The Used Adventure Bike Built To Last A Lifetime
The adventure bike segment has come a long way from the original adventure bike, which was the BMW R 80 G/S. That motorcycle was a large-displacement dual-sport machine that was capable of taking on the highway, coupled with all-day comfort. Today, the segment that the R 80 G/S pioneered has become one of the mainstays of motorcycling, with adventure motorcycles displacing anywhere from 200 cc all the way to 1,300 cc at the premium end. They range from small dual-sport motorcycles with lights and indicators, to premium motorcycles that can rival full-dress tourers for features.
The Price Of Admission Can Be High
With great luxury comes great pricing, and that holds especially true for the adventure motorcycle segment. Most adventure motorcycles are over-engineered because they are expected to go into the back of beyond without any backup. At the same time, they are expected to have luxury. This is not a good recipe for a value-for-money product, which is why buying a new full-size adventure motorcycle can be out of reach for most prospective buyers. The answer then becomes a used motorcycle, but where can one get a bike that ticks all the right boxes?
The Far East Is the Answer, Of Course
Whenever you want something that is reliable and can last a very long time, you look to the Far East. The Land of the Rising Sun is known for making products that are over-engineered, and happily, most of them are priced quite reasonably. So it is little wonder then that this is where the search for the used adventure bike built to last a lifetime will start and end. The only catch is that Japanese manufacturers have usually been content to slot below the premium and luxury products, so is there an adventure bike in this space that can go toe-to-toe with the best of them?
There Always Was Just One Real Answer
Honda is the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, and it has the expertise to design some of the best motorcycles in the world. Even when it decided to turn its attention to the touring segment, it ended up with one of the most dependable touring motorcycles in the Gold Wing. It is little wonder then that when one wants a reliable motorcycle, the Wing badge comes to mind. And as the Gold Wing proves emphatically, it is very much capable of luxury coupled with reliability. This is where we will find the used adventure bike that will last a lifetime.
The Honda Africa Twin Is The Used Adventure Bike Built To Last A Lifetime
The Africa Twin is a legendary name that earned its stripes in one of the toughest races in history, the Paris-Dakar Rally. In the modern era, the name belongs to a full-size adventure motorcycle that incorporates more than a little luxury while still firmly keeping to its roots. It is the most off-road capable of all the full-size adventure motorcycles while offering enough technology, performance, and features to satisfy anyone looking for a competitive product in the full-size adventure bike segment. It holds its value rather well, but that is only a sign of how reliable it is.
The Africa Twin Holds Its Value Extremely Well, And For Good Reasons
There have been four different versions of the Africa Twin since its initial launch in 2016. There was the original CRF1000L, then a midlife refresh in 2018 that also brought in the Adventure Sports variant. In 2020, the engine got a displacement upgrade, and it got renamed to the CRF1100L. 2024 saw a revision in engine tuning and a different focus for the Adventure Sports. Keeping track of all the changes, variants, and pricing can be a long-winded affair, ranging from $8,215 for a base 2016 model up to $14,620 for a 2024 DCT version. Bear in mind that a new base Africa Twin costs a little under $16,000, but a fully loaded Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT with all the options can run to nearly $30,000 at your doorstep. This means that it holds its value extremely well, and that is because it sets the standard for reliability, and has low ownership costs.
The Engine Has Had A Few Updates, But They All Improve The Riding Experience Noticeably
The Africa Twin has had a real evolution as far as the engine is concerned, but it has always been the most powerful Honda adventure bike. What is common among all the variants is that it is a 270-degree parallel twin with a Unicam SOHC head and a semi-dry sump system, which makes it very compact vertically. At its launch in 2016, the CRF1000L had a 998 cc engine and the compression ratio of 10.0:1. It generated 94 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 72.2 pound-feet at 6,000 RPM. It had a cable throttle and limited electronics.
In 2018, Honda refreshed this engine and gave it a by-wire throttle. The peak power remained identical, but peak torque climbed fractionally to 73 pound-feet at the same RPM. It also boosted the mid-range torque output. More electronics were added here.
