First Impressions: 2020 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L

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[ItsBeenDanBefore]

A video idea would be doing slow speed manoeuvres like U-turns, figure 8s, "how slow can you go", ETC, as well as manual handling. I do a Hell of a lot of slow speed practice (because I want to be able to be ready for any situation, including emergency braking into a U-turn) and I'd appreciate hearing how this bike performs at such low speeds

[peterhatfield]

I started biking in the 70s, and the Japanese knocked six bells out of the Brit bike industry. Now the mighty Honda is producing this woeful machine. Give me a Tiger 800 or 900 any time.

[OliNorris]

The little speedo-screen is for when you have satnav on the big screen.

[Aleph]

Hey MotoBob, as you correctly stated this is the dirt oriented basic version, maybe swap the rubber and go have fun in some serious deep sand, rocky wall climbs, single tracks etc etc. I think you will see how this bike distinguishes itself from the Tiger and BMW pretty quickly... either positively or negatively of course as a pro journalist always keeps and open mind 😎

[WalkerKlondyke]

I believe the double dash with extra speedo etc. is so the TFT display can be used for navigation. I guess that may be standard on the more premium trim models.

[thwatergateplumber]

I always dig color! The red seat doesn't bug me.

[snickrologen]

I like the fact that these bikes are a little more “naked” and simplistic, those bikes that are equipped with massive amounts of stuff and super expensive to drop are more aimed at those doing the around the world trips, and who does that !

[bigbroondug]

Looking forward to the review 👍 I'd be keen to hear how it works as a day to day bike. With the best will in the world most of these are going to see mostly road use if imagine.

[jamescunninghamniven]

Gauges, ABS and bluetooth are only essentials, I can see TFT being responsible for occasional lapses in attention - too much info and not really for bikes. The more tech there is the higher the bills will ultimately be.

[bharathbhuvan]

Hey MB..love from India...looking forward to buy this once it gets launched here in India...so need a comprehensive review especially slow speeds, hill climbing and descent, maneuverability in city traffic, a detailed explanation on that TFT screen, focus on heat dissipation, comfort of the seat for the long rides(previous iteration was awful in comfort), weight management etc.,

[peetee]

I’ve just bought an AT, could have had the new 1100 but my local dealer had just one unregistered 2019 model AT 1000 at an amazing price of £10, 000, considering there is not a great deal of difference between the two and a saving of £3k it was a no brainer.

[majauskasmr]

Looking forward to this review. Your video was one of the first I saw, after Honda released the announcement in September.

Many of the professionals preffer this one over the Adventure Sports. It’s interesting to see if you will come to the same conclusion as well.

If possible please check how do stock tires perform. Also how does it stack up with the heavier Adventure version. Does the weight reduction of 14kg worth sacrificing the benefits of larger tank and tubeless rims...

[DS-tkmm]

Would be interesting to hear about how it compares to the Tiger 900 Rally - both on road and off road. Maybe especially on road - commuting and longer distances - since it's there most of us will spend the most time while still appreciating a multi purpose bike.

[Speedytrip]

I saw the bike at a bike show 2 weeks ago, and quite happy as it didn't make me want to sell my 2019 :D
Honda are really behind most brands when it comes to the TFT display, I think your analogy to hospital equipment is dead on. Even the KTM 390 or BMW G310GS have better looking clusters (My 2019 AT also has a better looking dash, even the 2016 looks better). Also a bit puzzled why Honda keeps putting the horn button above the indicators when most other brands do the opposite. Looking forward to your full review!

[joerocketrider]

Not my cup of tea, this motorbike, but always enjoy your well-researched film clips... cheers...

[-tj]

If this bike had cross-spoke wheels to enable tubeless tyres [19'' front] and an adjustable screen from the X-ADV 750, I'd be tempted to get the DCT version. I like the dash, and I thought the cat was part of the bash plate.

[randypullman]

It's awesome to look at. $13, 000.00 is quite a bit of money to replace my perfectly running 06 KLR. I might add that that is the best paint scheme I've seen for 2020. I'm really into the RWB as well if not more. Can the pegs be adjusted? I like 'em low for my jumbo feet.

[The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

If only Honda would build something between the CRF250L Rally and the Africa Twin, I think they'd have the ultimate all-purpose bike on their hands. The Africa Twin is just too big, too heavy, and (yeah, I'll admit it) too powerful for me. I'm 5' 9", 150 lbs (1.75 m, 68 kg for non-Americans) and I just can't get the most out of a bike that big and heavy, plus I like a wide usable sweep of throttle without blowing the rear tire off the thing or picking up the front wheel.

The CRF250L Rally is a great bike, and may very well replace my awesome-but-aging, moderately modified Yamaha XT350 when it finally keels over (if it ever does), but I'd love to have the option of wider, beefier wheels/tires and a little more power down low so it didn't have to be wrung out quite so hard on the road.

I know they have the CRF450L and probably will build a Rally version of it soon, but I feel it misses the mark since it's essentially a road legal supercross bike, with price, longevity, and service intervals to prove it.

I ride a heavily modified Yamaha TW200 about 70% of the time (which explains my need for a wider-than-average set of tires), as most of my riding is backroading and trail riding, and have the XT350 for any time I need to spend any considerable amount of time at or above 60 mph (around 95 km/h) or cover considerable distance. My TW will do 80 or so with me and light camping stuff aboard, but it's wound tighter than I like it to be, twitchy as all get-out and doesn't feel comfortable much over 50 or 55. The XT's great, but old and they haven't made them in years, so once it's gone it's gone.

An Africa Twin style adventure/dual sport based around the CB300 or even CB500 engine would be absolutely perfect for me, and I know I'm not alone. I know about the CB500X, but it's a bit heavy and terrible off road without many, MANY expensive mods like the Rally Raid stuff. I love Honda's simplicity and reliability, and would rather buy Honda than Yamaha (although my Yammies have been totally bulletproof), but a 300-ish cc Teneré would be the bees knees, too. There's a recent trend for light-to-middleweight off road friendly adventure-type bikes, so here's hoping such an animal will become available soon.

[lynsmith]

Good introduction video. Look forward to your review.

[MrSimonfoz]

The paint work looks top notch, I would be interested to know does it feel under powered? I am considering changing my Tenere 1200 for one thanks.