2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
With its aggressive appearance, enjoyable engine and capable chassis, the CRF1000L Africa Twin platform has proven itself a true modern-day all-rounder, winning fans among a broad range of consumers. Since its 2016 rebirth, the versatile Africa Twin can often be spotted in a wide variety of applications, from months-long round-the-world expeditions, to Backcountry Discovery Routes, to morning freeway commutes. Whether tackling Africa's badlands in reality or just in the rider's imagination, the Africa Twin has proven to be an admirable choice for delivering "True Adventure" experiences.
For 2020, all iterations of the Africa Twin—the standard version and the Adventure Sports ES, each of which is available with either a manual transmission or automatic DCT—take big steps forward in terms of features and capability, thanks to a long list of improvements. In addition, the two versions diverge in terms of specialization, with the standard type being honed to improve its sporting and off-road performance, while the Adventure Sports ES benefits from technology that improves comfort and confidence when tackling long distances.
Both versions pack more power and torque into a lighter overall package—in keeping with the first principals set out for the original Africa Twin. Both receive an 86cc increase in displacement; an updated frame with optimized handling characteristics; a new, separate aluminum rear subframe; a new, CRF450R-style aluminum swingarm; a new, full-color touchscreen meter; and Apple CarPlay® compatibility. In addition, a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) makes possible the addition of wheelie control, cornering ABS, rear-lift control, DCT cornering detection and cornering lights.
Despite sharing those improvements, each of the two Africa Twin types has a role very much its own. The standard version has a sharply renewed focus on sporting and off-road use, whereas the Adventure Sports ES offers riders real long-haul ability and practicality, boasting Showa's intelligent Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment suspension (EERA™).
HISTORY
Since the 1988 introduction of the XRV650 in Europe, Honda's Africa Twin concept has come to represent the "True Adventure" ethos of ADV riding. That original version, based on the NXR750 and NXR800 factory racers that swept the Dakar Rally between 1986 and 1989, created a new market, grew into the XRV750 in 1990 and sold over 73,000 units before it was discontinued in 2001. The Africa Twin was reborn in 2016 with the CRF1000L, also offered in extra-European markets including the U.S. In 2019 the standard Africa Twin was joined by the more touring-focused Adventure Sports version, with improved wind protection, greater fuel capacity and longer-travel suspension. As was the case with the original, the modern Africa Twin has been a global hit with a wide array of adventure-riding enthusiasts, selling over 87,000 units worldwide. Now, 2020 is set to be a landmark model year for the Africa Twin.
DESIGN / STYLING
While the basic "True Adventure" concept is retained for 2020, with both Africa Twin types featuring a high-mount front fairing, upright body position and 21- and 18-inch front and rear wheels, respectively, the styling is now more advanced to express the model's heritage.
The standard version features a slim, lightweight look, with compact lines that befit its off-road focus. Its minimalist, fixed windscreen is significantly shorter than in 2019 to ease front-rear bodyweight transfers during aggressive riding in rough terrain, though the amount of wind buffeting on the chest at high speeds is also reduced(An accessory high screen is available.) The fuel tank still holds 5.0 gallons, the tires and spoke wheels are still tube-type, and there's no rear rack, for a narrow rear. The standard Africa Twin is offered in Matte Black Metallic.
The appearance of the Adventure Sports ES version can be described as dignified but tough, with a 6.5 gallon tank for maximum range, an expanded front fairing that offers ample wind and weather protection, a substantial aluminum skid plate and an aluminum rear rack. To adapt to varying body types and riding conditions, the Adventure Sports ES version has a new screen that adjustable between five positions via a knob, and it's higher than that of the standard type (165mm higher in the low position, 225mm higher when in the high position). The Adventure Sports ES now has tubeless tires, and its seat has been lowered by nearly two inches compared to 2019, to match that of the standard version. Heated grips and an accessory charger are standard. The Adventure Sports ES comes in Pearl Glare White/Blue.
