Honda Africa Twin 2024 comparison: Standard vs Adventure Sports

One of the key differences between the two models for the new year is the size of the front wheel. The Honda Enduro Adventure Sports variant now features a 19-inch front wheel, as opposed to the 21-inch wheel on the standard model. Starting in 2024, the Adventure Sports will exclusively come with this tire size. This change not only enhances road handling, but also increases the motorcycle's agility when taking corners. Furthermore, the suspension of the Adventure Sports model has been adjusted, with a reduction of 20 mm in suspension travel both at the front (210 mm) and rear (200 mm) compared to the standard model, which still offers 230 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear.

The combination of shorter suspension travel and the 19-inch front wheel on the Adventure Sports provides a new on-road experience. While the standard Honda Enduro still behaves like a spirited stallion, the Adventure Sports is now more docile and easier to control. This improved control is evident in terms of stability while cornering, acceleration, and overall smoothness. Ultimately, these changes make the Adventure Sports more appealing to a broader range of motorcycle enthusiasts, offering a more mature and balanced riding experience.

The standard model maintains its focus on off-road capabilities with its larger 21-inch front wheel and longer suspension travel, making it the preferred choice for off-road riding. On the other hand, the Adventure Sports version is now clearly geared towards road touring and mountain pass riding. However, we also tested the Adventure Sports off-road and were pleasantly surprised by its versatility. In more challenging off-road conditions, the engine guard may face more strain due to the shorter suspension travel, but it handles long stretches of gravel, loose terrain, and occasional trails quite well. Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at the off-road performance of both models in a future report.

The reduced seat height of the Honda Enduro (adjustable between 835 mm and 855 mm) enhances maneuverability and aids in low-speed handling. This is complemented by the smaller front wheel and a lower center of gravity, making the Honda Enduro ideal for fully loaded trips and rides with a passenger. Even riders of smaller stature, who previously had to forgo the Africa Twin due to its elevated seat, may find the new Honda Enduro a viable option. The decreased seat height of the Honda Enduro also caters to beginner off-road riders, as dismounting the bike in any situation is now much simpler.

The 2024 Honda Enduro models, including the Africa Twin and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, still feature the 1,084cc parallel twin engine. However, for the new model year, this engine has been revised to enhance performance and torque, especially in the low and mid-range RPMs. In Europe, Honda has specified a maximum torque of 112 Newton meters at 5,500 rpm and a peak output of 102 hp at 7,500 rpm for this engine. These updates involve modifications to the intake and exhaust system, valve timing, and compression ratio.

These enhancements aim to make the engine more responsive during acceleration. While the increased torque may not be very noticeable compared to the previous model, it could prove to be extremely beneficial when carrying heavy loads. For riders tackling Alpine passes with a passenger and lots of gear, this performance improvement would certainly be advantageous.

Despite being adapted to Euro 5+ standards for 2024, the new Honda Enduro still maintains a powerful and rugged sound that is likely to satisfy many fans of the Africa Twin.

The Honda Enduro, specifically the Africa Twin Standard and Adventure Sports models, for the 2024 model year do not include certain features like radar-adaptive cruise control systems or blind-spot indicators that can be found on other high-end adventure motorcycles. However, they do come equipped with a range of impressive technologies that enhance the riding experience. One standout feature is the semi-active electronic suspension.

In 2024, the semi-active suspension system, known as Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA), is now standard on all Africa Twin Adventure Sports models.

This advanced suspension system constantly monitors the motorcycle's speed, lean angle (via the Bosch MM7.10 six-axis IMU), and fork movement. A computer then adjusts the damping based on the rider's preferences. There are four preset suspension modes (Hard, Mid, Soft, Off-road) as well as a customizable mode that allows the rider to manually adjust the spring preload of the fork and shock absorber in 24 steps.

Compared to the previous model with electronic suspension, the EERA provides increased flexibility and adaptability to ensure optimal suspension performance in various riding conditions. This results in improved ride quality and safety by dynamically adjusting the suspension to road conditions and riding behavior.

The continuous adaptation to external factors enhances comfort while riding. User-friendliness is also a key aspect. Now, riders do not need to manually adjust the suspension for different situations (which, let's face it, most riders don't do anyway), as the computer continuously makes adjustments while riding. For instance, the suspension firms up during high-speed highway rides or twisty mountain roads, but softens for leisurely rides through villages with speed limits. The EERA is highly recommended and is also available as an option on the Africa Twin Standard model.

Honda is currently undergoing a major overhaul with the new models in the iconic Africa Twin series. With a 19-inch front wheel and EERA suspension as standard, the Adventure Sports variant is now a strong competitor in the high-performance adventure bike category. These changes have made the handling more accessible, familiar, and refined. As a result, even smaller riders now have the opportunity to enjoy this Japanese adventure bike.

For enthusiasts of off-road, adventure, and enduro riding, the Africa Twin Standard still provides the ultimate experience. It offers a comfortable upright riding position, nimble cornering, impressive off-road capabilities, and optional semi-active suspension for added comfort. However, this new direction from Honda may disappoint adventure sports enthusiasts who enjoy pushing their powerful bikes to the limit on off-road excursions. Riders with larger builds may feel cramped on the Adventure Sports model and miss the comfort of the larger tank found on the standard Africa Twin.

In conclusion, it is important to note that the new Adventure Sports model is not just about a smaller front wheel. It represents a completely fresh approach that complements the existing characteristics of the Africa Twin Standard perfectly.