2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES Review

Honda's had very little in the way of rousing model success over the last five years – at least in terms of all-new platforms – but the Africa Twin adventure bike has been one of its real success stories.

Honda's original Africa Twin delivered all the key elements in a package that just worked in a brilliant, no-fuss and predictable manner.

That mix struck a massive chord on the launch through New Zealand's South Island, and later in the year bikesales had no hesitation in naming it as our inaugural Bike of the Year.

Here's a snippet of what we said at the time: "The Africa Twin is… a cleverly conceived and functional bike that is beautifully balanced, stable and nimble, particularly in an off-road setting.

"Adding to this, the dual clutch transmission version of the Africa Twin really is the piece de resistance, and a great ally for the power characteristics of the engine."

Two years later, the Adventure Sports variant was released alongside the standard model with a raft of extra upgrades – including a third-generation dual clutch transmission – which again saw it in BOTY calculations.

Related reading:
2016 Honda Africa Twin Launch Review
2016 bikesales Bike of the Year: Honda Africa Twin
2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport Review

For 2020, the Honda Africa Twin range is divided into two models: the $19,999 (plus ORC) CRF1100 and the $23,499 (plus ORC) CRF1100 Adventure Sports. The former is strictly a six-speed manual proposition, while the latter is available as either the manual or a 'DCT' six-speed dual-clutch automatic ($24,499 plus ORC).

At the top of the tree sits the newest member of the clan – the Adventure Sport DCT ES ($26,499 plus ORC), which adds Showa electronic suspension.

All the bike shares the same chassis, but the Adventure Sports has 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 DCT versions also have a park brake, which sits in the same position as a traditional clutch. I did learn you can take off with it engaged, but the bike soon lets you know the error of your ways!

New engines always grab attention though, and that's what Honda's has done in 2020 with its 1084cc parallel twin – up from 998cc with a corresponding hefty increase in power and torque.

The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES has adjustable preload and five damping settings from hard to soft, as well as off-road and a customisable 'user' setting.

And it's that machine which joined the 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year as the full-time mount for our paramedic, Muz, with the hefty rear rack providing plenty of secure points to strap on his medical essentials.

Fortunately, the paramedic didn't have to ply his professional trade across the five days, leaving him ample time to fully enjoy the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport DCT ES's touring traits – and central to that was leaving it in 'D' mode and cruising along without a care in the world.

The bike's fuel consumption backed up his easy-going approach: it only ignited an average of 5.1L/100km during BOTY, only a whisker behind the figure achieved by the much lighter and less powerful Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.

The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES has a 24.8-litre fuel tank, too, so it doesn’t take too long to work out this bike doesn't like stopping too often – the real endurance test coming down to whether the rider's derriere can handle the long-haul heat.

Muz was content with the laid-back approach of the Africa Twin DCT ES – perfectly at home with the adjustable screen on its highest setting, the wide handlebars providing plenty of leverage, and the mirrors totally vibe-free.

He was also clearly nonplussed by the array of buttons and switches on the bike's dash that is quite intimidating on first inspection, especially those the left-hand switchblock.

It's all very Goldwing-like… No surprises, really, as the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES does more or less enjoy the same level of features and benefits as the touring behemoth, including Bluetooth connectivity and access to Apple CarPlay.

Experience has taught me that a take-a-deep-breath approach is usually the best way to ascertain how everything works on a busy dash, and I was soon in sync with its workings, freely moving between the six rider modes (four pre-programmed and two programmable) as well as adjusting parameters like traction control and the power delivery modes – HSTC in Honda speak.

Just as well the 2020 Africa Twins now have a TFT screen – the flow of information would have been very difficult to digest on the old LCD dash. There is still an LCD inset below the TFT screen, but that very much serves as an ancillary information unit showing speed and gear selection.

Meanwhile, the Showa electronic suspension draws real-time information from front and rear stroke sensors, the inertial measurement unit and the cornering ABS. Rear spring preload can also be adjusted electronically while stationary.

The Showa ES version of the DCT model carries a $2k premium over the standard DCT – as well as an extra 2kg in weight. If long-haul riding is your bread and butter, then it's a premium that probably holds its own in terms of managing loads and conditions with just a few pushes of a button. If that's not a compelling enough reason, I'd be sticking with the manual suspension setup.

Put the electronic suspension into 'hard' damping mode, though, and the Africa Twin is still as fun as it's ever been. The extra power (up to 102hp) and torque (up to 105Nm) are noticeable – especially when the DCT is in 'S' mode rather than the more sedate 'D' selection which, based on the gentlest throttle inputs, has the bike in top gear from about 60km/h.

Riders can toggle between the S and D drive modes on the fly, as well as the manual paddle function, too.

I hardly touched the paddles during BOTY – there's just as much buzz factor as riding the Honda Africa Twin hard in S mode.

The engine's internal changes are quite significant in 2020, with the hike in capacity a sole function of increasing stroke. Other changes include increased inlet and exhaust valve lift, a new aluminium cylinder sleeve, re-profiled piston and crank, and readjusted throttle bodies.

Irrespective of capacity, the parallel-twin in the Africa Twin always been a beauty, and that again stood out like a beacon on the twisty paradise that is north-east Victoria.

The adaptive headlights on the Africa Twin are sensational, adding to the already excellent illumination from the LED lights. It's easily the best version of the technology I've used – if you can't see Skippy or any wildlife on the side of the road, it might be time to give your optometrist a call…

Speaking of making an impact, the bike's silhouette is undoubtedly enhanced by the magnificent tricolour livery. For me, the Africa Twin remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing adventure bikes on the market.

Five years on from inception, Honda's Africa Twin range keeps on keeping on. The Japanese manufacturer continues to give the family plenty of love, and that's clearly evident with the latest swathe of updates.

The Adventure Sports DCT ES is the flagship machine for good reason, as it's bursting at the seams with technology – including all that electronic suspension goodness. It's premium fare and its price is commensurate with that, but is it losing sight of the original no-fuss Africa Twin DNA? Only time will tell…

ENGINE
Type: SOHC liquid-cooled four-stroke eight-valve parallel twin
Capacity: 1084cc
Bore and stroke: 92.0mm x 81.5mm
Compression Ratio: 10.1:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 100hp (75kW) at 7500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 105Nm at 6250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Clutch type: DCT auto
Transmission type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Semi double cradle
Front suspension: Showa electronic with rebound and compression adjustment, 204mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa electronic, with preload, rebound and compression adjustment, 220mm travel
Front brakes: Twin 310mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers, ABS equipped
Rear brakes: 256mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS equipped
Wheels: Spoked alloy
Tyres: Bridgestone Battlax Adventure; 90/90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 250kg
Seat height: 870mm (850mm low)
Wheelbase: 1575mm
Rake: 27.5 degrees
Fuel capacity: 24.8 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $26,499 plus on-road costs
Colour: Tricolour
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: Honda Motorcycles Australia