Both iterations of the 2020 Africa Twin have a handlebar that is 22mm higher than the 2019 standard version, for a comfortable riding stance whether seated or standing; whereas the Adventure Sports ES version and standard version previously used different risers, both now share the same handlebar height. Similarly, two versions now share the same seat heights, adjustable between two positions: 34.3 inches and 33.6 inches. (To allow even more adjustment, higher and lower seats are available as accessories.) Ground clearance remains 9.8 inches.
Curb weight for the Adventure Sports ES is 530 pounds (3 less than the previous model), while the standard version weighs 501 pounds (a 5 pound reduction). In both cases, DCT adds 23 pounds.
ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY
As was the case last year, throttle-by-wire is used. New for 2020, the Africa Twin features a Bosch MM7.10 IMU, which performs real-time six-axis measurement (angle and rate for roll, pitch and yaw) to identify the motorcycle's position and movement. This addition enabled improvements in the accuracy of various controls and systems, including shifting, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), suspension, braking and lighting.
A bright new 6.5 inch thin film transistor (TFT) LCD touch panel simplifies viewing, understanding and managing a plethora of data while concentrating on riding. Users can select from three screen-display arrangements and background colors, depending on personal preference.
The meter is compatible with Apple CarPlay® and can be connected to smartphones or headsets via Bluetooth (check state laws for legality). By connecting an Apple iPhone via a USB cable, riders and passengers can issue voice-control commands via a headset microphone in order to use the phone or apps like Music, Maps and social networks, as well as Apple authentication.
For 2020, the Adventure Sports ES version also has three-stage cornering lighting for optimal illumination depending on the corner type. Interpreting information from the IMU to determine the motorcycle's lean angle, the system provides auxiliary illumination from a pair of lights below the headlights; the greater the lean angle, the more light is spread toward the inside of the corner. Cruise control is now standard on both versions.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
Engineers wanted increased output in order to achieve improved touring capability, so the Africa Twin's engine has undergone an 86cc growth in displacement, from 998cc to 1,084cc, achieved via a 6.5mm increase in stroke, from 75.0mm to 81.5mm (bore remains unchanged at 92.0mm). Between that and a new cylinder head, horsepower is boosted by approximately 6%. The water-cooled, single-overhead cam, eight-valve, parallel-twin engine configuration remains the same, but details just as piston and crank profiles were updated, and the cylinder sleeves are now aluminum. The engine is now lighter than before—by 4.9 pounds with a DCT, and by 5.5 pounds with the manual transmission.
As before, the 270° phased crankshaft and uneven firing interval create the engine's distinctive throb and feel for rear-wheel traction. The cylinder head, however, is completely revised, as is the throttle body (now 2mm larger, at 46mm, and the bore and cylinder pitches are now aligned to create a smooth air-intake profile). The ECU setting is new, and the injector angle has been modified to deliver a more direct spray into the reshaped twin-spark combustion chambers.
The crankcases are split vertically, and the water pump is housed within the clutch casing, with a thermostat integrated into the cylinder head. The water and oil pumps are driven by the engine's balancer shafts. These features contribute to the engine being compact and short, and to optimize ground clearance, a crucial element for off-road performance.
Honda's SOHC Unicam® valve train is a feature of the CRF450R motocrosser, and the low-set position of the cast camshaft contributes to the compact nature of the cylinder head. The valve timing has been optimized for 2020 and intake- and exhaust-valve lift increased to 10.1mm and 9.3mm, respectively (from 9.2mm and 8.6mm).
The engine uses a semi-dry sump and in-tank lower-crankcase oil storage, allowing a shallow pan depth and reducing overall engine height. As the pressure-fed pump is located within the oil tank, there is no need for a pressure-feed passage, again saving weight and space. For 2020, precision of the front and rear balance gears has been improved, allowing removal of their scissor gears.
Exhaust System
The Africa Twin's displacement increase necessitated a review of the entire exhaust system (both its advanced hardware and its highly accurate software), and engineers capitalized on the opportunity to set a world-best standard for environmental compatibility. The muffler features a single inlet and dual outlets, with an Exhaust Control Valve (ECV)—similar to that on the CBR1000RR sport bike—located just downstream of the split, in the main pipe. The exhaust valve closes off the larger pipe at low rpm for a pulsating feel but opens at high rpm so that gases exit through both pipes for improved output.
