It’s been almost a year since the newest incarnation of Honda’s legendary Africa Twin was launched. In that time, the machine has been busy gaining a reputation as an adventure bike that’s able to offer big bike performance and comfort, while also offering a capability off-road that defies its weight and bulk.
While the CRF1000L Africa Twin may be one of the more competent adventure motorcycles on the market, this new concept from Honda would suggest that the company is looking to step things up a notch.
The concept, which was revealed by Honda during this week’s EICMA show in Milan, is the company’s R&D department’s vision of how a more off-road focused Africa Twin should look. The machine is almost unrecognisable from its Africa Twin heritage, with the body work taking on a more minimalist, yet aggressive Dakar-inspired aesthetic.
Not only that, but Honda has said that the R&D department came up with a number of lighter weight chassis components, originally designed for the Honda CRF 450 Rally, to help reduce the weight of the machine.
While the standard Africa Twin has tubed tyres, this off-road ready Enduro Sports model has a 21-inch, tubeless Excel wheel at the front, and this is coupled with an 18-inch at the rear. A beefed up, aluminium bash plate adds welcome protection and the bike also has a Termignoni exhaust, HRC off-road footpegs and a flat, single piece seat.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a new variant of the Africa Twin though, with Honda showcasing an Adventure Sports concept of the big trailie at March’s Osaka Motorcycle Show. Nothing seems to have come from that design as of yet, but we’re still praying every night that it was more than just a bit of fun from Honda’s end.
The Africa Twin Adventure Sport’s Concept
