It has an automatic transmission, which is taking me awhile to get used to. It has two paddle-shifters for overriding when you want.

Question is, what would make a good review for this bike? I pinged ADVrider about it and they hooked me up with a guy in Petaluma, 90 minutes from here across the Golden Gate Bridge, who was a Honda test rider and is really good. He rode his Africa Twin from Banff to Colorado and Utah, through Moab and across Nevada. I'm gonna go film him putting it through its paces.

Also, Destry Abbott, the famous motocross racer, is up for an interview so I thought maybe I could see him race in a couple weekends and watch him try out the Africa Twin.

Motorcycle racer Destry Abbott shares life altering story fighting leukemiaDestry Abbott is one of the most well-known names in motorcycle racing. He returned to Orofino for the first time in three years on Saturday. It’s a return he said brings back both good and bad memories. If you are a motocross fan you might have heard the name Destry Abbott before.klewtv.com

"Question is, what would make a good review for this bike?"

My 2c. I'd be much more interested in what *you* think of the bike than a Race Pro.

Sure - use them for the spectacular photos - but keep the test real world.

My personal mantra for bike testing and reviewing is: If I was interested in purchasing this vehicle - what would I want to know about it? That's what I try and convey.

Definitely not what a professional racer thinks. There's a reason they stand apart from the rest of us mere mortals.

Things that interest most are the practical things, that are not often in reviews, comfort after 150 miles in the saddle.

Noise, vibration, airflow(buffering) ease of use for everyday things, like topping up tyre pressure and oil, adjusting the screen etc.

Real weight, is it easy to get on the centre stand.

And storage under the seat for a few tools and a puncture repair kit.

Is your loaner AT, a new one with Tubeless tyres or the older tubed one?

Thanks, guys. Perfect. The new loaner is tubeless but the more offroad model is tubed. This one is more directed at the sport-touring market, mostly paved road and some fireroad.

I had the idea that I have access to lots of owners through ADV, so I put out a call to them and interviewed them on Zoom about why they bought and their experiences. This weekend I'm going on a big ride with current owners.

Have a great ride this weekend. I look forward to your thoughts on the AT.

Good looking dual sport bike, with a thorough review of the hardware and the extensive software controls in this video. If I were in the market, this bike would definitely get a long look.

I remember when the Africa Twin was 600 or 800cc. Now its over 100 Hp

And a trip across Kyrgyzstan on an Africa Twin

Great videos. I'm jealous because they got the base model, which is more off road and they gave me the higher-end model, the  Africa Twin Adventure Sports SE, which is more big mile sport touring.

The base model has the black/red combo, but mine has the more flashy colors. I prefer the more muted and badass black, but everyone around here is telling me I'm crazy.

I have a few mates that have AT's and I've swapped bikes with them often.

The motor is great and the brakes are good and the comfort and stability especially off road is really nice.

I find that the DCT transmission difficult to adjust to, old habits are sometimes hard to break.

The auto is great on the road for touring, but shifting with the finger and thumb on dirt when on the pegs does not come naturally to me, especially when wanting to shift down quickly on loose surfaces down hill.

I find that the DCT transmission difficult to adjust to,

Haven't ridden an AT - but on the Hooondas I have, I found it pretty intuitive.

We're spoiled for choice in Big Bore Adv's now hey.

I'd love an R1200GS, Yamaha Teneré 1200 or one of these Hoondas in my fleet. Any of them would do me just fine. It would depend on the deal.
I'd even consider a 4v Stelvio, although the 2V was worst bike I've ever tested for a tall guy.

Spent 14.5 hours on the bike yesterday, big ride up to Norcal wine country with freeway, back roads, dirt & gravel roads, plus some pretty serious jeep roads. One of the guys I rode with in Norcal was a very special rider and could do this even with the auto transmission, using the paddle shifters. You can see him shift to second in the first wheelie to regain lift:

Had a great time with the bike.

By the way, I dropped it once on a hill with the handlebars lower than the wheels on the hill... We had speculated about whether any of us could lift it if we dumped it, so I was skeptical but alone so I had no choice but to try. It came right up without a big strain, even with the gas tank pretty full. 💪

You could now probably get a Stelvio for an Ozzie song, and you will love it. It's the kinda bike that gets better and sweeter with miles. Definitely not for seasonal owners. Tall, heavy, reliable, full of character, and fun! Mine has 93,000 miles now. I can hook you up with the best Guzzi mechanic of Oz, in Bungendore if you don't already know him. Oh, and it's 8V. ;-)

photos.smugmug.com

Oh, and it's 8V.

Yeah - that's what I meant.

It initially confused the hell outa me.. it's all about marketing talk.

It's about the number of valves per sicklander innit?

Yes, the sum of valves on both jugs became 8V when they upgraded the engine from two to four valves per cylinder. Hence 4V and 8V.

I was taught long ago a trick, whenever possible to drag it around until it becomes on the "correct" slope side prior to lifting it. That of course would add some scratches perhaps.