After leaking twice yesterday, Honda has officially dropped details and photos on its highly anticipated adventure-tourer, the 2016 Honda Africa Twin. A continuation of the legacy by the same name, the new Honda Africa Twin is an off-road focused machine that will go head-to-head with the big ADV bikes already on the market.
Built around a 998cc parallel-twin engine, which makes 94hp and 72 lbs•ft of torque, the Africa Twin tips the scales at the curb at 503 lbs (standard model, first photos after the jump) / 534 lbs (DCT/ABS models, shown above).
Spec-sheet off-road racers are likely not going to be happy with these numbers, though they measure well against the KTM 1190 Adventure R and BMW R1200GS Adventure.
What we think ADV riders will come around to is Honda’s off-road built dual-clutch transmission, which will have the benefit of making shifts while out of the saddle much easier, and giving clutch-free operation, much like a Rekluse clutch.
Of course the DCT from Honda is very advanced, and it can even sense when the Africa Twin is ascending or descending a steep hill. When it does so, the Africa Twin adjusts its shifting points accordingly: during ascents, upshifts are delayed in order to allow a higher rpm to be held; on descents, downshifts happen earlier to enable better engine braking.
As is the trend, the ABS can be switched off for the rear-wheel, allowing off-road riders to lock-up the real-wheel during braking maneuvers.
It’s strange that even in its official technical specifications, Honda doesn’t mention the suspension travel for the Africa Twin.
The only mention the company does make is that the long-travel Showa inverted fork is fully adjustable, while the Showa rear shock has hydraulic spring-preload adjustment. Ground clearance is a respectable 9.8 inches.
Available in either Red/Black/White Dakar Rally or Silver, we expect to see the Honda Africa Twin in dealers in early 2016.
Pricing in the European market is set at €12,400 — this should mean a price around $11,500 to $12,500 on the “standard” model for the US market, though we’ll have to wait to hear from American Honda for official confirmation on pricing.
Technical Specifications of the 2016 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L:
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and Unicam |
| Engine Displacement | 998cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 92.0 x 75.1 mm |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate with coil springs, aluminum cam assist and slipper clutch |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| Gearbox/Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed manual / 6-speed DCT with on- and off-road riding modes |
| Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC) | HSTC 3-levels + switch-off (DCT/ABS model only, not on STD model) |
| Frame Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear sub-frame |
| Turning Radius | 8’2″ |
| Curb Weight | 503 lb. (STD), 534 lb. (DCT/ABS) |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.96 gallons |
| Length x Width x Height | 91.9 x 34.4 x 58.1 inches (STD), 91.9 x 36.6 x 58.1 inches (DCT/ABS) |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 inches |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 34.3/33.5 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 9.8 inches |
| ABS system type | ABS 2-channel with rear ABS off switch (DCT/ABS model only, not on STD model) |
| Front Brakes | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminum hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| Rear Brake | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT/ABS model |
| Front Wheel | Wire spoke with aluminum rim |
| Rear Wheel | Wire spoke with aluminum rim |
| Front Rim Size | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rear Rim Size | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Front Tire | 90/90-R21 tube type |
| Rear Tire | 150/70-R18 tube type |
Source: Honda
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