In 2020, the engine was overhauled completely for the Euro 5 emission norms. The displacement bumped up to 1,084 cc, and the bike was renamed the CRF1100L. This was achieved through a longer stroke and a slightly higher compression ratio of 10.1:1. Peak power increased to 101 horsepower at 7,500 RPM, and peak torque went up to 77.4 pound-feet at 6,250 RPM.
Finally, in 2024, the same engine was retuned and got a significant bump in torque. It now went to 82.6 pound-feet at 5,500 RPM, which is 750 RPM lower than the previous peak torque RPM. This was achieved with an even higher compression ratio of 10.5:1, among other internal changes.
The DCT Gearbox Is One Of The Unique Features Of The Africa Twin
When Honda launched the Africa Twin’s DCT option in 2018, it became the first manufacturer to offer an automatic gearbox in the full-size adventure touring segment, balancing comfort, technology, and capability. It retained this crown until 2024 when BMW, Yamaha, and KTM all announced automated manual gearboxes for their respective flagship adventure motorcycles. To this day, it remains the only true automatic gearbox in its segment.
The manual transmission is a six-speed unit with an assist and slipper clutch, while the DCT is a six-speed unit with an S mode for aggressive riding; manual control is offered via paddles on the left handlebar. What is unique about the DCT gearbox is that Honda didn’t satisfy itself with just being the provider of the only automatic gearbox in its segment. The S mode has three different levels of increasing aggressiveness for sporting riding.
It also features something called a G switch, which allows for more clutch slip at slow speeds on technical trails, and the modes of the G switch can be toggled for the clutch to engage quickly, allowing the rider to kick the tail out on dirt. More modern versions of the DCT gearbox are more intelligent. For example, with the CRF1100L, the DCT is tied into the six-axis IMU, and it holds on to gears longer in corners even if you are in the standard D mode.
The Chassis Has Been Similar Right Through Its Production Run
Another unique thing about the Africa Twin, other than the gearbox, is its semi-double cradle frame, which is the kind of frame that is usually used for off-road vehicles. It carries a weight penalty but is ultimately stronger and more compliant off tarmac. Honda tries to offset that with an aluminum two-sided swingarm, and depending on which variant you get, there are a few differences in suspension travel and wheel sizes.
The Suspension Went Through A Few Iterations, But The Brakes Stayed The Same
This section covers several variants, so careful attention to detail is warranted. The original CRF1000L base model Africa Twin had conventional suspension — inverted forks at the front and a link-type rear shock that could be adjusted with tools. This was applicable to the Adventure Sports as well that was launched in 2018; it had more suspension travel than the regular Africa Twin to the tune of 0.8 inches extra at the front and 0.7 inches more at the rear.
When the CRF1100L was launched, the Adventure Sports got the Showa EERA electronic suspension, but it had the same travel as the standard mechanical suspension. You could electronically adjust the preload and damping on this setup. In 2024, the suspension travel on the Adventure Sports ES was reduced from 9.1 to 8.3 inches at the front and from 8.7 to 7.9 inches at the rear.
The brake specifications were consistent throughout the entire production run from 2016 onward, with twin 310 mm wave floating discs at the front equipped with Nissin radial four-piston fixed calipers and sintered pads, while at the rear, a single 256 mm wave disc with a single-piston Nissin caliper handled braking duties. The DCT models have a parking brake, which is a cable-actuated auxiliary brake caliper on the rear disc.
The Wheels Also Evolved Over Time
In 2016, the Africa Twin launched with a 21-inch and 18-inch spoke wheel combination that required tubes with the tires because of its off-road credentials. These initial wheels were known to have spokes that corroded quickly. With the midlife facelift, the switch to stainless steel spokes rectified the problem. With the launch of the CRF1100L, Honda split the kind of rims offered. They both had the same sizes as before, but the base Africa Twin needed tire tubes, whereas the Adventure Sports had tubeless spoke rims. Finally, in 2024, tubeless spoke rims were standardized across the range, but the Adventure Sports got a smaller 19-inch front wheel. Whatever the combination of wheels and suspension, it feels right no matter where you ride.
