2020 Honda Africa Twin

Honda took the wraps off a new 2020 Honda Africa Twin last month and confirmed it has grown into an 1100 model for the new model year thanks to an increase in the stroke from 75.1 mm out to 81.5 mm, to produce the new capacity of 1084 cc. 

Today Australian pricing has been announced with the standard model starting at $19,999 while the Adventure Sports with conventional transmission asks a $3500 premium as it comes with a $23,499 sticker price. The DCT version comes in at $24,499. 

The top of the range Adventure Sports with electronic suspension will retail at $26,499.  

Torque is up from 98 Nm at 6000 rpm to 105 Nm at 6250 rpm, a six per cent improvement, while power bumps from 94 hp (70 kW) to 101 hp (75 kW) at the same 7500 rpm, a seven per cent improvement.

The cylinder sleeves are now aluminium while the cylinder head has been completely revised and is fed by a larger 46 mm throttle body. The Unicam valve-train now lifts the valves higher than before while exhaust control valve similar to that used on the current model Fireblade is now employed. 

A 5 kg weight reduction drops the ready to ride with a full tank of fuel figure down to 226 for the manual, or 236 kg for the DCT equipped machine. In combination with the new engine that equates to a ten per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.

Honda also claim the new bike is smaller and slimmer with higher set handle-bars. The seat itself is 40 mm narrower to make it easier for riders to reach the ground while a low-seat option positions the rider between 825 from terra-firma. For those with extra long in-seams an 895 mm tall seat option is also available. The standard seat height can be set between 850 and 870 mm. 

The steel semi-double cradle frame has been extensively revised for better off-road ability and now features a bolt-on aluminium sub-frame while the new swingarm is based off that used on the CRF450R and is 500 grams lighter.

Rigidity around the steering head has been changed to offer improved front-end grip while the frame now weighs 1.8 kg less than before. 

Ground clearance remains 250 mm, and the 2020 Africa Twin rides on a 1575 mm wheelbase. Rake and trail is 27-degrees-30s and 113 mm respectively. 

With a stroke length of 230 mm the Showa cartridge forks features revised internals with rebound and compression damping both full-adjustable. 

The Showa shock gives the Africa Twin 220 mm of rear axle travel and features a large 46 mm cylinder and remote reservoir to reduce fade. 

Technology improvements are massive with a new Bosch MM7.10 six-axis IMU that controls the seven-level HSTC traction control system via real-time yaw/roll angle and rate data. 

A new three-level wheelie control, cornering ABS with off-road settings, rear lift control and DCT cornering detection facilities are also employed. A dedicated ‘Off-Road’ setting joins the previous ‘Urban’, ‘Tour’ and ‘Gravel’ riding modes. I am very interested in seeing the changes in the DCT shift program now it has cornering sensor input added to its smarts. 

Apple Car Play also comes to the Africa Twin for 2020 via a 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity. I have used Honda’s Apple Car Play system on the current model Gold Wing and it is simply fantastic. A USB charging port is located on the RHS of the display. Cruise control is standard. 

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports model also gains the option for Showa EERA that has five riding modes. ‘Soft’, ‘Mid’, ‘Hard’, ‘Off-Road’ and a ‘User’ setting that is fully customisable.

Rear spring pre-load can also be set electronically through a range of 24 settings while the motorcycle is stationary.

Adventure Sports also scores a larger front fairing and a five-position adjustable screen. At 24.8 litres in capacity the Adventure Sports boasts six-litres extra fuel capacity over the base model.

Due to the extra fuel capacity the Adventure Sports tips the scales slightly heavier at 238 kg, 248 kg for DCT.

Showa EERA adds a further 2 kg if optioned on to the bike. 

The 21/18-inch spoked rims on the Adventure Sports model are now tubeless ready. 

These two new Africa Twin models are expected to land in Australia some time during the first quarter of 2020. For Australia, the options are as follows; there will be one Africa Twin variant available, with a Manual transmission, offered in two colours – Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black at $19,999 plus on road costs.

There will be three Africa Twin Adventure Sports variants available: Manual ($23,499), DCT ($24,499) and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES range topper at $26,499 (DCT with Showa EERA /Electronic Suspension.) All three Adventure Sports models are available in Pearl Glare White (Tri-Colour). 

2020 Honda Africa Twin Technical Specifications