New Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

The new CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports receives major upgrades to further enhance its continent-busting travel abilities.

Standard-fit Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (Showa EERA™) suspension – with a reduction in stroke length – is matched to a 19-inch front wheel, 110/80-19 tyre and lower seat height. There’s also a 7% boost to peak torque for the 1,084cc engine. New style for the upper fairing is both more muscular and protective. As before, a full electronics package uses a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit to manage HSTC, cornering ABS, Wheelie Control, Rear Lift Control and cornering detection functionality on the DCT version. Practicality comes in the shape of multiple riding modes, standard fit cruise control, heated grips, USB port, ACC charger and full colour 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen incorporating Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto® and Bluetooth connectivity. Dual LED headlights feature Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and Cornering Lights. The DCT option receives improved feel from launch and at slow speed. Four tailor-made Genuine Honda Accessory Packs – Urban, Rally, Travel and Adventure – are ready to create the perfect traveling partner.

It’s been well over three decades since the Honda XRV650 Africa Twin first rolled into Europe and while the motorcycle that now bears its name – launched in 16YM as the CRF1000L Africa Twin – was a brand-new motorcycle from the wheels up, it fully inherited the essence and spirit of what made the original so popular.

24YM marks another major update for the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Updated chassis dynamics based around a new 19in front wheel, more power and torque for the engine, further DCT refinements and a more muscular new look move the model on yet again.

The 24YM CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports shares the frame and engine of the more off-road focussed CRF1100L Africa Twin but has a role very much of its own: to offer riders real continent-crossing long-haul ability and practicality both on and off-road.

For 24YM Showa EERA™ offers optimum constantly-adjusted damping control. Four default modes – SOFT, MID, HARD and OFF-ROAD – cover every type of riding situation, and there’s a USER mode for further fine-tuning on the move. Rear spring preload can also now be adjusted while moving.

24YM also sees the adoption of a 19-inch front wheel (as opposed to 21-inch) wearing a wider 110/80-19 tyre (from 90/90-21). This setup gives more front tyre grip and feedback for better on-road stability and comfort when fully loaded. The seat has a revised cushion thickness for enhanced comfort and is set lower, at 835/855mm. Suspension stroke, front and rear, is reduced to 210/200mm, also for improved on-road handling ability and confident ground reach.

To boost acceleration, especially for when two-up and fully loaded, the 1,084cc parallel twin cylinder engine has been tuned – via intake, combustion and exhaust development – to produce more low- and mid-range torque, with 112Nm at peak and no loss of power, which remains 75kW.

Long-range touring credentials come in the shape of a large 24.8L fuel tank, extensive wind protection (from both the redesigned upper fairing and fairing side panels), 5-way height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrier plus tubeless wheels and tyres. ACC charger and heated grips are also standard fit.

DCT has been refined for more natural feel from initial pull-away and at very low speeds. A six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) controls not only the 7-level HSTC but also 3-level Wheelie Control, Cornering ABS (with off-road setting), Rear Lift Control and DCT cornering detection. There are four default riding modes: URBAN, TOUR, GRAVEL and OFF-ROAD.

Tailored for complete control, the riding position features a slim section seat, featuring an increased cushion thickness for added comfort and high-set handlebars. Dual LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) feature three-stage Cornering Lights that automatically adjust the field of illumination depending on the lean angle, giving optimum visibility for improved safety. Cruise control and heated grips are standard-fit. A full colour Multi Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen brings immersive engagement with the machine’s systems, plus Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto® and Bluetooth connectivity.

For 24YM the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports will be available in the following paint options, that both feature bold big logo graphics:

• Matt Ballistic Black Metallic

• Pearl Glare White (Tricolour)

Chassis 

• Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (Showa EERA™) suspension as standard

• New 19-inch front wheel mounts a 110/80-19 tyre for improved road handling

• Lightweight frame, with bolt-on aluminium subframe and light, rigid CRF450R-style swingarm for outstanding rear wheel traction and feel

• Six-axis Bosch IMU control; cornering ABS provides sure-footed braking and features an off-road setting

Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (Showa EERA™ ) suspension was an option for the previous CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Now, for 24YM it is standard fit. Quite simply, the Showa EERA™ suspension means the rider can select low-speed ride comfort, high speed stability, sporting on-road performance and off-road response at the touch of the screen.

Five suspension modes are available:

• MID sits between hard and soft, for easy handling in a wide range of situations. It is automatically selected with Urban riding mode.

• HARD is stable, responsive and the firmest damping for two-up and fully laden touring. It is automatically selected with Tour riding mode.

• SOFT offers a comfortable, secure ride on poor roads with lowest damping force. It is automatically selected with Gravel riding mode.

