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Spent the day on an Africa Twin - Printable Version

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RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - peterbaron - 07-05-2020

SB, I've never owned an AT, but agree with your opinion: as they are totally different bikes to own and ride


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - the Ferret - 07-05-2020

You are safe PB.. I know I'm short lol. I have not tried an AT but I have ridden a Yamaha Super Tenere and a lowered Yamaha T7. Both were sky high seat wise. On the Super Tenere when I got in from the test ride I couldn't deploy the side stand, my leg wasn't long enough. My son had to run over and put it down so I could climb off. I've also ridden a nephew's KTM 696, and it was really tall. Legs dangled on both sides sitting still.

I have a cruiser body with a sport tourers soul lol


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - motoWest_imp - 07-14-2020

Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - peterbaron - 07-14-2020

For me, the CB is the most comfy on a highway, can easy clock from 300-1150 kms, daily average if long distancing is 600-800 kms...Biker


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - pdedse - 07-14-2020

(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I can't speak for the AT specifically, but my dinosaur KLR650 seat height is similar at 35". I'm sure the AT suspensions is better than that of the KLR650...but I have done 700 miles days on the KLR, ridden it to Central America and back (Oregon), and it's very comfortable on the hiway--albeit not fast. Point is, I feel like I can ride on it forever and perhaps the AT provides riders with a similar feeling.

(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I did a round trip OR to Illinois ride on a '14 standard, and it has much less leg room than my KLR. Because of more cramped riding posittion for me, it takes me a while to build up stamina. I took a week to ride to Illinois, I think it was 7 days and 6 nights, averaging 425 miles per day. The first day was rough...wondering if I was gonna make it. Then by the middle of the second day, I think I settled in and found a groove. By day 3, my back and neck muscles seemed fine and the rest of the 3 week trip I felt at home on the CB.

This isn't to say that the CB1100 is better than this or that for long distances; rather, it took me a few days to feel comfortable on it, and that wasn't the case on an "adventure style" bike.

I need to take more frequent stops on the CB to stretch legs. I added a seat pad forthe seat. Added hiway pegs on the engine guards. I'd say it made the trip do-able, but I'd never say it was totally comfortable...but it's the bike I wanted to do the trip on at the time, so that makes a difference.

The CB for me is rock solid as far as wind turbulance. I use ear plugs which greatly reduces the wind noise to the ears--a small detail that shouldn't be overlooked. I'm planning a few more long rides on the CB once things clear a bit.


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - motoWest_imp - 07-14-2020

(07-14-2020, 05:12 AM)pdedse_imp Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I can't speak for the AT specifically, but my dinosaur KLR650 seat height is similar at 35". I'm sure the AT suspensions is better than that of the KLR650...but I have done 700 miles days on the KLR, ridden it to Central America and back (Oregon), and it's very comfortable on the hiway--albeit not fast. Point is, I feel like I can ride on it forever and perhaps the AT provides riders with a similar feeling.

(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I did a round trip OR to Illinois ride on a '14 standard, and it has much less leg room than my KLR. Because of more cramped riding posittion for me, it takes me a while to build up stamina. I took a week to ride to Illinois, I think it was 7 days and 6 nights, averaging 425 miles per day. The first day was rough...wondering if I was gonna make it. Then by the middle of the second day, I think I settled in and found a groove. By day 3, my back and neck muscles seemed fine and the rest of the 3 week trip I felt at home on the CB.

This isn't to say that the CB1100 is better than this or that for long distances; rather, it took me a few days to feel comfortable on it, and that wasn't the case on an "adventure style" bike.

I need to take more frequent stops on the CB to stretch legs. I added a seat pad forthe seat. Added hiway pegs on the engine guards. I'd say it made the trip do-able, but I'd never say it was totally comfortable...but it's the bike I wanted to do the trip on at the time, so that makes a difference.

The CB for me is rock solid as far as wind turbulance. I use ear plugs which greatly reduces the wind noise to the ears--a small detail that shouldn't be overlooked. I'm planning a few more long rides on the CB once things clear a bit.

Do you use a windscreen? Perhaps my issue is with the standard seating position, not the bike.


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - rboe - 07-14-2020

When I first did touring on a motorcycle the national speed limit was 55mph. At 55 wind noise, pressure and helmet buffeting is pretty much nonexistant.

Now with the speed much higher I find I need/want a windscreen. Otherwise, a naked bike just needs to be ridden slower. Your mileage may vary. Smile


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - pdedse - 07-14-2020

(07-14-2020, 07:17 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 05:12 AM)pdedse_imp Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I can't speak for the AT specifically, but my dinosaur KLR650 seat height is similar at 35". I'm sure the AT suspensions is better than that of the KLR650...but I have done 700 miles days on the KLR, ridden it to Central America and back (Oregon), and it's very comfortable on the hiway--albeit not fast. Point is, I feel like I can ride on it forever and perhaps the AT provides riders with a similar feeling.

(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).

I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?

And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!

I did a round trip OR to Illinois ride on a '14 standard, and it has much less leg room than my KLR. Because of more cramped riding posittion for me, it takes me a while to build up stamina. I took a week to ride to Illinois, I think it was 7 days and 6 nights, averaging 425 miles per day. The first day was rough...wondering if I was gonna make it. Then by the middle of the second day, I think I settled in and found a groove. By day 3, my back and neck muscles seemed fine and the rest of the 3 week trip I felt at home on the CB.

This isn't to say that the CB1100 is better than this or that for long distances; rather, it took me a few days to feel comfortable on it, and that wasn't the case on an "adventure style" bike.

I need to take more frequent stops on the CB to stretch legs. I added a seat pad forthe seat. Added hiway pegs on the engine guards. I'd say it made the trip do-able, but I'd never say it was totally comfortable...but it's the bike I wanted to do the trip on at the time, so that makes a difference.

The CB for me is rock solid as far as wind turbulance. I use ear plugs which greatly reduces the wind noise to the ears--a small detail that shouldn't be overlooked. I'm planning a few more long rides on the CB once things clear a bit.

Do you use a windscreen? Perhaps my issue is with the standard seating position, not the bike.

Nope. I have long torso so windscreens just force air right into my forehead. W/out, it all feels good to me.


RE: Spent the day on an Africa Twin - Cormanus - 07-14-2020

I do a fair bit of touring, but I spend as much time as I possibly can on roads other than highways. We’re into change that, I’d either have to put a large screen on the CB to shoot the air over my head, or buy a different bike. But I can’t imagine a circumstance where I’d want to go long-distance touring via highway.