2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L Review

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2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L
2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L
2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L
2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L
2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L



2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L Review

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L on www.Totalmotorcycle.com

Dream it. Do it. Ride it…

For some people, a globe or a map isn’t some route-finding device. It’s a menu. Of all the places they can go, the things to see, the adventures to savor. But unless you plan on walking, you need a way to get there. And that’s why we build the Africa Twin®. The perfect travelling companion for the explorer in you, whether it’s a weekend, a month, or a lifetime. Where will it take you? Let’s look at that map.

Developed following a philosophy of True Adventure, the CRF1000L Africa Twin draws on Honda’s Dakar Rally heritage and shares the DNA of its popular namesake, the seminal XRV750 Africa Twin. Prepared for anything from pavement running to full-scale off-road use, the CRF1000L Africa Twin is equipped with a tough aluminum skid plate, long-travel suspension and a potent engine.

Scale the landscape

Mountain, desert, rock, sand – and everything in between. Conquer it all at the throttle of the Africa Twin.

The original Africa Twin was designed to withstand thousands of miles of desert and dirt. Now it’s back to reclaim the Adventure category it defined back in 1988.

Performance

Parallel-Twin Engine Layout

The Africa Twin’s parallel-twin engine layout makes the bike shorter front-to-back. That means the front wheel can tuck in closer to the engine, shortening wheelbase and making the bike more nimble off road and on pavement.


Adjustable Seat

The Africa Twin offers an adjustable rider’s seat. This makes reaching the ground easier, and also lets you fine-tune your riding position in respect to the footpeg and handlebar placement.


Long Travel Suspension

The Africa Twin doesn’t just look like an adventure bike – it’s the real deal. Exhibit A: Check out its long-travel suspension. The fork features huge 45mm tubes and 9.0 inches of travel, while the single-shock rear suspension is also fully adjustable, with 8.7 inches of travel and a convenient remote preload adjustment.


Transmission Choice

You pick: The Africa Twin is available with either our standard six-speed manual gearbox, or Honda’s exclusive automatic six-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Both are excellent choices, and both feature stout, strong steel gears inside—the only difference is who does the shifting.

Perfect partners

Go further, faster and harder with Genuine Honda Accessories – built to fit your motorcycle perfectly.

A top box for storage, LED fog lamps, or a tough new high screen? Our range of accessories is just as tough as the Africa Twin, and enhances your ride just the way you want.

Built to explore

The Paris-Dakar Rally: 8,500 punishing kilometres of dunes, mud, camel grass and rock. The Africa Twin conquered it all.

In 1981, Honda took its very first steps into the Paris-Dakar Rally – the toughest off-road motorcycle race in the world. Just five years later, the Africa Twin dominated the event with a 1-2-3 finish – then won the next, and the next, and the next.


 



2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

Powerful Performance

The CRF1000L Africa Twin’s 1,000 cc parallel-twin fuel-injected engine draws heavily from Honda’s winning off-road racing bikes, including the CRF250R and CRF450R.

Engineered to perfection

Four-valve Unicam cylinder head design has numerous performance benefits – including lighter weight and reduced gyro effect – while also contributing to the engine’s compact dimensions. A lightweight camshaft – using the same materials as the CBR1000RR’s camshaft – operates the valve train.

Dual spark

Twin sparkplugs in each cylinder help to produce rapid, thorough combustion.

Distinctive sound and feel

A 270-degree phased crankshaft gives the engine a distinctive sound and feel – almost like a V-twin – while helping to produce strong and linear power and instant response anywhere in the rev range. There’s a deep growl as the RPM rises that will be music to any motorhead’s ears.

Clever design integration

The dry-sump oil system with internal tank reduces engine height. Combined with the Unicam cylinder head and other design elements, this contributes to an extremely low engine height, which in turn results in generous ground clearance.

Lightweight architecture

The water pump is housed within the clutch casing, and the water and oil pumps are driven by a shared balancer shaft, all of which reduces engine size and weight.

Maximized airflow

Forward-mounted air intakes feed a large airbox. Dual air filters can be changed without removing fuel tank, and the system is designed to minimize the risk of dirt or other debris entering the engine when servicing the filters.

Dynamically responsive

The six-speed manual gearbox is both lightweight and robust – it uses the same shift-cam design as found on the CRF250R and CRF450R to ensure positive changes. An assist slipper clutch helps to maintain traction during downshifts or deceleration.

