First Look: 2016 Honda Crf1000l Africa Twin
FIRST LOOK: 2016 HONDA CRF1000L AFRICA TWIN
IGNITION
NEWS
New ADV has big shoes to fill
Andrew Bornhop
If you’re like us, you lusted after the original Honda XRV750 Africa Twin, the early V-twin-powered ADV bike based on the NXR750 that won the Paris-Dakar Rally four times in the late 1980s. And now that we know a new Africa Twin-the Honda CRF1000L-arrives early next year, here’s the question: Will this new Honda ADV have a similar legacy?
Hard to say. But one thing’s for sure: This new Africa Twin, although late to the ADV party, looks well equipped to battle the likes of the BMW R1200CS and KTM 1190 Adventure. Housed in the double-cradle steel frame is a new 998cc parallel twin, a dualplug SOHC engine that has four valves per cylinder, a 270-degree crankshaft, and dual balance shafts. Power reaches the rear wheel via a conventional six-speed gearbox or a dual-clutch automatic, the latter fitted with three shift schedules and “incline detection," which delays upshifts when you’re riding uphill and downshifts more quickly when you’re headed downhill for earlier engine-braking.
As for the long-travel Showa suspension, it features a fully adjustable inverted fork and a single-shock rear. Ground clearance is good, and the spoked wheels, a 21-incher in front and an 18-inch back, reflect the Africa Twin’s need to perform well on rugged dirt roads. Healthy Nissin four-pot disc brakes are on duty up front, and svelte bodywork looks like it will give the Africa Twin decent wind protection while keeping the bike narrow and perhaps less prone to off-road damage.
Seat height, not surprisingly, is a lofty 34.3 inches, but it can be lowered to 33.5. And the fuel tank, at 4.96 gallons, looks like it will offer good range between stops. Forthe record, Honda’s claimed curb weight forthe new Africa Twin is 503 pounds (534 forthe DCT model), which is considerably lighter than the Yamaha Super Ténéré and compares favorably to the BMW R1200GS, which weighs a claimed 516 pounds.
Of note, the new Africa Twin is available with Honda Selectable Torque Control, an electronics package offering the rider three levels of control, and, most important, an ability to shut off ABS to the rear wheel. Problem is, ABS and HSTC are available only on the DCT/ABS model, not the base Africa Twin.
Player or pretender? Does DCT makes sense on an ADV? We can’t wait to find out.
SPECS
2016 HONDA CRF1000L
PRICE: N/A ENGINE: SOHC parallel twin DISPLACEMENT: 998cc SEAT HEIGHT: 34.3 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 4.96 gal. CLAIMED CURB WEIGHT: 503 lb.
