Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2022 — Specifications

Who among us hasn't dreamed in front of an old photo of a first-generation Africa Twin, dusty and loaded like a mule, ready to cross a desert with only a sleeping bag and an infinite mechanical confidence? That era seems gone. The 2022 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, and more broadly the models like the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2021 or the 2019 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, fully embraces its new role: being a long-distance touring vessel for all terrains, laden with silicon and options. It is no longer the simple heir, but a modern, sometimes radical proposition.

Under its flanks, the 270° parallel-twin has grown to 1084 cm3, delivering 102 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque. Purists will note that the response is more direct, the engine cleaner, and that the 7 horsepower gain is coupled with a weight reduction, resulting in a pleasant ratio. But the real subject is its fully-fueled weight of 238 kg. It’s an imposing motorcycle that commands respect before even turning the key. Fortunately, Honda has worked on accessibility: a narrower seat and an adjustable height starting from 850 mm make the beast less intimidating than it appears.

Where this Adventure Sports justifies its name is in its approach to long-distance travel. Its 24.8-liter tank promises serious range, answering the question "What is the range of the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024?" with "enough to forget about the next gas station." It comes ready for luggage, with its footpegs, and can accommodate a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports top case without hesitation. The adjustable windscreen provides effective protection, and the standard equipment – heated grips, 12V socket, engine guard – shows that it was born to devour kilometers.

But the heart of the metamorphosis lies in its dashboard and electronics. The basic tablet is gone, replaced by an intuitive 6.5-inch TFT screen, compatible with Apple CarPlay, and a plethora of aids. The central IMU orchestrates Cornering ABS, 4-level traction control, a wheelie limiter, and no less than six riding modes, from the "Gravel" dedicated to trails to "Tour" for loaded journeys. One can even opt for electronic suspensions (EERA) that automatically adapt to the selected mode and the load. This is where the debate opens: does this sophistication bring the great Honda closer to its German rivals or distance it from the simple adventure spirit?

This question is crucial when addressing the most discussed option: the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT gearbox. This dual-clutch automatic transmission, found on the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022, is absolute comfort in the city and on long, monotonous journeys. Its "G" mode for gravel is ingenious. But it adds 10 kg and around 1000 euros to the price, leading some to wonder "How much is Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT?" before making their choice. For the traditional rider, it removes a degree of interaction, but one must recognize its formidable efficiency, explaining why, according to Honda, more than 40% of buyers choose it.

So, what is it? A technological colossus tailored for extreme touring, capable of crossing a rocky pass in the morning and then devouring 500 km of highway in comfortable silence. It will appeal to the demanding globetrotter who wants performance, comfort, and omnipresent electronic safety. On the other hand, the minimalist adventurer, the one who seeks a simple and lightweight machine for remote trails, might be put off by its weight, complexity, and price, which reaches 16849 € in its base manual version. The competition, with KTM 1290 Super Adventure S or BMW R 1250 GS, is fierce in this luxury adventure terrain.

The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports has matured. It is no longer the spartan motorcycle of yesteryear, but a high-flying machine, more powerful, more comfortable, and more touring than ever. It has become the flagship model that you load up to the windscreen and with which you set out to conquer the horizon, the GPS glued to the TFT screen and the mind at peace thanks to its electronic safeguards. A force to consider for long-distance travel, but which has, for better or for worse, traded a part of its soul for total mastery of its environment.