Honda Motorcycles Australia has unveiled the 2020 Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports motorcycles, which have received a number of updates and upgrades for the new year model.

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 five kilograms lighter, it offers even more athletic performance, thanks also to changes to the engine, which now produces seven percent more peak power, six percent more peak torque and is much stronger everywhere in the rev-range.

Image: Supplied.

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 motocross model.

And at the centre of the Africa Twin, the addition of a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) controls not only the seven-level HSTC, but also (new for 2020) three-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.

Image: Supplied.

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.

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The Adventure Sports ES offers brand 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 – Sofy, 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 seven percent more peak power and six percent 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.

Image: Supplied.

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 seven-level HSTC but also (new for 2020) three-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.

Image: Supplied.

For Australia, 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).

Availability is expected in the first quarter of 2020, while pricing is still to be determined. For more information, visit www.motorcycles.honda.com.au.