Africa Twin Adventure Sports: Honda’s First Motorcycle with Radar, Plus 17 hp More

• 119 hp (87.5 kW) and 119 Nm from 1,131 cc, up from 102 hp and 112 Nm
• Honda SENSING RIDE radar system with adaptive cruise control and Stop & Go, DCT only
• 24.2-litre fuel capacity, part of it under the seat, for a range of around 480 kilometres

Ten years after the launch of the CRF1000L, the Africa Twin moves into a new generation. Honda presented the CRF1150L range as a world premiere at EICMA 2026 in Milan, making it one of the new arrivals for the 2027 model year. The road-focused Africa Twin Adventure Sports gets the most comprehensive equipment in the family. At the top sits the new Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE. According to Honda, it is the brand’s first motorcycle with the newly developed radar assistance package. The technical foundation is a larger engine, a lighter frame and a fuel tank concept inspired by a 1980s Dakar race bike.

Which models make up the new Honda Africa Twin 2027 family?

The family now comprises the standard Africa Twin, the new Enduro Sports, the Adventure Sports and the Adventure Sports with SENSING RIDE as the flagship version. All of them share the same engine, frame and electronics. The differences lie in the front wheel, suspension, fuel tank and weight.

The base Africa Twin continues to roll on a 21-inch front wheel, holds 18.8 litres of fuel and weighs 237 kg (522 lbs) fully fuelled, or 247 kg (545 lbs) with DCT. The new Enduro Sports is designed for tougher terrain. It has 260 mm of ground clearance and a manually fully adjustable Showa fork on the level of the CRF450 RALLY rally bike. At 228 kg (503 lbs), it is the lightest variant.

The Adventure Sports, by contrast, is built for long distances. It has a 19-inch front wheel, a 24.2-litre tank and the electronically controlled Showa EERA (Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment) suspension as standard. With the manual gearbox it weighs 245 kg (540 lbs) fully fuelled, with DCT 255 kg (562 lbs). The SENSING RIDE version is only available with the dual-clutch transmission and tips the scales at 256 kg (564 lbs).

The fact that Honda ties the radar to the DCT also reflects buying behaviour. In 2025, 68 percent of Africa Twin Adventure Sports buyers in Europe chose the DCT version, while for the standard Africa Twin it was just under half. Honda has sold more than 120,000 Africa Twins since 2016, making it the second most popular model in the European adventure segment above 1,000 cc.

What can the Honda SENSING RIDE radar system do on the Africa Twin?

Two radar units at the front and rear monitor the traffic around the motorcycle. This enables functions that actively assist while riding, as well as warnings for hazards from the front, from behind and from the blind spot.

Which assistance systems actively intervene?

The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) maintains a set speed and a defined distance to the vehicle ahead. With the Stop & Go function, it also regulates the distance in slow-moving traffic. The Africa Twin can brake all the way to a standstill, but the rider has to take action to move off again. This function requires the dual-clutch transmission because it disengages the clutch automatically when stopping.

Group Ride Assist extends the cruise control with a function for group rides. It adjusts the distance between the motorcycles in a group. Distance Assist helps when the rider is controlling the throttle: it supports them in keeping a suitable distance to the vehicle ahead. If the system detects the risk of a rear-end collision, the emergency brake assist supports braking. In addition, only this version has a Speed Limiter with active intervention.

What does the system warn about?

To the front, a notice appears in the display if a collision is imminent. An additional brake pulse is intended to increase the rider’s attention. The rear radar monitors the blind spot diagonally behind the motorcycle. If a vehicle is there, an LED in the mirror lights up or flashes. If someone approaches from behind, the display shows it. If a rear-end collision threatens, the indicators flash rapidly like hazard lights to warn following traffic.

The Stop & Go function works in a similar way to that of the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo, which also does without a clutch lever. With the radar package, the Africa Twin moves closer to adventure tourers such as the Triumph Tiger 1200 and the fully equipped BMW R 1300 GS.

How much horsepower does the new Africa Twin Adventure Sports have?

The parallel twin produces 119 hp (87.5 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 119 Nm (87.8 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm. The previous CRF1100L delivered 102 hp (75 kW) at the same engine speed and 112 Nm (82.6 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm.

Honda achieves the increase through several changes. The bore grows by 2 to 94 mm, while the stroke remains at 81.5 mm. This raises displacement from 1,084 to 1,131 cc. The compression ratio climbs from 10.5:1 to 12.1:1. The throttle bodies grow from 46 to 52 mm in diameter, and the entire air path from the intake duct to the inlet ports is new. The intake valves now measure 37.5 mm. Pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft and the two balancer shafts have been revised, and the cylinder sleeves are made of aluminium. To cope with the higher loads, the cam chain has been made wider. On a practical note, the air filter is said to be easier to access.

Little changes in terms of character. The 270-degree crankshaft and the irregular firing intervals remain, as does the Unicam valve train derived from the CRF450R motocrosser. Top speed is unchanged at 199 km/h. According to Honda, the Africa Twin pulls noticeably harder in gears one to five. Longer gearing is intended to lower revs on the motorway. The manual gearbox gets a new slipper clutch. The engine complies with the Euro 5+ emissions standard. In the WMTC cycle, Honda quotes 5.1 litres per 100 km for the manual version and 5.4 litres for the DCT models.

Chassis and centre of gravity: auxiliary tank modelled on a Dakar racer

For the fuel tank, Honda drew on the NXR750. With this race bike, Honda won the Paris-Dakar Rally four times in a row between 1986 and 1989. As back then, part of the fuel now sits in an auxiliary tank under the seat. As a result, the main tank is filled less high and the weight moves closer to the centre of the motorcycle. The battery, ECU, filler neck and airbox have also been repositioned. This is intended to make the motorcycle feel more manageable and stable when manoeuvring and when riding briskly.

