Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Review 2024: The Ultimate Adventure Motorcycle

The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin has long been regarded as the benchmark for adventure motorcycles. With its rugged design, powerful engine, and advanced features, the Africa Twin continues to dominate the off-road and on-road adventures. In this blog post, we will delve into the 2024 edition of the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin and explore its key features, performance, and why it remains the top choice for adventure enthusiasts.

Design and Ergonomics of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin boasts a striking design that combines both aggressive styling and practicality. The motorcycle features a twin-spar aluminum frame that provides excellent rigidity while keeping the weight low. Its slim fuel tank design allows for easy maneuverability, and the adjustable windscreen offers protection from wind and debris on long rides.

The ergonomics of the Africa Twin have been carefully optimized for all-day comfort. The seat is well-padded and positioned to provide a comfortable riding position, whether standing or sitting. The handlebars are wide and offer a natural grip, reducing fatigue during long rides. Overall, the design and ergonomics of the Africa Twin make it a joy to ride in any terrain.

The styling changes to the 2024 Africa Twin are not only meant to distinguish it from its predecessor, but also to improve the riding experience. The new nose fairing now includes a five-position adjustable screen at the front, while the rear seat unit allows for the rider’s seat to be set at either 850mm or 870mm in height.

Additionally, there are “comfort” and “low” seats available as options, which can lower the seat height to 825mm or raise it to 885mm. If you choose the ES model, which features EERA suspension, you will also receive heated grips as a standard feature, along with an accessory charging socket. Fuel consumption is rated at 57.9mpg, which should give you a range of over 235 miles from the 18.8-litre tank.

Engine and Performance of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

Powering the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin is a 1084cc parallel-twin engine that delivers impressive performance both on and off-road. The engine is capable of producing 101 horsepower, providing ample power to conquer any terrain. The throttle response is smooth and immediate, allowing for precise control in challenging situations.

The Africa Twin is equipped with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) system, which offers seamless gear changes without interrupting power delivery. The DCT system can be operated in both automatic and manual modes, giving riders the flexibility to choose their preferred riding style. Additionally, the Africa Twin features multiple riding modes, including Tour, Urban, Gravel, and Off-Road, allowing riders to customize the bike’s performance to suit their needs.

The basics of the 1084cc, single-overhead-cam parallel twin engine are carried over from the previous model, with no changes to the 100hp peak power. However, internally there are some substantial changes contributing to a 7% increase in peak torque, now at 82.6 lb-ft, with improvements across most of the rev range. The updates start with a new compression ratio of 10.5:1, up from 10.1:1. This change not only makes the torque peak higher but also brings it down in the rev range from 6250rpm on the old model to just 5500rpm on the 2024 bike. Further revisions include the adoption of wider airbox intake ducts, which are now 35mm in diameter compared to the previous 29mm.

Additionally, the throttle trumpets inside the airbox are now 65mm longer. The engine electronics have been suitably tweaked to account for these changes. As before, there is a 270-degree crank to give a V-twin-style delivery. The exhaust has also been revised with a new silencer that is lighter than the old version and internally reworked to improve performance and provide a more appealing engine note. As usual, there are four preset riding modes – Tour, Urban, Gravel, and Off-Road – each altering the power level (Tour being the highest and Gravel being the lowest) and the engine-braking, as well as the settings for the cornering ABS.

There is also wheelie control and seven-level traction control, along with two rider-programmable riding modes. While the base model has a six-speed manual transmission with an assist-and-slipper clutch and the option of a quickshifter, around half of Africa Twin buyers opt for the DCT transmission with two clutches, which allows for seamless electronically-operated shifts. The 2024 DCT system is essentially the same as before but with setting tweaks to improve how the clutch is fed in when starting from standstill, and the shift points in automatic mode are adjusted to suit the new torque curve.

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Suspension and Handling of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

One of the standout features of the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin is its exceptional suspension setup. The motorcycle is equipped with fully adjustable Showa suspension, including a 45mm upside-down fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. This setup provides excellent damping characteristics and ensures a smooth ride, even over rough terrains.

