2024 · Adventure · A variant of the CRF1100L Africa Twin
Differences between the standard CRF1100L Africa Twin and the DCT
Dependable Twin, Dialed In
This is Honda's full-size adventure bike built around a 1084 cc parallel twin making 102 hp and 83 lb-ft, and on this trim the gear changes are handled by Honda's third-generation DCT. That one decision shapes the whole machine more than any other line on the spec sheet. Underneath it sits genuine adventure hardware: a 21-inch front wheel, an 18-inch rear, 9.1 inches of fork travel and 9.8 inches of ground clearance. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, ride modes and cruise control are all standard, so the core electronics are settled before you start ticking option boxes. Showa EERA semi-active suspension sits on that option list.
It rides like a bike built to cover ground rather than impress anyone at the coffee stop, and that is exactly why it ages well. The chassis stays honest on a fast mountain road, the wheel sizes and the travel mean a dirt road is a route choice rather than an event, and the whole package is put together to keep working. It suits the rider who wants one bike for long distances and unpaved detours. The honest caveat is physical: 34.3 inches of seat height and 538 lb wet ask for confidence when you are stopped and paddling. There is no center stand from the factory, and heated grips and luggage cost extra.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| 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 | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 538 lb (244 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.8 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Connectivity
The CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT (SD 08 Mk 2-DCT) 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 adds vs the standard CRF1100L Africa Twin
| Spec | Standard CRF1100L Africa Twin | DCT | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 505 lb | 538 lb | +33 lb |
This isn't my own test ride. It's what I've picked up over the years from owners in paddock conversations, chats at fuel stops and club nights, and the emails and messages riders send me directly. On this Africa Twin the pattern is consistent. Owners love how it covers distance and how the latest DCT shifts. The recurring frustrations are peak power, the price once options are added, and how deep the electronics go.
Comfort is the point riders come back to most. They describe an upright position, a generous seat and plush suspension that let them stay aboard all day. Several are surprised by how much wind protection the screen gives despite its modest size. Owners also credit the latest engine with a stronger midrange, which they say makes it responsive and easy to manage in everyday riding and on tour.
The 2024 refinements to the dual-clutch transmission come up again and again. Riders report quicker, more natural shifts, and they single out Sport 3 as the mode where it feels almost telepathic on a twisty road. Off the pavement, owners say the bike handles rough terrain with confidence. They credit the off-road G-switch and the adjustable power delivery for the extra control.
The most consistent gripe is power. Against lighter middleweight adventure bikes, owners say it feels down on output, and some find that takes the edge off fast road rides. Price is the other loud complaint. Once the DCT is paired with the optional semi-active suspension package, riders feel the bill climbs well past the standard model and into flagship territory without the power or premium feel to match. The electronics divide people. Tech-averse riders mention too many modes and sub-menus and a very thick manual, and some say the display is slow to boot. A few owners worry about how all that electronics will hold up over time. In stop-and-go traffic, riders call it cumbersome at low speed and say they lean on DCT creep to manage.
Left handle switch assembly recall
Honda issued a safety recall for 2020-2022, 2024 and 2025 Africa Twins to replace the left handle switch, which can cause intermittent horn or high-beam operation. The remedy is a new switch unit, available once parts are in supply.
Wheelie control software recall (NHTSA 24V-882)
Improper FI-ECU software causes traction control miscalculation when wheelie control is enabled, potentially leading to engine hesitation or unintended acceleration. Honda recalled certain 2022 and 2024-2025 Africa Twins to reprogram the ECU.
Cracked rims under extreme off-road use
A small number of owners have reported cracking rear rims after heavy impacts, particularly on rocky terrain. Honda has not issued a recall; the issue is debated as being user-induced.
TFT display failures
Some units experience screen freezing, blanking or ghost touching. Honda extended the TFT warranty to 2033 for affected motorcycles. Replacement is covered under warranty.
Premature corrosion of white-painted frames
White and tricolour frames on earlier 1100 models showed surface rust, particularly on weld seams. The issue appears to persist on some 2024 models, attributed to water-based paint. Not a structural concern but off-putting for owners.
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.
This is the job it was built for. 83 lb-ft, cruise control, suspension you can set for a loaded two-up bike, and an automatic that quietly removes work from a twelve-hour day.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
The travel, the 21-inch front and the ground clearance are all real. But 538 lb is a lot of bike for slow rock, so it shines on big desert days more than on skill-maximum sections.
Made for Kane Creek Recreation Area · Moab · Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
It carries speed on a good road better than its size suggests, and you run out of nerve before you run out of lean angle. Comfortable enough that a 300-mile day stays fun.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2020–2023
Heavy Tech That Actually Works
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 · 2024
The Heavyweight That Rides Light
Roughly $2,500 pricier used than this bike at 2 yr
Competitor · 2021–2024
Orange Attack, Low Center
Roughly $1,600 cheaper used than this bike at 2 yr
Competitor · 2023
The Reliable Long-Haul Partner
About the same used price as this bike at 2 yr
