RUST magazine: RUST#37

adventure
w
gallons). That’s capacity enough for
500km at a time, say Honda. There’s
a larger fairing that goes around that
tank and a screen that’s 80mm higher.
Add to this the protection set, which
includes a larger sump guard (aka
bash plate) and front ‘light bars’ (aka
crash bars). Plus more upgrades, like
the heated grips as standard, the 12v
accessory socket, brushed aluminium
cowling panels, the flatter profile of the
seat, the storage pocket in that seat and
the tail rack.
For all of this there has to be a penalty
– and there is: weight (and cost, of
course). The L2 weighs 243kg (533lb)
to the L’s 232kg (lb). Then add DCT and
the weights go up again by a fair 10kg
(23lb) to 253kg (555lb).
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
By the way, the launch of the
Adventure Sports also happily
coincides with the 30th birthday of the
Africa Twin (1988-2018), which has
also occasioned Honda to give the new
model an extra-special paint job. Aping
that very first XRV650 of 1988, the new
model gets that distinctive tricolor
that features something of a baby blue
as well as a spangly red. The effect is
simply stunning.
THE RIDE – ADVENTURE SPORTS
ON ROAD
Make no mistake, this is now one tall
bike, albeit there is a grand tradition of
tall seats in ‘big trailies’ and adventure
bikes – relating as it does, to the virility
of the rider (that’s a joke, but like all
the best jokes it’s anchored to an
underlying truth – only are we talking
virility or vanity?). However, you can
opt for a lower saddle and then you
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