Adventure touring bikes (ADV) are always at the top of the list for motor tourists and adventure enthusiasts worldwide. Among the high-cc touring bikes, the Honda Africa Twin is quite popular. The word "Africa" refers to the African route of the Dakar Rally in the 1980s and "Twin" represents its iconic twin-cylinder engine and multipurpose usage. 

This bike is known for its Japanese outstanding build qualities and reliability performing excellently both on-road and off-road. Unfortunately, due to cc limitations, adventure tourer enthusiasts in Bangladesh cannot use this iconic motorcycle. However, due to its performance and widespread enthusiasm among bikers globally its international slogan is – Forged through toughness.

Today, we will take a closer look at the Honda Africa Twin 1100.

Honda Africa Twin 1100 – Design

The design of the Honda Africa Twin is shaped like an adventure tourer. It bears a design similarity to one of the most popular touring bikes in Bangladesh, the Honda CBX 150. The uniqueness of this bike has in its dual-purpose use: not just a tourer but an off-roader as well. 

The simple look, strong build quality, spoke alloy rims, and upright exhaust placement make its multi-purpose design clear. The dual headlights at the front is look alike the eyes of an owl, giving it a simple but aggressive look. It comes equipped with LED indicators, headlights, and tail lamps, which, though basic in appearance, are highly practical and inhances the bike’s modern and advanced technology.

Honda Africa Twin 1100 – Engine Specifications

The main attraction of the Honda Africa Twin is its engine. It features a 1084cc twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 8-valve, 4-stroke PGM-FI OHC engine paired with a 6-speed gearbox and dual wet multi-plate coil spring assist and slipper clutch. This engine produces 101 BHP of power at 7500 RPM and 112 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. 

The bike comes in both regular and DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) variants, where the DCT version offers automatic transmission, meaning no manual clutch or gear shifting is required—it operates just like a car. According to Honda Motorcorp UK, the bike performs stably and offers top performance on city streets, highways, off-roads, and rally tracks.

Honda Africa Twin 1100 – Features

Some notable features of the Honda Africa Twin include:

 Seat Height, Weight, and Ground Clearance: The bike has an 810 mm seat height, 250 mm ground clearance, and a curb weight of 244 kg. However, the weight distribution of the bike’s frame is so well-balanced that the weight does not affect performance.

Ignition System: Self-start ignition.

Digital Instrument Cluster: This bike has two instrument clusters. The primary one is a 6.5-inch large TFT screen that might remind you of a smartphone at first glance. This highly customizable cluster allows riders to set it up as they prefer. 

It even supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing the rider to use the cluster as a phone. It provides essential information such as temperature, map navigation, multiple trip meters, speedometer, tachometer, gear indicator, ABS indicator, side stand indicator, and a clock. The secondary cluster shows speed, tachometer, and fuel levels, and is simple but digital.

LED Lighting: LED DRLs, projector headlights, tail lamps, and turn indicators enhance the modern look and appeal of the bike. As mentioned earlier, the light shape resembles the eyes of an owl.

Luggage Plate and Grab Rail: The bike comes with a built-in luggage plate for better load carrying and a pocket grab rail for the pillion rider.

Knuckle Guard and Rally-Style Windshield: The knuckle guard protects the rider’s wrist during accidents, while the rally-style windshield reduces wind resistance, alleviating rider fatigue and improving the riding experience.

Upswept Exhaust Placement: The slightly elevated exhaust position provides an advantage during off-roading, especially in muddy or water areas.

5 Riding Modes: The bike offers five riding modes—Urban, Tour, Off-road, Gravel, and User. Depending on the road conditions and rider preference, the appropriate torque and top speed output can be achieved.

Automatic Cruise Control: Like in cars, the Africa Twin has automatic cruise control, allowing the rider to set a fixed speed. This feature reduces riding pressure, especially on roads with speed limits. Some even compare this feature to the autopilot mode in planes.

Tubeless Tires: The bike comes with large alloy rims and high-quality multipurpose grip tubeless tires, reducing the risk of punctures and allowing confident riding on any road. The front tire is 90/90-21, and the rear tire is 150/80-18.

Brakes: The bike is equipped with dual 310 mm disc brakes with 4-piston calipers in the front and a 256 mm disc brake with a 2-piston caliper at the rear. To enhance safety and braking performance, the bike includes a dual-channel ABS system, which is crucial in rainy or unexpected conditions. It also features an on-off switch for the ABS, essential for off-roading.

Suspension System: The bike uses Showa’s world-renowned upside-down (USD) hydraulic shock absorbers in the front and a multi-adjustable monoshock in the rear, ensuring a comfortable riding experience. Another notable feature is the electronic remote-control suspension adjuster, allowing the rider to adjust the suspension to their liking without any tools.

Mileage: According to Honda Motocorp UK, the bike has an 18.8-liter fuel tank and can provide a mileage of 20 kilometers per liter. However, the mileage may vary based on environmental factors, fuel quality, and riding style.

In conclusion, the specifications and international reviews give a clear indication of why Honda markets the Africa Twin as "The perfect travel partner." Hopefully, this bike, a favorite of enthusiasts worldwide, will soon be available to adventure tourers in Bangladesh.

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