing your leg around to get off. This will clear any luggage rack and especially when your bike is strapped with bags.
Smashing Video lads! Its very interesting to see how an Off-road newbie, handle himself on the Africa Twin. We need some follow up videos to see the improvements!
Great video, and the price of the course is fantastic. Here in the US you're lucky to pay double, most likely it will cost 3 times that. I might come to Wales :)
It's funny that you call them pillion grab rails. Being a mostly off-road rider I would have called them "down bike pickup rails" Haha! Two completely different schools of thought.
Offroad I really like the control of knowing what gear I'm in... that's something I learned in cars/jeeps and it's why I'd not want a bike picking gears for me. Given that... I guess I don't see the value in the dct - but I do see a good chunk of added weight on a bike that's far from a featherweight without it. Other than that it seems like the AT is a great bike.
I'll be waiting 2-3 yrs for the first DCTs to be sold used for a couple of grant less than new..... till then I'll fiddle around with the clutch on my 1cyl old school enduro ... but not for long anymore ... ;-))
You will be waiting at least a few years for them to even be in stock in sufficient numbers, before someone gets tired of it and sells it. Japan has had a serious setback in it's production due to Honda's main factories taking heavy damage from seismic activity. Same for the VFR1200X. Stock available of them since they launched is near non-existant.
I could use some off road two-wheel skills - there’s got to be stuff like this stateside. Looks like a good training I don’t like the new bikes though- style-wise they look like a poorly designed snowmobile. Gonna mod up an SL350
Great video, I'd really like to try that course and see what the Africa Twin can do. Nice to see someone who is fairly new to dirt riding getting down and dirty with the Africa Twin. I'm curious about how the Africa Twin handles steep downhills with the DCT, do you just put it in manual mode and select the lowest gear?
Why does the Parallel Twin in the Africa Twin Sound so So good compared to other Parallel Twins?? Like It actually sounds like a damn V-Twin, But smoother than a V-Twin... if that makes since.. .
ViceVersa Musik Its not all about the orientation of the cylinders that gives a bike its sound, it is the way it fires. The Africa Twin has a 270 degree crank, what this does for it is that instead of having a even firing pattern like normal parallel twin it has a uneven firing pattern like a v-twin. If you think music timing for a second. When they taught us to count in class 1-2-3-4, with the normal parallel twins it would be even 1-fire-3-fire, in a V-twin it goes fire-fire-3-4. That dead space at the end gives it that lumpy cool sound, and all gives the tires some dead space between powerstrokes to regain and keep grip. I hope this helps! :)
I don't get DCT-transmissions, particularly in off-road vehicles. I understand it might be option in good grip conditions, but never in off-road bikes.
+jothain the rekluse is so similar to how the dct rides it's uncanny, except you use the paddle shifters to shift. Think of it like a Ferrari shifting, not like a Honda Accord lol. Fast and precise.
Standing style is about separation of your weight and weight of the bike. When going offroad its the left right unexpected rolls that you are dealing with, and standing mitigates those moves of the bike by not including your weight in the equasion. You remain fully verticle while bike constantly goes through various instabilities. Its also use your own legs for a suspension for your own body, instead of loading bikes suspension even further while fully seated, thus gaining more traction. Traction is maximum when suspension in mid setting, but when you are going over uneven terrain with various elevations fully seated means suspension go mid-max all the time. And when it is max - traction suffering.
This bike seems the "mutts" Luke but its the seat height that puts me and I think a lot of others off. However I have heard you say that you are 5ft 7in. You don't appear to be phased by the height though. Has the seat been lowered? Or are you just way better than I would be?
Struan Bettyswallox im 5'10 and i cant flat foot both feet. My seat is in the lower of the two positions as well. I usually just lean it slightly one way and flat foot one side.
its too big of bike to do a track like that its more of a distance/explorers bike light trails, if you want to ride off road get a wr450 you can't go wrong.
