By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin (SD 06-AdventureSportsDCT) vs BMW F 850 GS Adventure (K82)
Tip the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin into a bend and it's slim between your knees, the tall front wheel rolling in without fuss. The BMW F 850 GS Adventure's front snaps onto your line.
So which one do you buy?
The CRF1000L Africa Twin has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. It's down to a sportier chassis and stronger brakes. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
The F 850 GS Adventure has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Edges it: F 850 GS Adventure
Hour after hour, the F 850 GS Adventure feels a little kinder to you. The reason: better wind protection and more range per tank. It's a close-run thing, though.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
At these used prices, neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
CRF1000L Africa Twin
There's a gruff growl from the Africa Twin's exhaust, and the twin pulls with a meaty shove that never turns unruly. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the wide bars and roomy seat let you stretch out from breakfast to dusk. On gravel, it's the compact twin that keeps the bike light on its feet. Its suspension swallows a pothole whole.
F 850 GS Adventure
Low in the revs, the BMW's twin pulls hard and doesn't let up toward the redline. Off the brake lever and into a hairpin, the steering stays precise and there's ground clearance to spare. Light trails don't faze it. Up high, the exhaust trades its rumble for a rasp.
Nils rode the F 850 GS Adventure in Styria in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The F 850 GS Adventure has the lower seat: 34.4 in (875 mm) vs 36.2 in (920 mm).
- The F 850 GS Adventure has the lower wet weight: 538 lb (244 kg) vs 558 lb (253 kg).
- The CRF1000L Africa Twin makes more peak torque: 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) vs 68 lb-ft (92 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Call it even on the dirt and commuting. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CRF1000L Africa Twin
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable all‑day riding position
- Genuine off‑road capability with a light, narrow feel
- Smooth, characterful parallel‑twin engine
Trade-offs
- Finished marred by rust on early models
- DCT can be dim‑witted at slow speeds
- Noticeably down on power compared to European rivals
- Basic suspension lacks electronic adjustment
- Inadequate wind protection at highway speeds
F 850 GS Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful, punchy parallel-twin engine
- Lively and agile handling for a large adventure bike
- Genuine off-road capability within limits
Trade-offs
- Gearbox can be notchy and imprecise
Known problems to check before you buy
CRF1000L Africa Twin
- Switch cluster failures Sticky or corroded switchgear causes intermittent faults including DCT error codes, headlight failure and starting problems. Cleaning or replacing the clusters is usually the cure.
- Premature wheel bearing wear Rear wheel bearings can fail as early as 9,300 mi (15,000 km) when the bike is subjected to regular off‑road use, requiring replacement.
- Spoke and fastener corrosion Nickel‑plated spokes on early models rust quickly, especially after off‑road use; some frames also show surface rust. Often requires wheel rebuilds or replacement.
F 850 GS Adventure
- Brake light flash recall during emergency braking Recall 20V146000 BMW recalled certain 2020 F 850 GS Adventure units (NHTSA campaign 20V146000) because the brake light could flash instead of remaining steady under emergency braking, failing FMVSS 108. Dealers reprogrammed the emergency stop signal function free of charge; the recall began May 11, 2020.
- Camshaft/rocker arm DLC coating wear Some owners have reported premature wear of the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on the rocker arms, leading to camshaft scoring and metal flakes in the engine oil.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old CRF1000L Africa Twin with a 7-year-old F 850 GS Adventure.
- CRF1000L Africa Twin
- about $10,000
- F 850 GS Adventure
- about $9,500
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 95 hp (70 kW)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
Where the spec sheets split
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | F 850 GS Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.2 in (920 mm) | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Wet weight | 558 lb (253 kg) | 538 lb (244 kg) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | F 850 GS Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc | 853 cc |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,000 rpm | 6,250 rpm |
| Top speed | 109 mph (175 km/h) | 122 mph (197 km/h) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | F 850 GS Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) / 4.7 L/100 km | 57 mpg (US) / 4.1 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 6.4 US gal (24.2 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | F 850 GS Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 305 mm |
| Rear tire | 150/70-18 | 150/70-17 |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 in (1575 mm) | 62.7 in (1593 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.9 in (252 mm) | 9.1 in (230 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.4 in (240 mm) | 8.5 in (215 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | F 850 GS Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Not offered | Option |
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Not offered | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Option |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
