The new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin marks the rebirth of the legendary Honda XRV750 Africa Twin. Though curiosity and speculations are floating aplenty as to whether Honda’s new dune bashing motorcycle would be able to sustain the celebrated legacy of the original motorcycle, Honda has officially released the Africa Twin’s technical specifications and the price.
Starting off with the price- the new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin carries a price tag of 12,100 Euros (US prices awaited) undercutting the BMW R1200GS which is one of the top rivals of Honda’s new go anywhere motorcycle alongwith the KTM 1190 Adventure.
Getting to the vital specifications chart- the new Africa Twin is powered by a 998cc parallel twin with two spark plugs per cylinder. Drawing heavy inspiration from the CRF250R and the 450R competition machines- Honda has treated the new Africa Twin with the same four valve unicam design for overall compact dimensions alongwith a 270° phased crankshaft. The cast camshaft is constructed using the same materials used on the CBR1000RR Fireblade. All this hardware is enough to send the crank spinning out a healthy 93.87 bhp @ 7500 rpm and 98 nm of twisting force @ 6000 rpm with a slipper clutch assisted six speed gearbox transferring all the power to the rear wheel.
Other hardware specifications read a steel semi-double cradle frame, fully adjustable long-travel Showa inverted forks and rear shock with hydraulic spring-preload adjustment, 21- and 18-inch front and rear spoke wheels wearing 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 profile tyres mounted with dual radial-mount Nissin four-piston brake calipers and 310mm “wave” style floating discs.
A 18.8 litre fuel tank provides for a 400 kms range with the seat height set at 34.3 inches which can be marginally reduced by 0.8 inches to 33.5 inches (similar to the 2015 Suzuki V-Strom’s seat height). Needless to say the new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is for tall riders.
For further mastering of the Africa Twin, Honda has thrown in a set of electronics comprising of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system offering three levels of control with option to the rider to turn off the ABS system for the rear wheel (not available on base model but standard on DCT/ABS variant).
Honda is also offering an optional Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) on the Africa Twin featuring a standard manual mode allowing the rider to operate gear shifts through triggers on the left handlebar and two automatic modes i.e. D mode and S mode. The D mode offers a more economical run whereas the S mode offers a sporty performance with three further modes i.e. S1, S2 and S3.
Honda claims that the DCT offers a more direction connect between the throttle and the rear wheel in off road situations. The DCT also features an incline detection system wherein during inclines, up-shifts are delayed to allow a higher rpm to be held while on descends downshifts happen earlier to enable better engine braking.
Colour options for the US markets include Red/Black/White Dakar Rally and Silver while Europe will have Tricolor and Black shades.
HONDA CRF1000L AFRICA TWIN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam |
Engine Displacement | 998cc |
Max. Power Output | 93.87 bhp @ 7,500rpm |
Max. Torque | 98 Nm @ 6,000rpm |
Bore & Stroke | 92.0 & 75.1mm |
Clutch | Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminum Cam Assist and Slipper clutch |
Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC) | * HSTC 3-levels + Switch Off (*ABS & DCT models only, not on STD model) |
Frame Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
Turning Radius | 2.5m |
Dry Weight | 208kg (STD), 212 kg (ABS), 222kg (DCT) |
Kerb Weight | 228kg (STD), 232 kg (ABS), 242kg (DCT) |
Fuel Capacity | 18.8 liters |
Length x Width x Height | 2,335 x 875 x 1,475mm (STD), 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm (ABS/DCT) |
Wheelbase | 1,575mm |
Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 870/850mm |
Ground Clearance | 250mm |
ABS system type | ABS* 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch (* ABS & DCT models only, not on STD model) |
Brakes Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers (*ABS) and sintered metal pads |
Brakes Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper (*ABS) and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model. |
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 |
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