2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports First Look: New Everything, Same Long-Haul Goals

The Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports has been the company’s long-range weapon of choice for riders who want a globe-trotting adventure sport-tourer with real-world performance, premium features, and what’s still a value-focused package. Honda’s ADV sport-touring machine now enters a new generation alongside the base Africa Twin, the off-road-focused Africa Twin Enduro Sport, and the radar-equipped Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE, with meaningful updates for 2027.

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Announced at EICMA 2026, the new Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports features a higher-output parallel-twin engine, a heavily revised chassis and suspension, a sharper long-range comfort-focused design, and an updated electronics suite. There’s also a radar system available now. American Honda has not confirmed whether the updated Africa Twin range will arrive in the United States, but we will update the story if and when it does.

The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Is Ready To Go The Distance

The Africa Twin moniker debuted nearly four decades ago as the XRV650, and after a short hiatus, it returned in 2016 as the liter-class CRF1000L ADV. Two years later, Honda introduced the Adventure Sports variant, adding a larger capacity fuel tank, longer-travel suspension, and more wind protection to build on that foundation.

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As the Africa Twin evolved into the CRF1100L in 2020, the Adventure Sports model shifted more toward long-haul comfort than off-road capability. As a result, it gained lowered, electronically adjustable suspension, a lower seat height, and road-friendly tubeless tires. For its tenth anniversary, Big Red has given it the biggest update yet.

The Adventure Sports is offered in three variants, starting with the base manual, followed by the DCT. The flagship model is the new Honda SENSING RIDE variant, which adds radar and is covered separately. This story focuses on the manual and DCT variants. Here are all the changes to the new CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports.

A New 1,131cc Parallel-Twin Engine

Honda

The new Africa Twin platform features a substantially revised parallel-twin engine with a 2mm-wider bore of 94mm and the same 81.5mm stroke, increasing displacement to 1,131cc. Consequently, power output increases by 16.5 percent to 117.33 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, and torque increases by 6.25 percent to 87.76 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm. Honda also claims 46 mpg, which should yield a range of 298 miles with the bike’s 6.39-gallon fuel tank.

The higher power output results from several engine revisions, starting with a higher 12.1:1 compression ratio, up from 10.5:1, which is said to deliver stronger performance across the rev range. The intake airflow path is also redesigned to improve efficiency, while larger 52mm throttle bodies now feed the higher-compression combustion chamber.

The engine retains the SOHC Unicam design, with revisions to the port and combustion chambers, including revised cam timing, valve lift, and valve spring specifications. The intake valve diameter is wider by 1mm to 37.5 mm, while the exhaust valves get a tweaked profile. The cam chain is wider, and the cam chain tensioner, guide, and plate have been optimized for better durability.

The 270-degree phased crankshaft and uneven firing order are said to retain the Africa Twin’s distinctive pulse and traction characteristics. Updated biaxial balance shafts manage primary inertial and coupling forces, or vibrations. As a result, the company claims the new Africa Twin Adventure Sports offers stronger acceleration and greater versatility for long-distance riding, off-roading, and low-speed conditions.

Manual And DCT Options Return With Updates

Honda

The Adventure Sports variant features an updated six-speed transmission with revised gearing, which is said to offer better acceleration in first through fifth gears. In contrast, sixth gear was revised to reduce engine speeds at highway cruising, creating an overdrive gear. The clutch is optimized to handle the higher power output, and the shift forks receive an enhanced surface treatment for smoother shifts and greater durability.

The dual clutch transmission (DCT) has three modes: MT for manual shifting, D for efficient city and highway riding, and Sport for spirited riding. Honda says the DCT is tuned to provide a natural, feathered-clutch feel at initial take-off. The shift schedules are refined to match increased engine performance, with cornering detection and earlier downshifts.

The Japanese firm claims the DCT is fully equipped to handle any riding condition. In off-road riding modes, it improves feel for traction and feedback by reducing clutch slip during gear changes. The auto gearbox also features incline detection that adapts the shift pattern depending on the slope’s gradient.

Extensive Chassis Updates, Same Ol’ Geometry

Honda

The chassis setup is heavily optimized to lower the center of gravity. The new fuel sub-tank design places part of the tank beneath the rider’s seat to lower the center of gravity. It is aided by careful repositioning of other heavy components, like the battery, ECU, fuel filler cap, and airbox. The reduced center of gravity and mass centralization are said to deliver greater agility and stability at low speeds and in corners.

The steel semi-double cradle frame is also upgraded with a more rigid engine head hanger, allowing changes to the frame cross-section and wall thickness. As a result, the frame is 1.76 pounds lighter. Similar developments extend to the aluminum swingarm, which is now 1.32 pounds lighter. Despite the changes, the geometry stays at a 62-inch wheelbase, 27.5-degree rake, and 4.17-inch trail. The curb weights are 540.13 pounds for the manual, 562.17 pounds for the DCT, and 564.38 pounds for the Honda Sensing model.

