All-new 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin!
Comprehensively redrawn for 2020 with a compact rally style and an even sharper off-road focus is the Africa Twin CRF1100L! More power and torque in a significantly lighter package - forged through adventure.
The 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin has a sharply-renewed focus on off-road core ability, that brings with it the look – and feel – of a true rally machine. For Australia, there will be one Africa Twin option available in Manual with ABS. With two colour choices: Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black
Smaller, slimmer and 4kg lighter, it offers even more athletic performance, thanks also to changes to the engine, which now produces 7% more peak power, 6% more peak torque and is much stronger everywhere in the rev-range.
The frame has been completely revised and now features a bolt-on aluminium subframe. The swingarm, too, is aluminium and based on that of the CRF450R moto-crosser. At the centre of the Africa Twin, the addition of a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) controls not only the 7-level HSTC but also (new for 2020) 3-level Wheelie Control, Cornering ABS (with off-road setting) and Rear Lift Control. An OFF-ROAD setting also joins the URBAN, TOUR and GRAVEL default riding modes.
Tailored for complete control, the riding position features a slimmer-section seat and higher-set handlebars. A full colour Multi Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen offers immersive engagement with the machine’s systems, plus Apple CarPlay® and Bluetooth connectivity. Dual LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are highly visible, improving safety, and cruise control is standard-fit.
Engine
The SOHC 8-valve parallel-twin engine now has a larger displacement of 1,084cc, up from 998cc. Significantly, the obvious increase in both power and torque makes itself felt from 2,500rpm all the way through to the redline. To create the larger capacity, bore remains 92mm but stroke is longer at 81.5mm (from 75.1mm) with compression ratio of 10.1:1. The cylinder sleeves are also now aluminium. Along with other detailed weight savings in the transmission and elsewhere, the manual transmission engine is now 2.5kg lighter (at 66.4kg) than the previous design.
Electronics
The Africa Twin’s engine received the benefits of Throttle By Wire (TBW) control in 2018, allowing much finer management of engine output and character as well as expanded Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) for rear tyre grip. For 2020 the system has smartly evolved and now works in conjunction with a six-axis IMU. At the very heart of the Africa Twin’s elevated on- and off-road performance is a Bosch MM7.10 six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) tucked away at the centre of the machine, that measures – in real-time – roll angle/rate, pitch angle/rate and yaw angle/rate. It manages rear wheel traction via TBW and HSTC, front braking grip through Cornering ABS, front wheel lift through Wheelie Control and also adds Rear Lift Control.
Chassis
In conjunction with the addition of IMU control for its 2020 evolution, the strength and rigidity balance of the steel semi-double cradle frame was completely re-examined by Honda’s development engineers to boost off-road ability – at the same time reinforcing its all-round on-road manners. Rigidity around the steering head has been optimised to enhance feel for front end grip; the main spars are also slimmer and straighter and do away with the front cross pipe. Frame weight is 1.8kg lighter than before.
Styling & Equipment
Aggressive and compact. Two words that sum up the Africa Twin’s taut new rally-style bodywork and it’s for a reason – to work better off-road. The fixed screen is much shorter than before, to allow for easy scanning of the trail ahead and, while seat height remains 850-870mm, the handlebars now mount 22.5mm higher, giving a more upright riding position and comfortable control, whether standing or seated.
Accessories
The range of Honda Genuine Accessories for the Africa Twin has been expanded with luggage options that includes premium (42L) aluminium top box and panniers plus large (58L) plastic top box and panniers, two seat heights (a lower 825-845mm and taller 870-895mm option), touring screen, radiator guards, engine guards and side pipes, knuckle guard extensions, heated grips and an ACC charging socket.
2020 AFRICA TWIN SPECIFICATIONS
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