2020 Africa Twin DCT First Ride

Honda revamped the Africa Twin with a bigger engine, new chassis, and more technology for a better ride on and off the road.

When Honda announced the return of the Africa Twin to its lineup in 2015, it promised a go-anywhere adventure motorcycle. And when the bike arrived as a 2016 model, it was mostly true. In the four model years that have passed the Africa Twin has earned a reputation as an easy-to-own and -ride adventure motorcycle—with the capability to go anywhere. Now for 2020, the Africa Twin gets an overhaul. More power, less weight, better suspension performance, and more tech are all promised to match offerings from the competition—and it delivers.

Honda offers up the 2020 Africa Twin in four models: Africa Twin, Africa Twin DCT, Africa Twin Adventure Sports, and Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT. All four share the same basic engine and frame architecture, previously the Adventure Sports had a different frame to accommodate longer-travel suspension. The differences now lie in a larger 6.5-gallon fuel tank, Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment suspension, heated grips, tubeless wheels, a larger skid plate, a 12-volt accessory socket, and an aluminum rear rack. Honda says the standard Africa Twin is more suited to off-road usage while the Adventure Sports is more for touring due to the bigger tank and electronic suspension.

Our test unit was a base model with manually adjustable Showa suspension and a 5-gallon fuel tank. It was also a DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) model—Honda says the manual transmission units are on the way. Look for an upcoming test with a manual Adventure Sports in the future for a review of the electronic suspension and six-speed gearbox.

As mentioned above, all four models share the same increased displacement parallel twin. Bumped up 86cc to 1,084cc in total, Honda claims a 6-percent increase in power from the original 998cc engine. Once the manual units arrive we will get one on the dyno to compare to the 2018 model that produced 82.4 peak hp and 65.5 pound-feet of torque. Doing the math, we should expect to see just over 87 horses to the rear wheel.

While 6 percent may not seem like a significant increase, on the road it is. The longer-stroke, 270-degree twin gets a larger throttle body, revised air intake, an updated ECU, and re-angled injectors for more oomph and engine smoothness. Combine the power gains with a 5-pound weight loss for the engine (6 pounds overall) and you get a much livelier engine character. Crack the throttle and the Africa Twin responds with a snap that was missed in the previous model. Both on and off the road that extra torque and stroker character lofts the front wheel on demand (with Wheelie Control deactivated—more on that later) and jumps from corner to corner with a newfound willingness. Just a little extra has totally transformed the Africa Twin powerplant from a ho-hum performer to an entertaining, big ADV-worthy powerplant. It still won’t win any horsepower showdown, but you aren’t left wanting when you twist the wireless throttle.

With that increased performance comes increased confidence in traction and stability. A Bosch MM7.10 six-axis IMU now informs the Africa Twin’s big brain to offer lean-sensitive rider aids. Traction control (Honda calls it Honda Selectable Torque Control or HSTC) can be adjusted through seven levels of intervention, Level 1 being the least and Level 7 being the most. TC can also be switched off completely. On the dry pavement, I preferred Level 2 or 3 as it didn’t seem to hold the bike back at all while rear wheel slip was kept to a minimum. In the dirt, I worked though nearly every level. Off is best for technical off-roading, especially when climbing a hill and you need every bit the engine has even if it means spinning the tire all the way up. Level 1 is excellent for single- and two-track riding, offering the smallest safety net when you give it a little too much of the spurs. Higher levels are great for slippery gravel roads, especially with Honda’s street-biased tire choice.

The IMU also manages wheelie control in three levels plus off. Level 1 lets the tire rise from the pavement for a moment before setting it down softly, Level 2 has very little lift before cutting the power, and Level 3? Forget about it, Honda’s system keeps the front wheel glued to the riding surface.

[khodiak]

Without the DCT I'd be off the trails for good due to a bad wreck. But because Honda decided to make something that behaves like an automatic I've got another chance to keep doing what I love.

More motorcycle companies should take note. There are tons of people like me who find shifting as an obstacle. Either they can't learn the sequence, it distracts them, or in my case, a disability might leave them unable to use their foot to shift. And with Honda being the only two-wheeled manufacturer in the industry making these, they're poised for taking all my current and future money for at least the next 30 years.

So please, bring on more machines like this!

[MarcPilon]

I own a 2020 adventure sport dct. Do not listen to parrots who repeat same. Screens and programming is very easy, brilliant. In each mode (city, touring, trail..) = one screen (called gold) supports parameter...then a simplified screen layout and a basic layout. Now I have my own mode (User one) with my own parameters in basic layout, just how I like. Most of the time I do need to adjust. You know.... when it is yours, you read some of the manual.... world of a different attitude....

