New Honda Africa Twin? For Real? (Italian Translator wanted!)

[Bønne]

Well, sometimes it´s difficult to se such things as sarcasm in a written word 

But...another thing, about the CB500 and the NC700/750. Looking at Hondas websides, in UK, Denmark, Sweden or whereever both engines are told to be "parallel-twins" despite that the CB500 is 180° and the NC700/750 is 270°. That means that these engines are "just" twins and not parallel-twins as parallel-twins are 360°, with the two pistons following each other up and down (in parallel). This type of engine was used by Triumph from 1937 together with Norton, BSA and others and later in Yamaha TX750 and XS650, Kawasaki Z400/750 and Honda CB400N. Nowadays some of the Triumph´s are still parallel-twins, Kawasaki W800 and even the F800 BMuu also uses this type of engine.

But, Honda are not the only one making this mistake, Yamaha XT1200, which is 270° too, are also told to be parallel-twin and even the Triumph models with 270° crankshaft, including the 1600cc Thunderbird are told to be parallel-twins...as if Triumph didn´t know what a real parallel-twin is... 

[MrKiwi]

parallel twins has little to do with the timing of pistons firing.  It represents the configuration of the engine, two cylinders in line next to each other is a parallel twin regardless of firing rotation. 

[jackyork]

Quite right MrKiwi. I thought I posted that but my battery died and I forgot.
While on the configuration subject, are you as annoyed as I am by the current misuse of 'in-line' by the twitterati of the moto media? What used to be called a 'straight' engine is now called 'in line', regardless of its orientation in the frame, ie, most Japanese multi cylinders being 'transverse' engined and definitely not 'in line'.
I'm a bit pedantic about English and it winds me up as much as some Americans saying 'Nucular'.

At least we are secure with our 'Vee twins': from the crank throw, are they 'in line'? I think Guzzis are transverse but somebody argued cranks with me.

[SB]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_twin

[meine dicke]

And there are as well differences in movement of the pistons.
I.e. the bmuu GS is an 180° twin boxer (pistons move contrawise). There are as well 180° twins, where the piston don´t move contrawise.

Rainer

[Freddy]

If I'd bet money on the new Africa Twin, so it comes with an amazing 1,000 cc. Think it will be available in four verson. So we have to wait and see ...

[jackyork]

@meineDicke The famous BMuu (and DKW and Douglas &c.) is known as a 'Boxer' engine and is a 'horizontally opposed, flat twin.'

@ SBarker. Not sure your point aimed at me but 'In line' description applies only to the engine and not to orientation in the frame. If there is possibility for confusion, then different terminology should be used: the beauty of the English language.
That Wikipaedia listing could be where the confusion set in.

JK

(My bike is off the road: I'm bored).

[Jasper]

JK

(My bike is off the road: I'm bored).

...you're not alone ...another 10cm of snow today

[Athanman]

If I'd bet money on the new Africa Twin, so it comes with an amazing 1,000 cc. Think it will be available in four verson. So we have to wait and see ...

Better a test in flesh. A four verson option? I wish Honda will include the simplicity adjust of Triumph Explorer. 

[Freddy]

@Athanman

Yes, I have a "feeling" that it comes with several options. It's the customer who decides what type of setup you need. So we have to wait and see ...

[Two Plugs]

For what I know, Honda is thinking of two versions, a roadbased one, and a offroad one. Like the bik KTM, and the BMuu GS(A).

[Two Plugs]

well... If it goes up to my personal opinion, every Honda big trail bike which has to be considered as the real and spiritial follow-up to the XL1000V Varadero, is welcome here at VCI Forum. And that includes a new 1000cc Africa Twin which is closer to the Varadero than the VFR1200X Crosstourer is, even when the engine configuration is different aligned...

[Skye]

Norwegian biker magazine mc-avisa have this news.. Still som drawings how it would look like in the end..

http://www.mc-avisa.no/index.php?id=381297&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=449926&cHash=2571a2bcbf6b90d4c40d4968cfb22847

[zebulon]

Thank you Magnus! V-twin or parallels ?

[Skye]

Zebulon obvius answer... 

Africa Twin or Africa Parallell??