Honda has finally taken the covers off the 2020
Honda Africa Twin. The all-new adventure motorcycle is more off-road biased,
better in performance and packs technology upgrades. Unlike in the previous
generation, the standard variant is more off-road biased while the Adventure
Sports variant has been developed as a comfortable tourer.
The powertrain is now bigger as reports had said and
displaces 1,084 cc, which has been made possible by increasing the stroke by 5
mm. The Euro 5 compliant twin-cylinder mill now produces 101 PS of power (7%
increase) and 105 Nm of torque (6% increase). Holding the engine in its place
is a new frame with aluminium sub-frame, bolted rather than welded to the main
frame. Helping improve rear wheel traction is an all-new, lighter aluminium
swingarm based on the same design as the CRF450R.
Engineers at Honda have taken the electronics
package a notch higher. The 2020 Honda Africa Twin gets a new 6-axis IMU
accompanied by Ride by Wire and Honda Selectable Torque Control. Besides that,
the bike comes with cruise control, cornering ABS, rear lift control, wheelie
control and emergency stop signals. The 2020 Honda Africa Twin gets 6 riding
modes which include Tour, Urban, Gravel, Off-road and two user modes.
The instrument console is now a 6.5-inch TFT
touchscreen display which is Apple CarPlay compatible. Besides that, the 2020
Honda Africa Twin features new striking rally-style bodywork, slimmer fuel tank
and a 40mm narrower seat. The latter is adjustable between 850 mm or 870 mm.
Also, the 2020 Honda Africa Twin is fitted with compact handguards and sump
guard. The bike is 4 kg lighter than its predecessor. The 10% increase in the
power-to-weight ratio brings a new level of dynamic performance.
The 2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports has the
same riding triangle as the standard variant. It gets a larger 24.8-litre fuel
tank which takes the range to over 500 km! It gets a broader front fairing,
5-stage adjustable screen and standard-fit heated grips. Besides that, the
Adventure Sports variant gets a new 3-stage cornering lights. Also on offer are
optional Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment.
Colour options for the 2020 Honda Africa Twin
include Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black Metallic. The Adventure Sports
variant will be retailed in Pearl Glare White Tricolour and Darkness Black
Metallic.
