Differences between Honda Africa Twin 1100 and AT Adventure Sports

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Watch my full review of Honda Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports with DCT: • Honda Africa Twin 1100...
In this video I'm presenting you the differences between Honda Africa Twin 1100 in its standard version and Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports. Add to that an option of a DCT transmission to both variants and an "ES" option, so Electronic Suspension to only one of them, and the choice may become quite hard. Dig in and let's explore the topic!
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[@billmcmeekin7909]

I own same tricolor ATAS DCT es in 2020 fashion, now with 21000km. It's awesome! Travel through my Rockies, forestry roads, highways across BC and tour Van Island, on multi week trips. Camp off it, wherever adventure takes us. We're all moto x junkies, and love DCT. Fits this bikes terrain and touring capabilities perfectly! ES makes each terrain and weight changes perfect by a flick of a switch or screen input! Spring is here in Northern BC, snow is melting, and my AT is ready and waiting for Adventure soon :⁠-⁠) Great review on options and differences. Cheers from Canada :⁠-⁠)

[@VToldsMotoShow]

It was nice to read as this is exactly what's so magical about the adventure motorcycles - that freedom to go and travel wherever you feel like whenever you feel like. It really is tempting and if on top of that you're happy with DCT in Africa, then it's a great match! Thanks a lot and all the best with the bike and adventures ;)

[@nogerboher5266]

A guy from my work dailies (yes, dailies) his ATAS, all year round. 45 degrees celsius summer?! He's coming to work in his AT... Heavy snow and ice?! He's coming to work in his AT... Neither he nor the bike care about weather. I've been thinking about getting one for a few years now, just from watching him smile every time he gets on his bike... And I don't even have a driving licence for motorbikes 😂 (Yet 😊)

[@narayankannan9679]

Very good information that is otherwise very difficult to obtain 👍🏾

[@Avensur]

Awesome comparison mate, I love that Atwin regular!

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I'm glad you like the vid. Cheers!

[@leuterisminousis663]

As always very nice presentation my friend be well. I am waiting to see the Aprilia Tuareg 660 and to hear your experience and opinion about this bike. It was a lot of fun and quite comfy. I'm waiting to see what you have to say!!!!! Be well always

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Thanks a lot! I'm already settings my eyes on midsize adv bikes for the upcoming season, so perhaps there will be an opportunity to check the Tuareg, Tenere 700 and the new Ducati DesertX. All the best!

[@125ZJK]

Great video,thanks. I have the standard and I'm paying over 1k to have tubeless wheels fitted . I also had a centre stand fitted.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I'm glad you like the vid and that's quite an investment indeed but hell, if one wants to have their perfect spec, it usually requires some extra time and effort. All the best with the bike!

[@terrystratford1235]

Nice to know it can be done! I think the base model is a better bike! Y Honda put bloody tubed tyres I don't know! Should be an option for those that want to die with a high speed blow out!

[@stavrosst7515]

From which manufacturer you getting your tubeless wheels if I may??

[@125ZJK]

@@stavrosst7515 SM Pro

[@chrishall734]

The wheels aren’t sealed. The spokes on the tubeless adventure sport wheels run to the outer rim after the tyre bead.

[@motosekcjapl6309]

Witek, szybkie pytanie - ATAS czy GS1250? Jeździłeś oboma? Chodzi o 70-80% po czarnym + reszta po jakiś szutrach więc nie chodzi o sprzęt do taplania się w błocie. Daj znać jakie jest Twoje zdanie.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Poza DCT i dźwiękiem to osobiście nie widzę specjalnie powodów do wyboru Hondy w tym zestawieniu. Moim zdaniem wszystko pozostałe BMW robi lepiej. Ale jest też kwestia stylu, marki, wyglądu, co już trudniej oceniać jakimikolwiek kryteriami (dźwięk zresztą też, bo i dźwięk boxera niektórzy lubią, a mi się nie podoba).

[@motosekcjapl6309]

@@VToldsMotoShow fakt, dźwięk boksera dla mnie lepszy ;) Wal Kardana też 😂 Za to DTC odpada. Zdecydowanie Honda w manuału. Ale... Mówią, że koło 21" w Hondzie w offie zdecydowanie lepsze :) Wieksza możliwość regulacji zawiasu również. Waga też niższa w Hondzie. A na okrase cena 20-30% niższa. Mam zagwostke na co przesiąść się z T7 🤷‍♂️

[@LazyJack2003]

Nice. My next one might be the ATAS DCT . Question: What does the "D" in CRF1100LD mean? Any idea?