• OFF-ROAD gives optimum dirt performance, with gradually increasing fork damping relative to stroke speed and firmer all-round rear shock damping. It is automatically selected with Off-road riding mode.

• Whereas the above suspension settings are automatically selected according to the riding mode, in USER Riding Mode, the rider can adjust spring preload finely, through 24 steps, front and rear.

There is an off-road ABS setting and, when stationary the rear ABS can be turned off completely for off-road riding if required.

Engine

• 1,084cc, twin-cylinder engine generates an extra 7% torque at 112Nm peak, with stronger power and torque in the low to mid-rpm range

• Compression ratio raised to 10.5:1, alongside development of ECU settings, valve timing, intake and exhaust

• Unicam 8-valve head, semi-dry sump and slipper clutch

The 1,084cc, 8-valve parallel-twin engine produces 75kW @ 7,500rpm (as before) with peak torque increasing to 112Nm @ 5,500rpm (up from 105Nm @ 6,250rpm). Bore remains 92mm with 81.5mm stroke; compression ratio is now 10.5:1 (from 10.1:1). There are significant gains in output of both power – and especially torque – off the bottom and through the middle of the rev-range when compared to the previous model.

There are four default riding mode settings: TOUR, URBAN, GRAVEL and OFF-ROAD to cover most riding conditions and situations plus two further customisable USER settings. Even within the default riding modes, it’s possible to change some parameters – HSTC between levels 1-7 (plus off), Wheelie Control between levels 1-3 (plus off) and DCT S mode shift pattern levels 1-3.

• TOUR employs the highest level of Power (1), for touring with pillion and luggage plus mid-range Engine Braking (2) with active on-road cornering ABS.

• URBAN suits wide-ranging riding requirements and uses mid-level Power (2) and Engine Braking (2) with active on-road Cornering ABS.

• GRAVEL delivers the lowest level of Power (4) and Engine Braking (3). Cornering ABS is active with an off-road setting; in this setting, the rear brake ABS cannot be switched off.

• OFF-ROAD uses lower-mid level Power (3) and the lowest amount of Engine Braking (3). Cornering ABS is active with an off-road setting; the rear brake ABS can be switched off.

• USER 1 & 2 modes offer the rider a choice of two distinct personalized setups - choosing between Power levels 1-4 and Engine Braking 1-3, plus HSTC, Wheelie Control and ABS (on-road/off-road) parameters. USER 1 starts out with level 2 Power and Engine Braking, USER 2 uses level 4 Power and 3 Engine Braking.

Accessories

• Huge range of Genuine Honda Accessories ready to go, from Tank Pads to full Pannier/Top Box luggage solutions and each a perfect fit for the Africa Twin

• Rally, Adventure, Urban and Travel Packs make perfect customisation easy

• Complete compatibility across the entire line-up

 
For a bike like the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports – which is going to cover a lot of ground – accessories really matter to an owner. And the range grows year on year with each part, no matter how small or large driven by customer use, designed by R&D engineers in Japan and manufactured in Honda centres around the world to exacting standards.

Rally Pack
Designed to enhance the off-road durability and performance. The pack features wide Rally Footpegs for extra leverage and control and Engine Guards/Radiator Grill to minimise damage. For the Africa Twin with manual transmission a Quickshifter is included, while the DCT option gains a Foot Shift Lever. Wheel Stripes add an exclusive splash of colour that complement the overall look.

Adventure Pack
Ready for the long haul. New Front Side Pipes protect bodywork and are constructed from 25mm stainless steel with a polished, electrolytic coating that resists corrosion and is also easy to clean. They also mount the dual Fog Lights in a higher, more aggressive position that on previous models. A 4.5L tank bag provides flexible, easy-to-access storage, while new Side Tank Pads protect paint from knee scuffs and provide additional grip for off-road riding.

Urban Pack
Available in two options – plastic or aluminium. In plastic, a newly redesigned stripe design compliments the 58L Top Box (enough for 2 full-face helmets, comes with a Carrier Bracket, pillion Backrest and Inner Bag. The 42L aluminium Top Box features its own Carrier Bracket and Inner Bag. Finally, a Main Stand makes for straightforward rear wheel/chain maintenance.

Travel Pack
Like the Urban Pack the Travel Pack comes in plastic or aluminium. 40L left/30L right plastic Pannier Cases – also featuring the newly designed stripes – also feature one-size Inner Bags. The Aluminium Cases – 37L left / 33L right come complete with mounting Stays, and individual Right/Left inner bags. Comfort Pillion Footpegs are the finishing touch. 
 
Seat Options
A Low Seat option is available for the 24YM CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports and drops down to 795/815mm.