October 2019 – KneeDeepMoto

Honda Africa Twin or Africa Twin Adventure Sports Both models of the First Generation (re-launched) Africa Twin are proven performers with standard Honda pedigrees (reliable and functional) and are extremely fun to ride. The meaningful differences between the two bikes will come down much more to the riders' preferences and priorities than anything else. Join me while we break these two models down and decide where the values are. The CRF1000L and CRF1000L2 (2016-2018) Is it possible that Honda's flagship model of the Africa Twin, the Adventure Sports isn't the better motorcycle? It would be hard to draw that harsh of a conclusion without a little insight. The question does however tee up an intriguing draw between the standard Africa Twin (the off-roader) and the Adventure Sports (a.k.a. the tourer). 2018 Africa Twin & Africa Twin Adventure Sport Which to Choose? This is undoubtedly the first question that will cross your mind if you are considering one of Honda’s Africa Twins for your next Adventure Motorcycle. If you ponder it long enough, your mind will become a cerebral battlefield—pinning vehicle features against ride-ability and if you are anything like most other motorcyclist who dream of far-off adventures, you will be tempted to immediately dismiss the base model in favor of the all mighty and all conquering Adventure Sports. And why wouldn’t you? It has more of everything, does everything better, makes you look better, makes your wife look better, makes your hair grow back, and can even make your back stop hurting. Ok, so we might be getting a little carried away on the Adventure Sports, but it is true, it is a fantastic motorcycle. So why are we here even discussing the base model Africa Twin and why do I think it is a mistake to prematurely dismiss it as the lesser of the two models for some riders? I’m glad you asked. First of all, the base model Africa Twin boasts a highlight real of class leading features all on its own. And while the top offing from Honda touts an enhanced pedigree of increased suspension travel, greater fuel capacity, and heated grips, all at a marginal cost increase; it is also challenged by two significant questions the standard model does not have to answer too. Are the added features on the Adventure Sports (at a cost) the ones riders want? and… 2. Can the perspective rider get comfortable and confident in the riding position on a bike this tall? The first question is easy enough to answer. Poor over the spec sheets for the two models (I will do that for you below), make a list of the differences (did this too), ponder their importance and value for an excessively long time (guilty), and decide if the extra juice is worth the squeeze ($$). Let’s move on. The second question is a little more challenging and a far more important one to answer! Do you feel comfortable with the reach to the ground while sitting on the bike? The Africa Twin is a tall bike, not necessarily a “big bike”, but a tall one. For experienced riders, a brief mounting at the local bike shop will tell them everything they need to know about the riding position, their ability to touch the ground, and if they can live with it. For less experienced riders, just sitting on the bike may not automatically register all the significance that it could. For one, and especially for first-timers (though riders new to Adventure style bikes may be susceptible as well), sitting on a new or potential “first” adventure bike is more of a learning experience than one of critical analysis. It is far more likely that your brain will be registering thoughts such as “so this is what an ADV bike feels like” rather than “is this a good feel for me?”. Secondly, in the case of the Africa Twins, this is particularly significant regarding reach to the ground. It is very easy to sit on the bike you are interested in purchasing and say “I can touch the ground so we are all good”. In the case of the Africa Twin, and assuming that you have aspirations of leaving the pavement, just being able to “touch” may not be sufficient to instill confidence when riding off road. This is the crux of the debate between the two bikes. The added features of the Adventure Sports and the ergonomic changes that come with them (namely the increased suspension travel and the seat shape). The first topic is one of a Cost / Benefit analysis. Are the extra features worth the money? On a per-dollar / check box basis as compared with the cost of the same features in the aftermarket, it is a no brainer. Honda is giving riders a hell of a value with the extra features on the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. However when evaluating the performance and function of each feature and accessory, perspective buyers should be cognizant that they are buying “factory parts” that may or may not satisfy their performance expectations. The second topic is pure subjective rider-ergonomics against riding ability / style. How to you feel riding the bike? For any prospective buyer I suggest you consider these two factors above all else. Regardless of what any spec. sheet says or how many professional riders rave about a particular machine, your satisfaction is going to be most influenced by how you want your bike set up and how you want it to feel. If you're interested in the finer details of these topics, below I have included a more thorough analysis of all the features and differences I think are worth noting between the two machines. I have written these sections from the perspective of "the things I know now" as someone who has already purchased an Africa Twin Adventure Sports. In the conclusions you will hear how my initial presumptions and my post purchase realizations combine to