Beefier Showa Suspension With Honda Skyhook

Honda

The suspension is heavily upgraded, with the Showa Electrically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) now standard in Europe. The EERA setup also features the new Honda Skyhook control, which adapts damping forces in real time every millisecond. Up front, there’s a thicker 49mm USD fork, complemented by a link-type monoshock out back. The suspension travel is 8.26 inches front and 7.87 inches rear.

Big Red claims the revised suspension improves tire contact, stability, and ride quality without compromising natural feel and handling precision. In the same vein, the Skyhook’s intervention is moderated during cornering to maintain predictable chassis behavior and feedback.

There’s also a new Minimum mode that lowers the seat height by 0.19 inches and remains selected even after the ignition is switched off. Standard preload modes include Solo, Solo with Pillion, Pillion, Pillion with Full Luggage, and custom User mode.

Braking comes from dual Nissin radial-mount four-piston calipers working on dual 310mm wave floating discs, aided by a single Nissin single-piston floating caliper with a 256mm disc out back. The 19/18-inch stainless steel wire-spoke wheels wear tubeless Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 tires, and the bike is homologated for Michelin Anakee Road and block-pattern Michelin Anakee Wild rubber, too.

Aggressive Styling With Improved Long-Range Comfort

Honda

Like the standard Africa Twin, the Adventure Sports model features a heavily revised design focused on adventure sport-touring. The new design is said to balance long-range performance and off-road capability, without losing the instantly recognizable Africa Twin charm. The updated style is headlined by a commanding front fairing with high-mount shoulders for better wind protection. It also complements the chassis revisions, with a mass-forward stance and a minimalist rear end.

Honda says it has improved upon the Adventure Sports’ long-distance comfort and control. For example, the seat features thicker foam with additional back padding for extra support, and it drops the seat height by 0.19 inches, with adjustability between 32.67 inches and 33.46 inches. Elsewhere, the handlebar is 10mm narrower, 10mm higher, and placed further forward, while the pegs are 20mm narrower and 10mm rearward for a more natural riding position.

The new design also features eco-conscious materials. For example, the seat base and rear mudguard stays use Post-Industrial Recycled Polypropylene (PIP PP) and Polyamide (PIR PA). The colored resin bodywork components are made with Post-Consumer Recycled Polypropylene (PCR PP). The screen is made of Durabio material derived from inedible corn pellets.

Revised Electronics Suite

Honda

The most noticeable upgrade to the tech package is the lighting setup, which includes new dual LED headlights with a sharper look and integrated DRLs and cornering lights. They’re complemented by a redesigned taillight with an S-Glitter-cut lens and LED indicators. The windscreen is now electronically operated between a 5.11-inch height and a 10-degree rake, complemented by dual deflectors.

Even the instrument cluster is updated with a 5.7-inch vehicle information display and a full-color 7-inch TFT touchscreen with a 5-second boot-up time. The display features an off-road display and compass function, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other bits include keyless ignition, heated grips, cruise control, knuckle guards, and an aluminum carrier. There’s also a new integrated storage compartment in the fuel tank cover that can hold a large smartphone and includes a USB-C charging socket.

Throttle-by-wire, a six-axis IMU, and the ECU enable adjustable engine power and engine braking. Meanwhile, riding modes include Sport, Touring, Urban, Rain, and the new Offroad and Offroad+, each adjustable. For 2027, the bike also features two levels of Comfort or Dynamic throttle responses built into the riding modes. Rider aids include combined ABS, switchable 7-level traction control, wheelie control, and vehicle hill hold.

Honda UK

On the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE model, there are front and rear radar systems that enable various rider assistance features. These include adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, stop-and-go assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot information, rear collision warning, and more. We’ve covered this model separately.

Honda will also offer various accessory packs. For example, the Comfort Pack adds a tank bag, heated seats and fog lights, while the Rally Pack adds protection bits, engine side sticker, quickshifter or pedal shifter, and more. The Travel Pack (plastic or aluminum) brings panniers, inner bags, and stays, and the Urban Pack (plastic or aluminum) adds a top box with an inner bag and a center stand.

2027 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Price And Availability

Honda

The 2027 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports will be available in Pearl Glare White and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic. Honda has unveiled the new 2027 Africa Twin platform for the European market, but again, American hasn’t confirmed what updated CRF1150L Africa Twin models will be arriving in the United States. Similarly, there’s no word on the bike’s MSRP in any market yet.

Stay tuned to TopSpeed for more details on the new Africa Twin.

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Source: Honda