RUST magazine: RUST#37
2019 Beta Enduro's tested, GS Trophy 2018, Honda Africa Twin, Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro ridden, Husqvarna FE350 Long termer, Project Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, Triumph Street Twin update, Zard Exhaust , kit reviews and loads more!
2019 Beta Enduro's tested, GS Trophy 2018, Honda Africa Twin, Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro ridden, Husqvarna FE350 Long termer, Project Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, Triumph Street Twin update, Zard Exhaust , kit reviews and loads more!
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2018 Honda CRF1000L/L2<br />
reach for the nonexistent clutch<br />
and attempt to gear down on the<br />
nonexistent shifter but I overcame this<br />
pretty smartly and once my brain had<br />
made the association with the setup I<br />
found that the DCT worked really well.<br />
In fact, the most surprising result after<br />
the two days riding was that I would<br />
have chosen the DCT over the manual.<br />
At no time am I ever going to ride these<br />
bikes on the edge, or over my ability<br />
to control the throttle effectively using<br />
the DCT. I found the DCT had a sweet<br />
spot and I didn’t struggle with loss<br />
of traction on the rear wheel without<br />
the clutch. I need to admit that I was<br />
extremely reluctant to give the DCT a<br />
go but I’m glad I did. The DCT on-road<br />
was in my opinion also better than<br />
the manual. It’s ‘fit for purpose’ and on<br />
long rides would be the more desirable<br />
option and less tiring.<br />
The bike felt capable off-road and<br />
tracked well notwithstanding the soft<br />
suspension. The on-road off-road<br />
tyres (Metzeler Karoo 3s) worked well<br />
and offered a good amount of traction,<br />
although they were overwhelmed in<br />
the mud.<br />
So, would I recommend buying<br />
one? I would say yes. To me the AT’s<br />
a little unrefined compared to the<br />
BMW GS or the Triumph Tigers but<br />
that’s what makes it so appealing. It’s<br />
a very competent and fun machine to<br />
ride and to me the slower evolution to<br />
being tech driven like its competitors is<br />
a positive. The styling and heritage of<br />
the AT is also a big draw card – it has<br />
the credentials and the brand appeal to<br />
potential buyers associating the latest<br />
AT with either earlier versions or the<br />
old XL600 trailies. And I have to say<br />
I’m closer to understanding the appeal<br />
of adventure bikes after my ride than I<br />
was before.<br />
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