2020-on Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Review: Top-selling adventure bike gets broader appeal

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports overall rating

Out of the two models available in 2025, the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is certainly the adventure bike to opt for if you are a road rider who wants a mile-muncher and has limited interest in off-road riding.

• Related: Latest Africa Twin reviewed: 2024 CRF1100L Africa Twin ES DCT review

The now tarmac biased Adventure Sports model made it’s way into Honda’s Africa Twin range when it was first launched in 2018. Refreshed in 2020, a new engine injected a welcome boost in performance that while not R1300GS topping, is certainly a noticeable improvement. Still with the equipment to handle the muddier routes, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports doesn’t stop where the tarmac ends.

The lower seat height and narrower waist mean it feels less intimidating at slow speed and the electronic suspension delivers a plush ride quality. The dash is a disappointment, but overall it delivers on its promise and will offer a sterner test for the BMW R1300GS – not to mention being a chunk cheaper.

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports at a glance

Reasons to buy:
+ DCT gearbox is a proven hit
+ Comprehensive IMU based electronics as standard
+ More manageable seat height than alternatives

Reasons to avoid:
– Finnicky touchscreen display
– Comparatively expensive
– Down on power when compared to large capacity rivals

Jump to

• 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ridden on and off road
• WATCH: Honda’s 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports tested on & off-road
• 2020-2023 Africa Twin Adventure Sports handling, ride quality and brakes
• 2020-2023 Africa Twin Adventure Sports engine performance
• 2020-2023 Africa Twin Adventure Sports reliability and build quality
• 2020-2023 Africa Twin Adventure Sports value vs rivals
• 2020-2023 Africa Twin Adventure Sports equipment
• Long term tests

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Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports updated in 2024

Words by Michael Neeves

Honda have continued to add to the Africa Twin Adventure Sports in 2024 with some key changes and a new focus on tarmac rather than dirt.

For 2024 Honda have broadened the appeal of its Africa Twin Adventure Sports by turning its focus away from the dirt and on to the road. Its lower-slung demeanour makes it easier to manage at a standstill, especially carrying a pillion.

• Related: Learn how to ride with a pillion passenger

That alone will be a big plus for many. Dropping down to a 19in front wheel and shortening suspension travel changes the Africa Twin’s character, too. It was always a well-balanced, fine-handler, but now you can dive into corners with more even confidence. Having a bigger selection of rubber to choose from is another big bonus.

Its extra low-down torque adds more urgency to an already swift machine and although it doesn’t have the power to match its big-cube rivals, it barks like a motocrosser and never feels slow. It’s far from cheap, but it’s well equipped, capable, comfortable and still every inch the Africa Twin we all know and love.

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports handling updates

Words by Michael Neeves

While most adventure bikes get taller, the 2024 Adventure Sports sits so low my knees are bent with both feet flat on the floor and that makes a big difference to managing a big bike like this. That all comes from its smaller front wheel, less suspension travel and how its semi-active damping winds itself off and sinks down at a standstill.

It’s also roomier than before with less knee bend, thanks to a 15mm thicker seat. The new perch is all-day comfy and despite its extra padding the seat height is still down 15mm to 835mm in its low setting, or 855mm set high. An even lower seat (795mm/815mm) is available from the huge range of official accessories and packs on offer.

Also, for 2024 Honda have moved away from a skinny 21in x 2.15in front wheel and fitted a wider 19in x 2.5in for the Adventure Sport. That’ll compromise its off-road pretensions, but it never did the BMW GS any harm and for serious mud-pluggers the cheaper £13,249 (£14,749 with electronic suspension) standard Africa Twin still has a 21 incher.

The smaller wheel and the new 20mm shorter travel suspension (reducing wheelbase, trail and lowering the centre of gravity) makes a big difference. Handling is as balanced and reassuring as before and the brakes are full of feel and power, but now the steering is lighter and sharper with less pitching on and off the throttle. Dual purpose Bridgestone A41s grip superbly and the new 19in front now lets you choose anything from sports touring to full-on sports rubber.

