Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2020 trial: more accessible but less affordable
The new Africa Twin Adventure Sports loses 50mm of saddle height and 5kg, while filling up with additional technology and cubic centimeters. But this more road version of the 2020 Honda CRF1100L is paying a heavy price for its inspirations from across the Rhine… Full test.
Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports test page 2: Details in captioned photos
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| Pep. The Africa Twin goes from 998 to 1084 cc (+86 cc) thanks to its high stroke from 75.1 to 81.5 mm, with the bore remaining at 92 mm. Its parallel twin – stalled at 270 ° – comes out of 101.97 hp (Vs 95.1 in 2019) and would be lightened by "2.5 kg" in the manual gearbox version and "2.2 kg" with the automatic transmission at DCT double clutch, still available as an option alongside the double-acting shifter. |
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| Couple life. The torque increases from 99 Nm to 105 Nm and significantly improves acceleration between 2,500 and 6,000 rpm. Enough to ensure more lively revivals in a loaded duo, especially as the weight is also down by 4 kg on the standard Africa Twin (226 kg) and 5 kg on the Adventure Sports (238 kg). |
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| It’s aluminum, this frame ?! The simple steel cradle frame now ends in an aluminum buckle, as does the swingarm. This modification serves to reduce the weight (- 1.8 kg), but complicates a possible repair: resoldering the previous steel buckle was simpler. The chassis also becomes more flexible laterally thanks to new anchor points. |
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| Bright and connected. The front part receives a new double LED optic placed higher than in 2019, with diode daytime running lights. The cockpit also reveals a new instrumentation in the era of time: 6.5 inches, tactile feedback, left-hand controls, bluetooth connection, USB port and AppleCarPlay. An LCD screen is placed below to display essential information when the main display is for example used for navigation. Well seen. |
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| More is better ? This aesthetic and readable instrumentation is not easy to tame, the fault of a multitude of sub-menus and the absence of shortcut keys to the essential functions. Getting the brushes tangled on the many buttons on the left satellite above is frequent, when you don’t accidentally activate the indicators instead of changing driving modes (experienced by all testers) ! |
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| Safety nets. The Africa Twin 2020 Adventure Sports renews its relevant system of indicators which are triggered at high speed in the event of strong braking. Its electronic equipment is also enriched by a series regulator and the essential six-axis inertial unit, which refines the action of the traction control on the angle – adjustable on 7 levels and deactivatable – ABS and engine brake control. |
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| Off-road under control. It also inherits a new anti-squat, little useful in action because of the importance of the weight and the wheelbase (1575 mm). A "rear wheel load-shedding control" appears on the DCT gearbox version to improve the timing of gear changes. Finally, an "Off-Road" mode is added to the "Urban", "Tour" and "Gravel" modes already known, alongside the two "User" modes to configure the functions at hand.. |
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| Honda knows a thing or two about it. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports receives tangential spoke rims for 2020 compatible with tubeless tires, fitted as standard with Bridgestone A41 or Metzeler Karoo Street in 90/90/21 and 150/70/18. The standard version, on the left, on the other hand comes standard with tube rims (tubetype). |
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| The road adventure. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports also receives an adjustable screen without tools in 5 positions and a 24.8 l (+ 6 l) tank. An additional electrical outlet (12V), adaptive headlights and heated grips are also installed. This top-of-the-range version, however, loses its tubular protections installed above, now optional.. |
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| Electronic spring. The Adventure Sports can be fitted as an option with Showa suspensions controlled by electronics, similar to those of the CBR1000RR (+ € 1,500). After choosing its preload – solo, duo, loaded solo, loaded duo – this device intervenes on the hydraulics every "15 milliseconds" depending on the mode chosen (firmer in "Tour", more flexible in "Urban"). MNC preferred the mechanical suspensions, well calibrated as standard and which offer better hydraulic support at the front. |
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Dual Clutch Transmission. Both versions of the Africa Twin 1100 can be fitted with the DCT dual-clutch transmission, which according to Honda France represents "43% of sales" on the old model. This device is based on two clutches – one for even gears, the other for odd gears – which work in parallel to ensure extremely smooth and smooth shifts.. Two automatic modes are available: D and S, the latter being more sporty in addition to being adjustable on three levels. Pallets on the left hand allow you to shift gear at all times. This 2020 vintage also introduces a "G Switch" feature qui reduces clutch slip during gear changes to make it easier to slip the rear wheel when off-roading. In "engaged" off-road (above with the DCT standard), the system shows its limits, however…. |
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Suitcases. MNC was able to test the optional luggage, in aluminum or plastic. These more qualitative equipment than in 2019 include a 42-liter top-case (full-face helmet ok), a 37 l case on the left and one 33 l on the exhaust side. Their use makes it difficult for the passenger to get on board, but in return offers them a file with the top-case. The liveliness of the bike is fatally impacted, with an additional heaviness at the rear – especially well loaded: nothing rhedibitory, however. |
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Full headlight. The Adventure Sports 1100 also incorporates standard directional lights subject and angle of the motorcycle, placed under its LED headlights. These rows of diodes are responsible for illuminating the inside of the bends to improve visibility. MNC was unfortunately not able to test their usefulness because they had not driven at night… |
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