HONDA CRF1100L AFRICA TWIN (2020 - on) Review

The third generation of Honda Africa Twin has finally matured into the adventure bike that so many of its fans hoped it would be from the outset.

Armed with enough of the latest electronic technology and a bit more go in its super-sized motor, it is a serious contender in the adventure bike market. But is Honda’s decision to move the stock bike more towards the off-road side the right one?

• Latest news: Honda NT1100 is Africa Twin's touring sibling
• Related: Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports review

It may be more agile than the 2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, but I can’t help but feel UK riders will be swayed by the practicality offered by the Sports over the stock model’s rugged outlook on life and lighter overall weight. It may not be BMW R1250GS topping, but it is certainly a noticeable improvement.

From the 2021 model year, the standard Africa Twin will be available in the HRC-inspired paintjob previously reserved for the top-of-the-range Adventure Sports model.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin on UK roads

We took the Honda for a spin around the UK's toughest test route, the MCN 250, to see how it handles the lumps and bumps of real-world riding conditions.

When you stand next to it, the Honda seems tall with its 22.5mm higher bars and Dakar-style display giving it a very imposing front-end. However, throw a leg over the saddle and the Africa Twin’s narrow waist, courtesy of its compact parallel-twin motor, makes it easy to get feet flat on the floor.

But there is a downside as the AT's pegs are high, crunching up those who are longer in the limb, something that 250 miles of riding certainly highlighted, alongside the Honda’s firmer seat. But what of the taller suspension?

There was a time when long-travel suspension and a 21in front wheel equalled a wobbly ride and slightly unnerving feel from the front-end, but those days are long gone. Would I be happy keeping up with sportsbike-mounted mates? Hell yes, especially with the Africa Twin’s new motor.

Featuring more capacity for 2020, the Twin’s engine now has a much-needed dose of drama about it that the slightly gutless older version lacked. It’s not a night-and-day transformation but it is one that enhances the Twin’s character, making it a genuinely enjoyable bike to let rev out and work.

• Related: How to ride a motorbike off-road

In making the base-model Africa Twin more off-road focused Honda could have totally ruined it as a road bike, however what they have actually done is make it more accomplished on the tarmac.

Yes, the screen is slightly small and the seat a touch firm in direct comparison to Triumph’s Tiger 900, but the Honda’s spirit and fun-factor is now matched by top-rate electronics and even better comfort levels thanks to its higher bars.

If you are the kind of rider who occasionally ventures off-road but spends most time riding on the road, the Africa Twin will suit you right down to the ground.

2024 updates for Honda Africa Twin

Never ones to stand still with their Africa Twin models, 2024 sees Honda’s big-capacity adventure bike once again receive a few upgrades in what is starting to become something of a regular occurrence. In fact, despite only being launched in 2016, the Africa Twin is now in its fourth generation, a rate of upgrading that is quite out of the ordinary in the current cash-conscious motorcycle market. So what’s new this year? That’s a bit of a mixed bag because, as usual with an Africa Twin, it depends on the model you are looking at buying...

For 2024 there are now three versions of the Africa Twin (alongside two Africa Twin Adventure Sport models) where before there were just two Africa Twins variants – standard and with a DCT gearbox. What’s the new addition? The option of equipping the bike with Showa semi-active suspension (ES) taken from the Adventure Sport, which has had it as an option since 2020. However while the Africa Twin ES is yet to arrive in the UK, the standard suspension model is here and it benefits from some noticeable upgrades for 2024.

All Africa Twin models now come with an enhanced motor. While retaining the 1084cc capacity of before, tweaks to the intake, combustion and exhaust see its low and mid-range torque boosted with a 7% increase in its peak figure, upping it from 77.5ftlb to 82.7ftlb. Peak power is unchanged at 100.6bhp. Alongside this enhanced engine the Africa Twin’s spoke wheels are now tubeless, a 5-way adjustable screen added to improve weather protection and its electronics refined. If you pick a DCT model (49% of buyers do) the auto gearbox has also been improved with a ‘feathered clutch’ feel added. But there is a catch, if you want DCT you need to also have ES, there isn’t an Africa Twin DCT without ES as well. In this context the standard bike is tempting because it costs £13,199 where adding ES ups this by £1500 and then to have DCT and ES is £2700 more than stock.

A smaller screen and 22.5mm taller bars than the previous generation, not to mention a new detachable 40mm narrower sub-frame, 1.8kg lighter chassis and revised swingarm see the Africa Twin’s off-road focus enhanced, but at the sacrifice of some road comfort levels.

While the higher bars are relaxed, the non-adjustable lower screen means you are exposed to the elements and its long distance ability is certainly compromised as a result. In an off-road environment it has certainly benefitted from these mods, but as a road bike for covering miles the Adventure Sports is a better bet.

The updated DCT gearbox (which is now linked to the IMU and responds to the bike’s angle when calculating if it should change gear or not) is excellent and now a worthy addition for either on or off-road fans.

All the electronic systems perform excellently on the road and in the two off-road modes the traction control allows you to pull off a cheeky little slide while the ABS ensures you can use the front brake with confidence on gravel when it all gets a bit too wild.

