By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scooter vs Adventure
Honda X-ADV (RC 95) vs CRF1000L Africa Twin (SD 04)
Honda X-ADV vs CRF1000L Africa Twin: where they split, and which one to buy.
Roll off atop a run of downhill switchbacks, and the Honda X-ADV's automatic box won't shut you out: flick to Sport or take the shifts yourself. The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin doesn't wait on your hand and reads the closed throttle and speed itself. It drops a gear and the engine brakes for you.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the X-ADV if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Clearly ahead: X-ADV
When the bike has to work for a living, the X-ADV wins the commute clearly. The reason: easier everyday riding.
Buy the CRF1000L Africa Twin if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Runaway pick: CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin suits all-day riding much better. It's down to more stability at speed. Plan the long trip on it.
The X-ADV has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: X-ADV
On a twisty road, the X-ADV edges ahead. Not by enough to settle it alone.
The CRF1000L Africa Twin has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
What makes each one tick
X-ADV
The X-ADV's wide bar leaves both brake levers covered at every moment, and after a few rides the rear brake lives on a lever instead of under a boot. On pavement, corner entry comes quickly because the chassis doesn't resist the turn. At a crawl, the dual-clutch gearbox isn't easy to feather. The rear lever reins in the creep.
CRF1000L Africa Twin
Dirt sets the CRF1000L Africa Twin's priorities, starting with a chassis that's loaded toward the front tire. The same geometry that makes the bike so rock-solid on gravel puts the weight forward in a way that fights you in loose sand. Coming down rocky trails, the system reads throttle position and speed during coast-down phases and drops to a lower gear to increase engine braking. On Kane Creek, rocks and rough ground meet the fork and shock on the same settings that work on tarmac, and they're soaked up without a clicker turned. The big front wheel wants commitment. The pegs scrape and the chassis sorts it out.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The X-ADV has the lower seat: 32.3 in (820 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The CRF1000L Africa Twin has the lower wet weight: 511 lb (232 kg) vs 525 lb (238 kg).
- The CRF1000L Africa Twin makes more peak power: 95 hp (70 kW) vs 55 hp (40 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
No verdict: CRF1000L Africa Twin
Too much motor for a beginner: the CRF1000L Africa Twin sits this one out.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
X-ADV
Strengths
- One bike for the whole day
- Storage ready to go
- Fingertip control at low speed
- Holds its line on knobbies
- Under-seat space that earns its keep
Trade-offs
- Not a true scooter for cargo
- DCT mistimes the corner you know
- Wide chassis wants longer legs
- Hard to feather at a crawl
- Heavy weight impacts low-speed handling
CRF1000L Africa Twin
Strengths
- Planted Well Past Legal Speeds
- Slim Between The Knees
- Seamless Automatic Drive Off-Road
- Fixable Almost Anywhere
- Genuine off-road capability for a literbike adventure
Trade-offs
- Wants Real Enduro Inputs
- Filtered Road Feedback
- Weight Tells In Tight Terrain
- TC Resets At Every Stop
- No cruise control or ride-by-wire
Known problems to check before you buy
X-ADV
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
CRF1000L Africa Twin
- Side stand bracket cracking / weld failure A subset of owners report cracking of the side stand mounting bracket or its weld, especially after heavy off-road use or drops. Replacement brackets and reinforcement plates are widely discussed.
- Rear shock soft / fade when loaded The OEM Showa rear shock is regarded as under-damped when the bike is heavily loaded with luggage and pillion, with fade reported on long fast highway runs.
- Cam chain tensioner noise / wear Some early SD04 units exhibit audible cam chain rattle on startup or at low rpm, traced to the cam chain tensioner. Updated tensioners were fitted in service and on later production.
- DCT clutch judder at very low speeds On DCT-equipped models, some owners notice a low-speed shudder or judder when creeping in first gear, particularly when cold. Considered a characteristic rather than a defect by Honda.
- Headlight condensation / moisture ingress Owners frequently report condensation inside the LED headlight units, particularly after washing or in humid conditions; usually cosmetic but sometimes warrantied.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| X-ADV | CRF1000L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 525 lb (238 kg) | 511 lb (232 kg) |
| X-ADV | CRF1000L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 745 cc | 998 cc |
| Power | 55 hp (40 kW) | 95 hp (70 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,250 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 4,750 rpm | 6,000 rpm |
| X-ADV | CRF1000L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 62 mpg (US) / 3.8 L/100 km | 49 mpg (US) / 4.8 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 US gal (13 L) | 5.0 US gal (18.8 L) |
| X-ADV | CRF1000L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-15 | 150/70-18 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| X-ADV | CRF1000L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Standard | Option |
| Keyless System | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
