By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
BMW R 1300 GS (KA1) vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin (SD 08 Mk 2-DCT)
BMW R 1300 GS vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
Roll the throttle open in Dynamic and the BMW R 1300 GS launches off the exit with a violence that's startling. The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin's DCT snaps through each shift.
So which one do you buy?
The R 1300 GS has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: R 1300 GS
Through a string of corners, the R 1300 GS feels a little more eager. Credit harder acceleration. The gap is small, so ride both.
Real off-road capability
Narrow edge: R 1300 GS
Once the asphalt stops, the R 1300 GS noses ahead. Tires and your own skill can easily cancel that out.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The better buy depends on what you want it for. Neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
R 1300 GS
On a technical road, the R 1300 GS can't hide its pitch: it dives into each bend and squats as the power comes in. Over a bump at that pace, the electronic damping catches most of the pitch, and there's a little left over. The suspension hits its wall first. The boxer saves its hardest pull for the top.
Nils rode the R 1300 GS in 2023, in Austria, Portugal, and the Bavarian Forest in 2024, and in Andalusia and the Canary Islands in 2026 (NastyNils Testride).
CRF1100L Africa Twin
The CRF1100L Africa Twin's upright perch and generous seat don't wear you down over a long day of miles. Broken pavement gets ironed out by the compliant Showa suspension, while the adjustable screen keeps wind off your chest. At the brake lever, there's 538 lb (244 kg) for a 310 mm front brake to haul down. The big front wheel eats ruts.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The R 1300 GS has the lower seat: 33.5 in (850 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The R 1300 GS has the lower wet weight: 522 lb (237 kg) vs 538 lb (244 kg).
- The R 1300 GS makes more peak power: 145 hp (107 kW) vs 102 hp (75 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
There's no real gap on commuting, long days, and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 1300 GS
Strengths
- Loaded Weight Simply Vanishes
- Brutal, Immediate Low-End Pull
- Built To Take A Beating
- Punches Above Its Size Off-Road
- Tunable Fit For Any Rider
Trade-offs
- Throttle Too Sharp Two-Up
- Wet-Descent ABS Goes Numb
- Arrows On Screen, No Map
- Lumpy, Buzzy At Low Revs
- Option pricing climbs steeply
CRF1100L Africa Twin
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable on long journeys
- Smooth and intuitive DCT
- Capable off-road with 21-inch front wheel
Trade-offs
- Down on peak power compared to rivals
- High price with DCT/ES package
- Heavy and tall for stop-and-go traffic
- Sophisticated but complex electronics
Known problems to check before you buy
R 1300 GS
- Adaptive ride height failure The adaptive ride height system malfunctions and triggers warning messages on the display. This can leave the suspension stuck in its lower setting and compromise high-speed stability.
- Recall 24V557000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY Recall 24V557000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 R 1300 GS motorcycles. The housing for the starter motor relay may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a damaged relay that can overheat.
- Recall 25V480000: COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION Recall 25V480000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 F 900 GS, F 800 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, R 1300 GS, S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, and K 1600 GT vehicles equipped with the optional emergency call system. The emergency call system (eCall) may have been deactivated due to a software programming error.
CRF1100L Africa Twin
- Wheelie control software recall (NHTSA 24V-882) Recall 24V882000 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.
- 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.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old R 1300 GS with a 2-year-old CRF1100L Africa Twin.
- R 1300 GS
- about $18,400
- CRF1100L Africa Twin
- about $12,400
At two years old, the BMW R 1300 GS sits around $18,400 while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin lands near $12,400. That's a $6,000 gap in the Honda's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front brake
- 310 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| R 1300 GS | CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.5 in (850 mm) | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 522 lb (237 kg) | 538 lb (244 kg) |
| R 1300 GS | CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1300 cc | 1084 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air/liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 145 hp (107 kW) | 102 hp (75 kW) |
| Torque | 110 lb-ft (149 Nm) | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| R 1300 GS | CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.8 L) |
| R 1300 GS | CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft | Chain |
| Fork | Telelever | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 150/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 59.8 in (1518 mm) | 62.0 in (1575 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 9.1 in (230 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 1300 GS | CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Option | Standard |
| Navigation | Standard | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
