1991-1992 Africa Twin

[funkman]

I'm tempted to go for an older Africa Twin. I was wondering how do they compared to the newer revised ones. Mechanical problems don't scare me - I own 5 british bikes 50s - 60s and ride them daily but what about the seat hight, ride, reliability etc.

[YEN_POWELL]

My opinion only on 90/91 ATs, nicer ride, better handling, more top heavy at walking speeds, 10 times harder to work on, better quality wheels, adjustable suspension, just as reliable barring age related stuff.

[robelst]

I'm tempted to go for an older Africa Twin. I was wondering how do they compared to the newer revised ones. Mechanical problems don't scare me - I own 5 british bikes 50s - 60s and ride them daily but what about the seat hight, ride, reliability etc.

The older AT's are generally thought to have a better build-quality, although this may be overshadowed now by their age. Otherwise, they are quite similar to the newer ones, all generations are basically good designs without huge levels of development over the years. If you really want a special AT try to get yourself an even earlier 650 (built between 88 and 90). They were never sold in the UK, so that would make it an import.

Good luck!

[funkman]

10 times harder to work on

Why is that?

Also I noticed that lots of aftermarket equipment like Touratech stuff is for later models only. Would I be able to get a set of alu panniers for it and other bits and bobs without having to resort to diy jiggery-pokery?

[YEN_POWELL]

10 times harder to work on

Why is that?

Takes ages to remove the petrol tank to carry out a proper service, carbs take more effort to balance than later models, seat is bolt on rather than key removal. Battery is vent type and has to be topped up. That's all though.

None of these are real problems unless you are doing a regular high mileage, then it becomes a pain. Made me switch to an FJ for a while.

[funkman]

Well, I haven't been put off by the "unreliability" thread. And I didn't waste any time. I am now an owner of a 1991 AT
Picking it up from Luton this sunday and driving back home to Fort William.
Wish me luck

[YEN_POWELL]

Good luck. I think you will be pleasantly suprised. My very first ride was on a 1990 AT. I'd bought it from a Birmingham dealer and rode it home to London expecting it to be bland and boring after arriving in Birmingham on the 1200 I part exed.

I loved every minute of the ride home. It overtook much better than I expected, it took motorway sweepers like it was on rails and I could see over the roofs of all the cars. I became a boring convert on that trip home.

[modrover]

Well, I haven't been put off by the "unreliability" thread. And I didn't waste any time. I am now an owner of a 1991 AT
Picking it up from Luton this sunday and driving back home to Fort William.
Wish me luck

Well done!

I love mine... old or not... there's nothing on the market for me that even comes close.

[robelst]

Well, I haven't been put off by the "unreliability" thread. And I didn't waste any time. I am now an owner of a 1991 AT
Picking it up from Luton this sunday and driving back home to Fort William.
Wish me luck

Well done!

Don't worry too much about reliability, the AT may not be indestructable but apart maybe from the fuel-pump there are no structurally failing parts that are likely to leave you stranded at the side of the road. Just get a proper pump asap. The rectifier can be a bit of a bugger too, but even VFR's suffer from that and nobody considers these bikes unreliable. Don't forget most ATs have done loads of miles in all seasons. and many are more than 10 years old by now which obviously grows the lists of repairs.
Overall it is a really satisfying and fun-to-ride bike (and I have owned many other bikes, some of which were newer and (far) more powerful).

Enjoy!

[funkman]

Well,
I'm home with my "new" XRV, flew to Luton then to Cambridge where I picked up the bike and rode home to Fort William. 708 miles The scenic way of course, up the East Coast then Edinburgh - Glasgow - Fort William.

First impressions:
Definetely easier to ride then I thought. Fast but not too fast and comfortable. The seat on my bike is non original and unfortunately I was picking my underpants out of my bum every stop So first thing on the list is proper seat.
It seemed to have consumed some oil and there were some dribbles of coolant on the bodywork but luckily it was a very tiny leak. All went well in the end.