shape my final opinions and advice. Please enjoy. Differences between the Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports Africa TwinAfrica Twin Adventure SportsSeat Heights33.5" / 34.3"35.4" / 36.2"Fork Travel8 inches8.8 inches Shock Travel8.6 inches9.4 inchesGround Clearance9.8 inches10.6 inchesFuel Capacity5 gallons6.5 gallonsWeight507 lbs.533 lbs.WindscreenStandard80 mm tallerProtectionSkid PlateSkid Plate / Upper BarsBar RisersStandard1.3 inch riseGripsStandardHeated Differences that Matter Most 1. Seat Height, Suspension Travel, and Ground Clearance 2. Fuel Capacity 3. Weight These are the 3 categories of differences that are the most significant and are not easily modified or replicated in the aftermarket between the base model and the Adventure Sports. These are the most important features to consider if you are in the market for an Africa Twin as they will impact every aspect of your riding each time you leave the garage. Seat Hight, Suspension Travel, and Ground Clearance The overall stature of the Africa Twins and their tall seat heights combined with dramatic suspension travel work together to allow for class leading ground clearance. These characteristics, while each individually considered would seem undeniably desirable, come at the expense of the rider’s ability to get a foot flat on the ground. From my experiences talking to to other riders, this is the greatest turn-off for most people when they first sit on the Africa Twins, especially the Adventure Sports. To help address this issue and rider in-seam variation, each bike comes with a seat that is adjustable for two heights, “standard” and “low”. On each bike, the seat adjustment is about an inch. While not a dramatic amount by itself, combined with the taper of the seat and the location of the foot-pegs, the differences between seat heights on both bikes in both positions are very noticeable. To identify which position the seat is in when looking at the bikes, look to see if the rider’s seat seems continuous or on equal level with the passenger pillion. If so, then the seat is in the standard position. If the rider seat appears about an inch lower with a step up to the pillion, then it is in the “lower” position. It is worth noting that Honda does offer an even lower, factory accessory seat. This option, while it does help to get the rider’s foot closer to the ground, comes at the loss of some seat shape and cushioning that is designed into the standard seats. I have not tested one of these seats and cannot give a personal account to their comfort or functionality. For someone committed to purchasing an Adventure Sport or for a shorter rider that is struggling with the stand-over height on either bike, this may be an important accessory to look into. My Impressions At 6 feet tall and a 32” inseam, I can without much fuss throw my leg over the bae model bike with the seat in the “lower” 33.5” position, and comfortably get both feet flat on the ground with a slight bend in the knees and be in a natural riding position. Additionally, If I rotate slightly forward towards a standing position I can stand and create just the slightest gap between myself and the seat as the suspension unloads, a nice option for rider repositioning at a stop light. The base-model bike with the seat in the lower position inevitably feels good and if riding position comfort was the only consideration, the base model bike would be the no-brainer choice. On the base model with the seat in the “taller” standard position of 34.3” I am forced to think about my mount and dismount a little more carefully, and once seated, I start reaching for the ground more than I would prefer though I would still say reach is reasonable for this style of motorcycle. On flat pavement I can more or less get both feet flat on the ground with my knees locked out. From strictly a rider confidence perspective, I am basically maxed out for comfortable reach on the base model bike. Any additional seat height would start to diminish my contact with the ground as well as diminish my confidence of saving the bike in a tip. I would say however that the height of the base model is manageable with the seat in either position for a beginning or novice rider of my height. In contrast, the lower seat height of 35.4” on the Adventure Sports requires a total commitment as I unnaturally raise my right leg up like a chicken wing while trying not to dislocate my hip. Once onboard with normal suspension sag, I can get the balls of both feet on the ground as long as I pay attention to getting around the foot-pegs. In the tall position of 36.2” on the Adventure Sports I am relegated to stepping up on the foot pegs for both mount and dismount and can barely touch ground with both toes once onboard. Real World Significance - Seat Height For all but the tallest riders, choosing between the base model and the Adventure Sports is going to be some compromise between the performance numbers on a spec. sheet and rider confidence when putting boots on the ground. For the die hard enthusiast it will be difficult to overcome the angst of buying a motorcycle with a “lower” performance pedigree and they will likely be drawn to the Adventure Sport. But for enthusiast and novice riders alike, I would encourage everyone to think carefully and honestly about their riding style, their comfort on the bikes, as well as their realistic intended riding conditions. Compromising on a bike to conquer the toughest trail conditions at the sacrifice of rider comfort and confidence, only to cover most miles on pavement with the occasional fire road, won’t make sense for most riders. As much as the Africa Twin, and even more so the Adventure Sports, tug at the heart string memories of the 