The semi-double-cradle steel frame weighs 0.8 kg less. This is made possible by a new engine mount on the cylinder head, which makes the frame stiffer. The aluminium swingarm saves a further 0.6 kg, and the rear sits on a bolt-on aluminium subframe. The geometry remains the same: 1,575 mm wheelbase, 27.5 degrees of rake and 106 mm of trail.

The Showa EERA suspension was previously an option on the Adventure Sports and is now standard. New is the Honda Skyhook Control system. It continuously adapts damping to the up-and-down movements and pitching of the motorcycle. The data comes from the engine control unit, the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a stroke sensor in the fork. The system recalculates every millisecond. It works hardest when riding in a straight line and holds back in corners to preserve steering feel.

At the front, a 49 mm upside-down fork replaces the previous 45 mm fork, and at the rear there is a shock with Pro-Link linkage. Suspension travel is 210 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear. The system automatically sets preload according to load: rider only, with luggage, with passenger, or with passenger and full luggage. It can be adjusted manually in 24 steps. Damping can be fine-tuned in three steps in the USER setting.

Braking is handled at the front by two radially mounted four-piston Nissin calipers on floating 310 mm wave discs, and at the rear by a 256 mm disc. The new E-Combined ABS distributes braking force electronically between the front and rear wheels. In the OFFROAD and OFFROAD+ modes, the combined function is deactivated. The Vehicle Hold Control hill-start assist briefly holds brake pressure when stationary so the motorcycle does not roll back on a slope. The spoked wheels with stainless steel spokes carry tubeless tyres in 110/80 R19 and 150/70 R18. Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 or Michelin Anakee Road tyres are fitted ex works, and the knobbly Michelin Anakee Wild is also approved.

What is the seat height of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2027?

The seat can be adjusted between 830 and 850 mm, which is 5 mm lower than before. In addition, the new “Minimum” suspension setting lowers the motorcycle by a further 5 mm. The setting remains active even after the ignition is switched off.

Honda has also changed the riding position. The handlebar is 10 mm narrower, 10 mm higher and positioned further forward. The footpegs move 20 mm closer to the bike and 10 mm rearwards. The seat has more foam in the hip area and an additional pad at the rear intended to provide more support on long stages. The windscreen rises electrically by 130 mm and can be tilted by 10 degrees. Two wind deflectors are fitted as standard. Ground clearance is 220 mm.

Riding modes, electronics and dual-clutch transmission

Instead of the previous four preset modes (TOUR, URBAN, GRAVEL and OFFROAD), there are now six: SPORT, TOURING, URBAN, RAIN, OFFROAD and the new OFFROAD+ for tough terrain. What is new is that each mode can be adjusted directly. Previously, this was only possible in the separate user modes. Engine power, engine braking and throttle response can be set to Dynamic or Comfort.

The HSTC traction control has seven levels and works with data from the six-axis IMU. Off-road, it is said to be more finely adjustable when the rear wheel is meant to spin deliberately. It can be switched off completely. Wheelie control is also on board.

The dual-clutch transmission shifts either automatically or via a button on the left handlebar. One clutch handles gears one, three and five, the other two, four and six. This allows it to change gear with practically no interruption in drive. Incline detection adapts the shift behaviour on hills. In OFFROAD mode, the clutch slips less when shifting, which is intended to give a better feel for traction. In OFFROAD+, the rider can also select the shift programme. A foot shift lever for DCT and a quickshifter for the manual gearbox are available as accessories.

Cockpit, comfort and everyday equipment

The cockpit now has two displays: a 7-inch TFT touchscreen and an additional 5.7-inch information display. The screen is ready for use five seconds after switching on, around 70 percent faster than before. Thanks to optical bonding technology, in which glass and display are bonded together without an air gap, it should be easy to read in any light. For riding off the road there is a dedicated off-road view with a compass. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now run wirelessly. Navigation and music can be arranged as widgets on the main screen, and an intercom function connects with the passenger and fellow riders. The handlebar switches are new and illuminated.

The Smart Key controls the ignition, electric steering lock and fuel cap. The tank fairing houses a lockable push-to-open compartment that holds a smartphone and has a USB-C charging socket. Cruise control, heated grips, hand guards with extensions and an aluminium rear rack are standard.

The new twin LED headlights feature cornering lights and daytime running lights. The tail light has its own lens with an S-glitter-cut pattern. On both sides of the main tank, the Africa Twin carries the new “Honda Flagship WING” emblem. In terms of materials, Honda partly relies on recycled plastics, for example for the seat base plate and coloured fairing parts. The screen and wind deflectors are made of the plant-based plastic Durabio.

When is the Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2027 coming and how much does it cost?

Honda has not yet announced prices for Germany, and a German delivery date is also still pending. In the UK and Switzerland, the Adventure Sports is expected to arrive at dealers from March 2027.

Both Adventure Sports versions are available in two new colours: Pearl Glare White in the familiar Tricolour livery and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic.

Which accessories does Honda offer for the Adventure Sports?

Honda bundles its genuine accessories into packs that can be freely combined. Compared with buying the items individually, customers save 10 percent. For touring there are aluminium or plastic side cases with 70 litres each, as well as top boxes with 42 litres (aluminium), 55 litres (Smart Top Case) or 58 litres (plastic). A Rally pack includes engine guards, a radiator grille, side tank protectors, rally footpegs and rim stickers. Depending on the transmission, it also contains a quickshifter or a DCT foot shift lever. For more comfort there are heated comfort seats for rider and passenger, fog lights, a 4.5-litre tank bag and more comfortable passenger footpegs. A centre stand, an alarm system, a low seat and an SC-Project slip-on silencer round off the range.

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