2020 Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Honda’s Africa Twin adventure bike line-up has come in for a major overhaul, headlined by a more powerful 1100cc parallel twin engine, a major weight reduction, the adoption of TFT screen technology and electronic functions managed by a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit.

Two models will be coming to Australia: the CFR1100L with a manual transmission, and the CRF1100L Adventure Sports with the choice of a manual or dual clutch transmission. There will also be a DCT variant of the Adventure Sports with Showa electronic suspension.

All the models will go on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2020, complete with a 6.5-inch TFT screen with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, six rider modes (including two user-selectable options), seven-level traction control, three-level wheelie control, cruise control, cornering ABS (with an off-road setting) and LED daytime running lights.

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports also features three-stage cornering lights that automatically adjust the field of illumination depending on the lean angle.

The hike in capacity from 998cc to 1100cc has delivered obvious peak power and torque benefits: up by seven and six per cent respectively to 102hp and 105Nm. Coupled with a 5kg weight reduction, Honda claims a 10 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.

The CRF1100L is the sharper off-road focus of the two models, and will be available in two liveries – Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black – while the CRF1100L Adventure Sport models will have one livery: Pearl Glare White (blue, white and red tri-colour).

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The CRF1100L Adventure Sports shares the frame, engine and riding position of the focussed CRF1100L, but has a role very much of its own: to offer riders real long-haul ability.

This comes in the shape of a larger 24.8-litre fuel tank, extended wind protection (from both the fairing and fairing side panels), a height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrier plus tubeless wheels and tyres. A charge point and heated grips are also standard fit.

The Showa electronic suspension version manages damping force relative to mode selection where a dedicated suspension ECU draws real-time information from front and rear stroke sensors, IMU and cornering ABS. Rear spring preload can also be adjusted electronically while stationary to suit load. Four default modes – soft, mid, hard and off-road – cover every type of riding situation.

Pricing is yet to be announced on the 2020 Africa Twin range.

For more information on the 2020 Africa Twin range, click here