Innovative functionality

The Africa Twin is also available with Honda’s advanced Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). It features the standard manual mode – allowing the rider to shift gears with triggers on the left handlebar – and two automatic modes. D mode offers the best balance of fuel economy and cruising comfort, while S mode cranks up the performance. S mode even allows you to choose from three different shift patterns to match your riding style or the conditions.

Exceptional versatility

The Africa Twin’s DCT is specially engineered to handle off-road adventures, thanks in part to the G switch positioned on the right side of the instrument panel. Pushing the G switch in any riding mode provides an aggressive shift pattern that’s ideal for breaking the rear wheel loose in a sweeping dirt or gravel corner, or lofting the front wheel over an obstacle.

Breakthrough technology

Another benefit of the Africa Twin’s DCT is incline detection. Algorithms based on vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle input, and more, determine if the bike is ascending or descending a slope, and the system’s ECU selects the appropriate gear for climbing or engine braking.

Torque control

The Africa Twin even allows you to select from various levels of traction control. The Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system adjusts the allowable rear-wheel slip through 3 levels (or off).

Perfected dual-purpose design

The Africa Twin’s chassis is engineered to handle the most rugged off-road adventures, while also providing the comfort of a touring motorcycle and the everyday competence of a great all-rounder or day-to-day commuter.

Strength and agility

The semi-double-cradle steel frame uses oval-shaped tubing for extra strength without extra weight.

Balanced handling characteristics

Careful attention to mass centralization – with heavy items like the battery packaged at the rear of the cylinder head – contributes to agile handling.

Nimble handling and tight control

The chassis design allows for superior manoeuvrability, with a wide 43-degree steering angle and a tight 2.5-metre turning radius.

Superior suspension dynamics

The long-travel Showa 45 mm inverted fork offers full spring preload, compression damping and rebound damping adjustment, and was designed specifically for a leading-axle wheel and radial-caliper mounting.

Engineered functionality

The Africa Twin’s Pro-link rear suspension design positions the shock lower at the front of the aluminum swingarm, lowering C of G even further and allowing designers to keep the seat/tank area above the shock as slim as possible.

Selectable suspension

The Showa rear shock’s hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster, combined with full adjustment for compression and rebound damping, makes it easy to change suspension performance to suit street or dirt riding.

Adventure ready

Like the CRF450R Rally, the Africa Twin uses 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, wearing 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tires.

Superb braking system

Dual front radial-mounted Nissin four-piston brake calipers and 310 mm wave-style floating rotors provide strong braking force on pavement or dirt.

Proven Performance

Standard ABS provides confident braking control on all types of surfaces. The Africa Twin’s Adaptive Rear ABS Cancelling allows you to disable the rear-wheel ABS – a benefit in certain types of off-road riding. The system reverts to normal operation when the engine is restarted.

Durable construction

Following its design theme of “unlimited adventure”, the Africa Twin is styled with a minimum of bodywork in a tough, lightweight form that offers both weather protection for the rider and a slim, agile feel.

Distinct styling cues

Dual LED headlights give the Africa Twin an imposing presence while providing excellent nighttime illumination.

Ergonomic seating adjustment

A wide seat at the rear tapers to narrow at the front, which provides extra comfort when sitting plus an easy transition to standing when off-road. The seat can be raised or lowered through a range of 20 mm.

Excellent range capacity

A large 18.8-litre fuel tank, coupled with the engine’s excellent fuel efficiency, provides a range of up to 400 km.

Enhanced comfort and stability

Off-road-style tapered aluminum handlebar is strong yet lightweight, and is rubber mounted for reduced vibration.

True adventure design

An aluminum skid plate helps protect against damage from stones, rocks and other obstacles.

Advanced instrumentation

White-on-black LCD instrument panel is mounted high for easy legibility, even when standing.

Attractive colour combinations

Choose from three colour options: CRF Rally, Tricolour Red/White/Blue and Candy Red.

 

 

 

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Engine/Drivetrain
•Liquid-cooled 998cc parallel-twin engine with Unicam® head for low engine height.
•Oil pump incorporated into engine to concentrate mass, keep center of gravity low.
•Available in versions with conventional or automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT); rider can select the appropriate mode for conditions, from highway cruising to off-road riding.
•Accessory foot-pedal shifter available as an option for DCT version.
•Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) standard on both versions, offering three levels of torque control; rider can select ideal torque delivery for conditions, or HSTC can be switched off when wheel-spin is desired.
•Innovative air-intake design makes viscous air filters accessible without removing the fuel tank, for simplified maintenance.

