Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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KTM 1090 ADVENTURE R VS. HONDA AFRICA TWIN SHOOTOUT P98 easier route. I've seen first-hand how good an Africa Twin is in race mode, having used a bone- stock machine (save for some heavier fork springs) with Johnny Campbell in the 2016 Vegas To Reno, so I can personally vouch for how tough the Africa Twin is. That race is more a flat-out drag than a technical adventure ride, but for the majority of riders who are not Quinn Cody, the Honda will do everything they need. The Honda does have its an- noyances: The tiny footpegs are rubbish and should be replaced immediately with large items that allow not just more comfort but for you to push harder with your feet and steer the bike; the handlebar bend is great for road comfort but gives a cramped stance when off road; and the TC will default back to full intervention every time the engine is stopped, which be- comes infuriating. Despite these grievances, the Honda Africa Twin is still the winner of this test. The KTM is now right with, and in many circumstances better than, the Honda off-road, but it's not as good on the tarmac. The Honda might lack a bit of pizzazz to the KTM, but everything it has works, and works well. The TC is easy to use, the dash easy to read, the engine and gearbox are beautiful, the suspension excellent on the road and only left behind slightly by the KTM on dirt when things start getting properly gnarly. The KTM is the hardcore ADV rider's machine: More ground clearance, better suspension for the task, a skinny chassis and an engine that's easy to get the most out of—the 1090 is a superb bike. But the Honda Af- rica Twin is all this and more. It's cheaper, looks rad in the HRC red, white, blue and gold color scheme (the red color scheme I could take or leave, and I'm not a fan of the grey), and is an easier package to live with, day- to-day. The KTM is what you ride in the Roof of Africa extreme enduro. The Honda is what you ride to the Roof of Africa to spectate, then around Africa, up into the Middle East, to Europe, and eventually on the boat back to the US—an adventure we can all complete. CN 2017 KTM 1090 ADVENTURE R ($14,699) ENGINE: ................75° V-twin four-stroke, liquid-cooled POWER: 125hp @ 8500 rpm (claimed) TORQUE: ...................80lb-ft @ 6500 rpm (claimed) DISPLACEMENT: ..................................1050cc BORE X STROKE: .................103 x 63mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ...................... 13.0:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ................................................. EFI EXHAUST: ...................................................... 2-2-1 TRANSMISSION: ...............................6-Speed CHASSIS: ........Chromium-Molybdenum -Steel trellis frame, powder-coated FRONT SUSPENSION: ........................48mm inverted WP fork with, rebound and compression damping adjustability. 8.6 in. travel. REAR SUSPENSION: ...... WP PDS shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability. 8.6in travel. FRONT BRAKE: ...............Brembo 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, 320mm disc. ABS REAR BRAKE: ...................Brembo 2-piston, fixed caliper, 267mm disc. ABS FRONT TIRE: .................................90/90-21 in. REAR TIRE: .................................150/70-18 in. HEAD ANGLE: ....................................................26° TRAIL: ...............................................................4.8 in. WHEELBASE: ................................................62.2° SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................................35 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ..................................... 6.1 gal. Weight:..............544 lb. (wet, measured). Color: White/Orange, Black 2017 HONDA AFRICA TWIN ($13,299) ENGINE: ........Parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 8-valve POWER: ...............................................................N/A TORQUE: ..............................................................N/A DISPLACEMENT: ..................................... 999cc BORE X STROKE: .................92 x 75.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ............................N/A FUEL SYSTEM: .................................................. EFI EXHAUST: ...................................................... 2-2-1 TRANSMISSION: ................................ 6-speed CHASSIS: .......Steel semi-double cradle FRONT SUSPENSION: ....Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork, fully adjustable. 9 in. travel. REAR SUSPENSION: ..................Monoblock cast aluminum swingarm with Pro-Link shock, fully adjustable. 8.4 in. travel. FRONT BRAKE: .....................Nissin 4-piston caliper, 310mm disc. ABS REAR BRAKE: ............Nissin single piston, fixed caliper, 256mm disc. ABS FRONT TIRE: ....................................... 90/90 21 REAR TIRE: ....................................... 150/70 18 HEAD ANGLE: ....................................................N/A TRAIL: ....................................................................N/A WHEELBASE: ................................................62 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ..............34.0 in. (standard) 33.5 in. (low Position) FUEL CAPACITY: .................................... 4.9 gal. WEIGHT: .............533 lb. (wet, measured) COLOR: ......................................Red, grey, HRC S P E C I F I C A T I O N S