2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports Review – Top-selling adventure bike gets broader appeal

Words by Jon Urry

Out of the two models available on launch, the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is certainly the one to opt for if you are a road rider who wants a mile-muncher and has limited interest in off-road riding.

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• Related:Standard 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin review

The new engine injects a welcome boost in performance that while not R1250GS topping, is certainly a noticeable improvement.

The lower seat height and narrower waist mean it feels less intimidating at slow speed and the electronic suspension delivers a plush ride quality. The dash is a disappointment, but overall it delivers on its promise and will offer a sterner test for the BMW R1250GS – not to mention being a chunk cheaper.

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports updates

Words by Michael Neeves

For 2024 Honda have broadened the appeal of its Africa Twin Adventure Sports by turning its focus away from the dirt and on to the road. Its lower-slung demeanour makes it easier to manage at a standstill, especially carrying a pillion.

That alone will be a big plus for many. Dropping down to a 19in front wheel and shortening suspension travel changes the Africa Twin’s character, too. It was always a well-balanced, fine-handler, but now you can dive into corners with more even confidence. Having a bigger selection of rubber to choose from is another big bonus.

Its extra low-down torque adds more urgency to an already swift machine and although it doesn’t have the power to match its big-cube rivals, it barks like a motocrosser and never feels slow. It’s far from cheap, but it’s well equipped, capable, comfortable and still every inch the Africa Twin we all know and love.

Words by Jon Urry

Showa’s Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) is linked to the six-axis IMU as well as stroke sensors and has three road settings and an off-road setting and can have its shock’s preload adjusted while the bike is stationary to suit two-up or riding with luggage.

• Related: Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports long-term test

On the road the system responds extremely well with a noticeable difference in damping between settings and a feeling of compliance.

While lacking any self-levelling function, it delivers a plush ride quality and is a worthy addition. The Sports’ lowered seat height (dropped 50mm for 2020) and narrower waist makes it more reassuring at slow speed as your feet are planted on the ground and the five-way adjustable screen gives good shelter.

Overall, the Sports has more than enough comfort levels to let you see off its claimed 300-mile range from its 24.8-litre tank.

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports handling updates

Words by Michael Neeves

While most adventure bikes get taller, the 2024 Adventure Sports sits so low my knees are bent with both feet flat on the floor and that makes a big difference to managing a big bike like this. That all comes from its smaller front wheel, less suspension travel and how its semi-active damping winds itself off and sinks down at a standstill.

It’s also roomier than before with less knee bend, thanks to a 15mm thicker seat. The new perch is all-day comfy and despite its extra padding the seat height is still down 15mm to 835mm in its low setting, or 855mm set high. An even lower seat (795mm/815mm) is available from the huge range of official accessories and packs on offer.

Also, for 2024 Honda have moved away from a skinny 21in x 2.15in front wheel and fitted a wider 19in x 2.5in for the Adventure Sport. That’ll compromise its off-road pretensions, but it never did the BMW GS any harm and for serious mud-pluggers the cheaper £13,199 (£14,699 with electronic suspension) standard Africa Twin still has a 21 incher.

The smaller wheel and the new 20mm shorter travel suspension (reducing wheelbase, trail and lowering the centre of gravity) makes a big difference. Handling is as balanced and reassuring as before and the brakes are full of feel and power, but now the steering is lighter and sharper with less pitching on and off the throttle. Dual purpose Bridgestone A41s grip superbly and the new 19in front now lets you choose anything from sports touring to full-on sports rubber.

Words by Jon Urry

The parallel twin has received an increase in capacity from 998cc to 1084cc for 2020 through a 6.4mm longer stroke, boosting peak power and torque by 6.8bhp and 4.4ftlb respectively while also delivering increases throughout the rev range.

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While lacking the outright performance and theatre you get from BMW’s ShiftCam boxer, Honda’s parallel twin has certainly benefitted from a very welcome bit of extra pep without losing its overall feeling of refinement. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it is a definite improvement and certainty fulfills a touring brief with little vibes, a good throttle connection and slick gearbox.

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports engine updates

Words by Michael Neeves

As before the 2024 Adventure Sports’ 1084cc parallel twin makes a modest 101bhp, but that’s more than enough to scratch through backroads with a smile and enjoy a spot of heavy-duty touring. Never do we wish it had Multisrada V4 levels of power, even weighing 243kg (253kg with DCT), 3kg more than before.

Honda have boosted torque by 7% at 5500rpm, though and that’s the same jump as when the Africa Twin grew from a 1000 to an 1100 in 2020. That extra real-world oomph lets you drive more cleanly out of corners and makes overtakes easier. Most Africa Twins are sold with DCT and the system now has a smoother throttle response and shifts, but the manual gearbox version is still more engaging for sporty riding.

Honda Africa Twin engine tech facts

That 7% increase in torque comes 750rpm lower in the rev range thanks to engine mods including a higher compression ratio (up from 10.1:1 to 10.5:1), 0.4mm longer pistons with redesigned crowns, stronger con roads, a reshaped crankshaft, new valve timing, longer intake ducts and trumpets, a lighter exhaust can with a shorter, wider lower tailpipe and revised ECU settings. DCT version has new hydraulics, shift patterns and takes readings from the six-axis IMU for lean angle, acceleration and braking forces.

Early Africa Twins suffered badly from rusty spokes, however a new design of tubeless wheel on the Adventure Sports alongside stainless steel spokes should banish this concern. It feels and appears very solidly built, so we don’t expect any issues.

If you judge the Honda against similarly powered rivals, you’re looking at middleweight adventure bikes and they’re much more affordable. But compared to its big-cubed competition with similar stature (even if it doesn’t have their big power figures) the £17,095 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro, £17,499 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, £18,465 BMW R1300GS TE and £20,495 Ducati Multistrada V4S cost more.

Find out what the KTM 1290 Adventure S is like to ride below:

Words by Jon Urry

Most of the Africa Twin’s weaknesses in terms of tech have been rectified for 2020 with a six-axis IMU added, bringing with it cornering ABS and traction control (seven levels) alongside cornering lights, cruise control, heated grips, four power modes, three braking levels, three levels of wheelie control and four set riding modes plus two user modes.

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The ABS can also be turned off to the rear caliper for off-road use. There is a DCT version, whose performance has been significantly upgraded through it being linked to the IMU, making it gradient and corner responsive in its gear selection.

Also new for 2020 is a 6.5-inch touch screen TFT dash as standard. Incorporating Apple CarPlay, it is Bluetooth ready, can display navigation apps, has a USB charging point and can be accessed with a gloved hand, however the touch screen is only available when the bike is stationary and Apple CarPlay requires a Bluetooth headset to be linked to function, which is annoying. An ES version of the Adventure Sports adds Showa’s semi-active suspension for a £1400 premium.

Android Auto added to the Africa Twin for 2021

If you don’t worship at the altar of Apple you might be delighted to hear Honda have added integration for Android Auto to the Africa Twin for 2021. Owners of Android smartphones will be able to plug into their bikes, revealing extra apps such as Google Maps or Spotify. The same applies to the Gold Wing, CB1000R, Forza 750, X-ADV and Forza 350.

• Related: Honda reveal fresh Forza line-up for 2021

2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports equipment updates

Words by Michael Neeves

For 2024 the Honda’s fit and finish, as new, is still superb and it’s loaded standard equipment including a 6.5in TFT colour dash, adjustable screen, cruise control, semi-active Showa suspension with a front stroke sensor and electronically adjustable preload, rider modes and a six-axis IMU to control the DCT, ABS, suspension, wheelie and traction control. It comes in white (with red/blue graphics) or black.