Honda has given its best-selling models, the CRF1100L Africa Twin and CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, a major update for the 2024 model year. The engine has been refreshed and the DCT system improved in both models. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports has moved more towards asphalt, while the regular Africa Twin is now also available with Showa semi-active suspension.
It has been 8 years since Honda revived the Africa Twin in 2016, in the form of the CRF1000L Africa Twin, which was to be seen as a counterpart to the BMW R 1200 GS. Honda’s choice not to directly compete with the GS, but to opt for a completely different strategy, turned out very well. Already in its first year, the Africa Twin was the second best-selling Allroad, behind the GS. Since its return, Honda has sold more than 85,000 motorcycles bearing the ‘Africa Twin’ name.
After just two years, the Africa Twin received its first update, with the introduction of Throttle By Wire (TBW) and the engine with 4 riding modes and adjustable traction control. The intake and exhaust system was adjusted to give the engine a little more oomph and a second model was added next to it: the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, which was distinguished by better wind protection, a larger 25 liter tank, longer suspension travel and a significantly higher sit.
Another milestone followed two years later in the evolution of the Africa Twin with a larger 1,084 cc engine with a longer stroke, improved electronics and a new TFT display that was later made suitable for Apple CarPlay. The Adventure Sports version had the same seat height as the regular version (making it much more accessible) and could also be optionally equipped with semi-active Showa suspension, Showa EERA (Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment) (EERA).
The most recent update was last year in 2022, where the settings of the DCT Dual Clutch Transmission semi-automatic were refined, with smoother operation in first and second gear. In addition, the Africa Twin received an aluminum luggage carrier as standard equipment.
For 2024, Honda’s flagship adventure bikes will receive significantly upgraded performance, new technologies and updates that further enhance their capabilities and appeal. At least, that’s what Honda promises.
The beloved 1,084 cc parallel twin remains the heart of the Africa Twin family and will benefit from significant improvements in power and torque in the low and mid-range range for 2024. The maximum power remains 102 HP, but the maximum torque grows by 7% to 112 Nm and is already delivered at 5,500 rpm instead of 6,250 rpm on the current one.
The compression ratio rises from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1, which – combined with changes to valve timing, intake ports and ECU settings – should have delivered more power across the board. The changes to the exhaust system contribute to the improved performance, with a new muffler that Honda says produces a pleasantly pulsating note at lower revs and a stronger bass note as the revs increase.
Both models are available with a manual or Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) transmission, the semi-automatic gearbox that Honda continues to stick with. And understandable, when you look at the numbers. Since its introduction in 2009 on the VFR1200F, Honda has sold more than 240,000 motorcycles with DCT in Europe.
The DCT system on the Africa Twins has been refined for 2024. According to Honda, downshifts are now made earlier, there is a more natural transition between 1 and 2 when starting off and corner detection has been improved.
Oh yes, some additional figures: last year the Africa Twin was Honda’s best-selling motorcycle and 49% of CRF1100L Africa Twin buyers, and even 71% of new CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports owners, opted for Honda’s unique DCT system.
Following the example of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, Honda has applied the Showa EERA semi-active suspension as an option on the regular Africa Twin. The Showa EERA automatically adjusts the damping while driving and the spring preload of the rear shock can also be adjusted via the 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen. The system is available in 5 modes – SOFT (soft), MID (medium), HARD (hard), OFF-ROAD (off-road) and USER (user).
As for the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, which will account for 56% of Africa Twin sales in Europe in 2022, Honda has positioned it more towards asphalt for 2024. The 21″ front wheel has been replaced by a 19″ one and the suspension travel has also been shortened by 20 mm. Combined with a wider front tire, this should have provided more grip and feedback at the front. An additional advantage is that the center of gravity has been lowered.
Honda also talks about an aggressive new design of the upper fairing for the Adventure Sports to improve wind protection and aerodynamics. The screen is – just like the regular Africa Twin – adjustable in 5 positions and the saddle is completely new and has a 15 mm thicker padding.
The CRF1100L Africa Twin is available in Grand Prix Red and Matt Ballistic Black Metallic. The CRF1100 Africa Twin with Showa EERA is available in exactly the same colors, but also in a third color: Pearl Glare White and Glint Wave Blue Metallic Tricolour. The motorcycle is equipped with heated grips and an ACC connection as standard. The CRF1100L Africa Twin will be available in Matt Ballistic Black Metallic and Pearl Glare White Tricolour. Available from December 2023.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.