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Is the Africa Twin with 17's the Perfect Bike?

kuksul08 said:
Yeah exactly. So in stock trim let's say the front wheel is spinning at 15% slower than the rear wheel due to the larger diameter. Then you switch to 17's and now they're spinning at the same rate. I'd have to make a new tone wheel so the bike still thinks the front is spinning slower.

with fewer slots, for the front wheel.
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That's fine when there's no wheel slip. But once slip occurs, wouldn't the ABS/TC intervention calibration be off? With the sensor wheel hack, the same ECU calibration for 21/18 would allow more slippage on 17s, or less?
 
My ol' Hyper didn't like climbing out of ruts, and the sand washes gave me fits, but I never dumped it. It was spot on on pavement, and turned way faster than I was used to.
I'm just a 19'/21' guy
I need that big hoop out front to ward off the wobbles.
 
The biggest thing that intrigues me about the AT is the fact that is well, a Honda.

I've gone through plenty bikes, ridden bucket loads more.
While Honda might not be the most exciting, you know:
A: It wills start every time you click the starter button
B: It won't leak

Ducaca, KTM, BMW, Triumph, while all amazing motorcycles... can never say this.
(Besides a few bikes within each brand of course)


Something with 17" wheel clad is the latest supersport rubber, 8+ inches of suspension, and supreme reliability? Game changer
 
kuksul08 said:
One day you will see the light. We are entering the second golden age of my motorcycles - Japanese ADV/supermoto bikes.
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Yamaha's WR250 was an excellent factory built SUMO (for a factory job). Not sure a large trailie with 17's is ever really going to be a sumo in the true sense of what a sumo is, but I like the idea of a long travel, lightweight (still got a lot of work to get this right) bike shod with 17" supersport rubber.
 
kuksul08 said:
One day you will see the light. We are entering the second golden age of my motorcycles - Japanese ADV/supermoto bikes.
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Interesting thought, but I'm of the opinion that it takes more than a wheel swap to build a sumo. It may be supermoto-esque, but no one would confuse it for a legit sumo. Just sayin'...
 
I mean, yeah, a real supermoto is a CRF450R with excels and race rubber. And it lasts 8 hours between valve jobs and oil changes.

The great thing about these "mega motos" is that they will go 18k miles before a valve adjustment, and never need any major engine work. It's a compromise for performance, yet they still end up outperforming most bikes in the twisties.
 
I think you are selling KTM short on their quality and reliability. It is not the boutique company it was 20years ago.
Personally rather than going through the trouble of converting a AT. I'd just find a clean, low miles 990SMT.
 
Corb said:
I think you are selling KTM short on their quality and reliability. It is not the boutique company it was 20years ago.
Personally rather than going through the trouble of converting a AT. I'd just find a clean, low miles 990SMT.
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Where the hell have you been this entire thread, best advise yet! :thumbup
 
ilikefood said:
Hypermotard is a standard, not a supermoto. Short suspension travel and pretend-supermoto styling.
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The Hyper has over 6.5 inches of f/r travel. Much longer than most standard bikes.

I'm not comparing it to a pure supermoto (which I have a lot of experience with) i'm comparing with the anomaly of the OPs request of putting 17s on a AT.
 
I would like to see Honda offer the AT with spoked wheels that are tubeless, like bmw's version, with the spoke nipples not piercing the main rim, but on a side lip or some such
 
the Africa twin is the most enjoyable bike I have ever had, if they put 17's on it I will buy a second one
 
stan23 said:
The Hyper has over 6.5 inches of f/r travel. Much longer than most standard bikes.

I'm not comparing it to a pure supermoto (which I have a lot of experience with) i'm comparing with the anomaly of the OPs request of putting 17s on a AT.
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It varies by model, but for example the Hypermotard 1100 has 5.6" suspension travel in rear and 6.5" in front. A GSXR has 5" front and rear.
 
You're overthinking it, put a set of Continental Trail Attacks on and you'll never think about the size of your wheels again.

I have Multi, husky 610TE/SM with 17" and 990 Adv with a TKC80 on the front. Each is the fastest on its favorite road.
 
ilikefood said:
It varies by model, but for example the Hypermotard 1100 has 5.6" suspension travel in rear and 6.5" in front. A GSXR has 5" front and rear.
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In the end, it's not all about wheel travel. The hyper, feels like a big sumo. Riding position, big bars and out over the front wheel.
 
kuksul08 said:
I mean, yeah, a real supermoto is a CRF450R with excels and race rubber. And it lasts 8 hours between valve jobs and oil changes.

The great thing about these "mega motos" is that they will go 18k miles before a valve adjustment, and never need any major engine work. It's a compromise for performance, yet they still end up outperforming most bikes in the twisties.
Click to expand...

WR250s have 26k mile valve adjustments. :twofinger
 
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