We caught up with Bertie Simmonds to see how he’s getting on with the massive journey bike. Right here’s what he stated…
Lengthy-term readers will know that I ran the 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. Honda had loaded the bike with extras. This mannequin had the DCT auto gearbox, the stunning large metallic panniers, and top-box, in addition to extras such because the front-side pipe equipment, deflector set, and entrance fog lights. I put round 4300 miles on the bike and beloved each minute of it.
Now, it’s truthful to say the Twin Clutch Transmission was one thing that I received used to slightly than ‘beloved’. It’s fashionable, because it snatches 55 per cent of Twinkie gross sales and I even spoke to many who beloved it – however for me it answered a query I’d not but requested, and it additionally added round a grand within the general value and 10 kilos on the lard aspect of issues. I opined on the time that I’d desire to have a quick-shifter.
Advert
Get pleasure from every thing Extra Bikes by studying the month-to-month newspaper, Learn FREE On-line.
Once I was informed I used to be the fortunate recipient of the Africa Twin, secretly I prayed it could be the bike with a handbook gearbox. It appears Honda might have flicked via my previous reviews as I ended up with the historically geared machine – and with a quick-shifter. Hurrah! However then, did they pay attention? As a result of, whereas I beloved the appears to be like and picture of the Africa Twin (I’ve been a former V-twin proprietor) I’ve at all times stated I don’t do ‘off-road’.
Enter stage left 2024’s Honda Africa Twin Journey Sports activities: oh sure, absolutely this is able to be the bike for me. Out goes the 21-inch/90/90 entrance tyre for a 19-incher with a 110-section tyre which is rather more suited to the ‘solely’ street driving I’ll be doing in 2024. The seat top and semi-active suspension is ready decrease, which helps as I’ve ‘Welsh legs’ as my Nan informed me. That’s, whereas I could also be a tad over six foot, I’ve an extended physique and never so lengthy legs, which helps while you’re standing on mountains. That’s what she stated, sincere.
However, once I went to select the bike up it had a 21-inch entrance and no baggage, so it was clearly not the Journey Sport. Now, the AS has an adjustable seat top of between 835-855mm and this compares to the usual AT which has a seat top of between 850-870mm as normal. So, I sized up my quarry and doing the previous, authorized Bertie ‘Bruce Lee’ roundhouse kick, I used to be in a position to get these sculpted Welsh pins over that plank of a seat. Sure, it’s a plank – however I used to have the ability to do 150 miles in a single hit on the previous model, so I doubt I’ll have every other points.
Advert
So, what are my first plans? Effectively, it’s easy: firstly, see if the seat is within the excessive place. Secondly, get some baggage (the black plastic City Pack stuff Honda does appears to be like cool), and thirdly, get a dongle for it so I can hyperlink as much as my telephone with no wire going betwixt telephone and the bike. I might also get a tank bag. After that, I’m hoping to take pleasure in this Africa Twin as a lot as I’ve loved the earlier two. Want me luck.
Bertie Simmonds / One month / 369 miles
