Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin / DCT

The balance between power and weight is at the heart of the Africa Twin’s appeal, then and now. The current version has proved itself a modern-day all-rounder, hugely popular with round-the-world adventurers, commuters and casual tourers alike, because it offers enjoyable and usable engine performance in a chassis that works as well off-road as it does on.

Honda’s definitive full-size adventure machine gets a comprehensive update for 2018, with Throttle By Wire, 3 riding modes, expanded Honda Selectable Torque Control parameters, more responsive power delivery and engaging engine sound. It’s also 2kg lighter and features several detail improvements to enhance the riding and owning experience. Block tyres are now approved for fitment.

For 2018 Honda is building on the Africa Twin’s strengths, and its success. The base model receives a host of detail upgrades to both manual transmission and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) options that enhance the riding and owning experience, while the new Adventure Sports version extends the platform even further into long-range off-road territory.

“The Africa Twin’s success on showroom floors and in comparison tests is evidence of the platform’s profound capabilities, but the Adventure Sports model expands the possibilities by making it possible to ride further and more comfortably,” said Lee Edmunds, American Honda’s Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications. “We’ve enjoyed seeing our customers put their own interpretations on the Africa Twin’s ‘True Adventure’ ethos, and with the increased capabilities of the new Adventure Sports, as well as those of the updated standard Africa Twin, we expect that spirit will be applied in new and exciting ways.” Mr K. Morita, Large Project Leader (LPL) 2018 Honda

“Our CRF1000L Africa Twin has proven itself a worthy successor to the original and very much the ‘Go Anywhere’ machine that we set out to make. Over the last two years it’s a motorcycle that’s covered millions of kilometres, and we have received plentiful feedback from owners. For 2018 we have improved the engine’s response, saved weight and given the rider real choice of engine performance and feel. ”

The secret to the CRF1000L Africa Twin’s wide-ranging abilities starts with its engine, which has to perform in off-road situations as well as on-road, over long-range tours, short commutes and all points in between. As such, it provides an optimum balance between power, torque, mass and physical dimension.

The four-valve 998cc parallel twin Unicam unit’s tractable and usable all-day performance belies its extremely compact dimensions. They are the result of clever packaging touches such as housing the water pump within the clutch casing, and using the engine’s balancer shafts to also drive water and oil pumps. As a result, longitudinally, it is the same length as Honda’s popular 500cc engine, and its short height contributes to the Africa Twin’s all-important 250mm of ground clearance.

For 2018, a modified airbox improves the mid-range response, as does a lighter balancer shaft weight. A revised exhaust serves up an even more evocative howl as revs rise and also contributes to the improved performance.

Another significant addition for 2018 is the new Throttle By Wire (TBW) system, which brings with it 3 riding modes to adjust engine character and output to suit riding conditions. Also new is an extended range of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) input.

The unique DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) version features the standard manual mode – allowing the rider to operate gearshifts through triggers on the left handlebar – and two automatic modes. D mode offers the best balance of fuel economy and comfort cruising whilst S mode gives three different, sportier shift patterns to choose from. The DCT is also fully equipped to operate in an off-road environment and off-road functionality is enhanced by the G button. Pushing the G button in any riding mode modifies the control of the clutch system to give a more direct drive.

The Africa Twin’s semi-double cradle steel frame provides the perfect balance of high-speed stability and genuine off-road ability by combining sheer strength with flexibility. The engine is mounted on 6 engine hangers, which keeps vibration to a minimum, avoiding the need for steering dampers. For 2018, the addition of a lithium-ion battery contributes to a 2.3kg overall weight saving, while several detail changes further improve the machine’s off-road ability and durability.

The fully adjustable 45mm Showa inverted forks, fully-adjustable rear shock, dual radial-mount Nissin four-piston brake calipers and 310mm ‘wave’ style floating discs are unchanged for 2018. The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels are now constructed from stainless steel, and for 2018 block tyres are also approved for fitment.

The Africa Twin is styled with minimum bodywork in a tough, lightweight form that offers both wind protection for the rider and a slim, agile feel. Dual LED headlights maintain the original’s presence, while the negative LCD meter closely follows the layout of the Dakar race machine. Seat height adjusts 20mm from the standard 870mm down to 850mm, and an 18.8-litre fuel tank – and the engine’s fuel efficiency of 21.8km/l (WMTC in DCT mode) – provides a range of over 400km.

The 2018 CRF1000L Africa Twin will be available in four colour options: Matt Ballistic Black Metallic, Pearl Glare White (Tricolor), Grand Prix Red (Team HRC Rally colour), and Candy Chromosphere Red.

Key Features

•Africa Twin Adventure Sports has a larger fairing matched with an 80mm taller screen to offer greater wind protection, and comes standard with heated grips and a 12 volt accessory socket, facilitating longer tours in wide-ranging conditions
•Adventure Sports model comes standard with larger sump guard and front light bars, as well as brushed-aluminum cowling panels, rear mudguard, and easily removable steel rack
•Adventure Sports model has larger, 6.37-gallon fuel tank (compared to 4.97 gallons on the standard model), extending range
•Both CRF1000L Africa Twin models now have auto-cancelling turn indicators
•Adventure Sports model’s seat features a flatter profile and a 1.2-inch-taller height than standard model. The seat adjusts .8 inches, for a seat height of either 35.4 inches or 36.2 inches (compared to 33.5 inches and 34.3 inches). Handlebar position is 1.3 inches higher and .2 inches rearward compared to the standard version
•Adventure Sports model has a storage pocket on rear right
•On both models, the rider’s foot pegs are now wider and affixed via stouter steel mounting plates, whereas the passenger foot-peg hangers have been redesigned to allow more room for the rider’s feet when standing
•On both models, instruments are positioned at a shallower angle to allow the rider to see them more easily from a standing position
•Adventure Sports model has updated, longer-travel Showa suspension, resulting in 10.6 inches of ground clearance (compared to 9.8 inches). On both models, shock preload, rebound damping, and compression damping are fully adjustable
•Both models have compact two-piece, radial-mount, four-piston front-brake calipers and “wave” floating rotors front and rear. The lightweight two-channel ABS can be turned off at the rear

•Both models feature front and rear wheels in size 21 and 18 inches, respectively, with stainless-steel spokes for improved durability
•On both models, the 998cc SOHC eight-valve parallel-twin engine is updated with a new airbox, now featuring a 20mm longer funnel length and matched to redesigned exhaust internals that significantly improve midrange response and sound quality
•On both models, the engine’s balancer-shaft weights have been lightened by 10.6 ounces for added character and feel in power delivery
•Water pump is housed within the clutch casing, with a thermostat integrated into the cylinder head, while water and oil pumps are driven by the engine’s balancer shafts, contributing to a compact engine and optimum ground clearance
•New for 2018, a lithium-ion battery is 5.1 lbs. lighter than the previous lead-acid unit
•Both versions available with Honda’s advanced automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), delivering consistent, quick, seamless gear changes on-road or off. Rider can select from three different shifting modes, and a G switch enhances off-road functionality by reducing the amount of clutch slip during gear changes
•New for 2018, both Africa Twin models have Throttle-By-Wire system (TBW), opening the door to four individual riding modes and an expanded Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system
•HSTC now features seven levels (up from three), to adapt to a wide variety of conditions. HSTC can also be completely switched off, and three levels of power and engine braking are available