Adventure bikes have been a staple of popular culture for decades. From the Paris Dakar rally, to Ewan Mcgregor and Charley Boormans epic Long Way Round trip.
To this day, they are still hugely sought-after. Most notably, the Honda Africa Twin which was first introduced in 1988. Since then, the bike has played a pivotal role in shaping the adventure sports category.
Were taking a closer look at the bike in more detail to see just why its stood the test of time.
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Honda Africa Twin history
Cast your mind back to the 1980s and youll probably remember the Paris Dakar rally. Dubbed the worlds toughest motor race, cars and bikes would travel over 10,000 gruelling kilometres. So gruelling, many people didnt even finish the race.
Honda created the Honda Racing Corporation in late 1984, with one aim. To win the eighth rally in 1986 and this is where the Africa Twin was conceived.
Honda Africa Twin performance
The 2024 Honda Africa Twin features a more powerful 1100cc twin-cylinder engine with 7% more torque than previous models. Even when the bike is fully loaded, you can enjoy responsive performance.
Riding off road is exactly what the Africa Twin is designed for, and the off-road performance reflects this. With a lightweight frame and impressive 250mm ground clearance, tackling any road is effortless.
Full engine specs:
Honda Africa Twin comfort
You might be apprehensive at the thought of an adventure bike with questions like is the bike too big for me? running through your mind.
But the Africa Twin is exactly the opposite. While it might look big at first glance, it offers three seat and two height options to find your perfect riding position. This means that you can ride comfortably, even if youre in it for the long haul.
Honda Africa Twin equipment
Theres a decent number of features which come as standard on the Africa Twin, these include:
- Bluetooth audio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wired)
- LED headlights
- Cruise control
- USB socket
- 6.5 TFT touch panel multi-information display
- Daytime running lights
- Immobiliser
Honda Africa Twin running costs
You can expect to achieve around 57mpg with the Africa Twin Adventure Sports and annual servicing costs will be 220. While road tax is priced at 117 annually.
Honda Africa Twin accessories
The sky is the limit when it comes to accessorising your Africa Twin. Honda's comprehensive range includes top boxes, panniers, engine guards, and radiator grilles. So, you can make the Africa Twin truly your own.
Me and my Africa Twin
We caught up with James Henfrey, Branch Manager at Grantham Vertu Honda Bikes, who previously owned an Africa Twin.
What is the number one thing people should know about an Africa Twin?
Its more accessible than people think and more fun than touring bikes. With three seats and two height options, you can tailor your perfect ride.
"If you are thinking of buying one, visit your local dealership to try it out and youll be surprised.
What was your favourite thing about the bike?
Id never had an adventure bike but had spent a lot of time off-road doing motocross. The first day I picked up the bike, I rode to Bruges with my wife.
"No other bike gives you the confidence to jump on and ride that far from the get-go. But the automatic DCT does all the hard work for you by selecting the right gears.
"It was so comfortable that I could have got back on and rode straight home as soon as we arrived in Bruges.
Is there anything you disliked about the bike?
When riding with two people and luggage, I would have liked some more horsepower. But the newer models do address this.
Do you have any favourite riding routes?
Me and my wife regularly rode from Grantham to Whitby, which is mostly off the motorway on country roads.
Explore Honda Africa Twin deals at Vertu Motorcycles
Ready to ride into the world of adventure bikes? View our latest Honda Africa twin deals and see how much more fun life can be.
Find your local dealership now and book a test ride to experience the bike firsthand with the help of our expert team.