Carving through traffic jams is easier when the panniers are left at home but with it’s height, narrow chassis, light steering and orange indicators that are permanently on, the Africa Twin seems to earn respect from the other vehicles, more so than noisier sports bikes unsurprisingly. I believe the combination of white fairing and those indicators appearing in rear view mirrors can fool drivers into thinking it’s a police bike coming through – if my passage is made easier then I won’t complain.
Riding at average speeds less than 30mph for the commuting section of the journey has at least given me time to find the optimum setting for the DCT gearbox. Leave it ‘D’ for drive and the bike is forever changing up and down the gears as you accelerate and brake. Flick the ‘box into the ‘S2’ setting is ideal and the bike finds itself at home for all types of road riding. The 93.8bhp parallel twin is quick enough off the line and holds the gears long enough to offer the thrill seeker a little buzz. The exhaust note is an excellent accomplice.
It offers the right recipe for the smooth power delivery, quick off the line and not confusing itself around roundabouts and longer corners.
The digital display offers all the information you’d expect in a simple vertical view. It isn’t as glamorous as some but is simple in its operation using the up/down toggle button to navigate and ‘set’ button on the left handlebar. After resetting some 2,500 miles ago, the economy display reads ‘9.8 miles/litre’ which translates to 44.55mpg.
As well as the top box and panniers the engine bars, fog lights, a tall screen are among the accessories that have been retrospectively added to our long term loan bike which make the bike even more imposing on the road. A low seat option is available but was not selected because the centre of gravity makes for relatively easy accessibility and manoeuvrability. Our 169cm (5’ 6.5”) tall photographer hopped on the Honda and while he could only put one foot down, seemed more than comfortable. He does ride an R1200GS regularly and said, “All you need to ride tall bikes is confidence, technique and experience. Combine those three and you’ll be fine.”
As you’d expect with any bike there are a few niggly bits that are worthy of note. Honda are aware of at least one and offer a dealer-fit, quibble free replacement part for the ‘Set’ button on the handlebar which is susceptible to sticking and becoming unusable.
We’ve also found that the left hand mirror gathers water when the bike is on its side stand in the rain or having been washed. Only when you pick the bike up off its stand does it then dribble all over your glove.
Neither the standard nor optional taller screen are adjustable and the bike is crying out for cruise control. Then there’s the power. Some, including me, wouldn’t say no to an extra 30 bhp which would lift the Africa Twin into BMW GS power range, despite the DCT version weighting 4kg more than the base spec Beemer. The extra grunt would make this award-winning motorcycle truly magnificent.
The list of options added to our long term loan Africa Twin are:
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Backrest for 35L Top Box
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£75,00
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Rear Carrier
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£45,00
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35L Top Box
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£155,00
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Pannier Kit
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£465,00
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Lock to suit 35L Top Box
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£55,00
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Wave Key Components (Cylinder Inner Kit)
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£18,00
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Main stand
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£160,00
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Cowl Guard Kit
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£385,00
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Touring Screen
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£115,00
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Heated Grips
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£125,00
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12V Socket
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£50,00
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Sub-harness (Allows dual fitment of 12V Socket & Fog Lights)
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£38,00
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Fog Lights Attachment
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£170,00
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Front LED Fog Lights
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£240,00
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Photos: Mark ‘Weeble’ Manning.