1980’s Dakar racing machines, they are in reality, full sized Adventure Touring machines, not race bikes. This makes them a long shot for enduro use in anything other than the most experienced riders hand’s. Bottom line, both models have more than adequate suspension travel and ground clearance for most off-road riding conditions beginners and novices are likely to attempt. Bottom Line on Seat Height The differences in seat heights between the base model and the Adventure Sports come directly from the increased suspension travel. You cannot have one without the other and the cost to convert from one to the other after the fact would far exceed the increased cost of the Adventure Sports on the showroom floor. It is for this reason I suggest you weight your selection based on this characteristic more than any other. Almost all the other differences between the two bikes can be addressed with factory accessories or in the aftermarket. For the beginner and novice rider, I would suggest that being able to sit on the bike comfortably and to stabilize the bike confidently while sitting on flat ground is paramount to your longterm enjoyment of this (or any) motorcycle. At 6 feet tall, the Adventure Sports is just within a tolerable ground reach though there has been more than one occasion where I would have wished for a shorter reach. For anyone shorter, remember that most of the other added features beyond the suspension (and fuel tank) on the Adventure Sports can be added to the standard model without giving up its more accommodating seat heights. Seat HeightsLowStandardAfrica Twin33.5"34.3"Africa Twin Adventure Sports35.4"36.2" Side Note on Seat Heights The prohibitive seat heights of the Africa Twins for some shorter riders are not a condition that is solely unique to Honda’s adventure line (think large displacement KTMs), but it is the most dramatic. With a no joke seat height of 33.5 inches in the low setting on the base model to the towering height of 36.2 inches in the high slot of the Adventure Sports, Honda’s Africa Twins span a large range of seat heights, all of them tall. Africa Twin Fuel Capacities Increased integrated fuel capacity is another feature of the Adventure Sports that is not available on the base model. While it is not difficult to increase total fuel capacity of either bike with the use of RotoPax or other axillary fuel containers, for those who just want to deal with a single tank for visual or weight distribution reasons, this will be a consideration. The base model comes with a 5 gallon (4.97g) fuel capacity while the Adventure Sports increases that capacity to 6.4 gallons. At just under a gallon and a half increase, the total distance between fuel stops increases by roughly 60 miles from 200 on the base bike to 260 on the Adventure Sports for someone averaging 40mpg (a conservative but commonly used number for the AT). In my first 600 miles of mixed urban and highway driving I averaged 46.8 mpg meaning I could expect approximately 300 miles between fuel stops on the Adventure Sports. Likewise, on the standard bike with similar fuel milage you would be looking at a real world range of 230 miles. This number was highly variable though and was greatly effected by what style of riding I was doing including terrain and bike loading. It was not uncommon for me to see 60+ mpg cruising at 65 on the highway and be in the low 30’s going stoplight to stoplight. Following the bikes first service and further engine break-in, I expect to see marginal improvements. It is worth mentioning that with the larger fuel tank comes added weight and a wider riding position between the legs. While the 1.4 gallons of additional gas would probably be appreciated and the 9 additional pounds probably not be noticed in a fully loaded touring setup, for those who are running the bike lean and hard off road, it would likely be a slight deterrent. The riding position on the Adventure Sports is notably wider at the knees than on the base model and both bikes make the rider feel like they are shielded from some of the elements. Real World Considerations - Fuel Capacity In regards to the value of the additional fuel capacity, the question to ask is how important the extended range is to your riding plans? Considered alone, everyone would probably opt for greater riding distance between stops but the reality is that more fuel equals more weight and a wider (possibly less comfortable for some) riding position. Additionally it is worth pondering if you even enjoy riding more than 200 mile stretches without stops; something the base model can easily achieve? Lastly, consider if the permanent added fuel capacity out weights the pros of the smaller tank and the use of RotoPax if only needed occasionally? Fuel Fuel CapacitiesTankRange (40 mpg)Africa Twin5 Gal.200 milesAfrica Twin Adventure Sports6.5 Gal260 miles Weight Motorcycle WeightAfrica Twin507 lbs.Africa Twin Adventure Sports533 lbs. After talking about increased fuel capacity, it is a natural transition to talk about weight. With approx. 