Honda Africa Twin Review: The Adventure Bike Everyone’s Quietly Dreaming About

You know that feeling when the highway ends, the tarmac crumbles into gravel, and your brain lights up—but your bike quietly says, "Absolutely not"? Maybe its too heavy, too fragile, or just not built for that kind of fun. So you turn around, stay on the safe roads, and file yet another "what if" under missed adventures.

Thats the problem with a lot of big adventure motorcycles: they look like round-the-world weapons, but in real life theyre intimidating, heavy, and expensive to drop. You want something that can cross continents and play in the dirt without feeling like youre wrestling a refrigerator on stilts.

Enter the solution: the Honda Africa Twin.

Honda's legendary ADV icon has been reimagined for the modern rider: lighter than many big-bore rivals, genuinely capable off-road, and packed with smart electronics that help rather than overwhelm. Its that rare adventure bike that actually wants you to leave the map behindeven if youre not a pro rider.

Why this specific model?

The Honda Africa Twin (CRF1100L) sits in a sweet spot few others manage to hit. On paper its a 1,084 cc parallel-twin adventure bike, offered in multiple trims (manual and DCT automatic, standard and Adventure Sports, with and without electronic suspension depending on market and year). In practice, its a confidence machine.

Heres what that actually means for you on the road and trail:

• Manageable weight compared with big ADV whales  At around the mid-230 kg range wet depending on trim, the Africa Twin is lighter than a lot of 1200+ cc competitors. That translates into less drama at low speed, easier U-turns on gravel, and fewer heart-stopping moments when the ground suddenly disappears under your boot.
• Real-world power, not spec-sheet flex  The 1,084 cc twin pumps out roughly 100 hp and strong midrange torque (exact figures vary slightly by year and market). You get punch for highway passing and loaded touring, but the power delivery is smooth and predictable enough for technical trails and wet cobblestones.
• 21-inch front wheel and long-travel suspension  This is a huge deal off-road. The 21 front wheel and 18 rear, plus long-travel suspension, help the bike float over ruts, rocks, and potholes where 19/17 road-biased ADVs start to feel out of their depth.
• Electronics that earn their keep  Ride modes, traction control (HSTC), wheelie control, cornering ABS, and optional Showa EERA electronic suspension on some Adventure Sports variants. Instead of a wall of acronyms for the brochure, these settings let you tailor the bike to fully loaded touring, city commuting, or loose gravelwithout needing a race engineer.
• Optional DCT: auto shifting that actually makes sense  Hondas Dual Clutch Transmission is polarizing in theory and beloved in practice. Many riders on forums and Reddit say that once they adjust, they appreciate having one less thing to manage when picking through rocks, steep climbs, and traffic. You still get manual override via paddle shifters.

Crucially, the Africa Twin doesnt just spec well; it feels purpose-built. The upright ergonomics, slim midsection for its class, and wide handlebars make it feel more like an oversized dirt bike than a bloated tourer. Thats exactly what experienced overlanders and first-time ADV riders consistently praise.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
1,084 cc parallel-twin engine	Strong, usable torque for loaded touring and off-road climbs without feeling overwhelming for intermediate riders.
Approx. 100 hp output (model/year dependent)	Enough power for effortless highway cruising and overtakes while remaining controllable in low-traction conditions.
21 front / 18 rear wheel combination	Better stability and rollover ability on dirt, gravel, and ruts compared with more road-focused 19 front setups.
Selectable ride modes + Honda Selectable Torque Control	Dial in traction and throttle response for rain, touring, off-road, or custom setups at the touch of a button.
Cornering ABS and wheelie control (varies by trim/year)	Extra safety and stability when braking or accelerating on uneven or wet surfaces, especially for newer ADV riders.
Optional DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)	Clutchless, automatic or semi-manual shifting that reduces fatigue in traffic and tricky technical terrain.
TFT display with smartphone connectivity (on recent models)	Navigation, calls, and media integration help turn the bike into a modern touring platform without clutter.

