Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Interesting as last year i bought a Honda CB500X as my daily commuter, now bear in mind the X is a made in Thailand, "budget" Honda (rather than a "proper" Honda like the CRF1000L) but I rode it throughout the winter and hardly ever washed it and I'm more than impressed with the way the bike has stood up!

A tiny patch of rust on the front tank mount.

Some surface rust on the fork tubes where they go through the lower yoke (easily removed)

The plain alloy parts (footrest hangers and brake and clutch lever) are a bit furred up from the winter salt

But thinking back to Hondas I've had over the years, I recall similar small issues so no real change to my mind.

Are Africa Twins really any worse?

I'm thinking of taking one for a test ride next week, so i'll see how it compares to my 2011 990 Adventure as after all:

Both are 1000cc twin cylinder trail bikes

both have 21"/18" wheel configuration

Both weigh in just over the 200kg mark dry (Honda 208/KTM 209)

Both have around 100bhp (Honda 95/KTM 105) although mine has 116 due to Akras and a 2012 map

Differences are fuel consumption (Honda 54.9 mpg/KTM 41.7 mpg) both figures from Fuelly

KTM has ABS only/ Honda has ABS and adjustable traction control

Interestingly the KTM cost £9,995 in 2011, and five years later the Honda costs only £504 more at £10,499

cutting corners on budget bikes I can understand but not at this price range like AT.

Look at this for instance:
http://africatwin1000.blogspot.sg/2016/ ... riaux.html

or this, 3 weeks old bike - honda, are you serious?
http://www.africatwinforum.com/forum/at ... 1459263434

Hi ,it's still a great bike. Unfortunately it has quality issues ,and with a 2 year warranty ,I'm sure Henry Honda will sort it oot . And I'm no being pedantic ....watch this .........Al :whistle:

moto al wrote:

robson wrote:

moto al wrote:The new Africa twin ,is a great bike,it performs like a 250, light & Agile , with just under 100bhp. Unfortunately ,Mr Henry Honda ,has cut back on the quality

the question is now: who hasn't these days?

hi,your possibly spot on.i have owned bm,s for over 30years ,I changed brands a few years ago due too BMW drop in quality . This is my third Honda .the first 2 the quality was first class. Not with my new Africa twin .the standard of cycle parts ,is terrible .they have dropped the standard of Finnish ,very sad.Al.

I'm currently trying to get BMW to repaint my frame as the welds have rubbed all the paint off them from my trousers its a 15 plate with 1500 miles. totally not impressed..

i had issues with corrosion on the cam cover on my last gsa and took it back to williams manchester and they could not do enough, replaced the cover and free mini service.

it could come down to the dealer

steve

I didn't know there were so many problems already:

Known issues:

Corrosion: spokes, bolts, fasteners
Buttons: sticking/jamming
Spokes: corrosion, breaking (too thin?)
Heated grips: not working or weak; possibly heat controller under seat
Rear rack coating: scratches/mars easily
Sensor replacement: some internal engine sensor had to be replaced (oil?)
Throttle control: jerky in slow technical situations
Clutch cable: can pop out

http://xladv.com/topic/624-honda-crf1000l-problems/

robson wrote:I didn't know there were so many problems already:

Known issues:

Corrosion: spokes, bolts, fasteners
Buttons: sticking/jamming
Spokes: corrosion, breaking (too thin?)
Heated grips: not working or weak; possibly heat controller under seat
Rear rack coating: scratches/mars easily
Sensor replacement: some internal engine sensor had to be replaced (oil?)
Throttle control: jerky in slow technical situationsy
robson....you're too paranoid for this motorcycling lark, try golf.
Clutch cable: can pop out

http://xladv.com/topic/624-honda-crf1000l-problems/

robson....you're far too paranoid for motorcycling.....try golf or jigsaws

SteveW wrote: robson....you're far too paranoid for motorcycling.....try golf or jigsaws

well, and you're far too ignorant for motorcycling, try bus or train instead. Will be safer for you and surrounding.

robson wrote:

SteveW wrote: robson....you're far too paranoid for motorcycling.....try golf or jigsaws

well, and you're far too ignorant for motorcycling, try bus or train instead. Will be safer for you and surrounding.

Well I don't actually care about problems with bikes I neither own nor want to own so where does that leave me? :huh:

The thing you have to remember is this is a popular bike, the more Honda sell,the more problems will occur.
same for the ccm 450 for instance, but a lot less problems because a lot less sold.its all relative.
From a non internet perspective I have spoke to 3 new Africa twin owners and all loved them and hadn't had any problems, I think I would go on there veiw rather than some nutter googling Africa twin problems.