Further official details of Honda’s new 1000cc adventure motorcycle have been released with the CRF1000L Africa Twin set to be available in dealerships across Europe later this year.
The completely revised model features a brand new parallel twin engine with 93.8bhp (70kW) power and 70.3 ft lbs (98Nm) torque. Other new functionality includes Switchable ABS and multi-mode Traction Control as well as a revised version of Honda’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) gearbox with handlebar mounted gear shift, as an option.
Several versions of the CRF1000L Africa Twin will be available and Honda has only thus far confirmed a price in Euros, starting from €12,100 plus local taxes (which according to today’s conversion rates equates to £8,556).
Honda has made no secret of their intention for the reborn Africa Twin name made famous in the late eighties and early nineties to be off-road biased, following in the footsteps of the 750. It's a massive class for Honda to enter into and they're keen to make sure the new 1000 fits its role as ‘True Adventure’, in the same vein as BMW’s R1200GS and KTM’s Adventure range.
Honda claim the new model shares no common parts with the old version but its heritage remains. A chassis and engine combination designed and built to perform equally as well off-road as on-road for long-range touring. The bike will be available in four colour schemes: CRF Rally (Red) and Tricolour (white with red and blue), silver and black.
According to the press material, the CRF1000L Africa Twin’s 1000cc parallel twin power plant is claimed to “draw heavily on Honda’s off-road race experience in the form of the CRF250R/450R competition machines, and uses the same four-valve Unicam head design for compact overall dimensions. A lightweight cast camshaft – using the same materials as the CBR1000RR Fireblade – operates the valve train, and twin spark plugs fire the fuel/air mixture in each combustion chamber.”
See the new Africa Twin in action! Honda has released a film of the test riders in action on the bikes and in discussion about the development:
The 'True Adventure' concept was launched at the International Motorcycle Show last autumn - a dimly-lit prototype adventure bike heavily disguised in camouflage and mud. Although very little information was offered at the time, the bike was placed alongside an XRV750, the last Honda to bear the Africa Twin name until it was dropped in 2003.
The entry level version of the Africa Twin is equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox using the same shift-cam design as found on the CRF250R/450R and is equipped with an assist slipper clutch.
As previously seen in models including Honda’s VFR1200F, a revised version of the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) will be available as an option on the Africa Twin. In standard manual mode the rider can operate gear shifts through triggers on the left handlebar. Two automatic modes can also be selected: ‘D’ offers the a balance of fuel economy and comfort cruising but it’s the ‘S’ mode which has been revised to give extra levels of sports performance, with three different shift patterns to choose from: S1, S2 and S3.
Then there’s Gravel mode. Being an off-road focussed machine, the CRF1000L Africa Twin is also equipped to operate in an adventure environment, with the G switch, positioned on the right side of the instrument panel. Pushing the G spot, sorry switch, in any riding mode improves traction by reducing the amount of clutch slip during gear changes.
Further new functionality for the DCT system comes in the form of incline detection, where the gear shift pattern is adapted depending on the grade of any incline.
Chassis, Brakes and Suspension
For the CRF1000L Africa Twin’s chassis three key attributes – highlights of the original XRV750 – were targeted: off-road performance, touring comfort and day-to-day commuter.
A steel semi-double cradle frame will aid stability at high-speed and off-road ability, agility and strength.
Fully adjustable, long-travel Showa inverted forks are paired with dual radial-mount Nissin four-piston brake calipers and 310mm ‘wave’ style floating discs. The Showa rear shock has hydraulic spring preload adjustment and the CRF1000L Africa Twin uses a 21 inch spoked wheel at the front and an 18 inch version for the rear.
Its seat height is adjustable from its standard height of 870mm and can be reduced by 20mm to 850mm while the 18.8 litre tank should be good for a range north of 200 miles.
The brand new twin cylinder engine platform won’t only be exclusively used in the Africa Twin, so expect to see it in a range of CB models from Honda over the next 18-24 months.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam
Engine Displacement
998cm3
Max. Power Output
93.8bhp / 70kW @ 7500rpm
Max. Torque
70.3 ft lbs / 98Nm @ 6000rpm
Bore & Stroke
92.0 & 75.1mm
Clutch
Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch
Final Drive
O-ring sealed chain
Gearbox / Transmission Type
Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes
Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC)
* HSTC 3-levels + Switch Off (*ABS & DCT models only, not on STD model)
Frame Type
Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe
Turning Radius
2.5m
Dry Weight
208kg (STD), 212 kg (ABS), 222kg (DCT)
Kerb Weight
228kg (STD), 232 kg (ABS), 242kg (DCT)
Fuel Capacity
18.8 litres
Length x Width x Height
2,335 x 875 x 1,475mm (STD), 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm (ABS/DCT)
Wheelbase
1,575mm
Seat Height (STD position / Low position)
870/850mm
Ground Clearance
250mm
Brakes
Front: 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers (*ABS) and sintered metal pads.
Rear: 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper (*ABS) and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model.
ABS system type
ABS* 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch (* ABS & DCT models only, not on STD model)
Wheels & Tyres
Front: Wire spoke with aluminium rim. 21M/C x MT2.15. 90/90-R21 tube type
Rear: Wire spoke with aluminium rim. 18M/C x MT4.00. 150/70-R18 tube type
* HSTC and ABS not available on base version; equipped as standard on ABS and DCT versions.