The Africa Twin’s handling is precise and predictable, thanks to its well-balanced weight distribution and low center of gravity. The motorcycle feels stable in corners and inspires confidence in riders of all skill levels. Whether tackling twisty mountain roads or navigating through challenging off-road trails, the Africa Twin offers exceptional control and stability.

There have been no changes to the frame of the 2024 Africa Twin (it was updated for the 2020 model). However, there is a new option for the model: the Showa ‘Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment’ (EERA) electronically-adjustable suspension. Previously only available on the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, this setup has the same travel as the standard suspension – 230mm front, 220mm rear – but automatically adjusts the damping settings based on speed, stance, and attitude using information from the built-in inertial measurement unit and the fork stroke sensor.

It takes just 0.015 of a second to make the calculations and automatically adjust the damper settings, meaning it is constantly reacting to road conditions and your riding style. The setup can also be programmed to change the damping behavior as speed increases and can even recognize certain conditions and pre-prepare itself, for example, to be ready to land from jumps or to reduce dive during heavy braking. There are five preprogrammed modes: Hard, Mid, and Soft, which are self-explanatory and automatically selected with Tour, Urban, and Gravel riding modes respectively, while the Off-Road EERA setting changes fork damping relative to stroke speed and firms up the rear end.

It is automatically selected with the Off-Road riding mode. In the ‘User’ riding modes, you can preselect from 24 steps of front and rear preload. If you don’t want the cost and complexity of the EERA suspension, the standard 45mm USD forks and 46mm remote-reservoir shock from Showa offer conventionally adjustable preload and damping. However, there is no option to have the base suspension and the DCT transmission – if you want the seamless-shift gearbox, you’re getting EERA as well.

Braking is achieved via radial four-pot calipers and 310mm wavy discs at the front, plus a single-piston caliper and 256mm disc at the rear. Cornering ABS is standard, and the rear ABS can be deactivated in Off-Road mode. As before, the wheels are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, with 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tires (Metzeler Karoo Street as standard, Michelin Anakee Wild as an option), but unlike earlier models, the tires are now tubeless rather than tubed. The base Africa Twin is the lightest variant at 231kg wet, while the EERA suspension adds 2 kilograms. The DCT model, with EERA as standard, comes in at 244kg.

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Technology and Features of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin comes packed with advanced technology and features that enhance both safety and convenience. One of the key features is the full-color TFT display, which provides essential information at a glance, including speed, gear position, fuel level, and more. The display is also compatible with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to pair their smartphones for navigation and music control.

The Africa Twin is equipped with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which offers three levels of traction control to suit different riding conditions. Additionally, the motorcycle features cornering ABS, ensuring optimal braking performance even when leaning into corners. LED lighting all around enhances visibility during night rides or in adverse weather conditions.

The equipment levels for the Africa Twin are already high, and the 2024 model maintains that standard. It features a large, 6.5-inch color TFT dash that provides access to all the main functions, including the riding modes and EERA suspension settings (when equipped). Additionally, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, allowing for connectivity and app-based navigation and media. There is a USB socket for phone attachment, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for helmet headsets.

Other notable features include full LED lighting and an Emergency Stop Signal function that flashes the hazard lights during hard braking. Cruise control is also included as standard, although Honda has not yet implemented the radar-assisted cruise system found in an increasing number of its competitors, such as BMW’s new R1300GS, KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure, and Guzzi’s upcoming Stelvio.

Adventure-Ready Features of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin is an adventure motorcycle that boasts a wide array of features specifically designed to conquer any adventure thrown its way. With its impressive and spacious fuel tank, this motorcycle offers ample storage space for long journeys, and if that’s not enough, optional panniers can be added for even more storage capacity. Additionally, the Africa Twin is equipped with handguards that serve as a shield, protecting the rider’s hands from any potential debris or branches that may come their way while venturing off-road.

But that’s not all! The Africa Twin is also built with high ground clearance and a sturdy skid plate, providing much-needed protection against rocks and other obstacles that may be encountered on rough terrains. This means that riders can confidently navigate through challenging environments without worrying about damaging their beloved motorcycle.

Furthermore, the Africa Twin features spoked wheels that are tubeless-ready, which is a fantastic feature for those embarking on remote adventures. In the unfortunate event of a puncture, this tubeless capability allows for easy repairs, ensuring that riders can quickly get back on the road and continue their journey without any major setbacks.

