2020–2026 · Adventure · A variant of the CRF1100L Africa Twin
Differences between the standard CRF1100L Africa Twin and the DCT/ES
The Dual Clutch Distance Partner
The 1084 cc parallel twin puts out 102 hp at 7,500 rpm and 83 lb-ft at 5,500, but the arrangement matters more than the peaks: the pull sits low and stays useful everywhere you actually ride. Around it sits genuine adventure hardware, a 21-inch front wheel, 9.1 inches of fork travel, 8.7 at the rear and 9.8 inches of ground clearance. This trim runs Honda's DCT in place of a hand clutch, with Showa EERA electronic suspension available on top of the fork and shock adjustment every version already has. ABS, traction control, ride modes, wheelie control and cruise are standard equipment.
It rides big and settles fast, and nothing about it feels highly strung. That is the point. In this class the confidence comes from predictability, and this generation earns its keep by being a non-issue on day nine of a trip rather than by making a scene on day one. It suits the rider who covers real distance, carries gear, and wants to think about the route instead of the machine. The honest caveat is size. A 33.5-inch seat and 498 lb wet are real numbers, and while the seat height adjusts, a shorter rider on loose ground will feel every pound.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1084 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 in (1575 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.1 in (230 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.5 in (850 mm) |
| Wet weight | 498 lb (226 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.8 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT/ES (SD 08-DCT/ES) builds on the standard CRF1100L Africa Twin: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the DCT/ES adds vs the standard CRF1100L Africa Twin
| Spec | Standard CRF1100L Africa Twin | DCT/ES | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torque | 77 lb-ft | 83 lb-ft | +5 lb-ft |
Over the years I've listened to a lot of Africa Twin owners. That means paddock conversations, talk at the fuel stop after a group ride, club-night chatter, and the emails and messages riders send me directly. Put together, their view of this generation is consistent. They describe a bike that is credible on dirt and composed on pavement, with an engine and gearbox they genuinely like, while the complaints gather around the controls, the seat and outright road pace.
The praise riders repeat most often is about range. Owners describe a bike that takes rough trails in stride and then settles into calm, composed manners once the road turns paved again. Many call it the most off-road-capable machine in its weight and price bracket, and they point to the ground clearance and the aluminum subframe. The chassis earns its own share of trust. Riders consistently say the fully adjustable Showa suspension soaks up broken ground without unsettling the bike, and that the balance of the whole package lets them relax on surfaces where they would otherwise tense up. The one limit owners bring up here is deep sand, where they name the weight as the limiting factor.
The 270-degree parallel twin gets steady affection. Owners describe a torquey pulse with real character that sets it apart from the smoother boxers and triples in the class, and riders consistently call the 2024 torque increase a meaningful improvement in everyday riding. The DCT collects nearly as much praise. Riders call it seamless and effortless, and they value it most on long touring days and in technical off-road sections where both hands stay on the bars. Owners also say the 2022 and 2024 refinement updates took the edge off its old low-speed roughness. When the talk turns to ownership, riders report high reliability, reasonable servicing bills and build quality they rate highly. Many also point out that it undercuts the premium European adventure bikes on price while offering a comparable electronics package.
The most persistent complaint concerns the controls. Riders describe the switch cluster and menu structure as cluttered and unintuitive, with a layout some liken to a Goldwing's and far more involved than it needs to be. Add the number of ride modes and settings, and owners say it takes real time before the system feels second nature. The seat comes next. It is repeatedly described as firm, fine for a short ride but wearing over a full highway day, and some owners only settle the issue with an aftermarket seat. A few add that the high pegs take their own toll on long-range comfort. Taller riders on the standard version report that its small screen leaves them exposed at highway speeds. Riders who have spent time on the more powerful European adventure bikes make one more recurring point: on the road, the Africa Twin can feel less potent by comparison.
Left handlebar switch harness corrosion
Fretting corrosion at joint terminals can cause intermittent or complete loss of horn and high-beam light switch. Honda issued a safety recall (NHTSA #25V583) for 2020-2022 and 2024-2025 models to replace the switch assembly.
TFT display failures
Some units experience screen blackouts, flickering, or touch unresponsiveness. Honda extended the warranty on TFT modules to 2033, covering replacements.
DCT stalls and erratic engine braking
Some owners report occasional engine stalling when coming to a stop with DCT, and inconsistent engine braking feel in certain ride modes.
Rust on white-framed models
White-painted frames, particularly on tricolour editions, show surface rust prematurely, especially at weld points, likely due to paint quality.
High-speed headshake / weave when carrying top box and panniers
At sustained highway speeds with a top box and side panniers fitted, the raised and rearward load can set off a slow weave or a shake through the handlebars, most noticeably when the top box is loaded heavily. The bike leaves the factory without a steering damper, so owners typically cut top box weight, shift heavy items low into the panniers, and fit an aftermarket damper to settle the front end.
6.5″ TFT touchscreen becoming unresponsive or registering false touches
The 6.5″ TFT touchscreen has been reported as becoming unresponsive to input, registering "phantom" touches by itself, or going to a temporary blackout. Cold weather makes symptoms worse. The issue has persisted after four years without any permanent fix. Replacement screens have exhibited the same behavior — pointing to a design rather than a manufacturing root cause.
Ride-by-wire throttle snatchiness in 1st–2nd gear at low speed
In the lower gears at low engine speeds, ride-by-wire throttle response can feel oscillating or snatchy, and it is most noticeable on the automatic dual-clutch version in stop-and-go city traffic, where engine braking on a closed throttle adds to the effect. Honda revised the lower gear ratios and the automatic shift program partway through the production run, which noticeably reduced the sensation.
Where this Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CRF1100L Africa Twin is actually built for.
The 21-inch front, 9.8 inches of clearance and full travel mean it genuinely goes there. At 498 lb it also punishes mistakes, so it rewards riders who already have the skills.
Made for Moab · Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes
This is the bike's home ground. Two-up with hard luggage over Beartooth or Going-to-the-Sun it has the range, the comfort and the reliability. Just keep the top box light at sustained highway speed.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
For 200 to 400 mile days on the Blue Ridge or Highway 1 this is more bike than you strictly need, and that is fine. Comfort, cruise and the automatic shift make long twisty days easy.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2016–2019
Built to Be Trusted
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2021–2024
Orange Attack, Low Center
~$4,000 cheaper used than this bike at 4 yr
Competitor · 2020–2023
Two Souls, One Triple
~$100 cheaper used than this bike at 5 yr
Competitor · 2019–2024
The Long-Haul Boxer You Trust
~$4,600 pricier used than this bike at 5 yr
