Reader Phil Aspinall reflects on 6500 miles with his Africa Twin
Phil Aspinall knows what he wants when it comes to bikes.“I’d rather ride the bike than take the car,” the MCN reader and sportsbike lover says. “And I can’t resist a twisty back road.” Trouble is, sportsbikes just aren’t very practical or forgiving when it comes to wet and wintery rides. And it wasn’t until a chance test ride on a Honda Africa Twin that Phil found what he hadn’t actually realised he’d been looking for.
“I popped over to Padgett’s to take my CBR600RR in for a service and my mate came, too. He was interested in getting one of the new Africa Twins and took a DCT version out on a test ride. He came back really impressed, so I decided to take one out, too. I was just as impressed with how nice it was to ride but even though my mate then promptly put his order in for one, I wanted to try the manual version first. And I’m glad I did because I actually much prefer the DCT version; it was so much smoother and is absolutely ideal for the type of road riding I want to do.”
Phil duly ordered his tri-colour Africa Twin and when it arrived set about turning it into a rolling tribute to the legendary Batley dealership and race team. “I decided to ‘Padgettise’ it a bit, just because, for me, there’s simply no place quite like it. The Padgett’s team are good people and they’re now friends too.”
miles 0
Prior to my bike arriving, I did an Africa Twin off-road course in the Brecon Beacons and discovered it’s really capable on the dirt. It was a tough course and heavy rain didn’t help; it was carnage. I was using one of their bikes so opted for a DCT with the intention of really putting it to the test. It was fantastic. Initially I found it was jumping between first and second gear when I didn’t want it to, then the instructor suggested I put it in manual mode and it really came into its own.
miles 50
The seat was made while I was waiting for the bike to be delivered. It’s been scooped out to help me reach the floor more easily and it’s also got a gel insert, as well as the Padgetts’ colours on the leather. It was made by Caulfield Leather in Birmingham.
miles 500
The spokes were replaced because they corroded really quickly. It was quite a widespread problem but Honda sorted it for me by having the wheels rebuilt with stainless steel spokes instead of the treated mild steel items it came with. I think the 2018 model comes with stainless spokes as standard.
miles 1000
Soon after I got it in November we went to the Isle of Man. It was a good test of some of the parts I’d fitted. I’d opted for Honda heated grips whereas my mate had Oxford which were much warmer. Honda tried to improve them with a new relay but eventually Padgett’s gave me an Oxford set as a goodwill gesture.
miles 2500
I’ve found this Touratech screen suits me best. Even though it distorts your view a bit, it’s really effective. I tried the taller Honda one but found it buffeted my head. Engine bars are Touratech. The lower ones aren’t actually Africa Twin but Clive Padgett modified them so they fitted nicely. Bashplate and upper crashbars are also Touratech.
miles 3000
I fitted a Remus Hexacone can for a more fruity sound and to save a few kilograms, because the Twin’s a heavy old beast to manhandle at a standstill. I’d recommend that anyone who buys one keep the baffle in, because it’s too noisy without it. I looked at an Akrapovic but it’s twice the price, plus a bit loud for the type of riding I want to do.
miles 4000
Although a huge fan of DCT, I’ve had a traditional gear lever fitted. Where normally with DCT you’d use the switchgear paddles to go up and down the gearbox, now you just use the foot lever. It keeps your muscle memory sharp, and you involved. It was Clive’s suggestion and it works really well. DCT even puts it back into neutral for you as well.
miles 6400
Tyre choice is limited because the Twin runs tubed tyres with a 150 x 18 rear. I use Michelin usually and would’ve liked Anakees but they weren’t available so it was either Maxxis, Dunlop or these Continental TKC80, which I chose as they had good reviews. I had them fitted from new so never used the OE tyres. I’ve just replaced the rear.