• MCN's pick of the best automatic motorcycles 

The parallel twin has received an increase in capacity from 998cc to 1084cc for 2020 through a 6.4mm longer stroke, boosting peak power and torque by 6.8bhp and 4.4ftlb respectively while also delivering increases throughout the rev range.

While lacking the outright performance and theatre you get from BMW’s ShiftCam boxer, Honda’s parallel twin has certainly benefitted from a very welcome bit of extra pep without losing its overall feeling of refinement.

It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it is a definite improvement and certainty fulfills a touring brief with little vibes and a slick gearbox. In an off-road environment, it has lots of low-down grunt to help it search out grip and a predictable throttle connection.

2024 Honda Africa Twin performance

Ridden in isolation it is hard to spot much increase in torque on the 2024 motor when compared to memories of riding the 2023 one. You certainly don’t get on it and think ‘wow, they have upped their game here’ but it has to be said, the parallel twin is a fairly charming engine with a pleasing bit of spice.

A peppy and fun engine to ride, the Africa Twin’s motor certainly picks up with a decent bit of grunt but it is once into its stride that it really starts to shine. Allow it to rev and it suits the feel of the sporty chassis, encouraging you to ride the bike in a playful way where other more relaxed twins aren’t quite as enjoyable. It’s certainly not perfect, the gearbox is a bit rough (to be fair our bike was very low mileage, it may improve with use), the throttle pick-up quite abrupt and it also has quite a hit of engine braking (these traits can be dialled back slightly through the electronics) but overall it’s a good motor. Not necessarily that much of a memorable one but it is a solid performer with a touch of character and a quite pleasingly raw exhaust note.

Early Africa Twins suffered badly from rusty spokes, however a new design of tubed wheel alongside stainless steel spokes should banish this concern. It feels and appears very solidly built, so we don’t expect any issues. Interestingly, the Adventure Sports has a tubeless wheel to cater for its more on-road focus.

Our Honda Africa Twin owners' reviews show one issue with the DCT automatic gearbox, but other than that it appears to be a reliable steed.

At its launch, the third generation of Africa Twin saw its price jump up from £11,575 to £13,049 - a rise of nearly £1500. That said, it does gain a lot of new technology and that doesn’t come cheap.

Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 is far cheaper at £8399, but lacks the tech. At the time, a stock BMW R1250GS set you back £13,550 and the KTM 1290 Adventure S was £14,699.

Fast-forward to 2024 and the price has crept up to £13,199, and its main rival is the £13,899 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE. We pit these two against one another in a rugged adventure bike group test.

Most of the Africa Twin’s weaknesses in terms of tech have been rectified for 2020. The headline act is the all-new 6.5-inch touch screen TFT dash, which comes as standard. Incorporating Apple CarPlay, it is Bluetooth ready, can display navigation apps, has a USB charging point and can be accessed with a gloved hand. However, the touch screen is only available when the bike is stationary and Apple CarPlay requires a Bluetooth headset to be linked to function, which is annoying.

Also new is a six-axis IMU, bringing with it cornering ABS and traction control (seven levels) alongside cruise control (at last!), four power modes, three braking levels, three levels of wheelie control and four set riding modes plus two user modes. The ABS can also be turned off to the rear caliper for off-road use.

There is a DCT version, whose performance has been significantly upgraded through it being linked to the IMU, making it gradient and corner responsive in its gear selection. While the Adventure Sports has the option of semi-active suspension, this isn’t available on the stock model.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin gets Android Auto for 2021

Honda have added integration for Android Auto to the CRF1100L Africa Twin range for 2021. Owners of Android smartphones will be able to plug into their bikes, revealing extra apps such as Google Maps or Spotify. The same applies to the Gold Wing, CB1000R, Forza 750, X-ADV and Forza 350.

• Related: Honda reveal fresh Forza line-up for 2021

Equipment updates for 2024 Honda Africa Twin

It is a delight to see the new 5-way adjustable screen appear on the Africa Twin as this is something the old bike with its deliberately small screen (to stop you garrotting yourself while off-road...) was crying out for. I know the standard bike is the more off-road targeted Africa Twin model where the Adventure Sports is the tarmac-tourer but realistically, how many venture into the wilderness?

The new adjustment system, which consists of a sliding system with release buttons either side, is smooth to use and the taller screen does add a touch more protection but as it requires two hands to release and activate, it probably shouldn’t be attempted while on the go (you do have cruise control...), which is a bit annoying. Surely the whole point of an adjustable screen is that you can quickly adjust it to suit the changing weather conditions?

As good as the updated Africa Twin is, it is still frustrating that Honda haven’t address a few of its well-documented irritations. For a start there is the simply terrible switchgear, which is a frustrating clutter of buttons, and it is disappointing on a £13,199 bike that adding a quickshifter is £297 and a centre stand a further £215. The dash’s Apple CarPlay system while great to use is also a bit annoying as your phone needs to be physically linked via a cable to the USB input to allow you to access its functions and Honda haven’t provided a cubby hole or anywhere to put your phone to make this easy. Small points but the adventure bike market is very competitive and ultimately, that’s why the Africa Twin still falls slightly short of the mark.