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Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L unveiled

2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The worst-kept secret in motorcycling has been confirmed with Honda unveiling the full tech specs for the bigger, narrower and higher-tech Africa Twin CRF1100L at the AIMExpo motorcycle show in Ohio, USA.

Of course, the biggest news is that the engine has gone from 998cc to a longer-stroke 1084cc with power up from 70kW to 75kW. All details that had already been tipped.

Yet weight has dropped from 243kg to 226kg and 236kg for the ducal-clutch transmission (DCT) model.2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

It’s largely thanks to a lighter engine and gearbox and a slimmer and lighter frame, subframe and swingarm inspired by the CRF450.

With the extra tech and power, we expect a price rise, but there is no word yet on pricing or availability.

They currently cost about $A17,499 for the standard and $A19,999 for the DCT (plus on-road costs).

Bigger engine2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The bigger Euro5-compliant engine will now make it more competitive with the BMW, Ducati, KTM and Triumph adventurers.

It not only has 6% more power, but also 7% more torque at 105Nm.

Stroke has been lengthened from 75.1mm to 81.5mm but the bore remains the same at 92mm.2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

Honda has made the CRF1100L 2.5 lighter (2.2kg in the DCT version) with aluminium cylinder sleeves and redesigned engine casings.

It features a larger 43mm throttle body, smoother air intake profile, new ECU and more direct fuel injection to improve efficiency.

Exhaust gas flow is controlled in a similar way to the CBR1000RR for a better note.

Better tech2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

To compete with the current crop of big adventurers, Honda has added a raft of electronic rider aids to the CRF1100L.

It’s all thanks to a six-axis inertial measurement unit-managed.

Rider aids include optimised off-road “torque control” (basically traction control that manages power and engine braking), three-level wheelie control, two customised riding modes and now four default riding modes.

The new mode is “off-road”.

2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

It also has an LED headlight, automatic indicator cancel and a USB port.

The new touchscreen instrument panel has Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay which only works when your phone is plugged in, not via Bluetooth.2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

That means the screen will show your phone’s satnav and call details as well as some apps such as Spotify.

Cosmetics are slightly changed, but the suspension and wheels are the same.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin specs2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

ENGINE
Type SOHC liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and Uni-cam
Displacement 1084cc
Bore & Stroke 92mm x 81.5mm
Compression Ratio 10.1:1
Max. Power Output 75kW at 7,500rpm
Max. Torque 105Nm at 6,250rpm
Noise Level 73dB
Oil Capacity 4.8/4.3 (5.2/4.7 DCT)
FUEL SYSTEM
Carburation PGM-FI
Fuel Tank Capacity 18.8L
CO2 Emissions 112g/km MT

110g/km DCT

Fuel Consumption 4.9L/100km (20.4km/L) MT

4.8L/100km (20.8km/L) DCT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Starter Electric
Battery Capacity 12V-6Ah Li-ion battery (20hr)
ACG Output  0.49 kW/5,000rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Clutch Type Wet, multiplate with coil springs, aluminium cam assist and slipper clutch

DCT – 2 wet multiplate clutches with coil springs

Transmission Type 6 speed manual (6 speed DCT)
FRAME
Type Semi double cradle
CHASSIS
Dimensions (L´W´H) 2330mm x 960mm x 1395mm
Wheelbase 1575mm
Caster Angle 27.5°
Trail 113mm
Seat Height 850/870mm (low seat option 825mm, high seat option 895mm)
Ground Clearance 250mm
Kerb Weight 226kg (DCT 236kg)
SUSPENSION
Type Front Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustments, 230mm stroke
Type Rear Monoblock aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with Showa gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustments, 220 mm rear wheel travel
WHEELS
Type Front 21M/C x 2.15 wire spoke with aluminium rim
Type Rear 18M/C x 4.00 wire spoke with aluminium rim
Rim Size Front 21″
Rim Size Rear 18″
Tyres Front 90/90-21M/C 54H (tube type)

(Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer/

AX41T Metzler Karoo Street)

Tyres Rear 150/70R18M/C 70H (tube type)

(Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer/

AX41T Metzler Karoo Street)

BRAKES
ABS System Type 2 channel with IMU
Selectable ABS MODE with on-road and off-road setting
Type Front 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads
Type Rear 256mm wave hydraulic disc with single piston caliper and sintered metal pads. 2-channel with rear ABS OFF mode.
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS
Instruments LCD Meter, TFT 6.5inch touch panel multi information display
Security System Immobiliser, security alarm (optional)
Headlight LED
Taillight LED
Electrics Daytime running lights, Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay, USB socket, auto turn signal cancel, cruise control, emergency stop signal, IMU, HSTC, wheelie control

2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin