Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L DCT - Long Term review - One year of riding

The Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L DCT has been with me for a year now, which means I've had the opportunity to ride it in all weathers and on all kinds of roads. So what is it like to live with? Is the DCT gearbox any good? Is it comfortable, easy to ride etc? In this 20 minute video, I try to answer all those questions and a few more. I'll highlight the good things and the bad things and if this is an adventure bike you've been eyeing up, I hope the long term review is useful.

A massive thanks to Honda Motorcycles UK for the Long term loan.

Intro - 00:00
DCT gearbox - 00:24
Ergonomics - 06:47
Hows the screen? - 07:48
Ride Quality & Handling - 08:11
Stock Tyres & Wheels - 09:12
Electronics - 09:58
Accessories - 12:09
Looks & Style - 15:39
Should you buy one? - 16:04
Price & Running costs - 17:58
But aren't Hondas Boring? - 19:11
Conclusion - 19:35

[brucekendall]

DCT should be available for all bikes.Cheers.

[billmcmeekin]

I have a 2020 ATASes DCT and absolutely love it. 15000 km, with one spoke hub end falling off. Fuel tank issue as per all Adventure Sports, otherwise bullet proof. Just finished 4500 km through BC interior, Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast with four others. Camped 50%, with about 40% offroad on trip. Multiple days of honesty 46+ ' Celsius, on dirt mountain passes. 8 days all above 35' C. Bike's ran Honda reliable, as expected. Changed tires to Metzler E07's and found awesome for blend of HWY/gravel terrains. The electronic suspension is well well underrated. Fork dive is gone on street. Switch to dirt or gravel and suspension instantly softens and adapts. Add a pillion, or panniers, again a push of a button adapts to a perfect ride. This bike sells itself. As a dirt rider all my life this bike has pleasantly surprised me in ways I'd never expect. Countless hours of research and development have gone into this machine and it shows. I'm 6'2" at 220 pounds and find it very comfortable. Don't try one unless you have the cash to buy. They're that good!

[baldandbiking]

Nobody complained when they made cars with Auto transmissions, but with bikes it seems to be a difficult transition for many. To each their own. I learned to ride on scooters and worked my way up to this, so I love my DCT.

[terrystratford]

I've had my 2021 1100 dct for 18mths. I love it! Definitely a keeper! Dct is great on and off road! I have a manual bike, 1987 gsxr1100h, but rarely ride her now! The major drawback on dct is you can't bump start it!

[mightyhavan]

The man wearing a Harley Davidson logo t-shirt review the best Honda adv. I like it !!!!

[LickyDischarge]

You hold down the back button to save having to connect a headset. Simple’s.
I’ve been doing it since I got my ATAS. Edit to add that you select Do Not Pair when it gives you the option. Then hold the back button to get into AppleCarPlay.

[gilvansouza]

What a great video, concise yet well explained, excellent production too. One of my first stops in YouTube when I'm researching for a new bike or kit. Thank you, hope your channel continues to grow, as it should.

[mojo]

I have a 2022 Africa Twin Adventure Sports Model. Awesome bike. Zero problems. Love it.

[leoncelestinedave]

This is a beautiful bike, I have the 2018 standard dct and have retro fitted the tubeless rims from the 2020 adventure sport. I use the bike for everything and I live in India where the roads are a bit of a jungle! This bike has never disappointed on my short commutes to multiple week trips across. It’s been easy to live with in terms of service cost and just the reliability! I have put around 81k kms so far and I absolutely love the bike. It’s definitely a great option. Once you test ride the dct especially the latest ones the imu definitely makes an already good system even better! Great review and overview

[irishflyer]

It took me a while to adjust to the DCT but now I love it. In addition to the finger shift you can also add on a foot shifter and ride like any quick shifter, this is ideal if your riding different bikes each day.

[jammcguire]

It's a bike that runs like a car when it comes to maintenance. If you are going to go off road on the DCT with tricky terrain or going to do technical riding, get the footpeg and the off road rear brake pedal!

[seekerofthenarrowgate]

I'm late to the party but great review. I picked up my '21 Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT last Monday. Amazing machine! Cheers. 🍻

[ecrusch]

Excellent review my friend. You answered every question I had and than some.
I have a 2021 Rebel 1100 DCT and the auto trans is exceptionally pleasurable to use.
It really lets you enjoy the ride better. The engine is a monster and as reliable as it gets.
If I hit the lottery, I will order a brand new Gold Wing DCT right then.
Thank you for your very nice review.

[whitneyestate]

I’m considering purchasing an Africa and your review was very informative. Well done and thank you.

[shaneweightman]

I’ve been using pyramid stuff for 25 yrs, good products, cheers for the review Shane uk 🇬🇧

[leewhite]

Nice review, glad your not messing it up with music overdubs. Good job

[UncleWally]

Thanks for the time-stamps, they not only give access to topics of interest, they provide an index of topics covered. During Covid year I’ve been hassling my next bike to purchase - as of now, the AT is the front runner.

[Davennep]

It is a fantastic bike and very good looking. I owned a 2017 model an now I own a 2018 Africa Twin DCT. In one week fom now I get a new one, a 2020 1100 model DCT with just 3.200 miles on it. I rode it last week and I had even more fun than the earlyer models AT I've been ridden. The 2020 model has a stronger engine with more torque and horsepower. I love the new display end the cruise control!! Honda AT is still the best allround bike on earth IMO. Reliability from Honda and the low maintanance costs is also important for me.

[NoWay-xuie]

I own a 21 AT DCT and grown to really like it . I kinda of disagree with the comment about test riding one . I did a short test ride and wasn't all that impressed because I didn't get a chance to understand all the ride modes. But I bought it anyway. After 3000 miles I can say it's a awesome bike. Like many people I won't do anymore than probably gravel roads. My longest day so far is 475 miles with the help of a couple different seat cushions. To me the seat leaves something to be desired. With a good seat I've thought I could probably put on as many miles in a day as my 2019 Goldwing that has the (stock seat for now. )
I need to get back out to California and get a Russell seat built for the AT . Before the whole state burns up🔥

[andiway]

Not the same bike but my latest buy- CBR 600 f has really surprised me. Honda’s are not boring (to the likes of me anyway) and way exceed my talents. Build quality and ride are fantastic and in black-looks great.