2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Bike Review Specs

Let’s begin with the Africa Twin’s incredible features. The 2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Bike has a long-range fuel tank and the comfort to go with it, as well as a new, upgraded, shorter screen and bright Cracked Terrain paint choices inspired by the original Africa Twin. The best bike for riding for extended periods.

While the CRF1000L Africa Twin, released in 2016, was an entirely new motorcycle from the ground up, it inherited the essence and spirit of what made the original so famous. It had been well over three decades since the 2023 Honda XRV650 Africa Twin first rolled into Europe.

The new model maintains the original bike’s emphasis on power-to-weight ratio, a significant selling point. Over 85,000 CRF1000L Africa Twins have been purchased due to the bike’s unique, athletic design, its enjoyable, usable engine, and its capable, comfortable chassis. It has proven itself to be a true modern all-rounder.

2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Bike – Features and Specs

Engine

The maximum power output of the 1,084cc, 8-valve parallel-twin engine of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports is 75kW (75,000 RPM), and the maximum torque is 105Nm (6,250 RPM). The engine has a 92mm diameter, an 81.5mm stroke, and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. 46 mm throttle bodies feed the inlet ports, and the bore and cylinder pitches are in harmony to provide a flat air intake profile. The angle of the injectors and the electronic control unit setting cooperate in spraying fuel directly into the combustion chambers using two spark plugs.

The cylinder head and complete engine package of the MX competition-specification Honda CRF450R are small, thanks to the cast camshaft’s low-set position and the SOHC Unicam valve train. The intake valves have a diameter of 10.1mm, and the exhaust valves are 9.3mm. The engine’s distinctive ‘throb’ is achieved by combining a 270° phased crankshaft, an irregular firing interval, and lightweight aluminum cylinder sleeves.

The thermostat is built into the cylinder head, and the water pump is neatly concealed inside the clutch housing. The water and oil pumps on both the manual and DCT engines use the balancer shafts, and the crankcases are almost identical.

Tank-based lower crankcase oil storage is a feature of this semi-dry-sump layout. As a result, the engine’s height may be kept to a minimum by using a shallower pan. There is no requirement for a pressure-feed route since the pressure-fed pump is housed inside the tank it draws oil from. The reciprocating action of the pistons cancels out secondary vibrations, whereas biaxial balancing shafts cancel out fundamental inertial and coupling vibrations.

With the switch to the 1100cc engine in 2020, the diameter of the clutch was shrunk in comparison to the previous design, and spring tension was loosened for a lighter lever feel; the clutch center and pressure plate are made of aluminum and feature ‘assist’ cams to facilitate upshifts and ‘slipper’ cams to enable deceleration and downshifts. The CRF450R’s shift-cam design inspired the strong shift feel of the six-speed manual transmission. A rapid shifter is still a paid add-on.

Similar to the Exhaust Control Valve (ECV) on the Fire blade, a variable ECV is built inside the exhaust end-can. It opens at greater RPM, allowing for increased engine performance and economy and producing a pleasant exhaust ‘pulse’ at lower RPM.

Chassis

The Bosch MM7.10 six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) hidden in the machine’s center measures roll angle/rate, pitch rate/angle, and yaw angle/rate in real-time and is the driving force behind the Africa Twin Adventure Sports’ superior- and off-road performance. In addition to assisting with controlling rear-wheel traction through TBW and HSTC, cornering ABS, and front-wheel lift via Wheelie Control, it also includes rear-wheel lift management.

The steel semi-double cradle frame’s emphasis on strength and stiffness makes it excellent for off-road use and improves its general road manners. The main spars are thin and straight, without a front cross pipe, and the area surrounding the steering head has been strengthened to improve steering sensation. The wheelbase is 1575 mm, the rake is 27.5 degrees, and the tail is 113 mm. The ground clearance is 250 mm. The DCT is 248 kg, and the wet weight is 238 kg. Whether in Manual or DCT form, the Showa EERATM will increase weight by 2 kilograms.

Because of the 195mm width made possible by the bolt-on aluminum subframe, getting off the ground is much simpler. The CRF450R inspired the lightweight aluminum swingarm that boosts rear-wheel traction and rider comfort.

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports has an optional Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (Showa EERA) system that allows the rider to adjust the front and rear damping force and spring preload to suit their weight and the road conditions. Showa EERA varies the amount of damping according to the chosen riding mode to provide a quality suspension response in various settings, from low-speed riding comfort to high-speed stability.

Sensors that detect strokes and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) provide the data. There are three distinct streetscapes:

• The soft setting uses the least minor damping force for the smoothest response.
• The medium location is suitable for most riding situations.
• The challenging environment is optimized for more aggressive riding by applying the most damping force from low to high stroke speed.

In the OFF-ROAD mode, the front fork damping force increases progressively with increasing stroke speed and the rear shock damping increases.

There are four preset electrical positions for the rear spring preload: (1) solo, (2) solo with baggage, (3) two-up, and (4) two-up with luggage. The rear spring preload may be adjusted over 24 points, while the front damping force can be adjusted using the USER option.

Showa suspension is offered as an option for the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. The 45mm cartridge-type inverted front fork provides long-travel bump absorption and has updated its internal settings to enhance overall performance. The stroke length is 230mm. The damping may be altered in both the rebound and compression directions. The fork legs are secured with four bolts by a cast aluminum top yoke and a forged bottom yoke, all connected by a hollow aluminum stem shaft.

Showa’s rear shock, like the front, has 220 millimeters of axle travel with a 46-millimeter cylinder and remote reservoir for reliable damping adjustment even in the most punishing off-road situations. The shock’s body has a knob for adjusting the spring preload, and you can also change the amount of rebound and compression.

To modulate braking pressure through the ABS, the IMU considers lean and angle, deceleration, and features the slip rate of the front and rear wheels; similarly, if it senses abrupt rear wheel lift, it carefully controls brake force to preserve stability. Off-road riding is possible by disabling the rear ABS while the vehicle is stopped.

Dual 310mm ‘wave’ floating discs are pressed on sintered pads using compact two-piece radial-mount four-piston calipers. The hole punching and contouring on the 256mm ‘wave’ disc on the back is a nice touch. Spoked (stainless steel) wheels measure 21 inches in diameter in front and 18 inches in the back. Continental 90/90-21M/C 54S & 150/70B 18M/C 70Q block pattern tires are allowed for installation with maximum permitted speeds of 180km/h and 160km/h, respectively.

The tubeless Bridgestone Battleax Adventure cross Tourer AX41T or Metzeler Karoo Street tires sizes 90/90-21M/C 54H & 150/70R18 M/C 70H, are mounted on the front and rear (stainless steel) spoked wheels to facilitate puncture repair while on the road. Tires with a block design are permitted (including the Continental 90/90-21M/C 54S and 150/70B 18M/C 70Q).

2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Bike – Technical Specifications

Engine

Fuel System

Electrical System

Drivetrain

Frame

Chassis

Suspension

Wheels

Brakes

Instruments & Electrics