[@donwilliams7730]

It's the dct version

[@octoslut]

D replicates 'drive mode' in car automatics, so you dont need to use the clutch or shift any gear. important note the dct in honda bike is similar to dual clutch automatics in sports/exotic car.

[@RJadventure]

DCT... I will go for this!

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Yeah, it's fun!

[@jerzygroclinek5066]

Nice comparison - thanks. Which motorcycle in Your opinion is better and easier to drive on tarmac (including twisties): AT AS or Kawasaki Versys 1000?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I'm glad you found the video nice. You actually chose two super controversial bikes for tarmac and twisties. Generally Versys 1000 is much easier to ride on tarmac but when it comes to higher speed turns, so twisties, Africa Twin is unusually good there while the Versys 1000 is the opposite as it fights you not willing to turn. So not including twisities, I'd say that Versys, then only on twisty roads, I'd say Africa Twin. All together? BMW R1250GS.

[@jerzygroclinek5066]

@@VToldsMotoShow than You kindly for answer. What also worries me in case of Versys 1000 - that I heard (not only from You review) that when You increase front brake in corner - it REALLY wants to stand up and straighten. Does it prevent trial breaking in corners ?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Yeah, it definitely is not happy when you adjust anything during a lean. But people handle it and claim they enjoy so I guess it's only a matter of perspective. But so far Versys is one of the most sensitive bikes to that.

[@terrystratford1235]

I'd really like to see how the lights work at night! Any chance of a short vid showing how the light up the road?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I'd gladly help, if I got it right, however, my test bike has been returned to the dealer a long time ago. I do my best not to ride after dark so there's no footage that I could show you in this case.

[@terrystratford1235]

@@VToldsMotoShow maybe next time😎

[@MirdenLayra]

Great video But I came with a doubt and in the entire video I never heard about heated grips... it is available in both versions?

[@connectorxp]

The heated grips are available as an option for the standard bike, come fitted as standard in the ES and AS versions.

[@MirdenLayra]

Thank you @@connectorxp

[@connectorxp]

@@MirdenLayra forgot to mention that this is for the Romanian market, with EUDM spec bikes.

[@MirdenLayra]

I appreciate your time and answers@@connectorxp

[@whomcares3438]

I own an L with standard gearbox. Love it. I tried the Triumph XE but it wasn’t as good for conditions I ride in. Bloody hot too. The 1100l also weighs a fair bit less than the dct adventure sports. Tenere 700 is about the same as the L when wet.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

It seems that wet Tenere 700 should be around 90 lbs (40 kg) lighter than wet base Africa Twin. Makes the Tenere sound pretty pretty light.

[@whomcares3438]

@@VToldsMotoShow hi there. Yeah my mate own a t7 with bash plate, crash bars, pannier racks, motoz tyres. Full tank on the scales. 222kg. Mine CRF1100l has bash plate, crash bars, luggage plate and same motooz tyres. Full tank same scales, same day, 226 kg. 4 kgs is not 90lbs. The base model is basically 25 kgs lighter than the adventure sports model. My similarly equipped KTM990 was 232 fully loaded. Not much it really.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Wow, yeah, this sounds crazy! I wonder where the data is coming from then. Not bad though for AT!

[@whomcares3438]

@@VToldsMotoShow yeah I’ve wondered that myself. I think nearly every test I’ve seen has been in the dct equipped model which is so much heavier.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

My gearbox has a crunchy 1st to 2nd gear if I'm not careful changing... It's a shame as the rest of the bike is amazing - Honda would not fix it though which has put me right off the Brand (I have owned Hondas for 3 decades) Glad you got a good one.

[@pilyomotoride7781]

Thinking of selling my xr1000 to get the dct adventure sport . Want peace of mine when it comes to reliability.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

For this reason according to legends, it should indeed work well.

[@kruku3893]

Afryka (może też NT1100) ma problem z tym tabletem MID. Po zimie (lub w niskich temperaturach) dotyk w wyświetlaczu lubi się psuć i cały tablet kwalifikuje się do wymiany. Kupiłem ATAS w październiku 2022 i po zimowym postoju dotyk padł...

[@VToldsMotoShow]

To ciekawe, ale w sumie niewiele jest miejsc poza nadal trochę zakrytymi bankomatami/paczkomatami, które mają odsłonięte ekrany dotykowe, które może zaatakować śnieg. Ale może to jakiś jednostkowy przypadek?

