Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019 vs. BMW F 850 GS 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019

BMW F 850 GS 2021

Overview - Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019 vs BMW F 850 GS 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019

BMW F 850 GS 2021

Technical Specifications Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019 compared to BMW F 850 GS 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019

BMW F 850 GS 2021

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019

BMW F 850 GS 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	92 mm	Bore	84 mm
Stroke	Stroke	75.1 mm	Stroke	77 mm
Engine power	Engine power	95 HP	Engine power	95 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,250 rpm
Torque	Torque	98 Nm	Torque	92 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,250 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	Dual-clutch	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
Can be restricted for A2 licence	Can be restricted for A2 licence	Yes	Can be restricted for A2 licence	Yes
Displacement	Displacement	998 ccm	Displacement	853 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork

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	direct
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound
Material	Material	Aluminium	Material	Aluminium

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	310 mm	Diameter	305 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Double piston
Actuation	Actuation	Hydraulic	Actuation	Hydraulic

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	256 mm	Diameter	265 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

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	90 mm	Front tyre width	90 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	90 %	Front tyre height	90 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	21 inch	Front tyre diameter	21 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	2,305 mm
Width	Width	875 mm	Width	922 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,593 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	850 mm	Seat Height	860 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	242 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	15 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT 2019

The look and design of the Honda CRF1000L Africa TWin DCT is insanely beautiful, but our testers are not dazzled by it. The chassis could be harder, especially for the road, and more power and sportiness would also do the Africa Twin good. Apart from that, however, the rest works great. Reliability, suitability for touring and a well-rounded overall package - what more could you want on a touring enduro.

Successful appearance

good workmanship

high reliability

well-functioning DCT

suitable for touring and travelling, also with pillion

great, roaring sound

suitable for off-road use.

chassis a little too soft - makes it difficult to drive a precise line

could do with more sportiness and performance

BMW F 850 GS 2021

The BMW F 850 GS also scores points in 2022 with its pleasant ergonomics and accessible character. Operation is easy and you quickly feel comfortable on the motorbike. The longer the tour, the more you miss the finesse in the details. The damping of the fork is too lax and not adjustable. The engine gets a bit boring in the long run, and the gearstick and quickshifter are always stiff. In direct comparison with other touring enduros, it is always somewhat overshadowed by more exciting models.

Good wind and weather protection

well thought-out operating concept

practical equipment

very accessible operation and driveability in everyday use

good seat comfort

great connectivity solution

Vibrations in the upper rev range

boring engine

stiff quickshifter gearstick

front damping too lax

fork not adjustable

ponderous feel