Honda revamps Africa Twin

23.09.2019

Photo: Honda

More than 30 years ago, the first Africa Twin, the Honda XRV650, was introduced in Europe. The current model for 2020 is now being revised. The Africa Twin models are very popular both in Europe and internationally – since the market launch in 2016, more than 87,000 units have been sold worldwide. With 2020, another milestone for the Africa Twin is just around the corner.

With the off-road-optimized CRF1100L Africa Twin, the new Adventure Sports shares the driver's frame, engine and seat position. But its role is different: it is designed for long-haul flights. She feels equally at home on the street and off-road. It comes with a larger 24.8-litre tank, extended windprotection (front and side), a height-adjustable windshield, a large engine protection, an aluminium rear carrier and tubeless tyres. A charger and heated handles are also standard equipment for Adventure Sports.

For better front and rear cushioning, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports is optionally available with Showa EERA. This system covers every type of driving situation via the four preconfigured modes Soft, Mid, Hard and Offroad. In addition, the user mode allows individual fine-tuning. When the motorcycle is standing, the preload of the rear spring can be adjusted.

Just like the Africa Twin for the new model year, the Adventure Sports engine delivers a seven percent higher peak power and six percent more torque than before. This brings more pull-through in the entire speed range. It also meets the Euro 5 standard.

The frame has also been redesigned and now uses a screwed auxiliary frame made of aluminium. The rear wheel swing arm made of the same material is based on that of the Motocross Honda CRF450R. The "data center" of Africa Twin Adventure Sports forms the six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): This controls the seven-stage traction control (HSTC), the new three-stage wheelie control and the rear lift control, the curve ABS with off-road mode and the curve detection of the dual clutch transmission (DCT).

Thanks to dual LED daytime running lights, the bike is very visible to other road users and even safer on the road. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports also offers three-stage curved lights, which are also controlled by the IMU and automatically adjust their light cones to the angle of inclination of the machine. A cruise control is on board as standard.

The driving position is designed for maximum control and best comfort. The slimmer contoured seat is 50 mm lower than before. The multi-information display (MID) with a coloured 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen makes it easy to adjust the functions of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, including the Showa EERA ™. Also integrated are Apple CarPlay^® and Bluetooth connectivity.