Image Courtesy Honda Africa
The legendary Honda Africa Twin is a proper name in the large displacement adventure motorcycle segment. Born three decades ago as the XRV650 Africa Twin, and reborn from the ashes in 2016 as the CRF1000L Africa Twin, Honda is constantly updating it.
In 2018, the Africa Twin received Throttle By Wire (TBW) electronic throttle control plus 4 riding modes, as well as an exhaust development to improve engine response and sound. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports was also born, with the same updates, but with better wind protection, longer tank range and longer travel suspension. And in 2020, a larger displacement 1,084cc engine was added, while being redesigned with aggressive, compact rally styling.
And now, for 2022, Honda is working on the CRF1100L Africa Twin and its sister CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, with practical updates and adjustment to the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), as well as new cosmetic designs. The Honda idea, is to increase its functionality for daily use.
The CRF1100L Africa Twin comes standard with an aluminum rear rack and the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports features a new lower, 5-position adjustable windscreen, which improves visibility without compromising protection.
Additionally, both DCT versions are updated with new gearbox settings to offer smoother handling in the first two gears.
Finally, they receive new color updates. The CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports features new “Cracked Terrain” graphics and the CRF1100L Africa Twin now sports a new “Big Logo” design with revised color schemes including black aluminum side covers and a red rear subframe.
In any case, the technical fundamentals of the model are: a lightweight chassis and a 1,084 cc twin-cylinder engine (100 Hp at 7,500 rpm and 75 Lb-ft at 6,250 rpm) and a complete electronic package with driving modes, HSTC, ABS cornering, Wheelie Control and Rear Lift Control, cruise control.
In addition, it offers a high level of connectivity and comfort, with heated grips, USB socket, ACC charger, a 6.5-inch color TFT touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth; dual LED headlights with DRL and adaptive Cornering Lights