Advice please

[penthro]

Hi all

New to the site and just after some advice please, im shortly going to be taking my Direct Acsess and am looking to getting a Africa Twin, i need a bike for commuting and then long weekends away in the uk and europe wiht all my camping stuff. Every one i ask even a bmw owner said the AT is a great bike.

But now ive stared looking i could do with some advice on what to look out for when buying and how muh i should be spending, i have a budget but not a great one.

Also what are the differenes between the differing veriations i.e RD04... RD05...RD07 ETC

The advice would be great, and also as a new rider is such a big bike a nutts idea although i am 30 so almost grown up lol and 6ft3 so i dont think the hight should be an issue.

Cheers

Clint

[BobA]

Clint

Do not worry, I'm sure an AT will be exactly what you want.

If you like the look of the bike, at 6'3" you're an ideal build for one.

Here's a brief info on models and what to look out for;

RD03 is the original Africa Twin. 650cc, single disc covered by a huge plastic thing. Getting rare now, and most AT owners covet them.

RD04 the first 750cc AT, very similar in appearance to the 650cc AT, with many parts that are the same.

RD07 the final version of the bike, different frame and plastics, but same engine, with different carbs and electrics.

When AT hunting, condition is more important than mileage. A well cared for bike will run forever.
Biggest things to look out for are;
An over-tight drive chain, which will possibly lead to a gearbox output shaft/bearing failure.
Wheel corrosion, if it's bad outside IT WILL be bad inside the rim.
Brake caliper corrosion around the pistons.
Sticking choke cable assembly, will make it run like crap.
Damage from off-roading (it's what they're made for after all!)

Be fussy, there are plenty around, but fewer good ones. Look for good plastics, undented tank, and basically the best you can find.
Make sure it runs straight (carefully try no hands!) and brakes straight/smooth, and that the brakes (particularly the front) do not bind.

Other than that, you can't go wrong.


Welcome and Good Luck


Bob

[AIRWOLF]

Hello and welcome mate,

BobA has it covered, just take some time to look at a few to find the 'right one'.

[GSPD750]

[meljordan]

yup smart choice and good advice (look slowly)and start here on the for sale bit. oh and welcome blah blah blah.

[Zenarchy]

I bought an Africa Twin RD04 as my first big bike after passing my test and I love it. I'm sure you will too, particularly bearing in mind your height (it'll probably be a perfect fit - I'm probably a bit short for it really though it hasn't been much of a problem so far).

Although it's physically a big bike, the power of it and the way it delivers it didn't feel too different to the ER5 bike I did my training on (which I think is similar to the CB500 - both of which a lot of schools use for training). It's only got a few extra bhp even though the engine is bigger, and that's probably counteracted by the bike being heavier I'd guess.

The biggest difference you'll notice to begin with will probably be how much more comfy it is compared to the training school bikes (assuming they're using the usual ER5 or CB500 and similar) and what great visibility you have in traffic (both seeing and being seen). It's like riding around in a van or 4x4 and you can see right over the top of most cars.

As well as the potential problems that people have mentioned to look out for such as wheel corrosion, output shaft problems etc. (which you'll find out all about if you do a search on this site telling you how to identify them quickly and easily), It's worth bearing in mind any extras that come with the bikes that you're looking at and considering the cost of those extras if you were to buy them seperately yourself.

A centre stand is definitely useful (probably a must-have if you're planning long tours in case of punctures), and some crash bars are invaluable (if the bike doesn't come with them most people will recommend you get some asap as they'll pay for themselves the first time you need to use them). As you're planning on touring then a luggage rack would obviously be useful (and they're a bit harder to come by I think for the older bikes if you're looking at RD03 and RD04's).

These things might not add much onto the price (if at all) when you're looking at used bikes, but they're roughly around £100 each if you were to buy them seperately yourself (give or take a few quid in either direction and whether you can pick up a bargain etc). It'll also save you the hastle of fitting them yourself if they're already included in the sale and fitted to the bike.

Another thing to look out for are stainless exhaust end-cans. Although the Africa Twin down pipes are stainless, the cans aren't so may have a tendency to rot (particularly on older well used bikes). They can be relatively expensive to replace, but many bikes will already have them replaced. If you're planning to keep the bike for any length of time, then paying a little extra for one with a nice stainless can might be worthwhile.

Many of these bikes used will come with scottoilers or touring scottoilers fitted, and other little extras like 12v sockets etc. that are worth considering as well bearing in mind what you plan for it.

Obviously the main thing is that the basics (engine, gearbox, wheels, frame etc) are sound, and all of the above you can buy and fit yourself fairly easily, but when comparing like for like, if there's a bike with a lot of extras with it, then it's worth adding up how much they'd cost you to buy and fit yourself, as you may still be getting a bargain and saving yourself a lot of hastle if they're already on the bike, even if it's a bit more than the cheaper one you're looking at (assuming everything else is equal). Particularly as some of the more expensive items you're probably going to find helpful for touring and will want anyway.

Regards the differences between the models you might find these threads helpful:

Diffrence between the 650/750
New to the breed...! (got a few Q`s before taking the plunge)
Newbee to the site - what is the best africa twin?
New to site, guidance needed, I think I want an Africa Twin
Rd04 V Rd07
RD0 numbers

There might be a few more if you do a bit of searching. Although the rd03/rd04 is reputed to have better build quality and be more off-road oriented, they're also a bit longer in the tooth so used parts seem to be in more abundance for the later models from what I can tell (though you can still get parts for the other two quite easily as well if you keep your eyes open for a while or don't mind paying for new parts).

Good luck with your direct access and bike hunting. If you go for an africa twin then I'd imagine you'll enjoy it, and despite its size, it's probably not such a big leap up as you imagine from the DAS training bikes (most people seem to go for 600 sports bikes as a first bike which although physically smaller usually have the same or more power than an Africa Twin).

[nomad]

Hi all


Also what are the differenes between the differing veriations i.e RD04... RD05...RD07 ETC

Clint

RD05.. have i been missing something all these years

hi penthro
welcome to the site/madhouse/asylum/loonybin and home for destitute hob goblins ...
after a few days you'll know which one you've joined
best @ RD07...nuff said

[boboneleg]

RD05.. have i been missing something all these years

hi penthro
welcome to the site/madhouse/asylum/loonybin and home for destitute hob goblins ...
after a few days you'll know which one you've joined
best @ RD07...nuff said

Ha! try my RD04 and you'll change your mind

and welcome Penthro

[YEN_POWELL]

RD04 best to ride, RD07 the best do your own maintainence on.