AFRICATWINBEST
V-STROMBEST V-STROMWORST
AFRICA TWIN WORST
The Suzuki’s 1037cc V-twin is exceptionally
torquey, pulling from low revs easily while
still letting you use the rev range for fun
Honda’s DCT transmission means no tricky
shuffling for a gear pedal when standing up
off-road — because there isn’t a gear pedal...
The standard-fit screen created pretty
bad turbulence at the helmet while also
limiting de-misting airflow
Spokes are more rust-resistant than
the first-generation CRF1000L but
spoke nipples are showing corrosion
excitingtocarryonexploringwhere
others fear to tread. DCT (in manual
mode) makes changing gear so much
easier when you’re standing up, too.
If you had the money, would
you buy it?
JB If I could have something else to have
fun on as well, then definitely, yes. But if
I could only have one bike to commute,
tour, scratch, trackday and green-lane,
then no, it doesn’t do enough of
everything for me.
MFG If I had £14k (plus £185 for the main
stand, £585 for the panniers, £500 for
the spotlights, £130 for the deflectors
and £200 fitting)? I’ve loved living with
the ATAS but that’s too close to KTM’s
1290 for me. Still, my local Honda dealer
is offering standard Africa Twins on 0%
PCP, for a £3k deposit and just £72 a
month. In red, white and blue (plus gold
wheels), that’s much more tempting.
SPECIFICATION
£12,464 • 1037cc V-twin • 99bhp • 232kg
- 20-litre tank • 820mm (low seat)
SPECIFICATION
£15,599 • 998cc parallel twin • 94bhp • 257kg
(measured) • 24.2-litre tank • 900/920mm seat
102 | JULY 2019
LONG-TERM TEST
