Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin and CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports – one more in everything

By 2024, Honda’s main adventure motorcycles – the CRF1100L Africa Twin and the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports – benefit from a substantial improvement in performance, new technologies, and updates that further enhance their essential capabilities and appeal. The popular 1084 cm³ parallel twin engine continues to be the heart of the Africa Twin family, and for 2024, it benefits from a significant increase in performance, both in terms of power and torque, in the low and mid-range ranges. The maximum power remains at 75 kW, but the 7% increase in maximum torque, now 112 N·m, comes earlier, at 5500 rpm instead of 6250 rpm. The compression ratio changes from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1, which, along with changes in valve timing, intake openings, and ECU programming, allows the engine to have more performance. Additional changes to the exhaust system also contribute to the increase in performance, with a new exhaust that has a pleasant pulsating sound at low rpm and a stronger deep tone as the rpm rises.Both models will be available with either a manual gearbox or a dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DCT). Honda has already sold over 200,000 motorcycles equipped with DCT throughout Europe since the system first appeared as an option on the VFR1200F in 2009. By 2024, the Africa Twin’s DCT system has been improved to take full advantage of the increased engine performance, shifting down earlier. The system also benefits from improved curve detection and now offers a more natural and smooth feel during initial start-up and between first and second gears, providing a greater sense of feedback to the rider. Last year, the two Africa Twins were Honda’s best-selling motorcycles. 49% of CRF1100L Africa Twin owners selected Honda’s exclusive DCT gearbox, while in the ATAS model, this percentage rose to 71%. CRF1100L Africa Twin  Maintaining its 21-inch front wheel suitable for off-road driving, the CRF1100L Africa Twin now includes Metzler Karoo Street tubeless tires as standard equipment, allowing for quick puncture repairs while driving without the need to remove the wheel. If the rider wishes to tackle off-road terrain, they can also mount Michelin Anakee Wild knobby tires.

To make road riding even more comfortable, and mounted on an updated front fairing with an aggressive design, the new larger windshield, now with 5-position adjustment, offers maximum visibility to the front or greater wind protection, depending on the rider’s choice.

The CRF1100L Africa Twin will be available in Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black Metallic colors.

CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports (ATAS)

The CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports (ATAS) capable of crossing continents – which in 2022 represented 56% of Africa Twin sales in Europe – also benefits from a series of practical and performance updates for 2024 that further enhance its appeal for long-distance travel.

The most obvious change from the previous model is a substantial update to the front end. With the addition of a new 19-inch front wheel, the EERA™ suspension stroke from Showa has been reduced by 20 mm. Along with the installation of a wider front tire, these combine to give the rider more grip and feedback at the front, especially when fully loaded or with a passenger, without drastically compromising off-road performance. This change at the front also lowers the center of gravity of the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, contributing to improved low-speed maneuverability and reach to the ground.

Designed for long-distance travel, the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports has had its front fairing aggressively redesigned to improve wind deflection and upper body aerodynamics. Like its sister, the ATAS features a screen with 5 levels of height adjustment. The seat is new and uses 15mm thick urethane foam, with optimized density to reduce long-distance driving fatigue.

The CRF1100L Africa Twin will be available in Metallic Matte Black Ballistic and Pearl Glare White Tricolor colors.

To ensure that the Africa Twin rider always has their bike exactly as they want it, there are some dedicated accessory packs available individually or in four dedicated packs – Rally, Adventure, Urban, and Travel – accessories include up to 128 L of luggage, additional chassis protection, and options for lower seats.

Since its displacement increased to 1100 cm³ in 2020, approximately 20,000 units of the AT and 25,000 units of the ATAS have been sold throughout Europe, and since its return in 2016, over 85,000 registrations have been made with the legendary name Africa Twin.