New 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports - First Ride Review

The 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports has had a makeover for this model year. The 21 inch front wheel has been replaced with a more road inspired 19 inch one. The suspension travel, ground clearance and importantly, seat height have all been slightly reduced. The fairing has had a sculpture and the Honda engineers have been tinkering to bring more mid-range power and torque as well as a slicker DCT experience. I was at the recent launch in Portugal and here's my first impressions ride review both on-road and off-road. Theres clear difference between the Africa Twin CRF1100L and the Adventure Sports now, was this a good move from Honda?

A big thanks to my channel partners for their support;

00:00 - Introduction
00:35 - Changes and Updates
03:05 - Exhaust Sound
03:39 - Road Ride - Manual
06:55 - Extra Torque
08:02 - Handling
08:57 - Road Ride - DCT
10:02 - Off-Road Ride
11:54 - Is it a better Road bike?
14:50 - Adjustable Screen
15:44 - First ride conclusions and pricing

[FourIntoOne]

Makes me LOL when the haters say it isn't powerful enough. What nonsense, 100 horsepower not enough? Seriously? Despite me initially being against the change to a smaller diameter front wheel the reality in the real world is that unless you genuinely spend 95% of your time off road you really don't need a 21 inch front wheel - the positives on the road way outweigh any negatives. I am 99% on road (I have a 2016 non AS AT) and should I manage to convince myself to get rid of it this 19 incher AS manual with a quickshifter would be my no 1 choice. Really well made review as well, BTW 👍

[danielrountree]

Such a beautiful bike. I know it’s subjective, but for me, hands down the best looking ADV on the planet.

[MOTOUK]

Fab review Tony, best I’ve seen from the bunch. Excellent quality, sound and camera work 👍 really enjoyed that cheers Nick

[MarkN]

I’ve just watched three reviews of yours and really like the way you present them in a clear, straight way. An easy subscription for me to make 👍

[WheelieGoodTV]

Superb review. I’m seriously considering moving away from my GS to this. Great production values too. 👌🎥🏍️

[davidz]

Great review, I think we all know you loved it. The 19 inch front wheel is the same size as the GS and no one says that isn't for off road, I think Honda have made a good move having both options.

[loblolly]

I agree that making more of a differentiation between the models is a smart move from Honda. Added to the fact that the Standard model now has way more options available so you can retain the 'off road' performance of the current models, but spec it up to suit yourself.

[AgricUltra]

The first time I will seriously be able to consider one (with the optional low seat). Thank you Honda! Great review.

[andrewewan]

As always ... a quality, professional, and real-world video ..

Honda ... well done... on your research ....high percentage of riders are road based ...so lower seat height etc ...welcome

The bike is still one of the best-looking

Stay safe !!

[birybenjamin]

what a beauty. Honda simply the best.

[MagicAyrtonforever]

I recently bought the 21 inch front wheel ES Manual Adventure sports (I added the 2024 comfort seat) and absolutley love it. 6ft, 33 inseen. I'm not fussed about micro changes to the engine when this one is perfection to me. I also prefer the slighter taller bike.

[stevesanelli]

Brilliant Tony! Looked like the perfect climate, roads & bike👌

[lars]

Had the 21´standard with DCT and it was brilliant, appart from it being too high and the 21´´ front wheel making it feel ´´boring´´in the corners. Was thinking back then a 19´´ front and lowered body would be perfect, and here we are! Definitely trying it out. Did not enjoy DCS in auto mode but in semi auto it is fantastic.

[keyboarddancers]

I'm looking at getting back into biking after some 15 years. My last bike was a ratty XTZ750 which was (as you can imagine) like a hippo with a zimmer frame. I recently rode a short distance on a friend's '22 AT and I still have the grin on my face after several days! The thing felt like a magic carpet. 100 hp is as much as you could ever hope to use on virtually any road around the world unless you're intent on regular track riding or 100+ mph autobahn stints. This new AT would suit my plans for a forthcoming European jaunt with some friends. I'd get a manual box rather than the £1.4k DCT and spend the money on accessories and/or travel expenses. I'll be booking a visit to my nearest Honda dealer soon.
*Very informative matter-of-fact review.*

[alinwithther]

Fantastic review Tony,
I currently own a 2022 Yamaha Tracer 9GT and last year i had the unpleasant experience that someone decided to reverse into my parked bike so while it was with the insurance repairers i had the opportunity to ride the 2023 Africa Twin with the 21" front wheel and it was a pleasure to ride, the only thing that put me off as a 5'7" tall it was the height of the bike also i found the throttle to be a bit snatchy to my taste.
But seeing this new 2024 AT with 19" front wheel and lower seat also DCT for the smoother throttle, i'm already sold on it.
Cannot wait to ride one .
Keep the great work coming!

[migo]

Great review. It will be very hard to depart from my 2016 AT standard but i also got older and the body is now ready for a more relaxed and enjoyable ride. The 2024 AT sport DCT looks like that type of bike.

[zigpozema]

Thank you for the very detailed revie👍. You just sold me Africa twin adventure sports dct ❤❤

[brianhoward]

Thanks for your very well-balanced review. Just watched it again and the following thoughts have surfaced for me. 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?

[tonymiller]

Awesome video, I am thinking about getting an AT. This video is helpful for sure!

[dangoodwin]

Awesome, and I totally agree with the comments regarding horse power.