Honda Africa Twin[2017]

Name: Honda Africa Twin[2017]
Brand: Honda
SKU: 696
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)

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Key specs

999.11 cc
6 Speed DCT Automatic

Last known Avg. Ex-showroom price

₹ 13,18,982

Honda Africa Twin[2017] is now discontinued in India.

Discontinued

Honda Africa Twin[2017] Summary

Africa Twin[2017] key highlights
Engine Capacity	999.11 cc
Transmission	6 Speed DCT Automatic
Kerb Weight	245 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 litres
Seat Height	840 mm
Max Power	85.9 bhp

About Africa Twin[2017]

Honda’s ‘Africa Twin’ moniker was made famous by the XR750 which was a four-time winner at the Dakar rally. The Africa Twin with its liquid-cooled 998cc parallel-twin engine puts out 86bhp at 7,500rpm and 92Nm at 6,000rpm through a six-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which is a top-of-the-line variant and will be the only option sold in India.

The Africa Twin comes with the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), switchable rear ABS; which allows ABS to be switched off for the rear wheel and traction control, both offering different modes for different conditions. Traction control has four settings, off and levels 1-3. Level 1 is the most aggressive while level 3 is easy on the rider.

The Africa Twin's 21-inch front wheel with its inverted cartridge type, fully adjustable, Showa 43mm upside-down front forks provides enormous suspension travel of 230mm - the largest in its class. The rear shock also features a fully adjustable Showa with an 18-inch wheel to handle all sorts of terrain with a range of rebound and compression settings. The motorcycle has a class-leading 250mm of ground clearance and a seat height of 860mm. The Africa Twin with a fuel tank capacity of 23-litres has a kerb weight of 208kg – 222kg.

Competitors for the Honda Africa Twin at its introductory price are the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx, Kawasaki Versys 1000, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and the Ducati Multistrada 950.

Produced at the manufacturer’s Manesar plant, the motorcycle would be the first litre class from HMSI’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and is only available in Victory Red colour option.

Honda Africa Twin[2017] Review

The Africa Twin is a litre class go-anywhere motorcycle from Honda that landed on Indian shores two months ago. It has come at a time when there has been a good growth in the adventure bike segment which is currently being ruled by the Triumph Tigers. This tall, handsome, red Japanese motorcycle is available only in DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) version because Honda felt that the USP of automatic gearbox will provide a great marketing advantage. Inspired from the legendary Paris Dakar Rally and its predecessors, this Africa Twin promises to change the adventure biking segment in India and for good.

What is it?

Why would I buy the Honda Africa Twin?

The Africa Twin does the job of three bikes - commuting, touring and off-roading. Plus it is easy to live with, thanks to the adjustable seat height and balanced weight distribution. DCT is icing on the cake.

Why would I avoid the Honda Africa Twin?

No ride-by-wire system and no cruise control. Plus, limited service reach.

The Honda Africa Twin is a litre class go-anywhere motorcycle from Honda that landed on Indian shores two months ago. It has come at a time when there has been a good growth in the adventure bike segment which is currently being ruled by the Triumph Tigers. This tall, handsome, red Japanese motorcycle is available only in DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) version because Honda felt that the USP of automatic gearbox will provide a great marketing advantage. Inspired from the legendary Paris Dakar Rally and its predecessors, this Africa Twin promises to change the adventure biking segment in India and for good.

How is it to ride?

Don't let the tall boy structure of the Africa Twin intimidate you. Because once you get on the motorcycle, chances are you wouldn't want to get off. The narrow waist line, upright and easy-to-reach handlebar and the ergonomically placed front foot pegs (that gets removable rubber inserts) will make you feel at home. The seat height (which is adjustable) makes it easy to place the feet on the ground and that is important on a full size ADV. Even with narrow seats, there’s enough place to move around. Plus, the cushioning is just right for long hauls.

The 998cc parallel twin motor on the Africa Twin is super refined and responsive. It churns out 87bhp and 98Nm of peak torque in a linear fashion. Twist that throttle and this 245kg ADV is quick to move off its feet. Most of the torque is produced as soon as the revs reach 2000rpm. The mid-range performance is excellent and the precise fueling takes things to a whole new level. All these aspects make this motor a tractable one. And this wouldn't have been possible without the DCT gearbox. It is incredible to see how this six-speed gearbox works. The shifts are very smooth especially the up-shifts in the D mode. Here, the gearbox shifts to a higher gear as early as possible for maximising fuel economy. This is a brilliant mode to be in for the city commuting.

