Honda Quest, the incredible adventure!

[J-dog]

eeewww!!  :eek7:

I have often had it, but never put the pics in the public domain. Sies man!  :lol8:

 

[Kobus Myburgh]

eeewww!!  :eek7:

I have often had it, but never put the pics in the public domain. Sies man!  :lol8:

Well just now you guys think it was all easy.  :imaposer:

 

[TinusBez]

:laughing4: :imaposer:

Nie vir een oomblik nie

 

[Chrisl]

One way of transporting your Sunday braai meat is using it as a saddle for your donkey

He is busy spicing it from both sides :lol8: >

 

[Thump]

eeewww!!  :eek7:

I have often had it, but never put the pics in the public domain. Sies man!  :lol8:

Well just now you guys think it was all easy.  :imaposer:

Ja, and then it gets quoted again with pics, Eish. LOL

 

[blauth]

Well done to all the competitors, sounds like an awesome adventure. Especially well done to Minxy and Karookid. You guys did great.

I also want to say well done to Hardy for organizing what appears to be a very well executed and successful event. Good on you.

 

[shanti]

Amazing experience you guys must have had - well done all from organizing to taking part ... I love my DCT took me through Southern Africa with not an issue at all - So good to see a whole lot of the new AT's being put through the African test , they are a fantastic bike - I ride solo and yes it can be picked up alone in the boondocks . Such beautiful images from your journey together looked like a great spirit from all from day one - that I am sure you all took away from the experience . Would love to know more of your take on the bike - I know mine - she's a keeper !

 

[171steve]

Baie geluk aan die wenners lyk of dit n belewenis was.
Ek sit baie jaloers die fotos en kyk en wens ek kon self n nuwe at ry.

 

[Kamanya]

990 VS Honda AT 1000

Overall, in one sentence, the Honda is a very refined 990.

The Honda will be the easier bike to ride for everyone and almost every occasion, yet is no softy. The DCT is again easier in almost every respect to the manual.

2nd gear in slow technical is a beast. It just tractors along. The torque at low revs makes it very rideable in the slow stuff. When needed though, it doesn't mind being revved. The engine is so very smooth. It will pull with no trouble from idle, even in 4th.
Exceptional fuel consumption.
Tar riding it's smooth and comfortable (we only did about 200km on tar)
It is geared a little high in first for the very slowest stuff. But this is only on the manual. The DCT has the ability to inch forward on very little throttle.
The suspension needs a little firming but was not bad out the box. I fiddled with ours to suit both myself and Phillip. At first the bikes were hard and skippy in the rougher stuff. The read rode low but bucked too easily. I turned in a little compression on the front and less damping. Then some preload on the rear with less compression. The suspension is easily affected by tyre pressure – harder tyres are easily felt.
Exceptional wind deflection, mirrors and lights. Not seen or felt better.
Great seating, small pegs though.
Exceptional ABS. (the rear ABS is a little agricultural but that’s fine, it’s not the important one.)
On the DCT endless ability to fiddle with the mode options and then still be able to dial up or down a gear manually when needed. It is an exceptionally clever system. I liked it a lot. It seems to know exactly what mood you’re in and responds accordingly. For 98% of riding it is superior to the manual.
If you don't turn the ignition off, it stays in the mode selected. Using the kill switch only to stop the engine, once you turn it on again only the traction control needs to be turned off.

Some niggles;

DCT - In seriously deep sand, the inability to select 2nd gear to start with is a drawback. It takes huge revs in first to get going and then the bike in any mode won't go into 2nd without having to slack off a bit. Apparently, this is a software issue and will be rectified.

I found in extreme technical rocky bits that I preferred the clutch version. The DCT is extremely clever but that last bit of feeling that a clutch offers isn't there. Conversely, my partner Phillip, who was less comfortable in extreme stuff, categorically stated that he wouldn't have been able to finish the technical bits if he wasn't on the DCT. On one of the extreme days he started on the manual but after a few climbs where he was struggling, we swapped and he then enjoyed the rest of the day.