(Always verify current-year specs on Hondas official site for your market, as equipment and figures can vary by region and model year.)

What Users Are Saying

The community sentiment around the Honda Africa Twin is strikingly consistent across owner forums, YouTube comments, and Reddit threads: its rarely the flashiest bike in the lineup, but its the one riders actually keep and rack up miles on.

Common praise:

• Comfort and ergonomics  Riders report being able to ride all day with minimal fatigue, especially on Adventure Sports models with larger screens and more wind protection.
• Off-road confidence  Many ADV owners say the Africa Twin feels more natural in the dirt than larger 1250+ cc adventure bikes. The 21 front wheel and chassis geometry give it a planted, predictable feel.
• Honda reliability  Stories of multi-thousand-mile trips with nothing more than basic maintenance are common. This is a big deal for those planning remote or international travel.
• DCT love from converts  While some purists remain skeptical, a large chunk of owners say that after a short learning curve, they wouldnt go backespecially for mixed commuting and adventure use.

Frequent complaints and trade-offs:

• Seat height  Like most legit ADV bikes, the Africa Twin is tall. Shorter riders often mention needing lower seats or suspension tweaks to feel fully confident at stops.
• Weight vs. mid-size ADVs  Its lighter than many "big" ADVs, but still heavier than middleweights like the Honda Transalp or Yamaha Tnr 700. If you want a pure dirt toy, this isnt it.
• Wind protection (standard model)  Taller riders sometimes wish the non-Adventure Sports version had a bigger screen from the factory.
• Electronics menus  While powerful, some users feel the TFT interface and settings structure could be more intuitive at first glance.

Overall, the vibe is clear: the Africa Twin might not generate the loudest hype, but owners tend to quietly fall in love with itand keep it.

Alternatives vs. Honda Africa Twin

The adventure market is crowded, and if youre shopping the Africa Twin, youre probably also looking at these:

• BMW R 1300 GS / R 1250 GS  The benchmark big-bore ADV, with more power and tech but also more weight and a notably higher price. Outstanding for road touring, but can feel heavier and more complex off-road compared with the Africa Twin.
• KTM 1290 Super Adventure  A rocket ship with dirt credentials. More aggressive, more performance-focused, and more demanding. Great if you crave maximum power and are willing to stay on top of maintenance and complexity.
• Yamaha Tnr 700  Lighter and simpler, with a definite off-road bias. Fantastic for riders who prioritize dirt over long-distance comfort. However, it offers fewer touring comforts and less sophisticated electronics than the Africa Twin.
• Honda XL750 Transalp (where available)  The Africa Twins smaller sibling. Easier to manage for newer riders, lighter, and more budget-friendlybut without the same long-haul presence, torque, or big-bike stability.

Where the Honda Africa Twin really stands apart is its balance: enough displacement and tech to cross continents, but a chassis and character that still invite you onto single-lane gravel and fire roads. For many riders, its the practical, long-term choice versus the more extreme or more expensive alternatives.

Behind the bike sits Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (ISIN: JP3854600008), a company whose reputation for reliability and global dealer support is a major part of the appeal if youre thinking about real overland travel.

Final Verdict

If youre tired of adventure bikes that only really make sense in Instagram photos, the Honda Africa Twin is the reset button.

Its not the most powerful ADV on the market, nor the lightest, nor the flashiest. Instead, it focuses on the stuff that matters once youre 300 miles from home on a road youve never seen before: predictable handling, reliable engineering, sensible electronics, ergonomic comfort, and a chassis that genuinely welcomes dirt without punishing mistakes.

You get a big-bike feel without being bullied by the weight. You get tech that lets you tailor the ride to your skill and mood, without needing a software manual. And you get a platform trusted by riders who measure their years in miles, not just in likes.

If your idea of the perfect weekend is pointing at a squiggly line on the map and saying, "Lets see where that goes," the Honda Africa Twin deserves a place at the top of your shortlist.

Just be warned: once you stop turning around at the end of the pavement, its very hard to go back.