Honda is taking on the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure with a more rugged Africa Twin CRF100L Adventure Sports boasting a bigger 30-litre tank.
The bike was shown ahead of the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan today.
Other Honda models on display include restyled CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R naked bikes, the GL1800 Goldwing which debuted last week, a more off-road X-ADV scooter and concepts shown recently at the Tokyo Motor Show including the Neo Sports Cafe.
Honda Neo Sports Café ConceptThe launch of the more rugged Africa Twin CRF1000L Adventure Sports follows Ducati’s unveiling yesterday of a 1260 Multistrada and a 1200 Multistrada Enduro Pro also with a 30-litre tank.
Honda claims the Africa Twin will now have range of more than 500km which is great for our wide, brown land.
The Adventure Sports features the same tricolore paint scheme as the Africa Twin that won the Paris-Dakar rally four times in the late 1980s.
It not only has a 5.4 litre bigger fuel tank than the CRF1000L Africa Twin, but also longer travel suspension, higher riding position and ground clearance, heated grips, extra-large skid plate and extended fairing with protective cowl bar.
The Africa Twin has also been updated with Throttle By Wire engine management with four riding modes, expanded seven-stage Honda Selectable Torque Control parameters, and revised intake and exhaust for stronger mid-range response.
It is now 2kg lighter, thanks to a new lithium-ion battery and lighter balancer shaft.
Honda says the airbox has been modified for improved mid-range response and the exhaust now has an “evocative howl”.
The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels are now made from stainless steel. A quick shifter is now available as an option.
Africa Twin updates and the new Adventure Sport model should ensure the Honda stays on top of the adventure sales market in Australia where it has dominated since its launch last year.
There is now word yet from Honda Australia on arrival or pricing.
The current line-up of three Africa twin variants are priced from $14,409 (+ORC) to $17,999 for the Dual-clutch transmission model.
Rugged X-ADV
The X-ADV scooter has made a big impact overseas since it was released this year, selling close to 10,000 units in its first eight months.
It is now equipped with more off-road capability for 2018 with a multi-level Honda Selectable Torque Control system and ‘G’ switch for more direct gear changes.
There is also a new 35kW version for Europe’s novice A2 licence holders.
Since the Australian LAMS market is still booming, it would be a welcome addition here.
However, Honda Australia has not chosen to import the scooter. Remember, they took almost two years to import the Grom despite its success overseas.
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports
| ENGINE | |
| Type |
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and uni-cam
|
| Displacement | 998cm3 |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 x 75.1mm |
| Max. Power Output | 94 bhp/7,500rpm (95/1/EC) |
| Max. Torque | 99Nm/6,000rpm (95/1/EC) |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 24.2 litres |
| Fuel consumption (WMTC mode) | MT: 61.3 mpg (WMTC) DCT: 61.6 mpg (WMTC) |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch | MT: Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch
DCT: 2 Wet multiple clutches |
| Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2,340 x 930 x 1,570mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,580mm |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 900/920mm |
| Ground Clearance | 270mm |
| Kerb Weight | 243 kg (MT), 253kg (DCT) |
| Turning Radius | 2.6m |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Suspension (front) |
Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with hydraulic dial-style preload and damping (compression & rebound) adjuster, 252mm stroke, 224mm axle travel
|
| Suspension (rear) |
Monoblock cast aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment, 240 mm rear wheel travel, 101 mm stroke
|
| WHEELS | |
| Wheels Front | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Wheels Rear | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rim Size Rear | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-21 tube type |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70-R18 tube type |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS system type | 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch |
| 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 1-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model with additional slide type 1-piston caliper
|
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments |
Rally style negative LCD instrument display including: Riding Modes, Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel, Gear position, ABS, HSTC, Odometer, Trip and Clock
|
| Headlight | Dual LED (1 High/1 Low) |
| Taillight | LED |
| Indicators | LED |
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin:
| ENGINE | |
| Type |
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and uni-cam
|
| Displacement | 998cm3 |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 x 75.1mm |
| Max. Power Output | 70kW/7,500rpm (95/1/EC) |
| Max. Torque | 99Nm/6,000rpm (95/1/EC) |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.8 litres |
| Fuel consumption (WMTC mode) | MT: 61.3 mpg (WMTC) DCT: 61.6 mpg (WMTC) |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch | MT: Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch
DCT: 2 Wet multiple clutches |
| Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,575mm |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 870/850mm |
| Ground Clearance | 250mm |
| Kerb Weight | 230 kg (MT), 240kg (DCT) |
| Turning Radius | 2.6m |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Suspension (front) |
Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustment, 230mm stroke, 204mm axle travel
|
| Suspension (rear) |
Monoblock cast aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment, 220 mm rear wheel travel, 94 mm axle stroke
|
| WHEELS | |
| Wheels Front | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Wheels Rear | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rim Size Rear | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-R21 tube type |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70-R18 tube type |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS system type | 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch |
| 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 1-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model with additional slide type 1-piston caliper
|
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments |
Rally style negative LCD instrument display including: Riding Modes, Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel, Gear position, ABS, HSTC, Odometer, Trip and Clock
|
| Headlight | Dual LED (1 High/1 Low) |
| Taillight | LED |
| Indicators | LED |