[galuhrichata]

Honestly, that matte black color make the Africa Twin looks bad ass... love it..

[fastnlight]

Two whole days is not an ownership experience. Read the manual to figure out new features. If you expect to just stumble through, you will forever stumble

[mybrowndog]

For the last 3 years I have been riding a 2017 BMW c650gt maxi scooter. Although it was my first bike to learn to ride, it has now come to a point to where I want something else other than a CVT transmission. So I off I go to the local Honda dealership and start looking and sitting on all of the DCT models. Being 6' 5", not all bikes are suitable. Some are too small, some are not tall enough, and some models my knees and handlebars clash.
And then the salesman showed me a 2020 Africa Twin DCT. I threw my leg over it and pulled a muscle doing it. (Ok, It's tall enough). Sat down, put my feet on the pegs, hands on the Perfect. Comfortable. Just need to road test it, trade in the scooter, and buy it!

[brianboyle]

One month into ownership and it’s outstanding! Correct about the electronics, so dam complicated and I’m not good with computers anyway. But that aside, just sensational on the black stuff, I have only been off road once for half an hour but it instilled great confidence in me.

[ciscosong]

I think it's an ideal bike for touring. I love the African twin. Great looking bike.

[jancoetzer]

My last ride was the NC750 DCT, and I am hooked on Honda's automatics. I once had the 2018 Africa Twin DCT as a loan bike from my dealership and I loved that bike. I will buy this 2020 Africa Twin for sure, and the question whether to go DCT or not doesn't even come up for me - it will be the DCT. In fact, I like the DCT system so much, that I will walk straight past the KTM's, BMW's, and Triumph's to hop onto a DCT AT. I get it that some guys would rather have the manual gearbox, but I often wonder about their true motive - is it really because they like manuals, or is it in some cases a bit of ego stepping in...?

[coolhandpuke]

I'm not really an Adventure bike bloke but, that's one dam nice looking bike imho.Also nice review as usual 👍.

[GBeWinginIt]

Really poor review. Read the manual and try again. this system is infinitely adjustable. I ride and vlog aboard a DCT for three years now. Take the time and learn the system. DCT is a game changer and will be on my bikes moving forward.

[toofastnobrakes]

Would love to see a more road focused “adventure-sport” version of this bike. Maybe with the 1000cc i4 out of the cb1000r

[Gizmoimages]

I used to work for Cycle World about 1990 to 1994, have ridden all my life and never thought about riding an "auto" motorcycle . . . that is until I damaged fingers on my left hand, I'm still recovering, I can probably grip the bar fairly well, but having the dexterity to using a clutch will likely not be possible.

[UncleWally]

This isn’t the first review that claims the 6% increase in power “feels like” a much - much - greater increase. While 6% isn’t shabby, how did Honda make it feel much greater?

[Trickhorn]

The four preset modes (Tour, Urban, Gravel and Off Road) on the 2020 basic model do not allow us to change the Power or Engine Breaking values. But we can change the Traction and Wheelie settings.
Does this mean P and EB are the most important elements of the bikes performance and stability? What should we set T at, in these modes? Why do the engineers trust us to select T in these defined modes? I’ve been riding for a couple of years and I’ve already ridden this bike in tougher/slicker places than many will ever try. But I’m realizing I don’t really understand the HSTC. I don’t want to overthink it but I’d like to understand it.

[manueldietz]

the at, vstrom and tenere are the only 3 adv bikes i would consider buying

[ronaldjupiter]

This DOES have a clutch, two of them to be specific! The bike just shifts the gears for you just like the Goldwing.

[lancealbon]

I have been searching for a side by side test of the 1000 DCT vs 1100 DCT Africa Twins but have found ZERO tests. Well, a couple in foreign languages but ZERO in English. Maybe you could do one? I did find a decent comparison video between the two Adventure Sports models, but not the standard versions like this bike.

[kennyb]

I only have a high school education and it took me 10 minutes to figure out all of the tft, it's very intuitive. What's your education level?

[gwilliamwallace]

Back to school dude for some reading comprehension. How do you cope with road signs?

[helenatyukodi]

I'll keep my V4 Honda VFR 1200 Crosstourer without complicated menus l hate. Modern bike enough. When l begun riding with 18y on a Honda CB250 in 1976 were no such games on a motorcycle and it was a good and happy time without gameboy screens and electronic what nobody really understand. If you can ride, you do not need it, mostly never take anvantage of it anyway, make bikes only more expensive and more sensitive for issues. Don't have smartphone either. Keep on safe riding! Regards from Hungary!