The dual catalytic converters are more compact, which is possible because generation of a swirl-flow enables the exhaust gases to be evenly applied to those catalyzers' surfaces. The result is not only reduced power loss, but efficient exhaust-gas purification. The catalytic converters are positioned closer to the center of gravity, contributing to improved handling feel through the centralization of mass.
Lean-air/fuel sensors (LAF) positioned in the single muffler, at the upstream end of both exhaust pipes, constantly monitor the combustion status of each cylinder and apply appropriate fine-combustion control, thereby achieving excellent emission performance.
Transmission
Honda's advanced automatic DCT technology has been improved on the 2020 Africa Twin. It's now 4.9 pounds lighter, the new IMU allows the addition of cornering detection for optimized shift timing, and the algorithm has been refined to smoothen acceleration from a dead stop.
In the world of powersports, Honda is a pioneer with DCT, having first offered it on the 2009 VRF1200. The 2016 reintroduction of the Africa Twin welcomed DCT to the adventure category, and it was well-received, thanks in part to the fact that it enables riders to focus attention on line selection and throttle control during off-road going, without concern of stalling. Globally, approximately half of Africa Twin customers choose DCT versions.
DCT delivers consistent, rapid, seamless gear changes, and very quickly becomes second nature to use. It utilizes two clutches—one for startup and first, third and fifth gears, the other for second, fourth and sixth, with the main shaft for one clutch located inside that of the other. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear through the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as the second clutch simultaneously engages. As the twin clutches transfer drive from one gear to the next with minimal interruption to rear-wheel drive, gear-change shock and pitching of the machine are minimized, resulting in shifts that are not only smooth, but direct. The extra benefits of durability (as the gears cannot be damaged by missing a shift), low-stress urban riding and reduced rider fatigue add to the appeal of DCT.
With DCT on the Africa Twin, three modes of gear-change operation are available:
- AT D ("Drive"): An automatic setting that is ideal for daily city and highway riding, when comfort and optimum fuel efficiency are prioritized.
- AT S ("Sport"): An automatic setting that is suited for sportier riding, as the ECU lets the engine rev a little higher before shifting up, and shifts down sooner when decelerating, for extra engine braking. There are three memorize-able sub-settings within S mode, from the more "torquey," moderately sporty Level 1, to the sportiest Level 3.
- MT ("Manual"): A setting that gives full manual control, allowing the rider to change gears via handlebar triggers.
In the two automatic modes, immediate manual intervention is possible; the rider simply selects the required gear using the up and down shift triggers on the left side of the handlebar. After an appropriate interval (depending on throttle angle, vehicle speed and gear position), the DCT seamlessly reverts back to automatic mode.
In a function carried over from the previous model, a G-Switch enables the rider to select the riding feel, depending on factors like surface conditions. With the G-Switch turned off, the clutches are allowed to "slip" against engine torque, for a smooth reaction to throttle operation; benefits include increased assurance during situations like low-speed U-turns, for example, and mitigated fatigue during long-distance riding. On the other hand, turning on the G-Switch results in reduced clutch "slip," allowing the rider to more readily slide the rear tire via throttle input, in order to maneuver the bike.
Further functionality for the DCT system comes in the form of incline detection, adapting the gear-shift pattern depending on the grade of an incline.
Manual-transmission versions of the Africa Twin are once again offered for customers who still enjoy making gear selections themselves, and this gearbox is 5.5 pounds lighter than in 2019. The six-speed manual gearbox uses the same shift-cam design as found on the CRF450R to ensure positive gear changes, and it uses shorter ratios for 2020. The gears themselves are also reshaped and constructed from a stronger material. The aluminum clutch center and pressure plate use "assist" cams to ease shifting (with light lever feel) and "slipper" cams for deceleration and downshifting. The clutch now has a smaller diameter and features reduced spring tension for lighter lever feel.
