The worst-kept secret in motorcycling has been confirmed with Honda unveiling the full tech specs for the bigger, narrower and higher-tech Africa Twin CRF1100L at the AIMExpo motorcycle show in Ohio, USA.
Of course, the biggest news is that the engine has gone from 998cc to a longer-stroke 1084cc with power up from 70kW to 75kW. All details that had already been tipped.
Yet weight has dropped from 243kg to 226kg and 236kg for the ducal-clutch transmission (DCT) model.
It’s largely thanks to a lighter engine and gearbox and a slimmer and lighter frame, subframe and swingarm inspired by the CRF450.
With the extra tech and power, we expect a price rise, but there is no word yet on pricing or availability.
They currently cost about $A17,499 for the standard and $A19,999 for the DCT (plus on-road costs).
Bigger engine
The bigger Euro5-compliant engine will now make it more competitive with the BMW, Ducati, KTM and Triumph adventurers.
It not only has 6% more power, but also 7% more torque at 105Nm.
Stroke has been lengthened from 75.1mm to 81.5mm but the bore remains the same at 92mm.
Honda has made the CRF1100L 2.5 lighter (2.2kg in the DCT version) with aluminium cylinder sleeves and redesigned engine casings.
It features a larger 43mm throttle body, smoother air intake profile, new ECU and more direct fuel injection to improve efficiency.
Exhaust gas flow is controlled in a similar way to the CBR1000RR for a better note.
Better tech
To compete with the current crop of big adventurers, Honda has added a raft of electronic rider aids to the CRF1100L.
It’s all thanks to a six-axis inertial measurement unit-managed.
Rider aids include optimised off-road “torque control” (basically traction control that manages power and engine braking), three-level wheelie control, two customised riding modes and now four default riding modes.
The new mode is “off-road”.
It also has an LED headlight, automatic indicator cancel and a USB port.
The new touchscreen instrument panel has Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay which only works when your phone is plugged in, not via Bluetooth.
That means the screen will show your phone’s satnav and call details as well as some apps such as Spotify.
Cosmetics are slightly changed, but the suspension and wheels are the same.
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin specs
| ENGINE | |
| Type | SOHC liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and Uni-cam |
| Displacement | 1084cc |
| Bore & Stroke | 92mm x 81.5mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 75kW at 7,500rpm |
| Max. Torque | 105Nm at 6,250rpm |
| Noise Level | 73dB |
| Oil Capacity | 4.8/4.3 (5.2/4.7 DCT) |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Carburation | PGM-FI |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8L |
| CO2 Emissions | 112g/km MT
110g/km DCT |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.9L/100km (20.4km/L) MT
4.8L/100km (20.8km/L) DCT |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
| Starter | Electric |
| Battery Capacity | 12V-6Ah Li-ion battery (20hr) |
| ACG Output | 0.49 kW/5,000rpm |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate with coil springs, aluminium cam assist and slipper clutch
DCT – 2 wet multiplate clutches with coil springs |
| Transmission Type | 6 speed manual (6 speed DCT) |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Semi double cradle |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L´W´H) | 2330mm x 960mm x 1395mm |
| Wheelbase | 1575mm |
| Caster Angle | 27.5° |
| Trail | 113mm |
| Seat Height | 850/870mm (low seat option 825mm, high seat option 895mm) |
| Ground Clearance | 250mm |
| Kerb Weight | 226kg (DCT 236kg) |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Type Front | Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustments, 230mm stroke |
| Type Rear | Monoblock aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with Showa gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustments, 220 mm rear wheel travel |
| WHEELS | |
| Type Front | 21M/C x 2.15 wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Type Rear | 18M/C x 4.00 wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21″ |
| Rim Size Rear | 18″ |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-21M/C 54H (tube type)
(Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer/ AX41T Metzler Karoo Street) |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70R18M/C 70H (tube type)
(Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer/ AX41T Metzler Karoo Street) |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS System Type | 2 channel with IMU Selectable ABS MODE with on-road and off-road setting |
| Type Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| Type Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with single piston caliper and sintered metal pads. 2-channel with rear ABS OFF mode. |
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments | LCD Meter, TFT 6.5inch touch panel multi information display |
| Security System | Immobiliser, security alarm (optional) |
| Headlight | LED |
| Taillight | LED |
| Electrics | Daytime running lights, Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay, USB socket, auto turn signal cancel, cruise control, emergency stop signal, IMU, HSTC, wheelie control |
