For 2023, the foundation of the 2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Motorcycle’s enduringly well-liked package remains the same. A sporty, lightweight chassis with thin rally-style bodywork and a distinctive, torque-heavy 1084cc engine is on hand to provide hard-edged off-road performance. On the DCT variant, HSTC, cornering ABS, Wheelie Control, Rear Lift Control, and cornering detection functions are all controlled by a comprehensive electronics package using a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit. Multiple riding modes, standard cruise control, a USB outlet, and a full-color 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Bluetooth connection contribute to the vehicle’s practicality.
Two possible paint schemes have been updated for 2023: a full-stealth Black Metallic variant and a new “Glint Wave Blue Metallic” Tricolour.
The payout increases in direct proportion to the difficulty. We say go ahead. The CRF1100L Africa Twin, inspired by the legacy of Dakar, is built to compete when the going gets rough with hard-hitting performance, blacked-out details, and striking new graphics direct from a rally racing stage.
2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Motorcycle – Features and Specs
Styling & Equipment
Compact and combative. The tight rally-style bodywork of the Africa Twin may be described in two terms. And there’s a purpose for it: to perform better off-road. With a seat height of 850–870mm, the high-set handlebars provide an upright, high-visibility riding stance and comfortable control, whether standing or sitting. The fixed screen is short to provide quick scanning of the route ahead. The incredibly compact seat and tail section allow simple back-and-forth movement and superb ground reach. At the same time, an aluminum rear carrier is a standard fit for practical carrying capacity.
In addition to having Daytime Running Lights (DRL) that automatically adapt to ambient light intensity, dual LED headlights are mounted high to produce a penetrating beam and to increase safety in all situations. The norm is to wear knuckle protectors.
Each riding mode is available from the top left of the 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen full-color Multi-Information Display (MID), which keeps the rider in charge of all the functions on the Africa Twin. The MID is user-friendly even while wearing gloves and can be adjusted to display different levels of information about the selected riding mode.
Apple Car Play and Android Auto also enable touchscreen smartphone usage. Additionally, navigation applications may be accessed and displayed, and calls can be sent or received via a Bluetooth helmet headset. On the right of the MID is a USB charging socket where the smartphone is plugged in. A hands-free wireless Bluetooth connection is also available, and all control inputs are done via the left-hand switchgear.
Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) functionality is available on both the front and rear indicators. The danger lights flash to alert other road users of an impending hard stop when braking abruptly above 50 km/h. additionally, they automatically cancel; rather than utilizing a primary timer, the system analyses the difference in front and rear wheel speeds to determine when to terminate the signal based on the circumstances. Using the MID, the auto-cancellation option may be disabled. Long-distance highway driving is made more accessible by the included cruise control.
The CRF1100L Africa Twin will come with three color finishes for 2023. The Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, new for 2023, has a rear subframe that matches the color of the body. The traditional Tricolored option now goes by the moniker “Glint Wave Blue Metallic Tricolored,” thanks to its blue front “face,” blue front fender, and blue tail section with red and white accents. The third hue honors Honda’s history in off-road racing by paying tribute to the iconic “CRF” Grand Prix Red.
Engine
The 1,084cc, 8-valve parallel-twin engine generates a maximum torque of 105Nm at 6,250 rpm and 75kW at 7,500 rpm. 46mm throttle bodies feed the inlet ports, and the bore and cylinder pitches are matched to generate a smooth air intake profile. The diameter is 92mm, the stroke is 81.5mm, and the compression ratio is 10.1:1. Direct spraying into the twin-spark combustion chambers is accomplished by coordinating the ECU setting and injector angle.
The MX competition-specific Honda CRF450R has an SOHC Unicom valve train, and the low-set position of the cast camshaft helps keep the cylinder head and overall engine package small. The intake valves are 10.1mm in diameter, while the exhaust valves are 9.3mm in diameter. Aluminum cylinder sleeves save weight, and the engine’s distinctive “throb” is produced by a crankshaft that is rotated at an angle of 270 degrees.
The crankcases are divided horizontally, and a thermostat built into the cylinder head effectively houses the water pump within the clutch casing. The engine’s balancer shafts power the water and oil pumps, and the manual and DCT variants have similar crank cases with slight exterior variations.
It has an in-tank lower crankcase oil storage system and a semi-dry-sump design. As a result, the pan depth may be reduced, keeping the engine’s overall height low. No pressure-feed path is required since the pressure-fed pump is housed within the tank from which it draws its oil. While the employment of biaxial balancing shafts eliminates fundamental inertial and coupling vibrations, secondary vibrations are dampened by the reciprocating action of the pistons.
With the switch to the 1100cc engine for 2020, the clutch diameter was smaller than the previous design, with reduced spring tension for a lighter lever feel. The aluminum clutch center and pressure plate use “assist” cams to ease upshifts and “slipper” cams for deceleration and downshifting. The six-speed manual gearbox has the same shift-cam architecture as the CRF450R to guarantee favorable transitions. Still available as an add-on is a quick shifter.
A variable Exhaust Control Valve (ECV), very similar to the one installed on the Fire blade, is included in the exhaust end-can. It opens at higher rpm and produces a pleasant exhaust “pulse” at lower rpm, delivering improved engine performance and economy.