An accessory quick shifter is available to eliminate the need to use the clutch or close the throttle during gear changes. When the shift pedal is operated, the shift rod's stroke sensor converts that movement into electronic signals, and the system considers ECU information such as vehicle speed, engine acceleration, deceleration condition and gear position in order to determine timing of the fuel-injection interruption, the throttle-valve opening and the ignition timing, thereby lowering the drive load on the transmission gear for shifting.
HSTC
With an IMU for 2020, the Africa Twin's Honda Selectable Torque Control is more advanced, enabling much smoother slide control and the addition of wheelie control, assisting riders of widely ranging skill levels by improving acceleration performance and increasing confidence.
With HSTC, the ECU uses data from sensors on the front and rear wheels to identify different situations. When the rear wheel accelerates suddenly but the front wheel doesn't, the system concludes that rear-tire spin is occurring. To rectify the situation, engine torque is reduced based on the amount of slip, the slip change rate, and the motorcycle's rolling and yawing behavior, helping to correct the slide. As was the case with the 2019 model, riders can select from seven levels of slip control, but these seven levels cover a broader range for 2020, with Level 1 intervening less than before and Level 7 intervening more than before. As with the previous model, slip-control intervention can be switched off, and three levels of engine braking are available.
When the system detects the rear wheel accelerating while the front wheel decelerates, a wheelie is the diagnosis, so engine torque is reduced based on the motorcycle's pitch angle, helping to bring the front wheel back down. There are three levels of wheelie control, with Level 1 allowing intentional front-wheel lift and Level 3 making it much harder to wheelie. As with slide control, wheelie control can be switched off.
Note that HSTC does not eliminate the possibility of slides or wheelies; rather, it is an auxiliary system to assist the rider during acceleration operations. As is the case with models without HSTC, the Africa Twin will not handle unreasonable operations.
Riding Modes
Riders can change between six riding modes (up from the previous four), each of which respond to a wide variety of situations, providing a sense of assurance and enhancing enjoyment.
The modes are:
- TOUR: A preset mode assuming long-distance riding with luggage, giving powerful acceleration.
- URBAN: A preset mode dealing with a wide variety of riding needs.
- GRAVEL: A preset mode for comfortable riding on poor surface conditions, suitable for riding on flat dirt roads.
- OFF-ROAD: A preset mode for riding on unpaved surfaces.
- USER 1: A customize-able mode that a rider can set to his or her preference.
- USER 2: An alternative customize-able mode that the rider can set.
Each riding mode adjusts power output; level of engine braking; suspension damping (hard/standard/soft); front ABS (on-road/off-road); rear ABS (active/inactive); and, on relevant versions, DCT Gravel setting (on/off). In the two USER modes, the owner can fine-tune the settings within each of those areas; many may choose to set up USER 1 mode with their favorite on-road settings and USER 2 with their preferred off-road settings. Screen color can also be customized for each of the six modes.
HSTC is not linked to riding modes.
Battery
As before, a lightweight, compact ELIIY Power lithium-ion battery helps minimize weight and centralize mass. This battery has minimal self-discharge, and Honda tests showed it to offer greater longevity than a comparable lead-acid unit, both in terms of life and the ability to retain a charge.
CHASSIS
A number of improvements have also been made to the Africa Twin's chassis, including important hardware revisions to the frame and rear suspension. In addition, several enhancements to systems— for example, suspension and ABS--were made possible by the aforementioned addition of an IMU.
Frame
As before, the Africa Twin uses a steel semi-double-cradle frame, but revisions have been made to reduce weight by nearly four pounds, to cope with the engine's increased power output, and to optimize rigidity/flex characteristics in challenging situations like riding with luggage, riding two-up, or off-road riding. Rigidity around the steering head has been optimized to enhance front-end feel and grip, and the main spars are straighter when viewed from above, enhancing longitudinal rigidity for improved handling under braking, even with the removal of the front cross pipe of the previous version. Whereas the shapes of the frame's pivot plates are unchanged, the material is different, with the previous pressed steel replaced by 600MPa high-strength steel. The rear cross pipe, which connects the left and right pivot plates in the upper area, is now located in line with the shock stroke, resulting in a direct transmittal of surface information to the frame for better rear-wheel feel.
