Honda Africa Twin (model year 2017) in the test

Honda Africa Twin (2017) in the test

With Euro 4 homologation

Technically absolutely unchanged, but with Euro 4 homologation and a new color (no, it’s not the one in the picture), the Honda Africa Twin is entering the 2017 model year.

Why the Honda long awaited by the travel group AT.frica Twin was not homologated according to Euro 4 from the start, but according to the old Euro 3 standard, there are several theories about this in the industry. One says that the already delayed market launch with Euro 4 should have been postponed again, another says that Honda wanted to use the opportunity to offer the rustic among the travelers an ABS-free bike. Be that as it may, the market absorbed the first deliveries of the Twins, like a man dying of thirst in the desert the water it was given.

Honda Africa Twin (2017) in the test

With Euro 4 homologation

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Relaxed seating position – also for pillion passengers

With "only" 95 hp, which the in-line twin with 270 degree crankshaft sends to the exact six-speed gearbox, which is cultivated by means of two balancer shafts (the double clutch variant is available as an option and for an extra charge of 1,100 euros), you don’t feel underpowered, at the latest away from unlimited German motorways. In addition, there is the even torque curve, which reaches its peak at around 6,000 turns with just under 100 Nm. It’s not really surprising that the performance curves of the 2016 and 2017 engines of the Honda Africa Twin are virtually identical. In practice, you are on the move between 2,500 and the said 6,000 revolutions and enjoy a relaxed seating position as well as a good wind protection just like the welcome passenger. Propulsion on gravelly terrain allows traction control, which is adjustable in three stages. Consumption of less than five liters can be achieved with the Honda Africa Twin without contortion, so that even with a tank capacity of just 18.8 liters, ranges of almost 400 kilometers can be achieved. The rather small tank also contributes to the relatively low weight of 233 kilograms with a full tank.

One of the few points where one would have wished for a change concerns the first tires of the Honda Africa Twin: Dunlop Trailmax D 610. Even in the top test (see MOTORRAD 3/2016) they only got mediocre performance in terms of wet and cold grip as well as confirmation attested. They should also not be entirely innocent of the sometimes wobbly driving behavior in greater inclines. That hasn’t changed until today. Regardless of this, the Honda ensures a high degree of driving pleasure, especially on small streets, because of its bustling handling. During the final tour of the finely crafted Honda Africa Twin, the close observer discovers that, in addition to the new color, there is a kind of wine red, but at least one change compared to the previous year’s model: The previously screwed sheet metal nameplate gave way to a glued-on plastic derivative.

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