2024 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Review - Key updates & changes for 2024

The 2024 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L has had some key updates in both the 'Standard' and Adventure Sports Model variants. The latter is obviously the biggest, with the switch to a more 'road-focused' bike with its 19-inch front wheel and lower seat and ground clearance. But the Standard Africa Twin model has had some changes too which I think will appeal to more potential buyers. These additions make it, I think, a bike with a much broader appeal. Let me know what you think in the comments section.

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00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Engine enhancements
01:31 - Electronic Suspension Option
02:30 - New Screen & Tubeless Rims
03:41 - This or the Adventure Sports?
04:31 - TFT & Controls
05:12 - DCT Updates
07:00 - Pricing and Colours
07:34 - Conclusions

[meinekleineweltreise]

I think the 2024 Africa Twin just became even better. Thanks for the Review!
But my good “old” 2020 Africa Twin DCT carried me over 85.000 km from the southern tip of South America to the Arctic Ocean of North America. And I’m still in love with it! 😅
Best bike ever!

[hovishill]

Honda have finally made an Africa Twin I’m gonna buy 👍🏻. It’s got everything I want on an adventure tourer that will take me down any road or track. 👍🏻

[DucatiDale]

One of these with a manual box and qs is getting ever more appealing need to get out on one

[TheBoobieMan]

6:39 To be fair, one of the reasons there is an increase in DCT sales (globally) is because dealerships don’t give customers much of a choice. Most dealerships only offer DCT. Shoutout to the Philippines.

[africa_twin_for_the_win]

Hi, just a quick few words to say thanks for your content. Denali and Hexcan installed on the AT on your recommendation and I've just added an Android dongle which solves the 'will the cable work or not' issue. Ready now for June's trip to Rome. Thanks, all the best.

[mrjay]

Nice! Standard Manual with quick shift for me. 👍 I've played with dirt bike suspension adjustments my whole life. Once dialed in, only quick minor adjustments are necessary, like increasing preload for adding luggage. The standard model is much leaner than the AS, ES, DCT and the rare occasion I may tackle big remote miles, I'll bring a fuel bag or have a roto pax.

[AuldhannRua]

A nice review of a great bike. Makes it more usable for the average rider

[jgoogleheim]

Good concise review. I remember when 100 hp was a lot! The weight at 560 lbs can be a lot for offroad but a lot of people like this for touring where the extra weight gives stability in the wind. Good bike but the KTM1290 is rippier and rides like silk over potholes and bumps on the tarmac.

[windinthewillows]

Adjustable screen, Yes, Tubeless rims, Yes, Yes, Yes, Electronic Suspension, Yes, CC, Yes. Honda you have just got another customer, will be px my T7WR. 👍

[brianhoward]

Thanks for your very well-balanced review. The 2024 Africa Twin is an incredible improvement on the release of the 2020 model when it was upgraded to the current 1, 084cc motor. The torque has increased and is much smoother and more measured in its deployment from zero to high rpm. It really is a pearler of a twin motor with a great traditional 'twin' sound with the upgraded 2024 muffler. I'm a fan and a Honda tragic from way back and can hardly wait to own one. I would very much like to buy the '25 model next year.
HOWEVER, Honda will NOT be getting my money until at least some or all of the following glitches/negatives are resolved:
1) The atrociously long time it takes to boot the TFT screen and THEN it requires a touch on an 'OK' button before giving you access. WTF Honda?! No other manufacturers spoil the ride experience like this so WTF Honda?!
2) The switchgear needs an overhaul - simplify it AND include backlighting
3) An easy way to get the seat height BELOW 800mm. Please don't try to tell me it can't be done Honda. I'm 5'6" (167cm) and I would like to be able to flatfoot. 795mm seat height is a worthy goal Honda.
4) For the top-of-the-line model (mainly road use owners) ditch those ridiculous spoked wheels and give us some tasteful forged cast aluminium wheels. Cleaning spokes is an absolute nightmare. We already have enough cleaning with the chain drive, so, please Honda - some alloys.
5) For two-up touring it most definitely needs some more power. They should either bump the capacity to 1250cc for another 30hp OR, preferably, finally release the supercharged model on which they hold a Japanese patent and as such has been in development since 2019. One would think that simply in the name of competition with the Multistradas, GS1300s, Triumphs et al, Honda would want to increase the power at least somewhat. It is great for low speed stuff but 2-up with luggage on the highway it does need quite a bit more. Please! (from all reports the supercharger design is for low-mid range torque - not meant to be a high-rev Kawasaki H2 competitor).
6) Not mandatory for my purchase but, with DCT, a reverse gear for parking such a heavy baby would be handy. You'd only need 'impulse power' Scotty :-)
7) Does that great sounding rear muffler really have to be the size of a boat anchor?
So there's my list of gripes for a bike I love a lot. My wishlist. How about it Honda - all for '25?

[JP-vsli]

Great review as usual keep up good work👍🏼 how is the interceptor I’ve just rewatched the build series again can’t wait to see more on that series hope you have a great Easter weekend

[UncleWally]

Based on my experience, DCT may automatically shift gears but learning how to maximize its potential is far from automatic. After hating it, I’ve learned to love it. Thing is, no component is an island, it works in conjunction with the bike as a whole. After manual shifting for fifty years I had to learn that the team of engineers knew what they were doing and that DCT warrants different throttle response and that features like adjustable power delivery, traction control, engine braking, modes and suspension actually make a difference. That said, if adjusting learned behavior isn’t fun, I’d stay away from DCT - it’s not for everyone.

[benkelly]

Nearly pulled the trigger, on the new standard AT, with SA suspension! Lovely ride. Definitely not DCT, tho!

[motobickers]

What gloves you wearing Tony? They look great.

[alessandrotorrescampos]

Too bad we don’t have the option for the 21” wheel on the Adventure Sports model anymore.

[trekkydelirium-vroom]

Hi, which wireless CarPlay dongle did you bought & installed? Is it fully waterproof?
Thanks & best regards from Montreal.

[tHaHxr]

The changes are mostly good, especially the adjustable screen, and the option for the electronic suspension. Wish I had the option when buying the bike 2 years ago.
As for tubeless rims, I am not so sure. I think they should have given the option to the buyer of picking what they like. But it's not that big of a deal.
The increased compression I am less of a fan of. I liked the low compression rating of the AT, as it goes hand in hand with lower engine stresses, and thus higher reliability. I value that far more than a couple of extra HP or Nm.
Also the weight! nearly 10kg over the 2022 model... That brings it much closer to the 'pavement monsters' and further away from the mid level adv bikes like the T7 and the likes.
What I thought was great about the AT, was that it was the only bike that offered a nice compromise between the heavy road focused machines, and the off-road focused mid range ADV bikes.

[RHaidar-PJ]

Great review sir!
Does the front tyre width have increased too in the new model? Looks wider

[ScubboNZ]

if you group ride or tourer gravel on dry loose roads, the airfilter changing is a bitch for multi-day rides (though most people sell their bike after a 12xKM making it next buyer problems)

[brisprott]

Great video thanks. I believe the ATAS also has a thicker seat. Would love someone to comment on two up touring when reviewing these bikes as that is what a vast majority of them are now used for. Is there enough “oomph” whe fully loaded to zip past cars on UK “A” roads for example.