NOT Th Related - Successor to the Africa Twin?

[daewoo]

I am not much of a 'bike nut', but have been trying to work my way through the History of the Africa Twin.

From what I can gather, the Africa Twin was produced as the XRV650 from 88-93 and the XRV750 from then until 99.

Being that a 99 model bike is now getting towards 10 years old, is there a modern Honda Alternative?

The Transalp seem much more road orinetated than the Africa Twins. I was trying to seach for these on Japanese Auction Sites to see what they are selling for there, but the Africa Twin just seems to be too old, and I would really like something more off-road orinetated than the Transalp (if my impression is correct).

Any links or info appreciated.

Cheers,
Daewoo

 

[pexa]

The 650 was for 1988-1989, then on it was 750. The only real significant change to the 750 was in 1993 (from RD04 to RD07), the newer one has better frame and lower center of gravity. I think they stopped producing it (or at least bringing it to Europe) in 01 or 02.

It amazes me Honda have done really nothing to keep its allround bike range up to date. The Suzuki DL650 beats the aging Transalp in nearly everything, especially the engine. Well, the Transalp has spoked wheels and a 21´ front (like the AT) but thats about it. There have been rumours of the "new" Africa Twin, or whatever they are going to call it, but so far nothing´s confirmed. I bet they know their rivals are ahead of them these days.

 

[daewoo]

But the V-Strom is much more like the Transalp that the AT right???

i.e. much more of a blacktop tourer than the AT was/is.

So there isn't a current version of the AT?

Cheers,
Daewoo

 

[Rhodie]

Daewoo
Honda are about to unveil an off-road enduro bike at the end of this month at the the Paris Show.
It is widely expected to be the AT replacement.
With the expected importation of bigger bikes by some of the Big 4 -Yamaha & Kawasaki I believe [TJ- is this correct?]- then there is a very slim chance that they may come here.
Otherwise an enterprising importer would probably be your best bet.

 

[tropicaljohno]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rhodie

Daewoo
With the expected importation of bigger bikes by some of the Big 4 -Yamaha & Kawasaki I believe [TJ- is this correct?]-

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Rhodie, I believe something should be happening with Yamaha towards the end of the year.

 

[DavidFL]

quote:

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Originally posted by daewoo

Any links or info appreciated.
Cheers,
Daewoo

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Ah yes, the Africa Twin. Try some of these links.

http://www.wemoto.com/library/bikes/jap ... index.php3

http://www.atic.org/

http://q.webring.com/hub?ring=xrv

http://phr3ak.wordpress.com/honda-xrv-7 ... win-links/

http://www.africanqueens.de/html/honda_ ... atwin.html

http://www.africanqueens.de/html/sumo.html

http://www.africanqueens.de/html/lc8_rallyekappa.html

But Hiko probably knows more than all of us with his fleet of ATs.

 

[HIKO]

OH DAVID I AM FLATTERED....

But I am a little scared to try to be a specialist on Africa Twins since I was caught with my trousers down a few months ago on this site with the Africa Twin model year for sale in Phuket.

Anyhow as Pexa says the 650 Africa Twin was only manufactured from 1988 to 1989. In 1989 the engine was increased to 750 and you got two front brake discs and some other changes. In 1993 the model changed radically and after this it is a much better bike even if the old 650 was and is as fast as the newer 750 AF:s.

It is a little unclear how long the AF was manufactured, probably because Honda used some old homologations on some market selling old models as newer ones but I"ve heard that even 2002 new models were sold.

Daewoo you are right that most Africa Twins available are very old and much run , as well in Japan as here. So that is why we have to wait for a new model as all old owners do. Rhodie told us about a new model coming on the Paris Show and told the info come from the swedish Honda. Anyhow I checked up that site and I could not find any info about a new AF and I speak Swedish...

