The 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is a proper litre-class adventure-touring bike, with genuine off-road capability. Dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional. It's light, slim and fast. We like it!
Honda have released technical details and a full set of official high-res pics of their new adventure-touring motorcycle, the CRF1000L Africa Twin, which is powered by an all-new parallel-twin that produces 94bhp and 98Nm of torque. For a litre-class dual-purpose bike, the new Africa Twin looks impressively slim and compact, so those power and torque figures should be quite adequate on the street and for off-road use. There is, of course, a full set of electronics, including ABS, traction-control and optional DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. In their press release, Honda claim that the new CRF1000L is, "like its celebrated forerunners, ready to cover continents on or off-road."
The 2016 Africa Twin's twin-cylinder engine draws on Honda’s experience with off-road bikes like the CRF250R and CRF450R, using the same four-valve Unicam head design for compact overall dimensions. "A 270° phased crankshaft gives the power delivery a distinct character as well delivering excellent feel for rear wheel traction," claim Honda. "Strong and linear power and torque deliver instant response anywhere in the rev-range – accompanied by a satisfying, characterful deep growl as rpm rises," adds the press release. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox that is equipped with an assist slipper clutch. (A DCT automatic is optional.)
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