Honda Africa Twin 2027 all-new! New engine with 119 hp

How much can you change on an Africa Twin without throwing its proven basic concept overboard? For 2027, Honda is certainly doing more than just adding new colours. The CRF1100L becomes the CRF1150L, with the engine, chassis, ergonomics and controls all reworked. The Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin and Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports presented here get the same new engine base and numerous shared features. After that, their paths split: the standard model keeps the 21-inch front wheel, while the Adventure Sports retains its touring and long-distance focus, reflected in a 19-inch front wheel, a larger tank and additional assistance functions. Next year will also bring a first for the Africa Twin family: with the Enduro Sports, an off-road-focused version of the Africa Twin hits the market for the first time.

The shared heart is the liquid-cooled Unicam parallel twin, whose displacement grows from 1,084 to 1,131 cc. To achieve this, Honda enlarges the bore by 2 to 94 mm, while the stroke remains at 81.5 mm. At the same time, compression rises from 10.5:1 to 12.1:1. The spec sheet now lists 119 hp or 87.5 kW at 7,500 rpm and 119 Nm at 5,750 rpm. Compared with the previous 102 hp and 112 Nm of torque, that is a respectable increase of around 16.5 percent in power, which Honda says should be felt as stronger pull across the entire rev range.

To deliver the extra power, the twin has been extensively reworked. The throttle bodies grow from 46 to 52 mm. Intake tracts, airbox, intake ports and combustion chambers have been modified. The intake valves now measure 37.5 mm, joined by changes to the exhaust valves, valve springs, valve timing and valve lift. Honda has also revised the pistons including rings and pins, the conrods, crankshaft and balancer shafts. Aluminium cylinder liners are designed to save weight. A wider cam chain with modified guide and tensioner, altered oil passages and redesigned exhaust headers ahead of the catalytic converter round off the package. The 270-degree crank offset, which gives the engine its bassy, booming sound and character, is retained.

On the manual six-speed gearbox, Honda has redesigned the clutch and gear ratios. This should enable stronger acceleration and, at the same time, lower revs on motorway stretches. A modified surface treatment on the shift forks is intended to improve shift quality and durability. The DCT dual-clutch transmission receives shift maps adapted to the more powerful engine. It handles pulling away, clutch operation and gear changes, but can also be shifted manually via the buttons on the left handlebar. Even in automatic mode, the rider can deliberately intervene, after which the system automatically reverts to automatic mode depending on throttle position, speed and gear.

The DCT shift strategy depends on the selected riding mode. SPORT holds lower gears and higher revs for longer, RAIN shifts up earlier. TOURING and URBAN set different priorities for touring and city traffic. In OFFROAD, clutch slip during gear changes is reduced, and OFFROAD+ extends the off-road setup. Incline detection adapts shifting behaviour to the terrain profile.

On the standard model, DCT remains optional as before. The Adventure Sports can also be had with a classic manual gearbox, but for 2027 it also brings radar technology into play for the first time, in the new SENSING RIDE version. This is offered exclusively with DCT. We'll get to the new radar features shortly.

SPORT, TOURING, URBAN, RAIN, OFFROAD and OFFROAD+ are the six programmes of the new generation. What matters is less their number than their adjustability: all six modes can be modified directly, rather than restricting individual adjustments to separate user modes. Engine power and engine braking are configurable, and for the throttle the Dynamic and Comfort characteristics are available. The seven-level HSTC traction control processes data from a six-axis IMU and is designed to enable more precise slip control off-road. It can be switched off completely. Wheelie control is also part of the electronics package. OFFROAD+ is explicitly intended for more demanding off-road terrain.

Both models get a revised semi-double-cradle steel frame, modified engine mounting at the cylinder head and a newly designed aluminium swingarm. According to Honda, the frame saves 0.8 kg and the swingarm a further 0.6 kg. The aluminium subframe remains bolted on. Particularly interesting for manoeuvring and slow sections is the new fuel concept: part of the fuel is stored in an additional tank under the seat. Together with the revised layout of battery, ECU, filler neck and airbox, this is intended to lower the centre of gravity and centralise mass more effectively.