However, on 2 of the days where there was serious sand - one of 70km of deep riverbeds and the other 40km of soft dunes, he found the manual easier only because he could get onto the plane quicker because he had the option of being able to start in 2nd. I liked both in the sand but it did take a bit of skill to get the DCT going. Once going though, they both were rockets.

An irritation was on severe bumpy washboard or rocky bits, the good looking plastic black bits on the exhaust rattled. It sounded like there was a chain issue and it took me a while to work it out.

The bikes, even in the extreme heat and working hard never overheated.

The Honda looks sexy as fuck!

Lastly, the major difference for me was when really pushing along or being a bit of a hooligan. I diced Tau for a short distance in the dunes and though hugely quick, the bikes suspension isn’t up to reacting to being ridden like a maniac. It packs down and cannot handle enormous hits. The KTM is going to be better in the last 10% of ability. Also, though the KTM has the angrier stronger engine, the Honda is less so and makes it less intimidating. The KTM only likes life above 3500rpm whereas the Honda is very happy from idle. The KTM’s engine is addictive whereas the Hondas has a great bark but is more refined and polite. On the Honda, it takes marginally more patience to steer with the rear, whereas the KTM is instant and epic.

The KTM is far higher than the Honda and this is where less than competent riders who have shorter legs will really feel it. The AT has an adjustable seat, the KTM not.

With better suspension, Honda have a winner.

I am really impressed with the bike and am desperately sore to have lost the bike to Charl and Hennie.

I would really like to buy mine back!

 

[McSack]

What an absolute blast.
One of the toughest things I have ever done in my life. Lucky for me I had a great riding buddy and a really capable bike that made me look way better than my actual skill level by a long  shot

Throttle Jockey you are a legend my mate

Sent from my SM-J500F using Tapatalk

 

[Kobus Myburgh]

And what this modest legend McSack is not saying, is that he completed the Quest with a busted clavicle.

He was an example to every one of us with his 'never give up' attitude.  This also earned him and team mate Throttle Jockey the Spirit of Quest award!

Chuck Norris, eat your heart out, McSack is in the house.

 

[sidetrack]

As we pulled into the filling station in Uis Basil came to greet us on his legendary AT. He is a super nice guy. Like most Namibians.

Filling 22 bikes daily very quickly became part of our routine

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Honda that started it all  8)

 

[XRRX]

And what this modest legend McSack is not saying, is that he completed the Quest with a busted clavicle.

He was an example to every one of us with his 'never give up' attitude.  This also earned him and team mate Throttle Jockey the Spirit of Quest award!

Chuck Norris, eat your heart out, McSack is in the house.

:thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: O0

 

[Mooch]

Awesome feedback guys!!

 

[m0lt3n]

Great opinions coming through now. Keep it up guys!

And congrats not only to the winners but all riders and Hardy, a great event.

 

[hugh101]

Well done guys!
To all the competitors
You all are absolute legends!
To Hennie and Charl congrats and may those bikes bring you miles of smiles!
Regards
Hugh

 

[Sheepman]

990 VS Honda AT 1000

Overall, in one sentence, the Honda is a very refined 990.

The Honda will be the easier bike to ride for everyone and almost every occasion, yet is no softy. The DCT is again easier in almost every respect to the manual.

2nd gear in slow technical is a beast. It just tractors along. The torque at low revs makes it very rideable in the slow stuff. When needed though, it doesn't mind being revved. The engine is so very smooth. It will pull with no trouble from idle, even in 4th.
Exceptional fuel consumption.

Tar riding it's smooth and comfortable (we only did about 200km on tar)
It is geared a little high in first for the very slowest stuff. But this is only on the manual. The DCT has the ability to inch forward on very little throttle.
The suspension needs a little firming but was not bad out the box. I fiddled with ours to suit both myself and Phillip. At first the bikes were hard and skippy in the rougher stuff. The read rode low but bucked too easily. I turned in a little compression on the front and less damping. Then some preload on the rear with less compression. The suspension is easily affected by tyre pressure – harder tyres are easily felt.
Exceptional wind deflection, mirrors and lights. Not seen or felt better.
Great seating, small pegs though.
Exceptional ABS. (the rear ABS is a little agricultural but that’s fine, it’s not the important one.)
On the DCT endless ability to fiddle with the mode options and then still be able to dial up or down a gear manually when needed. It is an exceptionally clever system. I liked it a lot. It seems to know exactly what mood you’re in and responds accordingly. For 98% of riding it is superior to the manual.
If you don't turn the ignition off, it stays in the mode selected. Using the kill switch only to stop the engine, once you turn it on again only the traction control needs to be turned off.

