Curious about the updated Honda Africa Twin? If you’d like to take a closer look at the machine, Honda’s got a neat little simulator at this website, which allows you to virtually play around with the electronics.
The website’s display shows a simulated version of the Africa Twin’s TFT screen, and there are clickable buttons on the bottom left and right side of the screen that are meant to emulate the handlebar inputs that control the bike’s electronics.
Using this, you can learn how the Africa Twin’s electronics work, so if you buy one, you’ll be ready to go as soon as you pick it up at the dealer. Just guessing, but this website was probably originally set up as some sort of dealer training tool. Whatever the reason, it’s kind of cool to play around with, and given the increasing complexity of flagship motorcycles and their electronics systems, this is something every OEM should have.
I’m going to pick up a close to new (2100km) 2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R today. I looked at the 1290R and S, but decided I didn’t want so many electronic bells & whistles and a big screen TV for a dash. It seemed to me it could be more stuff to go completely sideways when least expected. Plus I really didn’t need all that horsepower.
I can’t believe I typed that, but I really mean it
At the same time, the 1090 has ride modes etc. but at least there’s less of them. AND it has a key.
Pretty much all new car purchases now require a classroom style orientation session before you take final delivery. There are so many electronic features, even with the owner’s manual in hand, it can take some time to figure it all out.
A couple of years ago, I was handed the keys to a BMW X-3 for a day. It took half an hour to figure out how to start it, and it kept stalling every time I stopped at a light (a fuel saving feature that nobody told me about).
It would start right up again once you released the brake pedal, but it was disconcerting to say the least.
With all the new gizmos and gadgets on today’s motorcycles, an interactive program or classroom time should be mandatory.
I am VERY interested in the KTM 390 ADV when it comes out.
Otherwise, I’ve basically decided to keep my personal motorcycle ownership to nothing more complicated than a V-Strom 1000 with EFI and ABS. Realistically, I’m more likely to stick with my RF and DR and WR for eternity, at this point. I just can’t be fussed to fix more stuff.
The V Strom family has been such a good bike for the dollar, for so many years now. But, while the 2020 DL1000 has some great new features, they’ve gone the same predictable route as BMW, KTM, etc, by stratifying the options starting with a “base” model with limited features. After all, the auto industry was built on this exact model, and it wasn’t until the 1970’s when Japanese entered the North American market, that this was shaken up. ie: cars that came standard with many items that were strictly optional on domestic cars.
Sadly, the “all-in” cost for a new XT Adventure V-Strom 1000 is just shy $20,000.00! Fortunately, there’s plenty of used ones out there for very reasonable prices.
After 5 years, I continue to enjoy my do it all ’09 DL650.
It wasn’t stalling – it was shutting off the engine to save fuel at a stop. This used to be an expensive feature but is now pretty common. Even the Honda GoldWing has it. But if you’re not expecting it, yes, it could be disconcerting!
Stall, stop – whatever. 🙂
I was driving the clock car for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon at the time and had 17,000 antsy people all lining up behind me.
Once my blood pressure came down and I found the off switch all was well.
A few years later I was offered a BMW I8 roadster for the same purpose and respectfully declined.
It can be much more than disconcerting if the driver doesn’t know the feature is installed and operating. The first time I came across that feature I was trying to get into heavy traffic from a side street in a strange city with a rented car. When a gap came the car didn’t move as quickly as I expected and knew it should. Without the delay to restart It would have been a safe maneuver. Fortunately I was able to stop before the car got in the way of the other vehicles.
I agree, too much electronics on bikes and cars. My brothers Ford Explorer has the swipe your foot under the bumper feature to open the hatch and it opens by itself while in an automatic car wash.