An In-Depth Look at the 2018 Africa Twin Motorcycle

2018 Honda Africa Twin⁚ A Review

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin is a highly capable adventure motorcycle that continues the legacy of its legendary predecessor. This review will delve into the key aspects of this motorcycle‚ exploring its engine‚ styling‚ suspension‚ features‚ and the Adventure Sports model.

Introduction

The Honda Africa Twin‚ a name synonymous with adventure motorcycling‚ returned in 2016 after a long hiatus‚ carrying the torch of its legendary predecessor‚ the XRV650 Africa Twin. The 2018 model year brought significant updates and enhancements‚ solidifying its position as a formidable contender in the adventure bike segment. While the original Africa Twin was celebrated for its ruggedness and off-road prowess‚ the 2018 model aimed to refine the experience with modern technology and comfort features. This review will explore the 2018 Honda Africa Twin‚ examining its strengths and weaknesses‚ and ultimately assessing whether it lives up to the lofty expectations set by its namesake.

The 2018 Africa Twin was offered in two main variants⁚ the standard CRF1000L and the Adventure Sports model. The standard version‚ while still capable off-road‚ was more road-focused‚ while the Adventure Sports was designed for extended off-road adventures‚ boasting a larger fuel tank‚ longer suspension travel‚ and a more robust fairing. Both models received updates for 2018‚ including improved electronics‚ a refined engine‚ and enhanced styling.

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin marked a significant milestone‚ celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original model's arrival in Europe. This anniversary was commemorated with a special red‚ white‚ and blue color scheme‚ a fitting tribute to the bike's heritage. The 2018 Africa Twin was praised for its balance of performance‚ versatility‚ and affordability‚ making it a compelling choice for both seasoned adventurers and newcomers to the genre.

Engine and Performance

The heart of the 2018 Honda Africa Twin is its 998cc‚ liquid-cooled‚ parallel-twin engine‚ a powerplant that delivers a smooth and engaging riding experience. The engine features a 270-degree crank‚ which imparts a characterful thrum that is both enjoyable and purposeful. This unique engine layout contributes to the Africa Twin's low center of gravity‚ enhancing its handling both on and off-road. The engine produces a claimed 93.9 bhp at 7‚500 rpm and 72 ft-lb of torque at 6‚000 rpm‚ figures that place it firmly within the competitive landscape of adventure motorcycles.

The 2018 Africa Twin's engine is praised for its tractability and responsiveness‚ making it a joy to ride on a variety of surfaces. The engine's power delivery is linear and predictable‚ allowing riders to confidently navigate challenging terrain. The Africa Twin is also known for its smooth and refined throttle response‚ eliminating any sense of jerkiness or hesitation. The engine's character is further enhanced by a six-speed manual gearbox‚ which provides precise and engaging shifts. The optional Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) offers a convenient and seamless gear-shifting experience‚ especially for riders who prefer a more relaxed riding style.

The 2018 Africa Twin's engine is a testament to Honda's engineering expertise‚ delivering a potent and refined powerplant that is both capable and enjoyable. Its smooth power delivery‚ tractability‚ and character make it a strong contender in the adventure motorcycle market. However‚ some reviewers noted that the engine might feel a little less powerful when compared to some of its competitors‚ particularly at higher speeds. Despite this‚ the engine's strong low-end torque and overall performance are well-suited for the Africa Twin's intended purpose‚ making it a capable and enjoyable companion for both on-road and off-road adventures.

Styling and Design

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin‚ a motorcycle designed for adventure‚ boasts a rugged and purposeful design‚ drawing inspiration from its legendary predecessor‚ the XRV650 Africa Twin. The overall aesthetic is one of strength and capability‚ with sharp lines and a slim profile. The Africa Twin's design is both functional and visually appealing‚ striking a balance between modern styling and classic cues.

The front end features a tall windscreen‚ which is adjustable for optimal wind protection‚ and a distinctive headlight unit that gives the Africa Twin a confident and assertive look. The fuel tank‚ available in both standard and Adventure Sports sizes‚ is sculpted to provide a comfortable riding position and features a distinctive design that adds to the bike's overall appeal. The rear end is clean and uncluttered‚ with a compact taillight and a comfortable passenger seat.

The Africa Twin's styling is further enhanced by its use of high-quality materials‚ including durable plastics‚ aluminum‚ and steel. The bike's color options‚ including the special anniversary red‚ white‚ and blue scheme‚ offer a range of choices for riders to express their personal style. The 2018 Africa Twin's design is a successful blend of classic and modern elements‚ creating a motorcycle that is both functional and visually appealing. Its rugged and purposeful aesthetic is a perfect reflection of its adventurous nature and its ability to tackle any terrain.

Suspension and Handling

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin boasts a well-balanced suspension setup that is designed to provide a comfortable and capable ride on a variety of terrains. The standard model features a 45mm Showa inverted fork with 230mm of travel‚ and a Showa Pro-Link rear shock with 220mm of travel. The Adventure Sports model‚ designed for extended off-road adventures‚ receives an upgrade with Showa long-travel suspension‚ offering 250mm of travel at both ends. This longer travel suspension provides increased ground clearance and improved handling when navigating challenging terrain.

The Africa Twin's suspension is praised for its ability to absorb bumps and irregularities in the road surface‚ offering a smooth and controlled ride. The suspension's responsiveness allows riders to confidently tackle a variety of terrain‚ from smooth tarmac to rough trails. The bike's handling is agile and predictable‚ making it a joy to ride on twisty roads and tight trails. The Africa Twin's suspension is also adjustable‚ allowing riders to fine-tune the settings to match their riding style and preferences.