Some niggles;

DCT - In seriously deep sand, the inability to select 2nd gear to start with is a drawback. It takes huge revs in first to get going and then the bike in any mode won't go into 2nd without having to slack off a bit. Apparently, this is a software issue and will be rectified.

I found in extreme technical rocky bits that I preferred the clutch version. The DCT is extremely clever but that last bit of feeling that a clutch offers isn't there. Conversely, my partner Phillip, who was less comfortable in extreme stuff, categorically stated that he wouldn't have been able to finish the technical bits if he wasn't on the DCT. On one of the extreme days he started on the manual but after a few climbs where he was struggling, we swapped and he then enjoyed the rest of the day.

However, on 2 of the days where there was serious sand - one of 70km of deep riverbeds and the other 40km of soft dunes, he found the manual easier only because he could get onto the plane quicker because he had the option of being able to start in 2nd. I liked both in the sand but it did take a bit of skill to get the DCT going. Once going though, they both were rockets.

An irritation was on severe bumpy washboard or rocky bits, the good looking plastic black bits on the exhaust rattled. It sounded like there was a chain issue and it took me a while to work it out.

The bikes, even in the extreme heat and working hard never overheated.

The Honda looks sexy as fuck!

Lastly, the major difference for me was when really pushing along or being a bit of a hooligan. I diced Tau for a short distance in the dunes and though hugely quick, the bikes suspension isn’t up to reacting to being ridden like a maniac. It packs down and cannot handle enormous hits. The KTM is going to be better in the last 10% of ability. Also, though the KTM has the angrier stronger engine, the Honda is less so and makes it less intimidating. The KTM only likes life above 3500rpm whereas the Honda is very happy from idle. The KTM’s engine is addictive whereas the Hondas has a great bark but is more refined and polite. On the Honda, it takes marginally more patience to steer with the rear, whereas the KTM is instant and epic.

The KTM is far higher than the Honda and this is where less than competent riders who have shorter legs will really feel it. The AT has an adjustable seat, the KTM not.

With better suspension, Honda have a winner.

I am really impressed with the bike and am desperately sore to have lost the bike to Charl and Hennie.

I would really like to buy mine back!

Thanks for the direct comparison between the bikes.Its relevant to me as I own a 990S and often wondered how it would stack up against the new AT.The Honda is clearly a very competent bike in both guises.

 

[LanC]

However, on 2 of the days where there was serious sand - one of 70km of deep riverbeds and the other 40km of soft dunes, he found the manual easier only because he could get onto the plane quicker because he had the option of being able to start in 2nd. I liked both in the sand but it did take a bit of skill to get the DCT going. Once going though, they both were rockets.

Lastly, the major difference for me was when really pushing along or being a bit of a hooligan. I diced Tau for a short distance in the dunes and though hugely quick, the bikes suspension isn’t up to reacting to being ridden like a maniac.

Great feedback so far!

Could someone please post some pics/vids of the dunes you guys rode?

 

[m0lt3n]

Any feedback on the 990 vs AT wrt power? the 990 has something like 20hp more, how did you guys experience that?

 

[Kamanya]

Any feedback on the 990 vs AT wrt power? the 990 has something like 20hp more, how did you guys experience that?

The KTM seems stronger torque wise and very snappy. The Honda's is misleading because it's so smooth. I've heard one person say that in a drag the Honda kept ahead of the KTM. This may be, but the KTM is more raw and feels stronger. It's almost like a thumper vs a triple. Or, the KTM has a lighter flywheel?

The KTM's power is instant, the AT's is more linear. It seems like the torque curve is steeper on the KTM.