[@kruku3893]

@@VToldsMotoShow Niestety podobnych przypadków jest dużo więcej na polskim i zagranicznym forum AT. Na szczęście Honda nie robi problemów z uwzględnianiem reklamacji.

[@Coldgecko]

Ok, so if you were going on a 5-6 month ride to third world countries (not Europe or America) -- 60 tarmac -- 40 off-road/gravel - some moderate-difficult for intermediate off-road rider so drops will happen. Budget unlimited. Which Japanese or German bike would you take? Open question for an open answer. Any bike.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I personally would probably take a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 if they were making it with two wheels. Actually there's no serious answer from me as it's an impossible to imagine scenario for me.

[@terrystratford1235]

If only tubed or normal tubeless was an option! I'm sure if the base model had tubeless tyres, could sell more!?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I bet that many people buying them may not even be aware of all that. I remember what kind of a surprise it was to me and I found out accidentally.

[@terrystratford1235]

@@VToldsMotoShow so, would u not buy the base model, due to tubed tyres?

[@joaotino2252]

For long trips, nt1100 or Africa twin base model?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I see the NT 1100 being mentioned quite often - interesting.

[@joaotino2252]

@@VToldsMotoShow might be, don’t know

[@queenslander954]

Pick between the heavy one or the really heavy one.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

That's also one way to put it.

[@Coldgecko]

I do think you forgot that the gasoline used can be 87 octane because of low compression engine -- important for world travel at times in 3rd world countries...

[@VToldsMotoShow]

It's not the case in Europe. 95 is as low as it goes here so no one is even aware unless they're deep into the topic of exploring other "worlds".

[@mikehenry7878]

Just noticed that you're wearing a t-shirt from South Africa. When were you here?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I believe it must’ve been over 10 years ago. But the t-shirt holds up very well. Good stuff is sold out there!

[@mikehenry7878]

@@VToldsMotoShow you should make another trip. We could organise a great ride!

[@VToldsMotoShow]

One of my family members is obsessed with South Africa. Going there every few years, including in 3 weeks. I only have great memories from there - visited Johannesburg, Cape Town but mostly stayed in the mountains that go the other way than most (all?) others across the country - Soutpansberg they're called I believe. Cheers!

[@connectorxp]

For 2024 they have tubeless and tall 5 positions adjustable windscreen, for the same price as 2023.

[@alexandrusavu2100]

As far as i know dct is a manual gearbox that shift auto ...kinda what audi does on s tronic that i own myself. Make it smoth and responsive

[@johnr5545]

God bless

[@dsmpampis]

Ok after I saw the video I think I’m gonna go with the NC750X DCT 😅

[@eatcommies1375]

Adventure sports do Warszawy, Standard w Bieszczady:)

[@filipepaninho6558]

My favorite is the CFR1000L DCT non AS, non 1100.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Interesting as I understood that Honda claims that they've only improved stuff when introducing the 1100.

[@robynmolle5842]

Try the Triumph Scrambler 1200XE, it has all the tech of anything else in its class, 6 access ECU, Ohlins suspension w 10" of travel, Brembo M-50 brakes, Cruise Control, ABS, TFT display

[@pascalberson7886]

Love this Scrambler 1200XE, but you forgot to mention the right Leg barbecue ;,)

[@robynmolle5842]

Agreed, there is that 👍🏻…. But it can be taken care of.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've heard about it a few times and it surely looks interesting. Not sure if it isn't slightly too hardcore for myself.

[@Africatwinrider1]

Don't need tech when you are in the forest on a trail

[@terrystratford1235]

Is either one better for off roading?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

This would need to be tested but due to lower weight, likely the base Africa Twin would feel easier to manage. This is just a guess though, and we know that there are surprising outcomes in the segment and likely outside in terms of pretty much every area of comparison, so we need someone who tried them both off the road.

[@terrystratford1235]

@@VToldsMotoShow I've tested both on road. Instantly fell in love with the base model dct! BMX with an engine! But tubed tyres!? The thought of an blowout scares me!