There's also an S mode which has three levels - S1, S2, S3. The higher the level you climb, the power delivery gets sharper and aggressive. The gearbox also stays in the higher revs as much as it can before shifting to the next gear. The rider has the option of overriding to manual mode by pressing the shifter on the left switchgear. The interesting bit about this DCT is that even after the manual override, the gearbox activates the automatic mode when it is time to go to next gear. There's the option of going full manual too, and that is recommended during off-road conditions for better control.

In the case of its riding abilities, this compact and tall ADV easily changes directions without much fuss. Due to a light front-end, it is quite easy to steer the Africa Twin on the tarmac. The credit for it also goes to the excellent weight distribution. Mid-corners correction is a piece of cake for this bike. But off-road is where the Africa Twin puts other big ADVs to shame. Firstly, it doesn't have that big bulky body to deal with. And secondly, the narrow and the accessible seat height makes things really easy for the rider. Standing up and riding is possible even for a 6.2ft rider. The fully adjustable suspension in the stock factory setup is to the softer side and offers a plush ride all the time. The bike gobbles up all the potholes and ruts without any sweat.

But the fun begins as you go down on the three-level traction control system. We had the most amount of fun with the TCS off, as that is where the rear slides the most. The Africa Twin with all its electronics gives enough freedom for the rider to be a little careless on the trails. The bike easily corrects itself whenever the rider faces an 'Oh shucks' moment. There's also the G mode that slips the clutch depending on the off-road situation. The brakes are powerful and predictable. However, the front could have gone with a little more feel on the lever.

Anything else I should know?

Honda has taken a no-frills approach in developing this bike. So there's no ride-by-wire system, no cruise control and no rider modes. Honda has placed the ABS and G mode buttons on the dashboard instead of making it a part of instrumentation. So one hand is off the bar each time you operate those functions. This is bound to happen a lot because all the saved settings are reset every time you turn on the ignition. The weird placement of the horn and indicator switch means you have to look down to operate the right one.

The digital instrumentation is well laid out and is easy to read. It shows a lot of information necessary for the ride and some of it can be reset using the switchgear. There are other features like parking brake system, LED dual headlamps and adjustable seats.

The windscreen isn´t adjustable, but it provides adequate protection from the windblast. The fuel tank can hold 18.5 litres and Honda claims a fuel efficiency of 21.5kmpl for the DCT model, so that is approximately 400kms of riding range which is very impressive for a full-size touring-cum adventure motorcycle. The 250mm ground clearance is more than enough to get a little careless on the dirt and if things get a little out of hand, there´s a long and wide skid plate to take the beating. There are placements for the panniers and also for the top box. However, these need to be bought as aftermarket accessories.

Should I buy one?

The Honda Africa Twin doesn´t get all the bells and whistles that its European counterparts do. And this simplistic approach is what makes the Africa Twin so special. Be it on the road or off the road, the Africa Twin is easy to manage. It has the right set of usable tech to take care of you on the journey. This is why the Africa Twin should be in top of the list if you are in the market for a practical, full-sized adventure bike. To top it all, the DCT is a gem and will definitely ease your stress and offer you more time to plan in the dirt.

Where does it fit in?

The Africa Twin retails for Rs 13.06 lakhs. However, this is an introductory price for the first 50 motorcycles. The price might go up for the next batch of Africa Twins. Its nearest rival, the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx is priced at Rs 13.28 lakhs. There is also the Ducati Multistrada 950 at Rs 12.82 lakhs. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Photography by Kapil Angane

Gear Check

1 : SOL SX-1 helmet : A stylish entry-level premium dirt bike helmet. Offers very good visibility, comfort and is DOT approved. Gets D-ring chin strap for maximum safety . Price : Rs 5590

2: SCOTT Moto Jersey 350 Dirt : The lightweight material feels excellent. Provides good ventilation . Price : Rs 2990