On both variants, the electronically controlled Showa EERA suspension is combined with Honda Skyhook Control. Speed, vehicle attitude and fork movement feed into the control system, and according to Honda damping can be adjusted within one millisecond. Skyhook control is primarily designed to calm vertical movements and pitching, while adapting its intervention in corners so that feedback is preserved. Up front, 49 mm USD forks replace the previous 45 mm units, while at the rear a Pro-Link linkage continues to do the work. Four load configurations range from solo riding to pillion plus luggage, and damping can additionally be fine-tuned in three levels. Also new is a Minimum setting for lowering, which remains stored after the ignition is switched off. How far it lowers depends on the variant.

On both bikes, the handlebar is 10 mm narrower, 10 mm higher and positioned further forward. According to Honda, the footpegs move 20 mm closer to the bike and 10 mm rearwards. Together with a revised seat contour and additional padding, this is intended to improve comfort and control. The new design emphasises the front fairing and combines it with a slim tail. LED twin headlights integrate cornering lights and daytime running lights, and the LED tail light has also been redesigned. The windscreen is electrically height-adjustable over 130 mm. In addition to the electric height adjustment, the windscreen's angle can also be adjusted by 10 degrees.

In the cockpit, Honda combines a 7-inch TFT touchscreen with an additional 5.7-inch info display. After the slow boot-up of the previous Africa Twin's display frequently drew criticism, the new displays should be ready after just five seconds, around 70 percent faster than before. Optical bonding is designed to improve readability. An off-road view including compass, configurable widgets for navigation and media information, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all included. On top of that come intercom functions and backlit switchgear. A lockable smartphone compartment in the tank cover features a USB-C port. The Smartkey system operates the ignition, electric steering lock and fuel cap. Cruise control, heated grips, handguards and an aluminium luggage rack are standard. Honda cites recycled plastics for the seat base, fender bracket and fairing, and the biomass-based plastic Durabio for the windscreen.

On the standard Africa Twin, the semi-active Showa EERA moves from an option to standard equipment for 2027. Suspension travel shrinks by 10 mm at each end to 220 mm front and 210 mm rear. The 21-inch front wheel remains, paired with an 18-inch rear. Both spoked wheels run tubeless tyres, 90/90-21 up front and 150/70-18 at the rear. Honda names the Metzeler Karoo Street as standard fitment and the Michelin Anakee Wild as an approved alternative for a stronger off-road focus. With a 1,575 mm wheelbase, 27.5 degrees of rake and 117 mm of trail, ground clearance is 240 mm. Weight fueled up, Honda quotes 237 kg for the manual and 247 kg for the DCT.

Up front, radially mounted Nissin four-piston calipers bite on two floating 310 mm wave discs. At the rear sit a single-piston caliper and a 256 mm disc, plus two-channel ABS. Spring preload can be adjusted via the load configurations and additionally manually in 24 steps. The seat offers two heights of 850 and 870 mm, and Minimum mode lowers the seat height by a further 10 mm. Honda increases foam thickness in selected areas by 5 to 80 mm. The standard model thus continues to combine the large front wheel with more suspension travel and ground clearance than the Adventure Sports.

Tank capacity on the standard model remains at 18.8 litres. For the manual, Honda quotes WMTC consumption of 5.1 l/100 km and a range of around 370 km. For the DCT, the data table lists 5.4 l/100 km. Self-cancelling indicators and an emergency stop signal are also included. According to Honda, the hazard lights are activated automatically under abrupt braking above 50 km/h. The announced colours are Pearl Glare White in Tricolour design and Mat Sandstorm Beige.

The Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports combines the shared updates with a more road-oriented base. Its tubeless spoked front wheel measures 19 inches and wears a 110/80 R19 tyre, with 18 inches and 150/70 R18 at the rear. Honda names the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 and Michelin Anakee Road as original equipment, with the Anakee Wild also approved. Suspension travel is 210 mm front and 200 mm rear, with ground clearance of 220 mm. Wheelbase and rake match the standard model at 1,575 mm and 27.5 degrees, while trail is 106 mm. The EERA suspension, already standard, also gets the new Skyhook control and the 49 mm fork.

The tank holds 24.2 litres. With the manual's WMTC consumption of 5.1 l/100 km, Honda quotes a range of around 480 km. The SENSING RIDE version with DCT is rated at 5.4 l/100 km. Seat height is 830 or 850 mm, with the Minimum setting adding a further 5 mm of lowering. Additional wind deflectors and handguard extensions are standard. Weight fueled up, the Adventure Sports with manual gearbox tips the scales at 245 kg according to Honda, the SENSING RIDE version at 256 kg. Both are planned in Pearl Glare White with Tricolour livery or Mat Ballistic Black Metallic.

A particular focus of the Adventure Sports is brake control. Its 310 mm twin front discs and 256 mm rear disc are integrated into the electronically controlled E-Combined ABS linked braking system. This distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels, also taking suspension behaviour into account. In OFFROAD and OFFROAD+, the linked function is deactivated. Added to this is Vehicle Hold Control, or VHC for short: the system briefly maintains brake pressure when stationary and is designed to prevent rolling back on a slope. Anyone who has pulled away on an incline with a pillion and luggage knows the use case.

The new SENSING RIDE version adds front and rear radar sensors to the Adventure Sports. It is offered exclusively with DCT. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) maintains a set distance in addition to the selected speed and features a stop-and-go function. Group Ride Assist adapts distance control to group rides. Distance Assist helps maintain distance even when operating the throttle manually. If the system detects an imminent collision with a vehicle ahead, the emergency brake assist can provide active braking support. A speed limiter is also on board.

The forward warning function includes a collision warning in the display and a supplementary brake pulse. The blind spot assist uses LEDs in the mirrors to indicate when a vehicle is in the monitored zone. If a vehicle approaches from behind, a distance warning can appear in the cockpit. When a risk of rear-end collision is detected, rapidly flashing indicators are designed to warn following traffic. Honda aims to provide support particularly on longer road stages and in everyday riding.

For both models, Honda lists Comfort, Rally, Travel and Urban packs, with the luggage packs available in aluminium or plastic. Accessories include heated rider and pillion seats, a lower seat, fog lights, protection parts, rally footpegs, a tank bag, side cases, various top cases and a centre stand. A quickshifter is planned for the manual model and an additional foot shift lever for the DCT. An SC-Project Adventure slip-on will also be offered again. Heated seats, cases and centre stand are therefore accessories, while heated grips and luggage rack are already standard. We do not yet know specific retail prices or an exact delivery date.

How much power does the 2027 Honda Africa Twin have? Both models presented have a 1,131 cc parallel twin producing 119 hp or 87.5 kW at 7,500 rpm and 119 Nm at 5,750 rpm.

What distinguishes the standard model from the Adventure Sports? The standard Africa Twin has a 21-inch front wheel, 220/210 mm of suspension travel and an 18.8-litre tank. The Adventure Sports combines a 19-inch front with 210/200 mm of suspension travel and 24.2 litres of tank capacity. It also gets E-Combined ABS and VHC.

Which 2027 Africa Twin gets radar and adaptive cruise control? The new Adventure Sports SENSING RIDE has front and rear radar plus ACC with stop-and-go function. This version is offered exclusively with DCT.

How far can the new models be lowered? The standard version offers a regular seat height of 850 or 870 mm plus an additional 10 mm of lowering via the Minimum setting. On the Adventure Sports it is 830 or 850 mm plus an additional 5 mm of lowering.

How much do the 2027 Honda Africa Twin and Adventure Sports cost? The press kits provided give neither specific prices nor an exact delivery date.