Africa Twin

[Texasten]

Yeppers, did the Alpine loop in full default traction control setting. On a few of the rocky switchbacks, the engine died 3/4 of the way up. Managed to keep it upright and restart, continue on, amazingly. The sad thing is that I did not recognize at the time the reason the engine was kicking out was the traction control stopping the spin, then with no engine speed, dying when traction regained. I am going to blame it on the elevation, lack of oxygen to brain??? At least the TC goes OFF from then on for dirt use........ :-X

 

[greg the pole]

Well, I have an Africa Twin, for several months now. My take is that I REALLY miss the cruise control, and the drive shaft, and on the other hand, losing 100 pounds is amazing. I have nothing bad to say about S10's, it was a fantastic bike. While most of my riding is street, the occaisional dirt ride requires a bit less caution going around curves and gravel sections. I did manage the Alpine Loop on my S10, but it was a handful. Would have been a LOT better if I would have remembered to TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL. That came close to dumping me 2 or 3 times on the Alpine Loop. That is a must on any bike for sure.
I would agree with those who say the S10 is a little better at freeway speeds, perhaps a tiny bit "less buzzy" and feels a bit more solid.
I have dealt with the lack of cruise control by installing one of the throttle locks. Have adapted to it and it does sort of fill in for that loss. As far as the chain drive, well, I guess that is just the price of losing some pounds. It is more trouble, but for me not a deal breaker. Have adjusted chain twice in 3,000 miles.
I would say both the S10 and the AT have their own advantages. I wish would have test ridden the dual clutch version, am curious about it........

good honest review from an ex tenere owner. Thank you.
I was on the fence with the AT, but will hang on to my ST until the T7 shows, and decide from there. Like you, the lack of shaft drive, and CC wouldn't bother me. Doesn't bother me on my FJ.
As far as the DCT, on road, it's brilliant, in the dirt and with slow maneuvers you need to hold the rear brake on to prevent the bike running away from you. And it weights and costs a bit more. Great review of AT manual and DCT here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMILVr42zR4

 

[snakebitten]

Yea, I keep watching that T7 video on Yamahas site.

I'm giving them the opportunity to woo me away from the AT.

I will have one of them. And to be honest, I want the one least like the Super Tenere, as strange as that might sound.
Another way to put it is I want the one that is more hooligan.

If I'm feeling civilized, I'm jumping on the TBDBITW.
If I'm traveling lighter and\or shorter distance. The 21" "mischief maker"
If I'm willing to break a leg, TDSBITW (sig explains)

 

[hogmolly]

Here is my other bike.....

75HP (at engine)
1000cc twin
470lbs dry weight
8 gallon fuel capacity
21" front, 17" rear
shaft drive
tubeless
heated grips
stone cold reliable
22 years old

How soon people forget

 

[stomp347]

Well that is one good looking rig!!!

 

[Rasher]

I think the new 1090 KTM will be a bit of competition for the AT, lighter, more powerful, 21" wheel and (in the UK at least) only a little more expensive.

The only things I miss about my S10 is the shaft drive and reliability, not that my new steed has gone wrong, more the fact I know I could have kept the S10 for 10 years / 100,000 miles and would be highly unlikely to suffer an expensive failure.

The Honda AT never really appealed to me as a 99.5% Road rider, I would not want to jump to a 21" wheel for the handful of miles I might do on gravel or dirt tracks each year.

 

[greg the pole]

I think the new 1090 KTM will be a bit of competition for the AT, lighter, more powerful, 21" wheel and (in the UK at least) only a little more expensive.

The only things I miss about my S10 is the shaft drive and reliability, not that my new steed has gone wrong, more the fact I know I could have kept the S10 for 10 years / 100,000 miles and would be highly unlikely to suffer an expensive failure.

The Honda AT never really appealed to me as a 99.5% Road rider, I would not want to jump to a 21" wheel for the handful of miles I might do on gravel or dirt tracks each year.

Honda Canada are shooting themselves in the foot. The 2017s jumped up in price by $700 from 2016 with zero changes.
http://motorcycle.honda.ca/model/adventure/africatwin?gclid=CL_90Iu4wtMCFViRfgod4p8InA

The KTM 1090 is Honda money now. I was quoted $15500 MSRP. I'd take the 1090. Better motor, much better suspension. Honda may win on the reliability front, but early indications of dicky little issues may prove otherwise.
http://www.ktm.com/ca-en/travel/1090-adventure-r/

 

[Rasher]

The 1090 KTM is keeping the Key Ignition and "Old Fashioned" Dash of the 2013-2016 1190's, to me it look exactly the same as my 1190 but with smaller rims (runs S10 Tyre Sizes)

So in effect a bike that has been around for about 4 years, most bugs have been ironed out and the 25BHP deficit over the 1190 can only be good news for the engine life (then maybe not as it probably requires more revs to get it moving)

If I was looking for a new bike today it would be on my list, especially for some off-road use when the 125BHP is more than enough - and for such a big bike it is quite light at around 200kg without fuel / water - KTM tend to quote fully wet, whereas other manufacturers go for "Dry Weight" which is no oil, no water, no battery, no add-ons (such as optional ABS)

 

[greg the pole]

The 1090 KTM is keeping the Key Ignition and "Old Fashioned" Dash of the 2013-2016 1190's, to me it look exactly the same as my 1190 but with smaller rims (runs S10 Tyre Sizes)

So in effect a bike that has been around for about 4 years, most bugs have been ironed out and the 25BHP deficit over the 1190 can only be good news for the engine life (then maybe not as it probably requires more revs to get it moving)

If I was looking for a new bike today it would be on my list, especially for some off-road use when the 125BHP is more than enough - and for such a big bike it is quite light at around 200kg without fuel / water - KTM tend to quote fully wet, whereas other manufacturers go for "Dry Weight" which is no oil, no water, no battery, no add-ons (such as optional ABS)

correct. I sat on one at the mc show this january, and quite liked it. Not a fan of the new tablet screen. I'm not a fan of the switch gear either. Feels cheap.
A friend of mine has two 1190's. One in Calgary, and one in Arizona. He has 35k km on both. Zero issues. Both of them are 2015 models.