For globalists, this travel adventure exam promotional story has it all. A Japanese company produces motorcycles named after the African continent. The German-founded, now Italian-owned company outfits its bikes with some of the most off-road-ready adventure tires, named after Australia’s unique animals, and torture-tests them in India.
All this combined means that six Honda Africa Twins fitted with Metzeler Karoo 4 tires completed the almost 200-mile drive over the four ear-popping mountain passes of the Himalayas in just over eight hours. Masu. That’s one way to promote your brand.
Carlo Fiorani of Honda, Salvo Pennisi of Metzeler, rally racer Francesca Gasperi, Olympic cycling medalist Marco Aurelio Fontana, Torsten Denges of Motorrad magazine, Carlo Pettinato of Duellote magazine, from different countries and fields. Six riders participated.
From left: Carlo Fiorani, Francesca Gasperi, Carlo Pettinato, Marco Aurelio Fontana, Salvo Penisi, Torsten Dentjes.
The team drove a standard Honda Africa Twin and an adventure sports version over a route that featured more than 13 miles of elevation gain, culminating in the Umrin La Pass, which is over 19,000 feet above sea level.
This grueling eight-hour journey begins at Pangong Lake near the Chinese border and passes through the Tsagra La, Photi La, Umrin La and Nurbula La passes, passing over rocks, sand, water and winding trails. There were a lot of them. This ride was aimed at showcasing the capabilities of both the new Africa Twin and Metzeler Karoo 4 tires.
“This feat strengthens the long-standing and winning partnership between Honda Africa Twin and Metzeler Tires,” said Penis, Director of Test and Technical Relations at Metzeler.
“In 2017, we achieved three world records by climbing the Ojos del Salado volcano in Nevado, on the border of Argentina and Chile, on a Honda Africa Twins equipped with Metzeler MC 360 tires,” said Penis. continue. “Seven years later, we began a new adventure. In similarly challenging conditions, our Honda Africa Twin, fitted with Metzeler Karoo 4 tires, ventured through the legendary Himalayan passes in Ladakh, India. .”
Penis said of the ride: “This route proved to be an exceptional testing ground for both bike and tyre, confirming once again what an absolutely winning combination is. In both the 19-inch and 21-inch versions, Honda Africa The combination of Twin and Metzeler Karoo 4 tires has demonstrated benchmark performance in the fast-growing adventure travel segment, perfect bike-to-tire interaction in all conditions, off-road and asphalt, dry and wet. I enjoyed the action and balance. In addition to the technical experience, I also had the human side of being a great companion, great rider and friend.”
Mr. Fiorani from Honda Motor Europe Italy waxes poetic about this journey: “It was an amazing trip to the Himalayan region where Tibetan culture is felt everywhere. Impressive temples and spectacular panoramas around every turn, endless trails leading to some of the most remote places in the world, a perfect destination for travel and rally enthusiasts. This adventure will remain in our hearts forever, thanks in part to the team that has always been united by our passion for bikes and extreme riding. We faced every challenge together as fellow travelers. We overcame this and developed true friendships by sharing unforgettable experiences.”
Fiorani also touched on the technical aspects of the ride quality of his brand’s motorcycles fitted with Metzeler Karoo 4 tires. “Despite the height it reached, the Africa Twins handled well. The ease of control and power made them fast yet very safe. A true rally queen on and off road! ”
Metzeler Karoo 4 front tires are available in three widths: 100-120 mm for 19-inch rims and 90 mm wide for 21-inch rims. Rear tires are available with 17-inch and 18-inch rims. The width of 17-inch tires is 130-170mm, and the width of 18-inch tires is 140mm and 150mm. Karoo 4 tires are available in tube and tubeless configurations, but not all sizes are available on tubeless rims.
Photo gallery of Honda Africa Twin and Metzeler Karoo 4 tires running in the Himalayas