Chassis/Suspension
•Rally-style, minimalist bodywork.
•Narrow cross-section to ease rider movement on the bike.
•Anti-lock braking (ABS) standard on both versions for smooth, confident stopping power in a variety of conditions; rear ABS can be switched off.
•Adjustable saddle accommodates a wide range of rider heights; standard seat adjusts between 34.3 and 33.5 inches, and an available accessory seat lowers height even more.
•Rubber-mounted, tapered-aluminum handlebar is comfortable for off-road use.
•Front/rear wheels have a spoke design and are 21 inch/18 inch sizes; tube tires are off-road-ready.
•Meets current EPA and CARB standards
•California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment

 



 

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ See dealer for pricing in USD

” ENGINE
Engine Type
998cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke Unicam 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270º crank
Bore And Stroke
92mm x 75mm
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate with coil springs, aluminum cam assist and slipper clutch
” DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission
6-speed Manual
Final Drive
O-ring sealed chain
Torque Control System (HSTC)
HSTC 3-levels + switch-off
” CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Frame Type
Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear sub-frame
ABS System
ABS 2-channel with rear ABS off switch
Front Brakes
310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminum hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads
Rear Brake
256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads
Front Tire
90/90-R21 tube type
Rear Tire
150/70-R18 tube type
” DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase
62.0 inches
Seat Height
Standard position 34.3/Low position 33.5 inches
Curb Weight
511 lbs-Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride
Fuel Capacity
4.97 gallons
” OTHER
Model ID
CRF1000L
Emissions
Meets current EPA standards. Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.
Available Colors
Red/Black/White, White/Blue/Red
” FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION
One Year
Transferable, Unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.


 


 

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L – www.Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $ See dealer for pricing in CDN

Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270-degree crank and unicam
Displacement
998 cc
Bore & Stroke
92 mm x 75.1 mm
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Valve Train
Unicam, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Transmission
Standard model: Six-speed constant mesh DCT model: Six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with on & off-road riding modes
Final Drive
O-ring-sealed chain
Chassis & Suspension
Front Suspension
TBAInverted telescopic fork with full adjustability; 204 mm (8 in.) travel
Rear Suspension
Pro-Link single shock with full adjustability; 220 mm (8.7 in.) travel
Additional Information
Tires
Front: 90/90-R21 tube type; Rear: 150/70-R18 tube type
Brakes
Front: 310 mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers (*ABS) and sintered metal pads; Rear: 256 mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper (*ABS) and sintered metal pads.
Ground Clearance
250 mm (9.8 in.)
Seat Height
850 mm / 870 mm (33.5 in. / 34.3 in.)
Wheelbase
1,575 mm (62 in.)
Curb Weight
Standard model: 232 kg (511 lbs.) DCT model: 242 kg (534 lbs) including required fluids and full tank of gas – ready to ride
Fuel Capacity
18.8 litres
Colour
Standard model: CRF Rally, Tricolour Red/White/Blue DCT model: CRF Rally, Tricolour Red/White/Blue, Candy Red
Warranty
12 months, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus







 

2017 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L – www.Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £10849 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

Engine

Bore × Stroke (mm) 92.0 & 75.1mm
Engine Displacement (cc) 998cm3
Engine Type (cm³) Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam
Max. Power Output 70kW/7,500rpm (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque 98Nm/6,000rpm (95/1/EC)

Wheels

Brakes Front 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads
Brakes Rear 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch.
Tyre Size Front 90/90-21 tube type
Tyre Size Rear 150/70-R18 tube type
Wheels Front 21 x 2.15 wire spoke with aluminium rim
Wheels Rear 19 x MT4.00 wire spoke with aluminium rim

Dimensions and Weights

Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm
Frame type Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe
Ground Clearance (mm) 250mm
Kerb Weight (kg) 232 kg (ABS)
Seat Height (mm) 870/850mm (STD position / Low position)
Wheelbase (mm) 1,575mm

Transmission

Clutch Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch
Final Drive O-ring sealed chain
Gearbox Constant mesh 6-speed MT



Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).

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