Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024 on test

Honda is pleased to introduce the new Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024 in the beautiful setting of the Algarve region in southern Portugal. The overall enhancements for the latest generation of Honda Africa Twin models are impressive, but they are even more remarkable for the Adventure Sports variant! The 2024 model year represents a significant shift in focus for the Adventure Sports line.

When the 2018 Africa Twin Adventure Sports was first introduced, it had a completely different focus. It offered increased ground clearance, longer suspension travel, a higher seat, more features, and a 5.4-liter larger fuel tank compared to the standard Africa Twin. Even the footrests were reinforced and the gauges were realigned to enhance the riding experience and readability while stationary. The Adventure Sports model was designed for off-road adventures. However, Honda has likely taken into account customer feedback and sales data, realizing that riders who prefer off-road experiences tend to opt for the lighter, standard Africa Twin, while the fully-equipped Adventure Sports is mainly used for long-distance touring on the road or light off-road terrain. Given this background, the new features of the 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports model appear to be a natural progression.

But what sets the flagship of the winged empire apart? All the information on the latest features can be found in the model news report on the Honda Africa Twin model year 2024. Here are the updates that are important for this review:

• 19-inch front wheel with wider 110/80 tires
• Suspension travel shortened by 20 mm. Now 210 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear.
• EERA suspension now standard
• Lower seat height from 835 to 855 mm
• Redesigned fairing for more wind protection
• New 5-way adjustable windshield
• Redesigned, 15 mm more upholstered seat with optimized density
• 30 mm less ground clearance, 25 mm lower center of gravity

Honda-specific translation:

• 19-inch front wheel with wider 110/80 tires
• Suspension travel shortened by 20 mm. Now 210 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear.
• EERA suspension now standard on the Honda
• Lower seat height from 835 to 855 mm
• Redesigned fairing for more wind protection on the Honda
• New 5-way adjustable windshield for the Honda
• Redesigned, 15 mm more upholstered seat with optimized density for the Honda
• 30 mm less ground clearance, 25 mm lower center of gravity for the Honda

The latest innovation that stands out on the new Honda Africa Twins for 2024 is the refined engine, updated valve timing, revised intake and exhaust ports, and enhanced control electronics. Additionally, the compression ratio has been increased from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1 by extending the piston. This results in improved power delivery at lower engine speeds, with the final output remaining at 102 hp at 7,500 rpm. However, the maximum torque has seen a significant 7% increase from 105 to 112 Nm, now available at 5,500 rpm, 750 revolutions earlier. This performance leap is comparable to the upgrade from the CRF1000L to the CRF1100L. Riders will undoubtedly feel the impact of these advancements on the road.

Feeling the 7% increase in torque on the new Honda Africa Twin may be challenging without extensive comparison to the old model. However, the engine of the Africa Twin still delivers a satisfying performance. With a V2-like, deep growl, it accelerates smoothly from just below 2,000 rpm and offers easy gear shifts due to its long gear ratios. What impresses me the most is the precise throttle response, allowing for smooth acceleration while leaning into turns and then gradually increasing power to exit corners with strong mid-range pressure. The engine continues to be one of the standout features of the Africa Twin model lineup.

In the new Adventure Sports model from Honda, the engine's potential can be fully utilized on paved roads, thanks to the significant changes made to the chassis and front wheel. During the lunch break, I had the opportunity to ride the previous Adventure Sports model with a 21-inch front wheel, courtesy of one of the Honda guide riders, to refresh my memory on its handling. It must be acknowledged that the old Adventure Sports was already a very capable motorcycle, allowing owners and experienced riders to navigate corners smoothly with its larger front wheel. However, in a direct comparison, the improvements on the new Adventure Sports are evident. With shorter suspension travel and a semi-active chassis, the new model exhibits significantly less diving, even under hard braking. Maneuvering through corners requires less effort with the new model's smaller front wheel and wider handlebars, allowing for easier entry into corners. This is particularly noticeable when braking into a turn, as the reduced stand-up torque enables riders to maintain their line more effectively. The new Adventure Sports also displays improved stability when changing direction, resulting in smoother and cleaner lines through corners. Additionally, the wider front tire provides more grip and feedback at higher lean angles, instilling confidence for higher cornering speeds.

However, it's not just sporty riders who will appreciate these updates. Even without pushing the limits, the new Honda Adventure Sports can be maneuvered with even more confidence and fluidity through corners. On rainy roads, you'll appreciate the enhanced feedback from the front wheel, and the improved front stability is especially useful when carrying a heavy load at the back. As a result, the 2024 model has become both sportier and more user-friendly.

