HONDA XRV750 AFRICA TWIN (1989 - 2003) Review

Version: 750 xrv

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £400

drive this bike more then 13 years my first bike was a transalp (new) But i always wanted a Africa twin. now my second Africa twin after this years exactly the same but other colour. The first was 350,000 km and now under construction to be reborn. There is really nothing else that drives so smooth and reliable than this bike. I bought a TTR for the offroad tracks but while i am driving i miss my Africa twin. The weight is really a issue but after all these years i still love this bike. And at every gas station people look and start a talk about the bike, also almost every GS rider smiles. This year i was driving through the pyrenees and up a hill a land rover driver saw the new Africa and almost the same moment my old one and was shouting Viva la Africa twin, i never forget that moment.

Buying experience: private burn out but build up again

Year: 1990

Really really liked mine and only sold it for a triumph Sprint ST coz I wanted to lean a bit more in sweeping corners. Many in the press called it a 'wardrobe on wheels' at the time but then no one apart from the French and Italians seemed keen on Big Trial bikes... Now look at the UK scene. Journos and born again bike posse buying them and calling them Adventure bikes. Oh, kids at traffic lights often seemed to love these bikes in the garish colours

Buying experience: Fine. I only use Dealers though.

Compared to modern bikes, it is thirsty, underpowered, heavy and generally over-priced. Having wanted one since 1994, I finally bought one 2 years ago and I wish I'd done it sooner. The Africa Twin has more character than a crate full of modern bikes. It is properly capable off-road with a genuine round the world pedigree and also a joy on the road. There is a great community of like minded owners (xrv.org.uk) who are more than willing to provide technical assistance with maintenance (not that it needs much). Parts are easy to get and there are loads of aftermarket upgrades available. Other bikes might come and go but I can't imagine ever parting with my Africa Twin.

I've owned this bike some years now and its always been my choice for rides out. Even with much quicker bikes in the garage, the twin is still my preferred ride. Not without faults. Fuel pump has been changed, as has the rear shock and every bearing on the bike at some point. Seat gets annoying the other side of 250 miles, but obviously not that bad that I've bothered doing anything about it. Cheaper than a GS, and more capable than a lot of pretenders, although I have to say some of the prices being asked today are rediculous for an old bike. Cult status? Yeah your are a cult if you play £5k for one. Main problem is, there isn't a Honda replacement. Sure there are rumours, but they either won't materialise or it will be another 1200cc over weight pig. So I'll keep this one. Keep putting fuel in it and watching the miles going up. To be honest, even at £3-4k you would be balmy not to do the same. It won't break the bank and the values ain't going down.

I have had my 1991 AT since September after passing the DAS. The bike is very surefooted and has been very reliable having used it everyday to commute the 40 miles each day. I am getting around 35mpg and have covered about 2500 miles in a couple of months with no agro. Tyres are cheap, the bike is easy to maintain and has enough go to keep me amused!

Owned my AT for about 18 months now and loving it. I decided on an AT as I was in danger of losing my licence on my VFR800 (far too easy to go silly quick). The AT is great for long distance touring with a few mods and fairly rare (unlike GS') the only time I see others are at the owners club meets. Super reliable, well put together, and once your used to the handling fun on twisty roads. Sometimes it could do with a few bhp more but not often. A full list of mods is below but I must mention the addition of the cases means it really feels the effects of side winds, especially at motorway speeds. Mods; 1. Taller givi touring screen (I'm 6ft+) 2. Comfier seat. 3. Airhawk seat for seriously long distance. 4. Laser exhaust (twins should be heard!!!). 5. 12v accessory socket. 6. RAM mount for TomTom Go widesceen, waterproof and MUCH cheaper than bike specific GPS. 7. Alpos 36l aluminium boxes, with bags 100% waterproof and so easy to carry kit. 8. 1/2 inch risers for rear rack so I can use the Honda 40l top box with the cases. 9. Halfords heated grips, cheap and effective (all bikes should have heated grips as standard in the UK). 10. Scott Oiler, again should be standard.

Excellent bike which hasn't let me down once in 4 years, taking me plus 1 for a round trip around France (4k miles!) and back and fore motorway commutes. Ok the engine is a touch underpowered for the cc size but as pointed out in previous posts it’s got plenty of grunt. Honda should make a new model.

Anyone who knows anything about bikes can tell you that V-Twins are more about torque than power, this bike has pleanty of torque!! It catapults you out the bends with ease. And very smooth all the way through the gears. Just about manages to pull away in third and away to 75mph(ish). I don't know where MCN get there fuel consumption figures but I get 55mpg average. I fill up every 200 miles with plenty in the tank to spare. "could buy a far superior Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom or Aprilia ETV1000 Caponord for the same money" They may out-perform the XRV on the road, but as this was originally a road-going version of the Dakar winning VT750, it can't really be put in the same category as the "designed, built and bought for the road" Capo and V-Strom. Off-road this bike feels light and agile and so easy to ride. You don't have to rev very high, just keep the bike in second at low revs and let the torque of the engine pull you up any hills, flies up 1 in 1 gradients or even steeper!! The suspension may feel a little wallowy on the road but it really makes sense when you hit the gravel!! It really aids the bike to keep a straight and true path without causing the rider any dis-comfort whatsoever. After trading in my ZZR600 3 months (about 5,000 miles) ago for an Africa Twin, for real life riding I can't rate this bike highly enough. The only thing I must say is be careful when choosing your tyres for this bike. There are lots of styles to take into consideration, from out and out mud/sand, to sticky tarmac!! BTW I'm 5'7" and have no trouble with it so I don't know what the rest of you are complaining about!! LOL

This bike is TALL! If you're under 5'10" make sure you try before you buy. Otherwise a great bike - big road presence and ability to see over the car in front make for a safer ride.

Had a weird teething fuel supply problem, spluttering on hills - dealer cured it by switching to reserve and back!! I'm a newbie and this bike is a doddle to ride, not to mention, great fun. Suits me fine, but it's VERY high - no good for short-ar$es!

A great bike. I've only owned it a month and still grinning. It's deceptively quick because of the low revving engine and can beat pretty much anything off the lights if you want to (even if it loses out on top end). I have no intention of taking it trail riding but I bought it to go to Europe next year, for which it should be perfect. It's also great when in a lazy riding mood as for a bike it's size it's easy to handle on the move.