• Related: Roundup of the top road-biased tyres for ADV bikes

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports engine updates

Words by Michael Neeves

As before the 2024 Adventure Sports’ 1084cc parallel twin makes a modest 101bhp, but that’s more than enough to scratch through backroads with a smile and enjoy a spot of heavy-duty touring. Never do we wish it had Multisrada V4 levels of power, even weighing 243kg (253kg with DCT), 3kg more than before.

Honda have boosted torque by 7% at 5500rpm, though and that’s the same jump as when the Africa Twin grew from a 1000 to an 1100 in 2020. That extra real-world oomph lets you drive more cleanly out of corners and makes overtakes easier. Most Africa Twins are sold with DCT and the system now has a smoother throttle response and shifts, but the manual gearbox version is still more engaging for sporty riding.

• Related: Save money and learn how to do basic oil and filter servicing on your motorcycle

Honda Africa Twin engine tech facts

That 7% increase in torque comes 750rpm lower in the rev range thanks to engine mods including a higher compression ratio (up from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1), 0.4mm longer pistons with redesigned crowns, stronger con roads, a reshaped crankshaft, new valve timing, longer intake ducts and trumpets, a lighter exhaust can with a shorter, wider lower tailpipe and revised ECU settings. DCT version has new hydraulics, shift patterns and takes readings from the six-axis IMU for lean angle, acceleration and braking forces.

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports equipment updates

Words by Michael Neeves

For 2024 the Honda’s fit and finish, as new, is still superb and it’s loaded standard equipment including a 6.5in TFT colour dash, adjustable screen, cruise control, semi-active Showa suspension with a front stroke sensor and electronically adjustable preload, rider modes and a six-axis IMU to control the DCT, ABS, suspension, wheelie and traction control. It comes in white (with red/blue graphics) or black.

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WATCH: Honda’s 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports tested on and off-road

Watch MCN’S chief road tester Michael Neeves ride the 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports on it’s launch

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2020-2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports handling, ride quality and brakes

Words by Jon Urry

Showa’s Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) is linked to the six-axis IMU as well as stroke sensors and has three road settings and an off-road setting and can have its shock’s preload adjusted while the bike is stationary to suit two-up or riding with luggage.

• Related: Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports long-term test

On the road the system responds extremely well with a noticeable difference in damping between settings and a feeling of compliance.

While lacking any self-levelling function, it delivers a plush ride quality and is a worthy addition. The Sports’ lowered seat height (dropped 50mm in 2020) and narrower waist makes it more reassuring at slow speed as your feet are planted on the ground and the five-way adjustable screen gives good shelter.

Overall, the Adventure Sports has more than enough comfort levels to let you see off its claimed 300-mile range from its 24.8-litre tank.

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2020-2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports engine performance

Words by Jon Urry

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. Power now stands at 101bhp, which is considerably less than other larger capacity rivals.

• Related: Best adventure motorbikes

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 fulfils a touring brief with little vibes, a good throttle connection and slick gearbox.

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2020-2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports reliability and build quality

Honda and reliability have long been tied together, with the Japanese manufacturer often used as a benchmark for build quality and robust design. Whilst this is true also for the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, it does still have a few problems of its own.

What issues should I expect?

The brilliant looking touchscreen dash introduced on the 2021 model can stop responding to touch altogether, especially in colder climates. Four years on, it still seems the touch display is having the same issue without any permanent fix. Owners have successfully had the faulty units replaced through warranty but it’s possible the replacement will encounter the same issue. During our 2024 long term test, we found the dashboard maps function and Bluetooth not to be fully reliable. You can read more about it in the first update on MCN.

Will it last?