There Are Minor Differences In Dimensions Among The Different Versions
There are differences in seat height and weight among the different variants, but for the sake of brevity, only the extremes will be addressed. The lightest of the lot is the first CRF1100L, while the heaviest is, understandably, the current Adventure Sports ES DCT because both the electronic suspension and the automatic gearbox add pounds, not to mention the extra electronics of the six-axis IMU and the weight of the fuel in its massive fuel tank. All Africa Twin variants are heavy compared to the competition because of the choice of chassis.
The variant with the most accessible seat height is the 2024 Africa Twin Adventure Sports, thanks to its 19-inch front wheel and reduced suspension travel. All Africa Twins feel almost perfect because they are narrow thanks to the engine’s compact height, despite the impressive ground clearance. It has a minimum of 8.7 inches and a maximum of 10.6 inches, with most variants offering a figure of 9.8 inches. It also needs to be mentioned that the Adventure Sports variants have massive fuel tanks that can hold well over six gallons of fuel.
There Were Some Big Feature Updates In The Africa Twin’s Existence – And All Were Important
The 2016 Africa Twin launched with a very basic feature set. It had a reverse LCD instrument cluster that was stacked vertically and had a split in the middle. It had a cable throttle with three levels of HSTC traction control, plus it could be switched off. It had dual-channel ABS that could be switched off at the rear via a physical button on the dash.
In 2018, with the refresh, it got a by-wire throttle with four ride modes, including one user-customizable mode. The HSTC went to seven levels. It also added three engine power levels and three levels of engine braking. The instrument cluster changed to a single vertical rectangular screen. The rear indicators would flash when the ABS was triggered. The Adventure Sports got more standard features with heated grips, a 12-volt power outlet, a taller windscreen, and a large fuel tank, making it a top ADV pick.
In 2020, when the CRF1100L was launched, it gained a six-axis IMU, which brought cornering ABS, three levels of wheelie control, rear wheel lift mitigation, and the ability for the automatic gearbox to hold a gear in a corner. The most visible change was the 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen, which added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth and navigation. Cruise control also became standard.
Cornering headlamps featured on this model, and in the US market, the Adventure Sports was available with electronic suspension. For the 2024 midlife refresh of the CRF1100L, the spoke rims became tubeless across the range, the windscreen became a manually adjustable five-position unit, and the DCT automatic gearbox was integrated with the six-axis IMU for better control over shifts. Once again, no matter the variant — even the one with electronic suspension and an automatic gearbox — it would be a reliable adventure motorcycle.
No Competition When It Comes To A Combination Of All-Around Ability, Tech, And Longevity
Despite all the technology mentioned above, the Africa Twin hasn’t changed much over the years, so it has matured as a platform, and what was once a reliable bike has only gotten more reliable. It is difficult to find a combination of this mature platform, reliable tech, and value-for-money pricing anywhere else in this segment. The Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE is the most overlooked adventure bike that can last a lifetime. It can keep up with the Honda on tarmac, but off tarmac, the Africa Twin is worlds better. Plus, not too many people would want to deal with the V-Strom’s tube-type front wheel.
Then there is the leader of the segment, the BMW R 1300 GS. If the budget aligns with that of a used Africa Twin, the R 1250 GS is definitely the BMW adventure bike you should buy used. However, this means you will not get the option of an automatic gearbox. BMW parts and ownership costs are in a different league compared to the Honda. Although it is far more long-legged, it will not feel as compact and manageable as the Africa Twin, especially in the form of the R 1250 GS Adventure.
Another premium option that gets comfort and reliability right is the Ducati Multistrada V4, launched in 2020, the same year as the CRF1100L. This, like the BMW, is a premium product, so the low ownership costs associated with a Honda should not be expected — especially considering it has 70 more horsepower and twice as many cylinders and cylinder heads. But it is quite reliable, and not just for a Ducati. It also has industry-leading valve clearance interval checks and a maintenance schedule that is right up there with the best in the segment. Still, it’s a European product, which means you will have a premium experience all around.
Source: Honda PowerSports, KBB
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