This is a damn honoust and good review about starting offroad. More if this will be relevant for a lot of peeps. Very well editing and presenting. Thanks for that, love to see more of this guy taking along with creating and doing adventures. (And the most relevant showcase of why DCT is here to stay)👍🏽
Ahh bike no. 6, that's the one I've just ridden (and dropped a bit) down there. Such a great time and that DCT off-road is an eye opener.
I think I should come to UK to do this course, looks a lot of fun
I have an 2019 dct I love it , mite book this for next year love it off road always room for improving ❤
Can identify with the tense-up reflex. Been watching videos and playing off-road and the biggest improvement is when I remember it and consciously relax my muscles. Letting the bike move under you, letting it find the traction. Off-roading will definitely improve you as a rider both on the pavement and off.
Great video. I like the last point your made and find it extremely important to take into account for long distance travel.
Some advise on getting off the bike; step on the peg and stand up then swing your leg around to get off. This will clear any luggage rack and especially when your bike is strapped with bags.
Indeed. Just watch old videos of Gaston Raiher getting on and off his Dakar DR800's and BMW GS's ruclips.net/video/bXq30LYanuI/видео.htmlm40s
Really? In this track? That ONLY works on Firm asphalt.
...really excellent presentation! Thanks so much!
Smashing Video lads!
Its very interesting to see how an Off-road newbie, handle himself on the Africa Twin.
We need some follow up videos to see the improvements!
Great video.
This kids really down to earth. I like it
Love the Africa twin, it's in my plan to get one for winter use only. I have a hayabusa gen one which is scary as well in winter.
Thanks for this, great report and Vid :) Looks like so much fun!
Ace video, looks like you had a great day.
and a cheeky guest appearance for Austin Vince!
Great video, and the price of the course is fantastic. Here in the US you're lucky to pay double, most likely it will cost 3 times that. I might come to Wales :)
It's funny that you call them pillion grab rails. Being a mostly off-road rider I would have called them "down bike pickup rails" Haha! Two completely different schools of thought.
Looks great - Must go and do a course with Chris Birch here in NZ:) Good on ya for workin on your skills mate:)
Great video!
Offroad I really like the control of knowing what gear I'm in... that's something I learned in cars/jeeps and it's why I'd not want a bike picking gears for me. Given that... I guess I don't see the value in the dct - but I do see a good chunk of added weight on a bike that's far from a featherweight without it. Other than that it seems like the AT is a great bike.
Great trails for an offroad adventure!
Great vid .
Can anyone let me know who's done this trip / course . What clothing & protection is needed or is it supplied by the centre ?
I bet it's like driving my old BSA for this old man.
I'll be waiting 2-3 yrs for the first DCTs to be sold used for a couple of grant less than new..... till then I'll fiddle around with the clutch on my 1cyl old school enduro ... but not for long anymore ... ;-))
You will be waiting at least a few years for them to even be in stock in sufficient numbers, before someone gets tired of it and sells it. Japan has had a serious setback in it's production due to Honda's main factories taking heavy damage from seismic activity. Same for the VFR1200X. Stock available of them since they launched is near non-existant.
yeh heard of it - no problem
Awesome video, dude :)
Have you tried adjusting your chain with the standard Honda Africa Twin tool kit! Try it, let me know.
I could use some off road two-wheel skills - there’s got to be stuff like this stateside. Looks like a good training
I don’t like the new bikes though- style-wise they look like a poorly designed snowmobile. Gonna mod up an SL350
Great video, I'd really like to try that course and see what the Africa Twin can do. Nice to see someone who is fairly new to dirt riding getting down and dirty with the Africa Twin. I'm curious about how the Africa Twin handles steep downhills with the DCT, do you just put it in manual mode and select the lowest gear?
Was that Mondo Enduro's Austin Vince in the background on one of the other bikes?
Awesome!!
Very cool place
Why does the Parallel Twin in the Africa Twin Sound so So good compared to other Parallel Twins?? Like It actually sounds like a damn V-Twin, But smoother than a V-Twin... if that makes since.. .
