Motorcycles

Honda's legendary Africa Twin returns

Honda's legendary Africa Twin returns
The brand new 2016 CRF1000L has been officially unveiled by Honda, marking the return of the legendary Africa Twin logo
The brand new 2016 CRF1000L has been officially unveiled by Honda, marking the return of the legendary Africa Twin logo
View 43 Images
The brand new 2016 CRF1000L has been officially unveiled by Honda, marking the return of the legendary Africa Twin logo
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The brand new 2016 CRF1000L has been officially unveiled by Honda, marking the return of the legendary Africa Twin logo
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
Two LCD screens include digital speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator, fuel level, temperature level and a comprehensive trip computer
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Two LCD screens include digital speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator, fuel level, temperature level and a comprehensive trip computer
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
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2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
Honda has positioned the 10 kg (22 lb) DCT mechanism relatively low. This is a much better solution compared to the Crosstourer, where the same weight is found quite higher
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Honda has positioned the 10 kg (22 lb) DCT mechanism relatively low. This is a much better solution compared to the Crosstourer, where the same weight is found quite higher
The legendary Africa Twin logo returns twelve years after the venerable XRV750 went out of production
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The legendary Africa Twin logo returns twelve years after the venerable XRV750 went out of production
The CRF Rally (left) and Tricolour (right) color variations are expected to cost a little more than the single color ones
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The CRF Rally (left) and Tricolour (right) color variations are expected to cost a little more than the single color ones
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
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Honda says that the CRF1000L Africa Twin is a motorcycle that “has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road long-range touring, and all points in between”
The crash bars should be a very useful addition to the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, especially if it is used off-road
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The crash bars should be a very useful addition to the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, especially if it is used off-road
View gallery - 43 images

The brand new CRF1000L has been officially unveiled by Honda, marking the return of the legendary Africa Twin logo twelve years after the venerable XRV750 went out of production. The clean-slate design of new adventure tourer aims to keep real world off-road capability in mind without compromising touring comfort and everyday agility.

Hondaalready has the VFR1200X Crosstourer in its lineup, so the new Africa Twindoesn’t really need to be the ultimate do-it-all adventurer, it just has to cater for the off-road enthusiast. Honda puts it this way: "it has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-roadlong-range touring, and all points in between."

Instead ofcreating a souped up version of an existing model, Honda opted to invest timeand money in designing a brand new motorcycle from the ground up. The nameis chosen to make its off-road inclination clear, with CRF referring to Honda's contemporary Enduro and Motocross competition bikes, and of course the nod to the indispensable Africa Twin innuendo.

2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

In thecenter of the Africa Twin’s steel cradle frame sits a brand new 998 cc twocylinder engine with a Unicam, 4-valve design and a 270-degree crankshaft. Twoprimary balance shafts provide assurances for smooth action with minimumvibrations. The engine output of 94 hp (70 kW) / 7,500 rpm and 98 Nm(72.3 lb-ft) / 6,000 rpm is applied through a six-speed gearbox, equippedwith an assist slipper clutch. Honda claims that this new engine can achieve arange of up to 400 km (248.5 miles) with a full 18.8 lt (5 gal) fuel tank.

Off-roadcredibility is boosted by the choice of 21-inch front and 18 inch rear wheels with tubed tires – a mustif one doesn’t want to worry about deflating tires due to bent rim edges.

Honda hashoused the engine’s water pump inside the clutch casing to keep it safe fromthe occasional mishap. Ground clearance is a sufficient 250 mm (9.8 in) and even the exhaust pipe routing is as discrete as possible to avoid making any parts vulnerable to a fall. On the other hand, the non-detachablesubframe seems like something those with a taste for hard adventure riding mayhave to worry about.

Honda has positioned the 10 kg (22 lb) DCT mechanism relatively low. This is a much better solution compared to the Crosstourer, where the same weight is found quite higher
Honda has positioned the 10 kg (22 lb) DCT mechanism relatively low. This is a much better solution compared to the Crosstourer, where the same weight is found quite higher

Asannounced, Honda has also presented a version of the CRF1000L furnished with anew Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), optimized for off-road riding. Apart fromthe obvious fully automatic D-mode, there is the option of an S-mode where therider shifts serially through the gears via two buttons on the left hand sideof the handlebars. Honda notes that the Sports (S) mode offers three distinctshift patterns to choose from, yet it does not explain in detail the differencebetween S1, S2 and S3. Off-road functionality is enhanced by using the Gswitch, located on the instrument panel, which can be used in any riding mode. Its function is to reduce the amount of clutch slip during gear changes,thus improving the rider's control over the engine.

The bike'swet weight is announced at 228 kg (503 lb) in standard trim, adding another 4kg (9 lb) for the ABS version, while the DCT version tips the scales at 242 kg(533 lb).

There arestill some details that are not disclosed in the press kit, such as the wheeltravel allowed by the fully adjustable Showa fork and shock absorber. Thiswould be an important figure with regard to the Africa Twin's capabilities awayfrom the asphalt. Honda only says that its suspension is "long travel."

TheCRF1000L will be sold in three variants, the standard model, the ABS and theABS-DCT version. The latter two will also have as standard the Honda SelectableTorque Control (HSTC) system, effectively a traction control that adjusts tothree different levels. The ABS can also be adjusted for off-road riding, inwhich case the anti-blocking function does not apply to the rear wheel.

The CRF Rally (left) and Tricolour (right) color variations are expected to cost a little more than the single color ones
The CRF Rally (left) and Tricolour (right) color variations are expected to cost a little more than the single color ones

Four coloroptions will include the red CRF Rally, the white Tricolour, as well as the Blackand Silver. Judging from the pricing policy that Honda follows with theCrosstourer, we should expect lower prices for the single color options.

The newadventure bike is expected to arrive at European dealers towards the end of2015 at a price starting of €12,100 – although itdoesn’t explain which taxes have been dialed in.

Source: Honda

View gallery - 43 images
6 comments
6 comments
Recon7
Oh man ...
I was going to get the Bmw 1000 Xr .. but now. Ohmergerd!!
PushkarDey
Now, make it smaller, say about 600cc, lighter to about 170kgand reduce the seat height keeping the ground clearance same. Add a bluetooth connection for the EFI to pair with smartphone and monitor performance in the real time and a charging point for mobiles. Wishful thinking (out loud) !!
science ninja
so let me get this straight, it has a G Spot?
EJWu
So, let me be clear. it's less powerful than BMW GS, and weighs about the same?
Lookey
Looks like a 650 on steroids: I weigh 220 lbs and ride Baja and California Sierras. A while back I sold my XR650 Baja King and got a CRF 450... PROs: the 450 has all the power of the 650 and a lot less weight and much better ride geometry. CONs: 450 lacks top end (which I can live without); no e-start (not an 450x - also not indispensable); and hard narrow seat (a true pain in the A$$ on long rides - aftermarket solutions available). CRF 450 is Honda sweet spot for me!
gizmowiz
Build it with an EV power train. Gas drives are so polluting and outdated.