The Africa Twin's suspension setup is a key contributor to its overall versatility and capability. The bike's balanced suspension‚ with its smooth ride and responsive handling‚ makes it a capable companion for both on-road and off-road adventures. The Adventure Sports model's long-travel suspension further enhances its off-road prowess‚ making it a formidable choice for riders who seek to explore the most challenging terrain. The Africa Twin's suspension‚ combined with its well-designed chassis‚ makes it a motorcycle that is both comfortable and capable‚ allowing riders to confidently tackle any adventure.

Features and Technology

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin is equipped with a range of features and technologies designed to enhance the riding experience and provide greater control and convenience. The standard model features a digital instrument panel that provides essential information such as speed‚ engine RPM‚ fuel level‚ and gear position. The Adventure Sports model adds a larger‚ more comprehensive instrument panel with a color TFT display‚ providing additional information and a more modern look.

Both models feature Honda's selectable riding modes‚ allowing riders to customize the throttle response‚ engine braking‚ and traction control to suit their riding style and the prevailing conditions. The Africa Twin also offers a variety of electronic rider aids‚ including ABS‚ which can be switched off for off-road riding. The optional DCT model features a sophisticated dual-clutch transmission that provides seamless gear changes‚ offering a more relaxed riding experience‚ particularly in urban environments or on long journeys.

The Africa Twin's features and technology are designed to enhance both performance and convenience. The selectable riding modes‚ electronic rider aids‚ and the optional DCT system provide riders with greater control and flexibility‚ allowing them to adapt to a wide range of riding conditions. The Africa Twin's technology‚ combined with its well-rounded design‚ makes it a modern adventure motorcycle that is both capable and user-friendly. The Africa Twin's features and technology‚ while not always groundbreaking‚ are designed to enhance both performance and convenience‚ making it a well-rounded and capable adventure motorcycle.

Adventure Sports Model

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is a purpose-built motorcycle designed for extended off-road adventures‚ building upon the foundation of the standard model with a focus on enhanced capability and comfort. The Adventure Sports model boasts a larger fuel tank‚ increasing capacity from 18.8 liters to 24.2 liters‚ providing a significantly extended range for long-distance journeys. The extended range is further complemented by a larger fairing and windscreen‚ which offer enhanced wind protection and a more comfortable riding experience‚ particularly on extended rides.

The Adventure Sports model is also equipped with longer-travel suspension‚ providing 250mm of travel at both ends‚ compared to the standard model's 230mm front and 220mm rear travel. This increased suspension travel enhances ground clearance and off-road capability‚ allowing riders to tackle more challenging terrain with greater confidence. The Adventure Sports model also features heated grips‚ a welcome addition for riders who frequently venture into colder climates.

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is a compelling option for riders seeking a motorcycle designed for extended off-road adventures. Its larger fuel tank‚ extended suspension travel‚ larger fairing and windscreen‚ and heated grips provide enhanced capability and comfort‚ making it a formidable choice for those who desire to explore the most challenging terrain. The Adventure Sports model‚ with its focus on long-distance capability and off-road prowess‚ is a testament to Honda's commitment to providing riders with the tools they need to conquer any adventure.

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin‚ in both its standard and Adventure Sports forms‚ presents a compelling case for itself in the competitive world of adventure motorcycles. It seamlessly blends classic styling cues with modern technology‚ offering a well-rounded package that is both capable and enjoyable. The Africa Twin's smooth and tractable engine‚ combined with its well-balanced suspension and a comprehensive suite of features‚ makes it a versatile motorcycle that is equally at home on paved roads and off-road trails.

The Africa Twin's optional DCT system further enhances its appeal‚ offering a convenient and seamless gear-shifting experience‚ especially for riders who prefer a more relaxed riding style. The Adventure Sports model‚ with its larger fuel tank‚ longer suspension travel‚ and enhanced wind protection‚ is a perfect choice for those seeking a motorcycle that can handle extended off-road adventures with ease.

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin‚ with its blend of performance‚ versatility‚ and value‚ is a strong contender in the adventure motorcycle segment. It is a motorcycle that is both capable and comfortable‚ offering a rewarding riding experience that is sure to satisfy both seasoned adventurers and newcomers to the genre. The Africa Twin's design‚ performance‚ and features make it a worthy successor to its legendary predecessor‚ continuing the legacy of adventure motorcycling. The 2018 Africa Twin is a motorcycle that is ready to take you on any adventure‚ offering a blend of capability‚ comfort‚ and style that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overall Impression

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin is a motorcycle that embodies the spirit of adventure‚ offering a blend of performance‚ versatility‚ and value that is hard to resist. Its smooth and tractable engine‚ well-balanced suspension‚ and comprehensive suite of features make it a capable and enjoyable motorcycle that is equally at home on paved roads and off-road trails. The Africa Twin's design is a successful blend of classic styling cues and modern technology‚ creating a motorcycle that is both visually appealing and functional.

The Adventure Sports model‚ with its larger fuel tank‚ longer suspension travel‚ and enhanced wind protection‚ is a perfect choice for those seeking a motorcycle that can handle extended off-road adventures with ease. The optional DCT system‚ available on both models‚ offers a convenient and seamless gear-shifting experience‚ making the Africa Twin even more appealing for riders who prefer a more relaxed riding style.

The 2018 Honda Africa Twin is a motorcycle that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Its blend of capability‚ comfort‚ and style makes it a worthy successor to its legendary predecessor‚ continuing the legacy of adventure motorcycling. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the genre‚ the 2018 Africa Twin is a motorcycle that is ready to take you on any adventure‚ offering a rewarding riding experience that is sure to satisfy.

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