New Honda Africa Twin “Adventure Sports” Edition Revealed  New Africa Twin expands the platform to take your adventures further.

Displayed previously in concept form, the new ‘Adventure Sports’ version of the CRF1000L Africa Twin marks 30 years since the legendary Honda XRV650 Africa Twin first rolled into Europe. Bearing the same tricolore paint scheme as the original, the new model is built to go even further on both on-road and off-road adventures.

The renewed machine has proved itself a modern-day all-rounder, popular with casual tourers and off-road adventurers alike. 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 experience, while the new Adventure Sports version extends the platform even further into long-range off-road ready territory.

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The new Adventure Sports (CRF1000L2) version gets a 1.4 gallon (5.4 liter) larger fuel tank than the standard CRF1000L Africa Twin, plus 0.8 inches (20mm) longer travel suspension, higher riding position and ground clearance, heated grips, extra-large skid plate and extended fairing with protective cowl bar. It also shares the extensive updates given to the standard Africa Twin, which include Throttle By Wire engine management with four riding modes, expanded Honda Selectable Torque Control parameters, and revised intake and exhaust for stronger mid-range response.

“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. For 2018, with the Africa Twin Adventure Sports we have used the revised CRF1000L as a starting point and added everything the long-distance rider needs to get the very most out of any adventure.” – Mr K. Morita, Honda’s Africa Twin Adventure Sport Project Leader.

Africa Twin Adventure Sports Overview

Side-by-side with its sibling, the CRF1000L2 Africa Twin Adventure Sports is obviously taller, with a flatter seat profile and more upright riding position. The fairing and screen offer more wind protection and a large sump guard and side pipe fully protect the machine. A total of 6.37 gallons (24.2 L) of fuel capacity along with 51 mpg extends range beyond 310 miles (500km), while heated grips and an AC charging socket add comfort and convenience.

Other updates shared between both Africa Twins that off-road riders are sure to appreciate: the rider’s footpegs are now wider, and feature beefed-up steel mounting plates. The pillion footpeg hangers have also been redesigned to allow more room for the rider’s feet when standing and the instruments are angled at a shallower angle to allow the rider to see them easily from a standing position.

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports’ comprehensive abilities start 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 Adventure Sport’s 10.6 inches (270mm) of ground clearance, compared to 9.8 inches (250mm) on the standard CRF1000L.

For 2018, a modified airbox improves the power unit’s 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. A significant addition to the Africa Twin platform for 2018 is its 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 semi-double cradle steel frame provides the ideal balance of high-speed stability matched to 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. The new lithium-ion battery saves 5.1 lbs (2.3kg) on the 2017 Africa Twin’s lead unit, and the Adventure Sports version shares several detail changes made to improve the platform’s off-road ability and durability.

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 constructed from stainless steel. In addition to the standard dual-purpose 90 front/150 rear rubber, block tires are also approved for fitment.

Dual LED headlights maintain the original Africa Twin’s presence and the seat height adjusts 0.8 inches (20mm) from the 35.4 inches (900mm) to 36.2 inches (920mm), both respectively 2.0 inches (50mm) higher than the standard model.

Key Feature Updates

• Longer travel suspension, flatter seat and more upright riding position

• Extended fairing protection and taller screen

• Heated grips as standard plus AC charging socket

• Rider’s footpegs/pillion footpeg hangers designed for off-road use

• Stainless steel spokes offer durability and ease of care

• Emergency Stop Signal function for rear indicators

• Throttle By Wire (TBW) brings with it 3 rider modes

• HSTC (traction control) now has 7 levels and OFF

• New intake design and exhaust aid mid-range response

• New exhaust also designed to improve engine note

• New lighter balance shaft weight

• New lithium-ion battery saves 5.1 lbs (2.3kg) and enhances durability

• Assist/slipper clutch helps upshifts and downshifts

The 2018 CRF1000L2 Africa Twin Adventure Sports will be available starting Summer 2018 in the US in 30th anniversary Tricolore paint scheme to celebrate the XRV650’s launch in 1988. Suggested retail price for the Adventure Sports model is approximately $2,000 higher than that of the current Africa Twin.

2018 Africa Twin Adventure Sport Specs