CT v AT 2020

[Murphy]

So yesterday I took the CT (DCT) in for it’s 16k service, it needed two new tyres (Road Pilot 5s) and now I’m lying down in a darkened room with a cold cloth on my head.
While waiting for the CT I took out their AT demo for a spin so I thought I’d put up a few pros and cons, as I saw them anyway.

AT pros; looks good, lighter than the CT, huge upgrade in electronics, lots of torque, handles well-feels quite light on the road, in fact feels light to push around the car park-possibly a lower centre of gravity, hand brake lever is nicely tucked away, adjustable screen (not on the move). Seating position is good, just different to the CT. Heated grips are better than the CT, no question.

AT cons; it’s two cylinders, no getting away from the fact-it just isn’t as smooth as the VFR engine. It felt  really quite vibey by comparison. A lag when you wind up the AT; it just didn’t respond as quickly as the CT, or as smoothly. Chain drive; if you love a shafty, well then there’s no contest. The display, it’s trying to offer too much info for a busy driver. Now it may well be that I just needed time to run through the display options available but the screen is huge and bright and the most relevant info is displayed in the smaller display just beneath. It’s quite distracting and frankly, if I wanted to watch the telly I’d have stayed at home on the sofa.
Another factor that initially sounded good was an inbuilt nav system, turns out that there isn’t one, its a link up with the iPhone nav system. No iPhone means no nav and as a happy Android user I don’t want to change. Anyway, after paying for a fully specced AT I couldn’t afford an iPhone. With electronic suspension and a ‘Plus pack’ (luggage, bars etc) you won’t get much change out of £20k.

So the end result was that I got back on my CT with it’s Garmin add on and upgraded suspension, and the grin returned. I’m not being rude about the AT and if I won one in a competition I wouldn’t take the money instead. The difference is that if I won a new CT you’d have to prise my fingers off and tie me to a stake to take it away (as long as it didn’t have a super sensitive throttle, anyway).

[hoppicker]

Good write up Murphy. First impressions of a different bike are always the most important to me. I have an R80/GS (upgraded to 1000 cc), a 2003 xrv750 Africa Twin and a CT DCT. I ride them all regularly, each one has its pros and cons. The last one I have ridden is always the best. As I get older I know I will have to get rid of a couple. I am finding it an impossible choice. Maybe the weight of the CT will help with the first decision.

[DaveinNC]

Bike assessments are always subjective based on the riders wants and needs. For street use there is no comparison between the two. The CT blows the AT away, for off road trail use, it flips towards the AT. It all depends on where you will be riding.

[Murphy]

Originally Posted by DaveinNC

Bike assessments are always subjective based on the riders wants and needs. For street use there is no comparison between the two. The CT blows the AT away, for off road trail use, it flips towards the AT. It all depends on where you will be riding.

A good point, although if I wanted to ride off road I think I’d be looking for something easier to pick up and less pricey to repair!

[DaveinNC]

Originally Posted by Murphy

A good point, although if I wanted to ride off road I think I’d be looking for something easier to pick up and less pricey to repair!

Yea, its a balance towards needs. For me I am searching for an XR650L for off road use to ride the TAT. My CT is set up as a sport tourer for road use only.

[Plane Dr]

Given I have hours to ride to get anywhere interesting I went with a heavy road bias, CT.  If I lived somewhere interesting I likely would have gone not so road bias, AT.

I really miss having an off road monster but have neither the time nor money.  I have been sad since my DRZ470 went bang.  Big bang!  I really can't face the $$ for a Kaboom.....

[Lifeboat]

I've just done 3 years on a 2017 AT and loved it. (Previously on F6B, ST1300 and GL1800.)
My only gripe were that it was slightly underpowered 2 up with luggage, and I had to clean the chain.
I recently test rode the new 2020 AT and even with the extra horses it still wasn't enough for me.
So I got myself a shiny CT instead and I'm loving it.
The AT is an amazing bike imo, just not for me long term. I like the shafties too much.