Honda update popular Africa Twin adventure range with new looks and revised tech

Honda’s best-selling adventure bike duo – the CRF1100L Africa Twin and more road-biased, touring Africa Twin Adventure Sports – are both receiving a significant makeover for 2024.

• We’ve ridden it: Read our 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports review

Both get an extensively redesigned front fairing which now includes a five-way adjustable screen plus engine tweaks which boost peak torque by a claimed 7%. Both will also be compatible with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) semi-automatic transmission system.

The Adventure Sport also goes from a 21in to 19in front wheel with shorter suspension travel and is only available in DCT form, while the more off-road Africa Twin now also gets the option of Showa’s ‘EERA’ electronic suspension.

Originally launched as the single CRF1000L Africa Twin in 2015, the first upgrade came in 2018 when the Adventure Sport variant, with an enlarged 24litre tank and more rugged, off-road looks was added.

That appeal increased further in 2020 when both grew to 1100cc boosting power from a claimed 94 to 100bhp. There was also a new TFT dash, improved electronics and the duo’s roles were revised slightly with the standard ‘Twin becoming the more off-road orientated bike and the AS the road-biased tourer.

Back to the present day, and the new aggressively designed front fairing is intended to make long-range road riding more comfortable and features a new, larger, five-way adjustable screen made out of environmentally friendly materials.

The engine remains 1084cc with a peak power of 100bhp but has more power and torque in the low and middle ranges. Peak torque is 7% higher, at 83lb.ft, and delivered earlier, at 5500rpm instead of 6250rpm. This comes via higher compression (from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1), changes to the valve timing, intake ports and ECU settings, plus a new exhaust.

The more touring-orientated Adventure Sports, which in 2022 accounted for 56% of European Africa Twin sales, gets even more long distance, on-road appeal.

There’s a smaller 19in front wheel (from 21in), wider front tyre and 20mm shorter suspension stroke from its standard ‘EERA’ suspension to improve manageability and road handling. There’s also a new seat with 15mm thicker cushion.

The standard, more off-road Africa Twin, meanwhile, now has the option of the ‘EERA’ system. Both are expected in dealers in December with prices starting at £13,199 for the standard ‘Twin and rising to £17,599 for the Adventure Sport DCT.