1.4 gallons of additional gasoline onboard, the increase is about 9lbs. (8.8 lbs) in fuel. Added fuel is only part of the story however as combined with the other added features on the Adventure Sports, the total weight balloons to just under a 26lbs increase. Looking at motorcycles in general, this would be a significant amount but with a bike that breaches the quarter-ton mark, I think the significance of the weight difference becomes a bit more subjective. Real World Considerations - Weight In the hands of an expert rider or for the hardcore off-road enthusiast who plans to run the Africa Twin through the toughest conditions they can find, I am sure an argument for the weight savings can be made. For the rest of us who will ultimately be adding another 20 lbs of accessories (think crash bars, plates, gps, penner racks) , 40 to 50 lbs. of gear, and are probably a few pounds heavier than we could be anyway, the difference is less significant. Just remember that it is commonly excepted that lighter is usually better (pure highway cruising bikes excluded perhaps) and that with more features comes more weight. I will add for those who are particularly concerned with motorcycle weight and may be comparing the AT to previous bikes ridden. Both models of the Arica Twin give the rider the perceived impression that they weigh less than they really do and carry their weight down low. This sensation is further magnified once the bike gets rolling, giving the impression of a large dirt bike rather than a fully burdened large-bore ADV. Suspension Travel Suspension travel is another notable area of fanfare that circles the Africa Twin line. With class leading suspension travel on both bikes, the Adventure Sport's increased stretch may garner greater praise than it deserves. The base model has 8 inches of travel in the forks and 8.6 inches inches of shock travel. The Adventure Sports increases those numbers to 8.8 inches up front and 9.4 inches in the rear. While the increased travel range is substantial at both ends of the bike, it is arguable how much real world benefit this provides the rider. Again, for anyone who sticks to the numbers, the increased travel will provide greater range of suspension movement. But for the average rider I believe the last inch of travel front and rear is less significant than it suggests. Features that Matter Less (The Value Section) These are some of the features which may be “nice to haves” and represent good value from the factory depending on the rider and how much you are drawn to specific brands and products available in the aftermarket. The SeatBars and RisersHeated Grips The Seat The seat is a spot Honda choose to make a purposeful change on the Adventure Sport. The seat on the base model contours to a deeper scoop shape holding the rider in a smaller area compared to the Adventure Sports. The AS has a much flatter and wider seat that allows for freer movement on longer rides. While the differences are noticeable, both are equally comfortable while sitting on them and preference will be to the individual. The marketing behind the Adventure Sports' flatter seat is to offer greater flexibility and comfort for long range and off road riding. Real World - The Seat As good as both seats are, I feel they come up short in both style and comfort when compared to some of the aftermarket options. I have used both Corbin and Seat Concepts seats on past bikes and still feel they offer a superior product when it comes to comfort. That is not to say the stock seats are poor by any stretch of the imagination, and quite the contrary, the seat on my Adventure Sports is very comfortable for half-day rides. A popular UTuber named William Gloege has done more than 50,000 km on his Africa twin with the stock seat and commented specifically on his satisfaction. If you are a casual rider or typically do a short commute, either seat on the Africa Twins will be more than satisfactory. However if you are looking at longer adventures or just prefer the aftermarket seat options, then this feature will have little significance with either bike you choose. Bars and Risers If you plan to do a lot of stand-up riding and you prefer to leave your motorcycles relatively stock, this is a value feature that will matter to you. While the base model offers a comfortable and compliant up-right riding position, the standing reach to the handle bars will only be satisfactory to shorter riders. The Adventure Sports addresses this situation with 1.6" taller risers, effectively bringing the bars up and forward. I find the standing position with the raised risers quite comfortable with a slight bend in the knees and greatly appreciate this added feature on the Adventure Sports. It is fair to point out however that bar risers are readily available and a relatively inexpensive and an easy modification for owners to address in the aftermarket. Whether you get them with the Adventure Sports or add them to your base model Africa Twin, I would not let them influence your final decision. In this case they are truly a value option if you are leaning towards the Adventure Sports. Heated Grips Heated Grips are a luxury item that have become all but expected on full sized touring and sport touring motorcycles. They are now commonly found on adventure touring machines and as such, Honda has seen it fit to include them on the Adventure Sports. While the grips on the two Africa Twins appear identical, those fitted on the Adventure Sports have a cleanly integrated switch at the base of the left grip and a fully integrated readout on the dash. With 6 levels of heat to choose from, the rider simply cycles through the settings with the single switch. It is a clean design and one that will be the envy of anyone looking to fit aftermarket heated grips on their Africa Twin. The bright side is that the heated grips are offered as a genuine Honda accessory part and all Africa Twins are able to integrate the controls and plug into the dash screen display. Real World - Heated Grips Depending on your local weather and intended plans, heated grips may or may not be a critical accessory. Regardless, any Africa Twin owner can have the option of using the Honda Genuine Accessory or going to the aftermarket to meet their needs. While a nice feature, this one is only just another value item if the Adventure Sports is under consideration. Things that don’t matter at all Don’t get me wrong when I say