Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 vs. Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Overview - Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 vs Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Technical Specifications Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 compared to Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	V
Bore	Bore	92 mm	Bore	100 mm
Stroke	Stroke	75.1 mm	Stroke	66 mm
Engine power	Engine power	95 HP	Engine power	107 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	98 Nm	Torque	100 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	998 ccm	Displacement	1,037 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Brand	Brand	Showa	Brand	Kayaba
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Shock mount	Shock mount	Pro-Link	Shock mount	Deflection
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound
Material	Material	Aluminium	Material	Aluminium

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Aluminium

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	310 mm	Diameter	310 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons
Technology	Technology	radial	Technology	radial, Monoblock

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	256 mm	Diameter	260 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	90 mm	Front tyre width	110 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	90 %	Front tyre height	80 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	21 inch	Front tyre diameter	19 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	150 mm	Rear tyre width	150 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	70 %	Rear tyre height	70 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	18 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,335 mm	Length	2,265 mm
Width	Width	875 mm	Width	870 mm
Height	Height	1,475 mm	Height	1,515 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,555 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	850 mm	Seat Height	855 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	232 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	236 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	20 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

The new Africa Twin has come exactly as fans expected: Well controllable, unagitated and a wonderful travelling companion. The fact that it also looks extremely good was a pleasant bonus. So there is no reason to fundamentally change the Africa Twin, what was good remains good on the new one - and much has been improved. Thanks to Ride by Wire, you can now also enjoy performance modes on the Africa Twin, and the traction control can be adjusted 7-fold (instead of 3-fold previously) and switched off. The optional DCT is still a big hit and a lot of fun, but it also costs a lot.

Reliable engine

comfortable seating position

well-tuned chassis

good looks

good brakes

optional DCT

performance modes

not quite optimal wind protection

no cruise control

ABS on front wheel cannot be switched off

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 2021

In 2020, the V-Strom was improved in a number of ways. The look now fits the great motorbike better and also exudes more attention to detail. The heart of the bike, the engine, is still just as much fun as before. A great power unit! It doesn't overtax, but provides a lot of riding pleasure! It is suitable for everyday use, but also offers a lot of charisma!

Great V2 engine that is completely convincing in practice

good wind protection

pleasant seating comfort

great long-distance capability.

Deficits in the equipment - some details from the XT are unfortunately missed