63% of all Honda Adventure Sports models sold are equipped with the dual clutch transmission. The DCT is a Honda sales success story and has been continuously improved over the years, including this year. The integration of the oil pressure and lean angle sensor into the calculation of optimal gear changes has been revised to provide even smoother and more predictable throttle application when leaning and at low speeds. This is another innovation that is hard to notice due to the DCT's previous high quality, without a direct comparison. From aggressive cornering to relaxed touring, the DCT performs exceptionally well and makes riding effortless without compromising the riding experience. At very slow speeds and during low-speed maneuvers, such as turning, you can precisely control the throttle, but it requires some practice.

At the end of the day's ride, we also took on a stretch of highway to test the wind protection and touring capabilities of the new Honda Adventure Sports. The updated seat is now softer and the increased padding alters the ergonomics of the Adventure Sports. The lower seat height and 25 mm lower center of gravity are noticeable when the bike is stationary and fully loaded. The Adventure Sports now boasts a more imposing look with its wider front fairing, yet it is actually easier to maneuver. The riding position has shifted slightly forward, resembling that of the NT1100. Adjusting the preload to the load mid-ride is now a breeze with just a few button presses. The semi-active suspension's damping can be fine-tuned on the fly through the four riding modes and two user modes. None of the five suspension settings are overly aggressive; even in "Hard" mode, the Adventure Sports maintains a comfortable ride. I typically opt for the Tour mode with the firmest setting outside of urban areas, and switch to Urban mode with Medium suspension for smoother navigation through city streets filled with potholes and bumps. This helps to smooth out the rough edges. The Soft mode caters to fans of a more cushioned ride, although it's not my preference. For those seeking precise suspension adjustments, there are a total of 24 customizable settings available through the user-defined riding modes.

When riding on the highway and at higher speeds, I prefer to have the windshield set to the highest of its five positions for my height of 1.85 m on the Honda . In the lowest setting, I experience loud turbulence hitting me at eye level on my helmet. However, adjusting the windshield while riding is not possible, as Honda prioritizes safety and has designed the mechanism to require the use of both hands. In the highest position, the wind gently brushes the top of the helmet, allowing smaller riders to sit comfortably in the slipstream thanks to the wider front design. Even at high speeds, there is minimal wind resistance on the chest, with only a slight breeze felt on the upper arms. This allows for extended periods of comfortable riding. With a 24.8 liter tank providing a range of 500 km, and even more with the DCT option, riders can enjoy long journeys without the need for frequent refueling stops.

The Honda Adventure Sports stands out as an excellent touring motorcycle due to its incredibly generous factory equipment. As Honda's flagship model, it offers not only impressive performance and radar-assisted assistance systems but also matches other top-tier touring enduros like the BMW GS or KTM Super Adventure. The Adventure Sports comes equipped with semi-active EERA suspension, heated grips, cruise control, 7-stage traction control, 3-stage wheelie control, 2-stage cornering ABS with two off-road ABS modes, 3-stage cornering lights, automatic turn signal deactivation, six riding modes, and 4-stage throttle response. Additionally, it features a user-friendly TFT display with smartphone connectivity, including Apple Carplay and Android Auto. A new highlight is the ability to adjust rear preload while riding. The electronic power delivery control has also been enhanced, providing consistent power at the beginning of the rev range regardless of the selected setting. This improvement results in more predictable power delivery, eliminating the need to adapt to different modes.

Has the new Adventure Sports from Honda lost its adventurous spirit by focusing more on road performance? While the compromise between on-road and off-road capabilities may have leaned towards touring and asphalt, the Adventure Sports is still capable of tackling 95% of terrains that most riders would encounter with such a large machine. In challenging off-road conditions with rough obstacles, the 19-inch wheel may not glide as smoothly over uneven terrain. Despite the slightly reduced suspension travel of 210mm at the front and 200mm at the rear, the bike may not handle bumps as nimbly as before. For riders looking to conquer deep sand in North Africa, a 21-inch front wheel may be preferred for better floatation. However, these changes also bring benefits on unpaved roads. The lower seat height can prevent awkward spills, while the lower center of gravity enhances maneuverability at low speeds. The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) has been updated for off-road performance, now featuring the G-Switch to reduce clutch slippage and improve rear wheel traction. Honda's consideration for off-road use is evident in the tire options for the 2024 Adventure Sports, which are approved for both the Bridgestone Battlax A41 road tire and the robust Michelin Anakee Wild.

As is customary, Honda offers a variety of accessories for the Adventure Sports model, grouped into four packages: Travel, Urban, Adventure, and Rally. These packages include crash bars, various luggage options, as well as aesthetic and comfort-enhancing accessories. One notable feature of the 2024 Adventure Sports is its remarkably low seat height, which can be lowered to 795 mm. This signifies the significant evolution of the Adventure Sports model from its original high and off-road-oriented design.