The insurance settlement probably isn't going to cover the cost of a new Wing, so I've also been looking at the Africa twin. The 2018 Adventure Sports model has a more rugged suspension, with longer travel, and pretty big 6.4 gallon fuel tank, factory heated grips, and a really cool (in my opinion) paint job. Been watching the heck out of Youtube videos about it, and I like the engine, and how comfortable everyone seems to think it is. I've sat on a few in the dealerships, and the seat is pretty nice. Also, my banged up knee doesn't have to bend super far to get on the footpegs. Still hoping I'll be able to get a Goldwing, but if I wind up on the AT, I won't really be too heartbroken.

Edit to add: Oh, and it is also available with the 6 speed DCT transmission, which is something I'm pretty stoked about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmwgsnPyN6E

That Africa Twin can’t be a true Adventure Touring bike... It’s got no beak!!! 

That Africa Twin can’t be a true Adventure Touring bike... It’s got no beak!!! 

Haha! No doubt! WTF is with those beak bikes anyways?

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=23785.0

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=23785.0

That's a little better looking than a lot of the beak bikes. LOL

That Africa Twin can’t be a true Adventure Touring bike... It’s got no beak!!! 

Yeah, the problem with its front end is it looks like it's supposed to have a beak but doesn't! ... like somebody came along and knocked its beak off! 

It's a Honda, so you know it'll be good ... but I don't think it's very good lookin'.

Edit: How bout a pic:

Yeah, the problem with its front end is it looks like it's supposed to have a beak but doesn't! ... like somebody came along and knocked its beak off! 

It's a Honda, so you know it'll be good ... but I don't think it's very good lookin'.

I have to say... the Africa Twin looks a lot better than Daffy without a beak!

I actually like the looks of the Africa Twin. Now, the Super Tenere truely looks like something is missing.

The insurance settlement probably isn't going to cover the cost of a new Wing, so I've also been looking at the Africa twin. The 2018 Adventure Sports model has a more rugged suspension, with longer travel, and pretty big 6.4 gallon fuel tank, factory heated grips, and a really cool (in my opinion) paint job. Been watching the heck out of Youtube videos about it, and I like the engine, and how comfortable everyone seems to think it is. I've sat on a few in the dealerships, and the seat is pretty nice. Also, my banged up knee doesn't have to bend super far to get on the footpegs. Still hoping I'll be able to get a Goldwing, but if I wind up on the AT, I won't really be too heartbroken.

Edit to add: Oh, and it is also available with the 6 speed DCT transmission, which is something I'm pretty stoked about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmwgsnPyN6E

Just watched the video. Looks like it would be a fun bike. Not sure about the DCT tho. Just seems weird not shifting or having a clutch on a motorcycle. Thought the same thing when we were buying my wife’s Spyder. Thankfully, she feels the same and opted for the manual trans.

The other thing that really stood out to me in the video was a 300 mile fuel range (awesome). Downside is a 300 mile fuel range with no cruise control?!?  Sounds like an oversite straight from Kawasaki’s play book. (Definitely NOT awesome)

Just watched the video. Looks like it would be a fun bike. Not sure about the DCT tho. Just seems weird not shifting or having a clutch on a motorcycle. Thought the same thing when we were buying my wife’s Spyder. Thankfully, she feels the same and opted for the manual trans.

The other thing that really stood out to me in the video was a 300 mile fuel range (awesome). Downside is a 300 mile fuel range with no cruise control?!?  Sounds like an oversite straight from Kawasaki’s play book. (Definitely NOT awesome)

Yes! Huge bummer on the lack of cruise control! I checked to see if MC-Cruise has one for the 18 model, and they do, so there's that. Not sure what Honda was thinking, making a premium version of the bike, and no cruise? SMH. I've been caught in stop and go traffic jams while traveling enough times in the past, that some sort of auto clutch or automatic is something I've wanted on a bike for years. The Dual Clutch Transmission, is both. You can shift it with the paddle shifters like a sports car, or You can let the computer do the shifting. I think I can get used to that.

I suppose their thinking was, "Nobody sets cruise control on trails." ... but also, let's omit it and charge the same 

In reality I'm sure most dudes ride it on the street, at least part of the time, and Honda should know that, admit it, and put cruise on the bike.

I suppose their thinking was, "Nobody sets cruise control on trails." ... but also, let's omit it and charge the same 

In reality I'm sure most dudes ride it on the street, at least part of the time, and Honda should know that, admit it, and put cruise on the bike.

You have to ride it on the street to get to the trials in most cases. Having a 300 mile range and no cruise just seems wrong. Not many are going to do a 300 mile trail ride with no fuel stops planned. If they do, they are probably either riding by themselves or with someone who is also riding and Africa Twin.

That Africa Twin can’t be a true Adventure Touring bike... It’s got no beak!!! 

One can always be installed using aftermarket parts.



Maybe an African Gray would be more appropriate?

One can always be installed using aftermarket parts.



Maybe an African Gray would be more appropriate?

Are those your birds?

I met a guy a few years back at Rolling Thunder that has a Scarlet Macaw that rides with him everywhere he goes. He was on a custom chopper (no windshield or fairing). Said he rode from NH to DC with his Macaw on his shoulder the whole way. He said he started riding with him tucked in his jacket when the bird was very young in order to get him used to riding. Over time, the bird would venture out of his jacket and began perching on his shoulder. Now he has been riding for several years.

Found a few pictures I took of him.

That's really cool! Real pirates!

Are those your birds?

I met a guy a few years back at Rolling Thunder that has a Scarlet Macaw that rides with him everywhere he goes. He was on a custom chopper (no windshield or fairing). Said he rode from NH to DC with his Macaw on his shoulder the whole way. He said he started riding with him tucked in his jacket when the bird was very young in order to get him used to riding. Over time, the bird would venture out of his jacket and began perching on his shoulder. Now he has been riding for several years.

No, those aren't my birds. I did have a blue fronted Amazon parrot for 30 years though, Barney was 35 when he died in 2009.

Here's Barney and Agnes having a 'discussion'.

[smg id=417]

[smg id=416]