The Africa Twin name goes back to the 1988 XRV650, a Paris–Dakar-derived V-twin that became the XRV750. Honda revived it in 2016 as the CRF1000L: a 998 cc parallel twin with a steel frame, long-travel suspension and optional DCT, aimed at the BMW R 1200 GS rather than at hard enduro.
2018–19 added more electronics and adventure-sports variants with extra screen and cases in mind. 2020 brought the CRF1100L: 1,084 cc, a new frame, Showa suspension, a six-axis IMU and, on Adventure Sports models, optional electronically adjusted suspension. Seat height is tall - typically around 850–875 mm depending on variant and optional low seat - and wet weight sits well over 220 kg once you add DCT, crash bars and luggage.
The Africa Twin is Honda’s mainstream adventure bike: softer off-road than a Rally-spec GS or a KTM 1290, more approachable than a DesertX Rally. DCT versions suit commuting and touring; the manual bike is the one to take on dirt. Compare it with the BMW R 1250 GS / R 1300 GS, Triumph Tiger 900 and Yamaha Ténéré 700. Check the year table for the jump from 1000 to 1100 and for DCT versus manual weights - they are not interchangeable.
| Year | Photo | Engine | Power | Weight | Seat | Fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 |  |
1083 cc | 100.5 hp | 231 kg | 871 mm | 49 |
| 2026 | |
1084 cc | 100.5 hp | 231 kg | 871 mm | 56 |
| 2025 |  |
1083 cc | 100.5 hp | 231 kg | 851 mm | 55 |
| 2024 |  |
1084 cc | 100.5 hp | 231 kg | 851 mm | 56 |
| 2023 | |
1084 cc | 101 hp | 226 kg | 851 mm | 56 |
| 2022 | |
1084 cc | 101 hp | 226 kg | 851 mm | 56 |
| 2021 |  |
1084 cc | 101 hp | 226 kg | 851 mm | 56 |
| 2020 |  |
1084 cc | 101 hp | 227 kg | 851 mm | 55 |