ViceVersa Musik Its not all about the orientation of the cylinders that gives a bike its sound, it is the way it fires. The Africa Twin has a 270 degree crank, what this does for it is that instead of having a even firing pattern like normal parallel twin it has a uneven firing pattern like a v-twin. If you think music timing for a second. When they taught us to count in class 1-2-3-4, with the normal parallel twins it would be even 1-fire-3-fire, in a V-twin it goes fire-fire-3-4. That dead space at the end gives it that lumpy cool sound, and all gives the tires some dead space between powerstrokes to regain and keep grip. I hope this helps! :)
Great video. Are those Fox pants like the jacket?
Is it a shaft drive? If not, that chain is gonna need a lot maintenance.
I don't get DCT-transmissions, particularly in off-road vehicles. I understand it might be option in good grip conditions, but never in off-road bikes.
Have you even ridden a rekluse? If not then keep ya mouth shut.
pinkbandit133 What the hell does rekluse has to with DCT?
+jothain the rekluse is so similar to how the dct rides it's uncanny, except you use the paddle shifters to shift. Think of it like a Ferrari shifting, not like a Honda Accord lol. Fast and precise.
what tires do you have on the bike there?
Karoo3
I have never understood the whole standing style. Sure it is advantageous over extreme terrain. But a little loose gravel?
Standing style is about separation of your weight and weight of the bike. When going offroad its the left right unexpected rolls that you are dealing with, and standing mitigates those moves of the bike by not including your weight in the equasion. You remain fully verticle while bike constantly goes through various instabilities.
Its also use your own legs for a suspension for your own body, instead of loading bikes suspension even further while fully seated, thus gaining more traction. Traction is maximum when suspension in mid setting, but when you are going over uneven terrain with various elevations fully seated means suspension go mid-max all the time. And when it is max - traction suffering.
I want one ! Nooow !
Guess that was a corporate event for the bike industry? Their website certainly doesn't offer any events with the Africa twin :(
+MotorbikeRush It's all here :) www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/ride-with-us/adventure-centre.html
Awesome
Too bad you cannot buy one in western Canada.
Was that feomt wheel installed wwrong way or in purpose like that?
Very late reply. It's on purpose, decreases breaking distance when you need to stop hard on normal roads.
you shouldn't have too much trouble .you look like your 6'5" . Im only 5'9" 😉 im not flat foot like you but that can be an advantage off road.
500£? Where do I sign up for this?
I saw Austin Vince
This bike seems the "mutts" Luke but its the seat height that puts me and I think a lot of others off. However I have heard you say that you are 5ft 7in. You don't appear to be phased by the height though. Has the seat been lowered? Or are you just way better than I would be?
Struan Bettyswallox im 5'10 and i cant flat foot both feet. My seat is in the lower of the two positions as well. I usually just lean it slightly one way and flat foot one side.
Cheers bud looks like I wont be doing much offroading then.
Hi, pant brand please? :)
DCT or manual bikes? What are you riding?
+dry509 White one is manual, 07:55~ is DCT, maybe.
+Mogg Gasso incorrect...
white/tricolour is DCT and the red one is d manual one.
:-)
You need to turn the music down & the talking up please! :)
Have to turn it down every time the music plays :(
less than 1000$ USD....shit i'm about to cash in some airline points
That motorcycle guy I'm with ya!!
A Honda review of a Honda bike sponsored by honda?
No, not a penny from Honda!
kalon1972 thanks, saved me from watching any further
kalon1972 well the clue is in the title!
Yup
its too big of bike to do a track like that its more of a distance/explorers bike light trails, if you want to ride off road get a wr450 you can't go wrong.
It's not good for offroad
amusing "review" of a legend by a sub 30 miles off-road noob.....
Only the name is legendary, this is an all new bike, and the noob showed just how good the bike is.
A good bike. not more and no emotion. flat...flat...