[@Badlander87X]

To be honest the adventure sports in dct is a great idea for off roading as tye dct negates the engine stall and cutout.. But I'm 36 and id rather do All the gearshifting myself in manual. Just ask yourself if you want to pay out for all bells and whistles and can you handle the bike being heavier with the 24.8 liter tank over the 18.5liter

[@terrystratford1235]

@@Badlander87X glad to hear u think dct for off roading! The base model with dct is such more fun, for me! I'm 48, 5' 10" pushing 17stone of solid.....fat! I test rode a 2023 and fell in love! I tested the T7, v storm 1050de, ktm 1290 sar and the adventure sport with manual! Definitely the base model with dct for me! Thank you for your thought!

[@Badlander87X]

@@terrystratford1235 yeah for me it's the adventure sport manual for me even tho most guys who go around ireland and European road trips swear by the dct but they only do roads and slight gravel tracks or country greenlanes . I was looking at the de1050 and the tenere world raid 700 but the 1050DE is a bit of a heffer at 250kg and loaded up with gear around 280kg . And the tenere comes in at around 220kg

[@OrthodoxTrooper]

For you last point that there are bikes in this category that will be faster, lighter, better off road etc but there isn't any with dct. The whole truth why people are buying this bike is that this is probably the most reliable bike is this category and with the best build quality, which is a huge thing when you are considering long trips to remote places. I would never buy a dct my self it's not a scooter that you should be driving around town like in ur videos.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I beg to differ - we all ride where we like. I feel that and ADV motorcycles are fantastic commuters. Inside the cities too. Because what's better any why? A naked with no wind protection? A mentioned scooter that's got 0% of fun factor? A chopper or a touring bike? I don't think so. Just like the case of reliability - until a see a full report based on a number of motorcycles investigated, screened and reviewed, I won't be judging the reliability too much. I've experiences faults mostly on Ducatis and KTMs but for example never on a BMW, so it's just as reliable of a brand to me as Honda. Others too in fact.

[@OrthodoxTrooper]

@@VToldsMotoShow I think most people wouldn't buy a 250kg bike to drive around town really. Inside city people tend to use bicycles and e-scooters right? This is a machine for crushing continents go any road and don't worry about reliablity.

[@terrystratford1235]

I love your accent...but it's pronounced cat o gory! Where u from?

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Thanks for pointing that out. I'm now listening to Google's voice from time to time as clearly my original accent has a stronger influence when it comes to pronouncing this particular word. I'm from Poland.

[@terrystratford1235]

@@VToldsMotoShow your welcome! I could listen to you talk all night! I do on utube😅 you have a great accent, don't u dare change it! I particularly like any word with an A in it! As I have your attention, Africa twin base model...tubed tyres..I worry about a blow out at speed! Should I worry? Or just go for it? They such fun! More fun than the adventure sport imo! 👍

[@daSiew]

Dude... You are driving very reckless from a german Perspective... Also blurring your Speed is pretty shady.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Blurring the gauges is a criminal offence in fact.

[@kohinoore]

Lol, why would one want a foot lever when having shifter buttons at one's finger? ) Even the most skillful football player like Maradona, Pele or Cruyff will stand no chance against an ordinary man hitting target with a ball by hand rather than foot. Simple physiology

[@VToldsMotoShow]

I would want it to free up my left hand for example to use indicators or menu instead. Two choices may just as well be better than one choice. Also, I'd likely prefer to stick to my habit as so many switches in one place were and are confusing to me.

[@kohinoore]

​@@VToldsMotoShow That's what the dct is for, you can play World of Tanks during the ride, though not recommended ;) Just as using menu when riding offroad. Old habits die hard, that's for sure

[@VToldsMotoShow]

Also, also - if you want it in ful auto, there you go and no levers nor buttons are required ;). I'd say that this is where the real fun is in this bike with DCT. I seriously enjoyed the experience and smoothness of its operation.

[@kohinoore]

​@@VToldsMotoShow And not only that. The discrete mechanical gearbox itself is very poor and dated by its design and inefficiency. Riders who developed great skills at switching gears tend to defend their accomplishment and make themselves believe they hold the Technical God by its beard and usually refuse to admit that robot will always switch faster, more timely, efficiently and precise. The dct was called upon just for that - to level the legacy drawback out, and give otherwise wasted precious attention and time taken by the old tech back to the rider. Worth to mention also that the robot was not honed yet for stunts and hardcore offroad, so if that are the main target routes, the mechanical gearbox would currently still be a better choice. ;)

[@kimmarcelo6131]

Maradroga can't do anything but playing soccer

[@dadrider3]

The looks of the basic version is by far superior to that of the adv.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

A personal thing I guess.