Pexa recommended you the DL Suzuki but remember he owns one and he works summertime for SUZUKI....
The Transalp 650 made in Italy is actually as good as an old AF. The engine has the same power, the suspension is better and the brakes are better. The problem is that it is very difficult to find the 650 Transalp as well in Thailand as in Japan. Actually I think I have the only one here in Thailand.

Yes I think that new big bikes will be for sale in Thailand in a much larger amount than now. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki are coming in. If they will sell high enduro bikes in Thailand where people are not so high is an other questio....

HIKO

 

[pexa]

Yep, once again Hiko is right, I am biased.. but also a satisfied DL owner, so far its done everything Ive asked from it, and works like a clock, though I havent really been able to test its reliability yet, because its quite new. The engine is a peach, and way more punchy than Transalp, also the frame is from another planet.

My former bike was an SV, which I rode 62000km, its basically the same engine with some minor modifications, and similar fuel injection. Never ever was it broken, not once, but of course that is not very high-mileage afterall. And driving conditions in Europe are a whole lot different from SE Asia.

In horizonsunlimited.com Suzuki-forums there was someone, who had just done a trip from USA through all of Central & South America and back with a DL650, and still thought it was the right tool for the job. Said its actually much tougher than it looks.

But enough thread-hijacking already!! I do love the Africa Twin, too, and the Transalp aint bad, either, both are very reliable and capable bikes. Funny theyre asking almost the same money from 5-6 year old AfricaTwins here, as the Transalp costs new.. cant really understand where that comes from.

 

[daewoo]

Thanks for all your help and input...

I do like the V-Strom, my neighbor has one and they look like the ducks nuts for on road touring. I am more interested in something with some off-road ability which it seems the Transalp and V-Strom are less capable than the AT.

Unfortunately the AT was only imported into Aus for 2 years by Honda (from what I read).

The fact that the manufacturers are looking to start importing is a double edged sword to me. It should hopefully make more good bikes available, totally legit, and hopefully at reasonable prices, but of course may cut into the resale value of the ones in the country on less legit recycled books etc.

Cheers,
Daewoo

 

[Rhodie]

New Africa Twin or Transalp?

Speculation is mounting that there is a new AT or perhaps Transalp
to be announced at the Paris motorshow.
Perhaps Honda aiming to steal Beamers F800GS thunder later at Intermot?
Honda Sweden [http://www.hondamc.se/] have posted this image with a day/hour countdown.

Note the wire wheels.

On a Portugese mag website is this piece talking about a new Transalp with cast wheels.
http://www.motociclismo.pt/index.php?op ... &Itemid=51

Who knows - rather academic in our neck of the woods.

 

[guichard]

I have been the happy owner of a 600 Transalp from 90 till 99.
120.000km on the clock,trouble free but an electronic box during guarantee.yes,it's more a road bike than a trail.(I) would not have dared to ride Hoe sai to Luang N T 10 years ago!On muddy or stony trails,my son was happier with his 650 DR.So I bought a 350DR Suz
to try to follow him.That was a good bike for the job ;but it lacked power on the road ,so i changed it for the new 650 Transalp.But I was a bit disappointed despite the 2 front brakes and a little more torque.Defitely not so "agile".And in 94 ,I bought the500 Cb Honda:
My 2 feet flat on the road.In the southern Alps where we live ,more and more trails are close to bikes.
I have a nephew who lives in Corsica island who rode an AT for years and now is enthusiastic about the KTM 950R Super Enduro but he is tall,strong and just over 30!
Thanks to different riders of the forum:my new itinerary in Laos is
now complete and I received the confirmation from Dang's that the 3 AX will be waiting for us with the right papers to go smootly through
the boarders.
Cheers everybody, Lung.

 

[barflyrex]

Yesterday I noticed a 1995 african twin for sale in a small bike shop in Pattaya.
It had 79000kms on the clock, it had been sprayed up, and looked quiet good, the guy said he wanted 100,000baht for it.

Also came across this link, it shows a 2001 model.

http://www.dhpmoto.com/Reports/Barcelon ... /Honda.htm

Rex