Earlier 2016-2017 Africa Twins suffered badly from rusty spokes and corroded wheels, with a seemingly large number of owners having them replaced under warranty. Since 2018 Honda have replaced them with stainless steel spokes which has banished this concern, plus a new tubeless wheel design on the Adventure Sports model has shown none of the same issues. Whilst no bike is immune to corrosion, it appears the finish on the Africa Twin Adventure Sports is durable and our 2020 long term test bike held up well during the time we had it. Only a few areas were affected, the hot exhaust included.

• Related: Keep corrosion at bay with the best rust-prevention products for your motorbike

The main componentry of the bike has proven to be fully reliable with no concerns over the engine, gearbox, brakes or suspension. It’s a solidly built machine that goes the distance.

Honda Africa Twin models recalled in 2025

As of March 2025, Honda has initiated a recall for the Africa Twin range. Due to improper setting of the program in the ECM software, it’s possible the wheelie control function does work according to the owners manual. It affects model years 2022-2025, with Honda now prepared to update the ECM software on affected units. Contact your local Honda motorcycle dealer to check if yours is affected.

2020-2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports value vs rivals

If you judge the Honda against similarly powered rivals, you’re looking at middleweight adventure bikes and they’re much more affordable. If compared to its big-cubed competition with similar stature (even if it doesn’t have their big power figures), the £17,649 Africa Twin Adventure Sports is in the ballpark of the £17,295 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro and £17,499 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S.

Ducati’s £20,495 Ducati Multistrada V4S costs considerably more and even though it’s loaded with toys and a vibrant V4 engine, there some things the Africa Twin does better such as better fuel range. The Honda’s biggest problem is the BMW R1300GS, priced at £16,640 it undercuts the competition whilst being one of the best.

• Related: How to save fuel while still having fun on your motorcycle

Riders who love to engage with the route ahead will prefer the KTM, with a more connected road feeling and hugely playful LC8 engine.

If you are planning to spend lots of time at speed on the motorway, the smooth engine and cruise control functions of the Triumph will perform well.

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports lower seat height and friendly manner will suit the tighter and slower going routes better, where stopping and starting is frequent, especially with the DCT managing the gears.

Quick rival comparison:

• BMW R1300GS: Long standing segment leader, 40hp more and £1009 cheaper, hard to fault
• KTM 1290 Super Adventure S: Sportiest road adventure bike, plugged in mile muncher with lively v-twin
• Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro: Smooth engine character and longer service intervals at 10,000 miles

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2020-2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports equipment

Words by Jon Urry

Most of the Africa Twin’s weaknesses in terms of tech have been rectified for 2020 with a six-axis IMU added, bringing with it cornering ABS and traction control (seven levels) alongside cornering lights, cruise control, heated grips, four power modes, three braking levels, three levels of wheelie control and four set riding modes plus two user modes.

• Related: How to ride a motorbike off-road

The ABS can also be turned off to the rear caliper for off-road use. There is a DCT version (now DCT only for 2025), whose performance has been significantly upgraded through it being linked to the IMU, making it gradient and corner responsive in its gear selection.

Also new in 2020 was the giant 6.5-inch touch screen TFT dash as standard. Incorporating Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, it 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. An ES version of the Adventure Sports adds Showa’s semi-active suspension for a £1400 premium (in 2025 the DCT ES version is the only option, for £17,649).

Android Auto added to the Africa Twin for 2021

If you don’t worship at the altar of Apple you might be delighted to hear Honda have added integration for Android Auto to the Africa Twin 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: MCN shares the best motorcycle sat navs and mobile apps to take you there

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Long term test report

We’ve had two Adventure Sports models in the past five years as long term test bikes, getting to know the ins and outs and how it is living with them.

Firstly a 2020 ES Plus model tested by MCN’s Richard Newland, covering 8000 miles. You can read the full report on MCN.

More recently, MCN ‘s Steve Herbert-Mattick rode an updated Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports throughout 2024, giving it a run for its money and reporting on how it fared during a long term test. You can read the numerous updates and full report on MCN.