3: SCOTT Pursuit 350 Jacket Protector : The built quality is fantastic. Shoulder and lumbar plates can be adjusted. Price - Rs 13,990

4: Ixon RS Circuit HP Gloves : Good fit, usability and practicality makes this gloves my first choice. Overall quality is good for the price. Price – Rs 8000

5: SCOTT Moto Pant 350 Dirt : Overall fit and finish is top notch. The built in padding adds to the safety. Price - Rs 8990

6: SIDI B2 boots: A nice all-round boots for track and road riding. Offers ample protection but lack ventilation. Price - Rs 17,000

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Africa Twin[2017] Specifications & Features

Specifications

Power & Performance

Displacement Engine displacement is the measure of the cylinder volume swept by the pistons of an internal combustion engine. It indicates the engine size. 999.11 cc

Max Power 85.9 bhp @ 7,500 rpm

Max Torque 91.9 Nm @ 6,000 rpm

Stroke Stroke indicates the number of engine cycles during which a piston travels from top to bottom. 75 mm

Valves Per Cylinder Valves per cylinder indicate the intake (fuel) and outlet (exhaust of combustion gases) of an engine. 8

Compression Ratio A compression ratio suggests the degree to which the fuel mixture is compressed before ignition. --

Mileage - ARAI ARAI certified fuel economy that has been tested under controlled conditions. --

Mileage - Owner Reported This is the fuel economy registered by Bikewale followers. --

Riding Range The total range that a vehicle can travel on a full tank of fuel. --

Top Speed The maximum speed that a vehicle can achieve. 190 Kmph

Transmission 6 Speed DCT Automatic

Transmission Type The transmission type will tell the kind of transmission a two-wheeler has. Chain Drive

Gear Shifting Pattern Gear Shifting Pattern --

Cylinders The number of cylinders that an engine features. Most two-wheelers sold in the Indian market feature a single-cylinder. 2

Bore Bore is the diameter of each cylinder. 92 mm

Ignition Ignition indicates to the type of starting system that a vehicle uses. --

Spark Plugs A spark plug is a device for firing the explosive mixture. --

Cooling System The cooling system suggests the cooling mechanism that a motor uses. The types include air, oil, or liquid. Liquid Cooled

Clutch The clutch disengages or engages the engine from the transmission. --

Fuel Delivery System --

Fuel Tank Capacity The capacity of a vehicle to store fuel. 18.8 litres

Reserve Fuel Capacity Reserve fuel is part of the main tank that is used when a vehicle is running low on petrol/diesel. --

Emission Standard Emission standards indicate the output from the exhaust that is permissible in a country. --

Fuel Type Fuel Type is the type of fuel that an engine uses to operate. The different types include petrol, diesel, electric, and ethanol among others. Petrol

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Brakes, Wheels & Suspension

Front Suspension Front suspension usually includes telescopic forks. Telescopic

Rear Suspension Rear suspension setup mostly uses a rear mono-shock. Pro-Link

Braking System Braking system is used to reduce the speed of the vehicle or bring it to a standstill. --

Rear Wheel Size Rear wheel size indicates the diameter of the rear wheel. --

Front Tyre Size Front tyre size indicate the profile of the front tyre. 90/90-R21 tube type

Rear Tyre Size Rear tyre size indicates the profile of the rear tyre. 150/70-R18 tube type

Front Brake Type Most vehicles feature a disc brake at the front although some commuter segment products come with a drum setup. Disc

Front Brake Size Front brake size indicates the size of the disc or drum setup at the front wheel. 310 mm

Rear Brake Type Most vehicles come with a drum brake setup at the back although higher spec models feature a disc brake at the rear. Disc

Rear Brake Size Rear brake size indicates the size of the disc or drum setup at the front wheel. 256 mm

Calliper Type Front-4-Piston , Rear-2 Piston Calliper

Wheel Type Wheel types include two types - Wire-spoke and Alloy wheels. Spoke

Front Wheel Size Front wheel size indicates the diameter of the front wheel. 21 inch

Tyre Type Tyre types are divided into two - Tubeless and Tube Type. Tubed

Radial Tyres Radial tyres use steel belts that run at a 90-degree angle with the tread line. No