With its robust construction and an array of adventure-ready features, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin is the perfect companion for those seeking to embark on epic journeys. Whether it’s conquering rugged terrains or exploring remote areas, this motorcycle is built to handle it all with confidence, making it an excellent choice for adventure enthusiasts everywhere.

Price and Availability of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

Although the starting price of £13,199 allows you to get a 2024 Africa Twin for thousands less than a BMW R1250GS Adventure, it’s easy to increase that amount by selecting a few key optional extras. Adding the newly available Showa electronic suspension, which is only offered on the 2024 ‘ES’ variant of the Africa Twin, will add an additional £1500 to the base price.

Furthermore, if you desire the clever DCT dual-clutch, seamless-shift, semi-automatic transmission, you must start with the electronic suspension version. Opting for DCT will increase the final price by another £1200, bringing the total to £15,899. Additionally, choosing one of the four options packs can push the price even higher. The Rally Pack includes wider pegs, a quickshifter (only available on the manual version), a foot shifter (for the DCT bike), engine guards, knuckle guard extensions, and stripes. The Adventure pack offers body protection pipes, fog lights, and a tank bag. The Urban Pack includes a 58-litre top box, heated grips, and a center stand.

Lastly, the Travel Pack provides alloy or plastic panniers that offer 70 liters of additional luggage space, along with air deflectors on the fairing. The color options include red, black, or the classic white/blue ‘Tricolour’ scheme, although the latter is only available on the ES model.

Technical Specification of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

New price	From £13,199
Capacity	1,084cc
Bore x Stroke	92mm x 81.5mm
Engine layout	Parallel twin
Engine details	Liquid-cooled, SOHC UniCam 8-valve, 270-degree crank
Power	100.5bhp (75kW) @ 7,500rpm
Torque	82.6lb-ft (112Nm) @ 5,500rpm
Transmission	6-speed, chain final drive, optional seamless DCT transmission or quickshifter
Average fuel consumption	57.9 mpg
Tank size	18.8litres
Max range to empty	238 miles (MT) 243 miles (DCT)
Rider aids	Traction control, six riding modes, cornering ABS, wheelie control
Frame	Steel semi double cradle
Front suspension	Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork, 230mm stroke. Optional EERA electronic suspension
Front suspension adjustment	Dial-style preload adjuster and damping adjustments, optional electronic adjustment.
Rear suspension	Monoblock aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with Showa gas-charged damper, 220 mm rear wheel travel. Optional EERA electronic suspension.
Rear suspension adjustment	Hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustments. Optional electronic adjustment.
Front brake	2 x 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads
Rear brake	256mm wave hydraulic disc with single piston caliper and sintered metal pads.
Front wheel / tyre	21M/C x MT2.15 wire spoke with aluminium rim, 90/90-21M/C 54H tubeless Metzler Karoo Street
Rear wheel / tyre	18M/C x MT4.00 wire spoke with aluminium rim, 150/70R18M/C 70H tubeless Metzler Karoo Street
Dimensions (LxWxH)	2,330mm x 960mm x 1,485mm
Wheelbase	1575mm
Seat height	850/870mm (Low Seat option 825mm, Comfort Seat option 885mm)
Weight	MT: 231kg, ‘ES’ MT: 233kg, ‘ES’ DCT:244kg
Warranty	2 years, unlimited miles
Servicing	TBC
MCIA Secured Rating	Not yet rated

Verdict of the 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

The 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, known for its unmatched performance and versatility, continues to stand out as a dominant force in the adventure motorcycle segment. With its rugged design, powerful engine, advanced technology, and adventure-ready features, this motorcycle is truly a force to reckon with. Whether you’re an experienced rider seeking exhilarating off-road adventures or a beginner embarking on your first adventure motorcycling journey, the Africa Twin proves to be an ideal companion.

Its combination of durability, power, and innovation ensures that you can confidently conquer any terrain, be it on-road or off-road. So, if you’re ready to experience the thrill of adventure and explore new horizons, look no further than the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin!

See more at: Moto In World