Chassis
The Bosch MM7.10 six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which is tucked away in the center of the vehicle and monitors roll angle/rate, pitch angle/rate, and yaw angle/rate in real time, is the key to the Africa Twin’s superior on- and off-road performance. It adds Rear Lift Control and assists in controlling rear wheel traction through TBW and HSTC, front brake grip via cornering ABS, front wheel lift via Wheelie Control, and front and rear wheel lift via Wheelie Control.
The steel semi-double cradle frame’s strength and stiffness balance revolve around improved off-road capability while supporting its all-around on-road characteristics. The main spars are slender and straight with no front cross pipe, and rigidity around the steering head is maximized to improve the feel of the front-end grip. The wheelbase is 1574mm, the rake and trail are 27° 30’/113mm, and the ground clearance is 250mm—229 kilograms when wet (240 kg dry).
A 195mm width is possible with a bolt-on aluminum subframe, which is essential for a shorter ground reach. Inspired by the CRF450R’s design, the lightweight aluminum swingarm enhances rider feel and rear wheel traction.
The 45mm Showa cartridge-type inverted front fork has a 230mm stroke length and internal adjustments for excellent on- and off-road performance. It delivers long-travel bump absorption: fully adjustable rebound and compression damping. Two bolts clamp the fork legs on each side of a cast aluminum top yoke and a forged aluminum bottom yoke connected by a hollow aluminum stem shaft.
The Showa rear shock has 220mm of axle travel. It incorporates a 46mm cylinder and remote reservoir for steady damping adjustment in challenging off-road riding situations, matching the front suspension. A dial on the shock body may change the spring preload, and the rebound and compression damping are also completely adjustable.
The inner plates of the swing arm pivot points are made of 600MPa high-strength steel, and the top cross tube connecting them serves as the upper mount for the rear shock (through a pillow-ball joint), enhancing the sense of the rear wheel’s traction.
Lean angle, deceleration (from front/rear wheel speed sensors), and slip rate of the show and rear wheels are all taken into account by the IMU to control braking pressure via the ABS. If it notices an abrupt rear wheel lift, it also carefully regulates brake power to preserve stability. For off-road riding, the rear ABS may be disabled while the vehicle is stationary.
Two 310mm ‘wave’ floating discs are operated by sintered pads utilizing small two-piece radial-mount four-piston calipers. The back 256mm “wave” disc has shape and whole punching. 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tires are mounted on 21/18-inch, spoked stainless steel wheels at the front and back. For block pattern tires with Continental ratings of 180 km/h and 160 km/h, respectively (90/90-21M/C 54S and 150/70B 18M/C 70Q), fitment is permitted.
2023 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Motorcycle – Technical Specifications
Engine
Type | SOHC Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin including 270° crank and Uni-cam |
Displacement | 1084cc |
Bore x Stroke | 92mm x 81.5mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.1:1 |
Max. Power Output | 75kW at 7,500rpm |
Max. Torque | 105Nm at 6,250rpm |
Noise Level | L-urban73.5dB, L-wot79.2dB – MT; L-urban 73.6dB, L-wot 79.4dB – DCT |
Oil Capacity | 4.8/4.3 (5.2/4.7 DCT) |
Fuel System
Carburation | PGM-FI |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8L |
CO2 Emissions | 112g/km MT 110g/km DCT |
Fuel Consumption | 4.9L/100km (20.4km/L) MT 4.8L/100km (20.8km/L) DCT |
Electrical System
Starter | Electric |
Battery Capacity | 12V-6Ah Li-ion BATTERY (20Hr) |
ACG Output | 0.49 kW / 5000rpm |
Drivetrain
Clutch Type | Wet, multi-plate featuring coil springs, aluminum cam assist, and slipper clutch DCT – 2 wet multi-plate clutches with coil springs |
Transmission Type | 6 Speed Manual (6 Speed DCT) |
Frame
Type | Semi-Double Cradle |
Chassis
Dimensions (L´W´H) | 2,330mm x 960mm x 1,395mm |
Wheelbase | 1,575mm |
Caster Angle | 27.5° |
Trail | 113mm |
Seat Height | 850/870mm (low seat option 825mm, high seat option 895mm) |
Ground Clearance | 250mm |
Kerb Weight | 229kg (DCT 240kg) |
Suspension
Type front | A 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with dial-style preload adjuster and df adjustments, 230mm stroke. |
Type Rear | Monoblock aluminum swing arm with Pro-Link with SHOWA gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustments, 220 mm rear wheel travel. |
Wheels
Type Front | 21M/C x 2.15 wire spoke with aluminum rim |
Type Rear | 18M/C x 4.00 wire spoke with aluminum rim |
Rim Size Front | 21″ |
Rim Size Rear | 18″ |
Tyres Front | 90/90-21M/C 54H (tube type) (Bridgestone BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS TOURER/ AX41T Metzler KAROO STREET) |
Tires Rear | 150/70R18M/C 70H (tube type) (Bridgestone BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS TOURER/ AX41T Metzler KAROO STREET) |
Brakes
ABS System Type | Two channels with IMU Selectable ABS MODE featuring ON road and OFF road setting |
Type Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc including aluminum hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers & sintered metal pads |
Type Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc featuring single-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. |
Instruments & Electrics
Instruments | LCD meter, TFT 6.5inch touch panel multi-information display |
Security System | Immobiliser, security alarm (optional) |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
Electrics | Daytime running lights, Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay, Android Auto, USB Socket, cruise control, auto turn signal cancel, emergency stop signal, IMU, HSTC, wheelie control |