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider) --

Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider) --

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --

Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --

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Dimensions & Chassis

Kerb Weight Kerb weight of the motorcycle is the total weight of a vehicle that is ready for operation. It includes all standard equipment and necessary consumables. 245 kg

Seat Height The seat height is the height of the rider's saddle from the ground. 840 mm

Ground Clearance The ground clearance is the distance between the ground and the lowest point of a vehicle. 250 mm

Overall Width Total width of the vehicle. 932 mm

Overall Height Overall height is the tallest point of a motorcycle, usually the mirror or the top of a windscreen. 1,478 mm

Wheelbase The wheelbase is the distance between the front and the rear wheel. 1,574 mm

Overall Length Overall length of the vehicle is the total length of a two-wheeler from the front to the back. 2,334 mm

Chassis Type The chassis type is the primary/main frame of a two-wheeler. Semi Double Cradle

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Manufacturer Warranty

Standard Warranty --

Standard Warranty --

Features

Odometer Odometer keeps the track of the total kilometres travelled by a vehicle in its lifetime. --

Speedometer Speedometer gives an indication of the current speed at which a vehicle is travelling. Digital

Fuel Guage Fuel guage indicates the level of fuel available in the tank of a vehicle. Yes

AHO (Automatic Headlight On)--

Shift LightYes

Headlight Type--

Digital Fuel Guage Digital fuel guage shows the information about the fuel level in a vehicle through a digital display. Yes

Tachometer Tachometer shows the real-time reading of the revs per minute (RPM) at which the engine is operating. Digital

Stand Alarm Stand alarm notifies the rider if the side stand of the vehicle is engaged. Some vehicles comes with a side stand cut-off feature that does not allow the motor to start until the side stand is lifted. --

No. of Tripmeters No of tripmeters indicate the total number of trip meters that a vehicle's instrument cluster features. Usually, premium vehicles come with two trip meters, while budget two-wheelers feature a single trip meter. 2

Tripmeter Type Tripmeters are available in two type - analogue and digital. The analogue unit usually features a single trip meter while a digital display may come with two trip meters. Digital

Low Fuel Indicator Low fuel indicator aims to remind the rider that the vehicle is running low on fuel, and it should be refueled soon. Yes

Low Oil Indicator Low oil indicator is a warning light that indicates that the engine is running lower oil than required to operate. Yes

Low Battery Indicator Low battery indicator suggests that the battery of the vehicle has lost a substantial amount of charge. Yes

Clock Clock is used to display time through the instrument cluster. This feature comes in motorcycles with a digital display. Yes

Battery Battery in a petrol-powered vehicle is used to support the self-start system, power the clock, and the USB charger. 12V 11.2A-h

Front storage box --

Under seat storage --

Mobile App Connectivity Mobile App Connectivity connects the smartphone to the instrument cluster via Bluetooth to offer access to features such as incoming calls, messages, and music. --

DRLs (Daytime running lights) Daytime Running Lights, as the name suggest, are the lights that stay ON when the main headlight is switched off. This feature makes a vehicle easily visible in the rear view mirror of other vehicles. --

Brake/Tail Light--

Turn Signal--

Pass LightYes

GPS & Navigation--

USB charging port--

Start TypeElectric Start

KillswitchYes

Stepped SeatYes

Pillion BackrestNo

Pillion GrabrailYes

Pillion SeatYes

Pillion FootrestYes

Additional features--

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Honda Africa Twin[2017] News

2018 Honda Africa Twin launched in India at Rs 13.23 lakhs
06 June 2018
Ranjan R. Bhat

Honda has launched the 2018 Africa Twin CRF1000L in India at Rs 13.23 lakhs (ex-showroom). The adventure touring motorcycle will be sold exclusively through 22 Wing World dealerships across the country, and can be booked for a token amount of Rs 50,000.
Honda to launch new Africa Twin in July
05 May 2018
Ranjan R. Bhat

Honda will launch the Africa Twin in India in July. Like before, the adventure touring motorcycle will be locally assembled, and will be available in limited numbers.
Honda might resurrect the Dominator
09 January 2018
Ranjan R. Bhat

Honda has filed a patent for a new small-capacity adventure sports motorcycle. With this, the Japanese manufacturer seems to be working towards reviving the Dominator moniker.