In addition, the rear subframe is now separate and constructed of aluminum, reducing weight while retaining the ability to carry luggage. The seat rails are now 40mm narrower at the front (195mm vs. 235mm), improving ease of movement during stand-up riding and allowing the rider's legs to reach the ground more easily when stopped.
Suspension
Intelligent, electronic suspension is now offered on the Adventure Sports ES version of the Africa twin, in the form of Showa's EERA. The system provides excellent response to immediately optimize damping force based on the suspension stroke speed at riding and the vehicle's running condition, and aims to achieve high-level suspension characteristics required for disparate situations often encountered on adventure rides.
With EERA, five suspension modes are available, each with different preload and damping settings:
- HARD: A preset mode with high damping forces for both high and low suspension-stroke speeds—achieving ride stability suitable even for riding two-up with luggage.
- MID: A preset mode with intermediate damping forces, between HARD and SOFT—suitable in a wide variety of circumstances.
- SOFT: A preset mode with soft damping characteristics for both high and low suspension-stroke speeds—achieving ride comfort and stability even on rough terrain.
- OFF-ROAD: A preset mode with progressive front-suspension characteristics, with damping force rising gradually between low and high stroke speed; rear-suspension characteristics with damping force that is between SOFT and MID.
- USER: A customize-able mode that allows fine damping adjustments front and rear, along with 24 points of rear-spring preload, to meet rider preference.
The first four suspension modes are linked to the various riding modes, whereas USER riding mode allows custom adjustment of the USER suspension mode.
Front and rear suspension on the standard version of the Africa Twin are also fully adjustable including preload, compression damping and rebound damping, with tuning changes accomplished via traditional dials and knobs.
Regarding suspension hardware, both Africa Twin versions feature a 45mm cartridge-type inverted Showa fork with a most-in-class 9.1 inches of travel, and settings have been revised to improve on-road comfort and off-road performance. The top triple clamp is cast aluminum, while the bottom is forged.
The Pro-Link® rear-suspension system offers 9.4 inches of travel, and whereas the shock was previously mounted slightly off-center, it is now centered. A spherical, solid pillow ball mount is used at the top of the shock to minimize deflection and help achieve a precise feel in varying conditions. The new aluminum swingarm, based on that of the CRF450R motocrosser, is extremely rigid despite being over a pound lighter than its predecessor. The Africa Twin has 9.8 inches of ground clearance for excellent off-road performance.
Brakes
The Africa Twin retains ABS for 2020, but new technologies enhance braking performance and rider confidence in varying conditions. Separate modes for on-road and off-road work together with the riding modes, allowing application-specific braking performance.
In addition, the system can now adapt during trail braking: When the IMU detects a lean angle (indicating that a cornering maneuver is being executed), and the wheel sensors detect deceleration (indicating that the rider is braking), the system closely monitors both wheels' slip rates and makes necessary adjustments in braking pressure. During sudden braking, ABS reads IMU information to detect rear-wheel lift and precisely controls braking pressure to suppress that trend for improved control and confidence.
Note that ABS is an auxiliary system to assist the rider for braking operations. As is the case with standard braking systems, ABS requires adequate deceleration before corners, for example.
The Africa Twin's rear ABS can be switched off when the rider prefers separate front and rear braking performance, for example in order to brake-slide the rear wheel for off-road cornering.
As for braking hardware, compact two-piece, radial-mount, four-piston calipers work dual 310mm petal-style floating rotors through sintered pads and serve up consistent stopping power and feel on-road or off. The rear rotor has a diameter of 256mm and also features a petal design.
HONDA ACCESSORIES
A full range of genuine Honda accessories is available for both versions of the Africa Twin, including aluminum luggage, higher and lower seats, a DCT foot-shift pedal, a center stand, a tank bag and more.
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