Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle Review

Honda’s real all-rounder continues to attract admirers from many customers thanks to its aggressive design, fun engine, and capable chassis. Both Africa Twin models for 2020 (each of which is still available with either an upgraded manual transmission or a more sophisticated version of Honda’s automatic DCT) squeeze more power and torque into a lighter overall package, keeping the model’s core principles. The water-cooled, overhead-cam, parallel-twin engine gains an 86cc displacement bump, as well as revised intake and exhaust systems, for a 6 percent horsepower improvement. The frame has been redesigned for improved handling, the rear subframe is now removable and made of aluminum, and the CRF450R-style aluminum swingarm is lighter and more robust.

Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle – Features

Engine

The fundamental architecture of the SOHC 8-valve parallel-twin engine stays unaltered for 2020. However, it now has a higher displacement of 1,084cc, up from 998cc. Consequently, peak power is increased from 70kW to 75kW at 7,500rpm, while peak torque is increased from 99Nm to 105Nm at 6,250rpm. From 2,500rpm until the redline, the noticeable boost in both power and torque is noticeable.

The bore remains 92mm, but the stroke has been increased to 81.5mm, with a compression ratio of 10.1:1. The new cylinder sleeves are now made of aluminum as well. In addition to other weight-saving measures in the transmission and elsewhere, It improves engine performance and economy by opening at higher rpm and producing a friendly ‘pulse’ exhaust tone at lower rpm.

Electronics

Throttle By Wire (TBW) control was added to the Africa Twin’s engine in 2018, allowing for much more acceptable engine output and character management, as well as expanded Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) for rear tire grip; for 2020, the system has evolved and now works in conjunction including a six-axis IMU.

The system has four power levels and three engine-braking levels. Although there are still seven layers of HSTC, the amount of involvement at each group has been optimized to operate with real-time IMU input (yaw/roll angle and rate). The level spacing has been optimized to provide the rider a more precise control over the degree of rear tire slip for off-road riding. HSTC can also be disabled entirely.

Another new function is Wheelie Control. The rider may choose between three levels of input with the IMU sensing pitch angle and rate and adjust engine torque through TBW. Level 1 permits desired wheel lift but prevent any unexpected movement. Level 3 contains any front wheel elevation, whereas level 2 is in the middle. Wheelie Control can also be disabled entirely.

TOUR, URBAN, GRAVEL, and OFF-ROAD are the four default riding modes, with two configurable USER settings to cover most riding conditions and scenarios. Depending on the standard methods, Some characteristics may be changed, including HSTC levels 1-7 (plus off), Wheelie Control levels 1-3 (plus out), and DCT S mode shift pattern levels 1-3.

Dual Clutch Transmission

Since the DCT technology debuted as an option on the VFR1200F in 2009, Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle has sold over 100,000 DCT-equipped bikes across Europe. DCT accounted for 48 percent of European sales on vehicles with DCT during the previous financial year, demonstrating its market appeal.

The DCT system’s innovative design ensures smooth, consistent gear shifts and rapidly becomes second nature in operation. It has two clutches: one for start-up and first, third, and fifth gears, and the other for second, fourth, and sixth gears, with each clutch’s main shaft housed inside the other for compact packaging.

Each clutch has the electro-hydraulic circuit that controls it separately. When a gear change happens, the system uses a grip not used to pre-select the target gear. The first clutch is then electrically removed while the second clutch engages at the same time.

As a result, gear changes are consistent, quick, and smooth. Additionally, because the dual clutches transmit drive from one gear to the next with minimum interruption of the movement to the rear wheel, any gear change shock and pitching of the machine are reduced, making the transition seem both direct and smooth.

The advantages of durability (as the gears cannot be damaged by missing a gear), The lack of stalling, low-stress urban riding, and low rider fatigue are all advantages of DCT.

There are three operational modes, and the rider may shift using the handlebar trigger control buttons in MT mode, giving them complete manual control. Automatic D mode is excellent for city and highway driving, and it saves rider money on gas. Automatic S mode provides three degrees of sportier riding, with the ECU allowing the engine to rev higher before shifting up and shifting down sooner for more excellent engine braking when decelerating.

DCT allows for immediate manual intervention in either D or S mode; the rider just picks the needed gear using the up and down shift triggers on the left handlebar. Depending on throttle angle, gear position, and vehicle speed, DCT effortlessly reverts to automatic mode at the right moment.

The Africa Twin’s DCT is also fully prepared for off-road use, with off-road capabilities boosted by the G switch, accessible via the TFT touch screen display. By limiting clutch slip during gear changes, activating the G switch in any riding mode increases the feel for available traction and the control of the machine.

Incline detection, which adapts the gear shift pattern depending on the grade of an incline to give optimal control, is another feature of the DCT system.

Cornering detection is a new function for the DCT system on the CRF1100L Africa Twin. When the IMU detects the bike is cornering, the system adapts the shifting algorithm to provide the most natural gear changes possible.

Chassis

A new Bosch MM7.10 six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) nestled away at the machine’s center measures roll angle/rate, pitch angle/rate, and a yaw angle/rate in real-time and is at the core of the Africa Twin’s enhanced on- and off-road performance. It controls rear-wheel traction with TBW and HSTC, front-wheel braking grip with Cornering ABS, front-wheel lift with Wheelie Control, and rear-wheel ride with Rear Lift Control.

In preparation for its 2020 development, IMU control has been included. Honda’s development experts extensively re-examined the steel semi-double-cradle frame’s strength and stiffness balance to improve off-road capability while enhancing its overall on-road characteristics.

The steering head’s rigidity has been improved to improve the front end grip; the main spars have also been slimmed and straightened, and the front cross pipe has been eliminated. The frame now weighs 1.8kg less than previously.

A bolt-on aluminum subframe (finished in red) replaces the previous design’s integrated steel framework and is 40mm narrower at 195mm, allowing for easier ground reach.

The aluminum swingarm is all-new, weighs 500 grams less, and is built on the same design as the CRF450R. Its increased stiffness enhances rear-wheel traction and rider comfort.

Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle – Technical Specifications

Engine

Suspension

Brakes

Tires

Measurements

Conclusion

In the end, team Bikes Catalog would love to say that the new Honda 2020 Africa Twin DCT Adventure Motorcycle is one of the best and highly impressive adventure bikes. The bike is known for its massive power delivery and instant throttle response. Some riders prefer the African Twin as their adventure partner because of its agility and excellent stability in mountainous regions.