Intending to improve its travel capabilities, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports received important updates for this year: the most talked about has been the installation of a 19-inch front wheel, but the engine also received improvements that increased torque and overall comfort. An Adventure Sports with a now more refined dynamics and that is more comfortable and even easier to ride, in the good old Honda way.
In terms of the engine, the 1,084 cc parallel twin still delivers the same 75 kW of power (about 102 hp) at 7,500 rpm, but the maximum torque has increased to 112 Nm at 5,500 rpm, a 7% improvement from low revs that is mainly due to the new internal components of the engine and the increased compression ratio. We are talking about a redesigned crankshaft and connecting rods, as well as pistons with a slightly altered surface and larger diameter intake ducts. As the injection system has also been improved and the exhaust system is now lighter and more efficient, all of this has contributed to the better response in the mid-range, without any changes in the displacement or the bore vs stroke ratio of the engine.
In cycling, keeping the frame intact, Honda now installs the Showa EERA (electronic operation) suspensions as standard, which were previously optional. The front fork is 45 mm, and together with the rear mono-shock absorber, they offer a shorter travel of 210 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear, which has lowered the ground clearance, as well as the center of gravity and seat height. These suspensions have various operating modes (Hard, Mid, Soft, Off-Road, and User) and adapt to each selected driving mode, even if their operation is constantly adapting in milliseconds to the terrain conditions. One of the biggest novelties is that now the rider can choose, while riding, between 4 different preload levels. However, one of the biggest novelties is the inclusion of a 19-inch front wheel on the Adventure Sports, with a 110/80-R19 tire, which aims to offer better feedback to the rider, more agility, and also stability during strong acceleration and braking.
An Africa Twin Adventure Sports that continues to offer everything necessary for a very pleasant and versatile use, in everyday life or on trips, on the road or on dirt paths. Now it presents itself with a more “full” engine and even more refined dynamics on asphalt (as well as being easier to ride for those with shorter legs), so the changes made by Honda were once again successful.
To find out everything about the new Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, you can consult our Digital Motorcycle Magazine for the month of February.
