News 24 Sep 2019

Forged through adventure, meet the new Africa twins

Honda Motorcycles Australia press release:

New CRF1100L Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports to arrive in Australia first quarter 2020

• Honda’s celebrated adventure machine gains wide-ranging performance and technology upgrades for 2020
• New 1100cc parallel twin engine – power and torque increases of 7% and 6% respectively
• 5kg lighter, with 10% improvement in power to weight ratio, thanks to weight reduction in areas including engine, frame and swing arm
• All-new 6.5” TFT Multi-Information Display incorporates Apple CarPlay® and Bluetooth connectivity, with touchscreen functionality
• Four pre-set riding modes – plus two user-selectable options – offer scenario-specific tailoring of Power, Engine Braking, Honda Selectable Torque Control, (HSTC), Wheelie Control and Cornering ABS settings
• HSTC, plus new Cornering ABS, Wheelie Control and Rear Lift Control functions are now managed by a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit; Cruise Control is standard fit
• CRF1100L Africa Twin itself has even sharper off-road focus
• CRF1100L Adventure Sports is more ready than ever for the long haul – with one variant offering cutting-edge Showa EERA™ suspension

The Africa Twin has evolved. Lighter, more powerful and bristling with cutting edge technologies, both the Africa Twin itself and its ‘Adventure Sports’ sibling have been thoroughly updated – with even clearer distinct identities – to give riders the optimal equipment to tackle any ‘True Adventure’ from an off-road trail to a continent-crossing marathon.

For Australia, the options are as follows; there will be one Africa Twin variant available, with a Manual transmission, offered in two colours – Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black. There will be three Africa Twin Adventure Sports variants available: Manual, DCT and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES (DCT with Showa EERA™ /Electronic Suspension.) All three Adventure Sports models are available in Pearl Glare White (Tri-Colour)

The 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin has a sharply-renewed focus on off-road core ability, that brings with it the look – and feel – of a true rally machine. Smaller, slimmer and 5kg lighter, it offers even more athletic performance, thanks also to changes to the engine, which now produces 7% more peak power, 6% more peak torque and is much stronger everywhere in the rev-range.

The frame has been completely revised and now features a bolt-on aluminium subframe. The swingarm, too, is aluminium and based on that of the CRF450R moto-crosser. And at the centre of the Africa Twin, the addition of a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) controls not only the 7-level HSTC but also (new for 2020) 3-level Wheelie Control, Cornering ABS (with off-road setting), Rear Lift Control and DCT cornering detection. An OFF-ROAD setting also joins the URBAN, TOUR and GRAVEL default riding modes.

Tailored for complete control, the riding position features a slimmer-section seat and higher-set handlebars. A full colour Multi Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen offers immersive engagement with the machine’s systems, plus Apple CarPlay® and Bluetooth connectivity. Dual LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are highly visible, improving safety, and cruise control is standard-fit.

The new CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports shares the frame, engine and riding position of the off-road focussed CRF1100L Africa Twin, but has a role very much of its own: to offer riders real continent-crossing long-haul ability and practicality both on and off-road. This comes in the shape of a larger 24.8L fuel tank, extended wind protection (from both the fairing and fairing side panels), height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrier plus tubeless wheels and tyres. ACC charger and heated grips are also standard fit.

The Adventure Sports ES offers brand a new Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment system (Showa EERA™) which manages damping force relative to mode selection where a dedicated suspension ECU draws real-time information from front and rear stroke sensors, IMU and Cornering ABS. Rear spring preload can also be adjusted electronically while stationary to suit load. Four default modes – SOFT, MID, HARD and OFF-ROAD – cover every type of riding situation, and there’s a USER mode for further fine-tuning. Rear spring preload can also be adjusted while stationary.

Just like the 2020 Africa Twin, its engine produces 7% more peak power and 6% more peak torque and is much stronger everywhere in the rev-range compared to the previous design. The frame too has been revised and now features a bolt-on aluminium subframe; the swingarm is aluminium and based on that of the CRF450R. And at the centre of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, the addition of a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) allows control not only of the 7-level HSTC but also (new for 2020) 3-level Wheelie Control, Cornering ABS (with off-road setting) Rear Lift Control and DCT cornering detection.

Dual LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are highly visible, improving safety, and cruise control is standard-fit. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports also features three-stage Cornering Lights – also managed by the IMU – that automatically adjust the field of illumination depending on the lean angle.

Tailored for control and comfort, the riding position features a slimmer-section seat, which is also set 50mm lower than before. A full colour Multi Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen offers immersive engagement with the machine’s systems (including the Showa EERA™) plus Apple CarPlay® and Bluetooth connectivity.

For more information on the 2020 Africa Twin range, visit your nearest Honda Dealer, ring 1 300 1 HONDA or go to https://motorcycles.honda.com.au/Adventure_Touring

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