that some of the following items really should have no influence on your decision or opinions between the two bikes. For the most part, these items can be easily and inexpensively added in the after market or you are likely to replace them anyway making these difference between the two bikes inconsequential. Taller Wind ScreenCrash Bars and Bash PlateLarger Foot Pegs What I mean to cover in this section are the difference, some the most heavily advertised by Honda, that are insignificant next to the features mentioned above. Taller Wind Screen Standard Height Wind Screen Tall Wind Screen What is the importance of a taller (80mm) windscreen if you can’t touch the ground when you come to a stop? It may be a grim reality for some enthusiasts, but the sheer height of the Adventure Sports will put it beyond reach (literally) for some riders and outside the realm of comfortable for even more. The upside of this is that some of the Adventure Sports' added accessories are available from the factory. For $200 bucks or less, you can purchases the factory “taller” shield directly from Honda or choose from a host of “taller” aftermarket windscreen available on the aftermarket. This makes the Adventure Sports' stock taller screen a non-defining feature and only a slight value item. Crash Bars and Bash Plate Adventure Sports Crash Bars and Skid Plate I will not be so dramatic as to say that the Adventure Sports' crash bars are made of lead, but I have heard them described in that fashion. In total fairness they are made of a light weight metal tubing that you would expect from a factory production bike and they would probably provide some minimum amount of side fairing protection in a slow or no-speed off. Similarly, the factory bash plates on both bikes are constructed of a thin gauge metal and would only provide light duty protection with that fitted on the Adventure Sports being moderately wider and covering more area. Neither are satisfactory for anyone who has real plans for off road adventure and would need to be replaced. Real World - Crash Bars and Bash Plate The significant issue here is that unless you have no intentions of anything other than the lightest of off-road use, the Honda Arica Twins lack sufficient crash protection. The base model only comes fitted with a minimalist bash plate and no engine or fairing protection whatsoever. The stock crash bars on the Adventure Sports are made of spaghetti and do not provide any lower engine case protection either. Like many Honda engines before them, those fitted on the Africa Twins are susceptible to side engine case fractures from ground impact and tire roost. Realistically I would recommend to anyone seriously considering any off-road work to fit aftermarket upper and lower crash bars to help prevent or reduce critical damage in a crash and the addition of a steel or heavy gauge aluminum bash plates to protect the frame and vital engine parts. This effectively makes the addition of the factory bars on the Adventure Sports one more item you will likely take off. Conclusions So there you have it. We have covered the notable mechanical features and specs that separate the base model Africa Twin and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. When totaled up, it is easy to find the value in the additional features the Adventure Sports has to offer. In real world application, it is equally easy to see how the added value of some factory features do not out-weight the confidence erosion increased ground-reach creates for some riders. Of course the best option for any potential buyer is to find an opportunity to sit on both motorcycles with the seats in both positions. For those who cannot sit on both bikes side by side, have to order the bike, or are looking at the used market, the numbers (published seat heights) along with my recommendations are going to be your guiding factor. How it all went for me Now that we have covered all the differences and the considerations between the two bikes I will tell you exactly how it went for me. I, like everyone else had to weigh the pros and cons of each bike in terms of riding comfort (seat height), factory features, and costs. I can not say that my logic or reasoning is perfect in any way but I did make a decision. I bought an end-of-model year Adventure Sports on special. For the most part, I have been happy with my selection. At 6 feet tall with a 32" inseam, I am right at my threshold for ground-reach comfort while riding on the streets. If all the other features were identical between the two bikes, I now realize in retrospect that I would have preferred the base model for riding position. This is not the case however and these two bikes are a compromise much like life. The added fuel range is something I appreciate as is the taller windscreen and hand warmers. Only with additional riding will I find if the ground-reach become too much for me off-road but for now I am pot committed. Summary In the end I cannot tell you which motorcycle is right for you. They are both incredible machines and each person’s riding capabilities, priorities, and interpretation of value is different. On one hand you have a completely capable platform in the Africa Twin, ready for each owner to upgrade, modify, and configure as they wish. On the other hand you have the Adventure Sports, with increased performance capabilities and complete with many of the accessories many buyers are likely to want, from the factory and at a reduced cost. I can say for me however, that after realizing how much seat and stand-over height can influence rider confidence, and understanding that most of the “performance” accessories I could have added on in that aftermarket, I may have chosen the Base Model Africa Twin.