Honda CB1100 RS 2017 vs. Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

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Overview - Honda CB1100 RS 2017 vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

The Honda CB1100 RS 2017 and the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020 are both motorcycles from Honda, but they cater to different types of riders and have distinct features and characteristics.

Starting with the Honda CB1100 RS 2017, it is a naked bike that is known for its lovely and high-quality workmanship. The bike features a 1140cc inline four-cylinder engine that produces 90 horsepower and 91 Nm of torque. It has a fuel injection system and an electric starter. The engine is cooled by oil-air and is paired with a chain transmission. The CB1100 RS has a double cradle steel frame and a telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 41mm. The rear suspension is a swing arm with dual shock absorbers. The bike has a steel frame and a rake of 64 degrees. It is equipped with double disk brakes with a diameter of 310mm and four-piston calipers. The CB1100 RS has advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS. It has a wheelbase of 1485mm and a seat height of 795mm. The bike weighs 252kg with ABS and has a fuel tank capacity of 16.8 liters.

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

On the other hand, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020 is an enduro motorcycle that is designed for off-road adventures. It is powered by a 1084cc inline twin-cylinder engine that produces 102 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque. The engine is equipped with fuel injection and an electric starter. It has a chain transmission and liquid cooling. The Africa Twin has a double cradle steel frame and an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 45mm. The rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock absorber. The bike has a steel frame and a rake of 62.5 degrees. It is equipped with double disk brakes with a diameter of 310mm and four-piston calipers. The Africa Twin has advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, riding modes, cornering ABS, ride by wire, traction control, and anti-wheelie. It has a wheelbase of 1575mm and a seat height of 850mm. The bike weighs 226kg with ABS and has a fuel tank capacity of 18.8 liters.

In terms of strengths, the CB1100 RS 2017 is praised for its lovely and high-quality workmanship. It also has great engine tuning and offers a wide choice of tires for customization. On the other hand, the Africa Twin 2020 is known for its high-torque engine and sophisticated electronic driving aids. It also features a wonderfully functioning DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) as an option, which is highly regarded. The Africa Twin also has a touch-screen color display, good ergonomics, and is capable of long-distance riding. Its windshield is perfect for off-roading.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

However, both bikes have their weaknesses. The CB1100 RS 2017 has limited lean angle clearance, which may restrict its performance in aggressive cornering. It also has unharmonious turn-in behavior with standard tires, which may affect its handling. On the other hand, the Africa Twin 2020 has a flood of buttons on the left handlebar, which may not be very clear or intuitive to use. Additionally, the handguards on the Africa Twin are not very robust for off-road use, and the windshield offers only manageable protection.

In conclusion, the Honda CB1100 RS 2017 and the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020 are two different motorcycles designed for different purposes. The CB1100 RS is a naked bike with a focus on style and quality, while the Africa Twin is an enduro motorcycle built for off-road adventures. Each bike has its own strengths and weaknesses, and riders should consider their own preferences and riding style before making a decision.

Technical Specifications Honda CB1100 RS 2017 compared to Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Honda CB1100 RS 2017
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020
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Honda CB1100 RS 2017
Honda CB1100 RS 2017
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore73.5 mmBore92 mm
StrokeStroke67.2 mmStroke81.5 mm
Engine powerEngine power90 HPEngine power102 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpm
TorqueTorque91 NmTorque105 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque5,500 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio9.5 Compression Ratio10.1
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
IgnitionIgnitionTransistorIgnitionTransistor
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders4Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
CoolingCoolingOil-airCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement1,140 ccmDisplacement1,084 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTelescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter41 mmDiameter45 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberDual ShockShock absorberMonoshock
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialSteelMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeDouble cradleFrame typeDouble cradle
RakeRake64 degreeRake62.5 degree
TrailTrail99 mmTrail113 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter310 mmDiameter310 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial, Wave

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
PistonPistonSingle pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABSAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction control, Anti-wheelie

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width90 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height90 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter21 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter18 inch
LengthLength2,180 mmLength2,330 mm
WidthWidth800 mmWidth960 mm
HeightHeight1,100 mmHeight1,395 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,485 mmWheelbase1,575 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height795 mmSeat Height850 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)252 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)226 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity16.8 lFuel Tank Capacity18.8 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

Honda CB1100 RS 2017

Opinions are divided on the RS. For many, it doesn't seem as earthy and honest as the EX, and overall it doesn't seem coherent. But at the end of the day, you don't find any plastic where there should have been metal. The 17-inch rims offer a wider choice of tyres. The standard tyres might not be the best choice for this bike.

Lovely and high-quality workmanship

great engine tuning

wide choice of tyres

Lean angle clearance

Unharmonious turn-in behaviour with standard tyres

Top performance

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020

For me, the Africa Twin is a touring enduro as a touring enduro should be. This was already true of the predecessor model and did not change with the increase in displacement and power. Because the latter remained manageable at 102 hp, and Honda even managed to shed a few kilos compared to the CRF1000L. So it remained versatile, functioning just as well on the motorway as off-road. The chassis absorbs almost all bumps, the engine remains sovereign in every situation, ergonomics and seating comfort are exemplary. A motorbike for all days as well as for the big trip - wherever that may be.

High-torque engine

sophisticated electronic driving aids

wonderfully functioning DCT (option)

touch-screen colour display

good ergonomics

long-distance capability

windshield perfect for off-roading

Flood of buttons on left handlebar not very clear

handguards not very robust for off-road use

windshield offers manageable protection

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Honda CB1100 RS vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

There are a few key differences between a Honda CB1100 RS 2017 and a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2020. It takes less time to sell a Honda CB1100 RS with 78 days compared to 106 days for a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. Since model year 2017 1000PS.de editors have written 7 reviews for the Honda CB1100 RS and 28 reviews for the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin since model year 2020. The first review for the Honda CB1100 RS was published on 04/10/2016 and now has more than 59,000 views. This compares to more than 109,400 views for the first review on Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin published on 23/09/2019.

Price Honda CB1100 RS

Model year
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Price Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

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Current average market prices

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