Honda Africa Twin 2020: performance up, weight down, frame new

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2020 Honda CRF 1100 L Africa Twin

Performance up, weight down, frame new

The revised Honda Africa Twin is positioning itself more clearly in the offroad direction for the 2020 model year. In addition, it receives a modified chassis, becomes lighter, stronger and more communicative.

The Honda AT.frica Twin in its current version has been available since 2016. With the upcoming Euro 5 standard there was a need for action and Honda is responding by extensively revising the large enduro for the 2020 model year. The new Honda Africa Twin, now called the CRF 1100 L, can be recognized by the lower windshield and the slimmer rear.

Power increases to 102 hp

The Reihentwin is enlarged by a stroke extended from 75.1 to 81.5 mm to 1,084 cm³, gets a new cylinder head, a modified camshaft control, new 46 mm throttle valves, aluminum liners and a revised exhaust system with valve control. Equipped for the Euro 5 standard, the power increases to 102 hp with an unchanged 7,500 rpm, the maximum torque climbs to 105 Nm, with now 6,250 turns, but should be above that of the predecessor from 2,500 rpm. The transmission is weight-optimized and, thanks to the modified clutch, should also be easier to shift. In addition, the DCT dual clutch transmission is of course still available, which now works with curve detection.

With cornering ABS and wheelie control

A six-axis sensor now forms the data backbone of the vehicle dynamics control systems. The traction control should now work even more sensitively in all stages and can be switched off. New is a three-stage, deactivatable wheelie control. A lifting of the rear wheel is now also prevented. The new cornering ABS can be used on and off the road. The range of riding modes offers four preconfigured (Tour, Urban, Offroad, Gravel) and two freely configurable levels.

Honda

New frame

The double-loop tubular steel frame has also been completely redesigned: slimmer and straighter main spars make the front cross braces superfluous. The steering head area is said to have become stiffer. The bottom line is that it saves 1.8 kg in weight. The screwed-on aluminum rear frame is also new. The new aluminum rear swing arm also provides more rigidity and less weight (500 grams). There are new adjustments for the fork and the shock absorber – both fully adjustable.

Honda

Honda has also reworked the driver’s workstation. The seating area is now narrower and the handlebars are positioned higher (22.5 mm). The 6.5-inch color TFT touch display integrates smartphones via USB, Bluetooth and AppleCarplay and can also be operated with gloves. There are also control buttons on the left handlebar fitting. The new, higher-level LED double headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights should provide more light. A cruise control complements the standard equipment. The hazard warning function for emergency braking is also new.

Adventure Sports optionally with electric chassis

Of course, the new Honda Africa Twin will again be offered in an adventure version. It comes with a tank that has been enlarged to 24.8 liters, an extended windshield, a five-way height-adjustable window, a larger oil pan protection, an aluminum rear rack and tubeless tires. It also comes with heated grips and an ACC charger as standard. However, the optional electronically controlled chassis with four preconfigured modes is likely to be more important. This allows the damping force and spring preload to be adapted to the load condition and the road conditions. The rear spring preload can only be adjusted electronically in four stages when the motorcycle is stationary. The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports also offers three-stage cornering lights that are controlled via lean angle detection. Another new feature is the seat height of the slimmer bench, which has been lowered by 50 mm.

Honda

Honda specifies the curb weight for the basic Africa Twin 226 kg (DCT: 236 kg) with 220 kg payload, the Adventure Sport comes to 240 kg (DCT: 250 kg) with 218 kg payload. The Africa Twin is still offered in a base and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports variant. The market launch is scheduled for November. The basic version is offered in the colors Matt Ballistic Black Metallic and Grand Prix Red. Adventure Sports is available in either tricolor (Paerl Glare White) or Darkness Black Metallic. The prices for the basic Africa Twin start at 14,165 euros. With DCT, 15,265 euros are required. Adventure Sports starts at 15,965 euros, with DCT the price rises to 17,065 euros. Anyone who orders it with the electronically controlled chassis must calculate 17,565 euros. If DCT is added to this, 18,665 euros are required.

Conclusion

With the facelift, Honda has eliminated a few small weaknesses of the Africa Twin, the fans should be happy about the increase in displacement and performance.

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