Africa Twin - Good For Tall Riders?

[mgillespie]

Looking to buy Africa Twin. Need some advice, and hope someone on the forum may be able to help.

My problem, is that I am very tall (6ft8in), and bikes are generally too small. AT seems like it may be suitable for me.

Are there any tall AT riders? How do you get on with the AT?

Also, I believe the AT design was modified at some point, as people complained about them being too tall. Obviously, this is GOOD for me. What year did this change occur? How can I tell if I am getting a old or new design?

Finally, when shopping for a used Africa Twin, is there anything particular I
should pay attention to when inspecting the bike for damage or wear?

Thanks in advance
Mark
(a hopefully soon to be AT owner)

PS. If anyone has a AT for sale in the South of England, I am interested, please email me.

[fewtrees]

There are loads of tall riders on the site, (I'm not one of them).. Chad will be here in a few minutes I'm sure..

To help with your question.. I believe the RD07 & RD07a are the shortest bikes with a seat height of around 860mm I think. The RD04 & RD03 were taller possibly pushing the seat height to 880mm. Someone will confirm this.. A lot of people actually have their seats scraped out to lower them a bit, so I guess in general the bike is too tall for most. So you know which bikes were made and when check this http://www.xrv.org.uk/articles/artic...el_numbers.php

My brother is 6'7" and he sat on my RD07 and said it's possibly the only bike that feels the right size and he's a bit lanky! I'm 5'10" and it's a bit tall but not unmanageable..

[Phoenix]

Hi mgillespie
Im 6'7" and 19 st and have no probs riding the @. Because of my size I specifically bought the @ because of its height. No sore backs, wrists or other associated aches due to being draped over the handle bars of most other bikes. Before buying it I took lots of advice from some very long in the tooth bikers, all said @.
I ve tried several bikes since just to compare...... there arent any that come close to all round use and comfort. :P

[Simon]

I'm 6'4" and it was Phoenix who told me i should get one and i think its brill for size. My brother has ridden it and is 6'6" with a metre inside leg and he has no problem with it either. And mine is a RD07a.

[robelst]

Hi and welcome
Yes, the AT suits taller people well imho. I am 6ft5, so a shorty compared to you but the AT is probably the best you will find in bike land, unless you go for a more specialist moto-cross or rallye bike (like some KTMs or Husqvarnas) that can be as high as a metre

Compared to my RD07, the only bikes I found significantly higher was the RD03 version of the Africa Twin and the earliest version of the Moto Guzzi Quota 1000 (about 92 cm high) but both are quite rare.

Maybe just try one. If you don't have the opportunity you are welcome to try mine (I live between Bristol and Gloucester), although I have no plans to sell.

[coldstart]

I agree. One of the best for us tall guys. Tried the Varadero, and i believe that it´s up there to. But more for touring.

You also have the KTM 9something, wich is even higher. Great bike according to reviews.

Some of the Italians, Cagiva ao, are also high, but I don´t think you will get Honda quality. Less reliable I fear........

[lootch67]

Hi Mark,

I'm 6'7" and have a 98 RD07a. It feels like the bike was custom made for me, although I do suggest you fit a taller screen. I have a lower Corbin seat which I got with the bike, and even on that I'm quite comfortable.

Do a search on this site for common problems. This might be a start though it's not the tread I had in mind.
http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2603

My advise is that if you only check one thing before buying that it should be to listen for any strange noises coming from the output shaft. These are easily damaged if you run the chain too tight and is hugely expensive to fix. Other common problems on the RD07 is the fuel pump and regulator/rectifier and they do tend to dissolve a bit when left covered in road salt.

[YEN_POWELL]

There are loads of tall riders on the site, (I'm not one of them).. Chad will be here in a few minutes I'm sure..

Chad is 8 foot two inches, I swear......

[M@to]

Are you all giants here
And I thought I'm pretty tall with 185cm (6'1" i supose)

[robelst]

There are loads of tall riders on the site, (I'm not one of them).. Chad will be here in a few minutes I'm sure..

Chad is 8 foot two inches, I swear......

...so it may take a while before his hands reach the keyboard but he may eventually reply to this

BTW: Maybe it is just my bizar physique, but I find my upper-legs are too long to have a good contact with the fuel tanks on the RD03 and RD04. Both tanks (esp the RD03) are quite explicitly shaped to "embrace" your legs, but in my case I can't get my knees in them so have to sit with my legs more spread open. I have the same problem on bikes like the Pan European and other full-faired tourers. The RD07, although maybe a bit lower, is much better at this point.