Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2021 — Specifications

Would the adventurer of the 90s recognize his mount? The spirit is there, this desire to cross the horizon, but the technology has evolved dramatically. Take this 2021 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports. It bears the same name as the legends that crisscrossed the Paris-Dakar, but under its hood beats a high-tech diplomat's heart, far from the simple rugged twin of yesteryear. With its 1084 cm3 and 102 horsepower, it is no longer a spartan motorcycle. It is a projection machine, designed to cover continental distances in comfort and safety that would have made the pioneers dream.

Its appearance immediately betrays its vocation. More robust than the standard version, it features a 24.8-liter tank for a theoretical range approaching 500 km, a protective windscreen and a 850 mm seat made more accessible by a clever narrowing. Weight? Count 238 kg fully fueled, a figure that places this Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports in the class of large trail bikes, without excessively weighing it down. The 250 mm ground clearance and 21/18-inch rims recall that dirt roads are part of the deal. This is where the shoe pinches for some purists: the machine is imposing. It requires commitment in technical off-road, far from the feel of a true enduro.

But its real revolution is under the silicon. The dashboard is a concentrate of modernity, with its 6.5-inch TFT screen managing connectivity, including Apple CarPlay. The central IMU orchestrates an arsenal of aids: cornering ABS, four-level traction control, adjustable wheelie control, and even cruise control. Six riding modes, from the « Tour » loaded to the « Gravel » dedicated, allow you to adapt the beast to all terrains. You can even opt for the EERA electronic suspensions, a system that automatically adjusts the damping. This sophistication comes at a price, both in euros and in pure sensation. The rider seeking raw sensations may feel a little disconnected, drowned in algorithms.

The engine, for its part, is a beautiful achievement. The 270° twin delivers its 105 Nm of torque with exemplary smoothness and progressiveness, perfect for swallowing up tarmac or managing a rocky path. The manual gearbox is precise, but the DCT option, this automatic transmission, deserves attention. Increasingly sophisticated, it provides unparalleled driving comfort in the city or on long, monotonous journeys. It also appeals to a large share of the customer base, to the point that Honda claims that more than 40% of Africa Twin recently sold were equipped with it. However, at nearly 17,000 euros in basic manual version, and even more with options, the bill becomes salty. Faced with a BMW R 1250 GS or a KTM 1290 Super Adventure, it plays the card of reliability and serenity more than frenzy.

So, what is it? A fantastic travel machine, an ultra-equipped two-wheeled SUV incredibly versatile. It targets the demanding globetrotter who wants to be able to get off the paved road without sacrificing comfort and technology. But it has, by becoming more upscale, perhaps lost a little of that simple and robust adventurer's soul that charmed its ancestors. This is the price of maturity. For those seeking an unfailing, safe companion capable of taking them to the ends of the world with all the conveniences of the century, the 2021 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is a leading candidate. The adventurer of the 90s, he, might take an old used Ténéré… and a good roadbook.