The deliveries of Honda’s litre-class adventurer tourer, the CFR1000L Africa Twin have commenced in India. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) had launched the bike for a price of Rs 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Post GST, the bikes’ price saw a slight upward revision to Rs 13.06 lakh (ex-showroom). The Honda Africa Twin comes to us via CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route. The latest adventure tourer is on sale in India in only New Victory Red color scheme. HMSI upon launch accepted bookings for the first 50 customers, which it was able to fulfil within a 2-months’ time-frame. Few lucky customers even got to attend the ‘True Adventure’ Honda Africa Twin India launch event. If you were not among the first 50 Africa Twin buyers, right now is the time for you to buy one.
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Speaking on the occasion of price announcement, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior VP – Sales and Marketing, HMSI said, “Africa Twin- it’s name is inseparable from the spirit of Dakar Rally- world’s toughest rally raids. Down to its roots, when the going gets tough, Africa Twin gets going. There is nothing to hold back an enthusiast on the Africa Twin, as it’s the most reliable, versatile and proven adventure touring motorcycle. Real adventure is awaiting the lucky customers amongst the first 50 bookings of the legendary Africa Twin in India.”
Powering the Honda Africa Twin is a 998cc engine that comes mated to a Dual-Clutch Transmission. This transmission offers Manual and Automatic modes. The Africa Twin comes equipped with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and switchable rear ABS. The Africa Twin even gets adjustable suspension. The front forks have a 230 mm travel and the bike has a ground clearance of 250 mm.
Honda Africa Twin Price in India
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
| Honda Africa Twin with DCT | Rs 13.06 Lakh |
Much like the Honda CBR650F, even the Africa Twin comes to Indai via CKD route. HMSI assembles this bike at its Manesar facility. Following the CKD route instead of CBU helps Honda price the bike pretty competitively. However, with GST coming into effect, bikes with engine displacement of over 350cc attract more tax than before. Due to this, the Africa twin now costs a tad more than its launch price of Rs 12.60 lakh. Available in the DCT variant, the latest adventure tourer now has a sticker price of Rs 13.06 lakh (ex-showroom).
Honda Africa Twin India Specifications
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam |
| Engine Displacement | 998cc |
| Max. Power Output | 87 BHP @ 7,500rpm |
| Max. Torque | 92 Nm @ 6,000rpm |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 & 75.1mm |
| Gearbox Type | 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Clutch | Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminum Cam Assist and Slipper clutch |
Powering the Africa Twin is a 998cc Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam. The engine boasts a 270-degree crankshaft. Internationally, this engine outputs a max. power of 93.87 BHP @ 7,500rpm and a peak torque of 98 Nm @ 6,000rpm. For India, however, it has been de-tuned to deliver 87 BHP @ 7,500 RPM and 92 Nm @ 6,000 RPM. Honda has made this adjustment probably due to the lower quality of Petrol available in India. We get only the DCT model, which comes with a dual-clutch transmission) with selectable riding models. The Dual-Clutch Transmission offers Manual and Automatic modes to suit multiple riding styles and conditions. Other than all this, the bike also gets a switchable rear ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC).
Honda Africa Twin India Mileage
| Minimum Mileage | 20 KMPL |
| Maximum Mileage | 22 KMPL |
Being a large displacement purpose-built motorcycle, don’t expect this tourer to deliver a very high mileage. It should be safe to expect around 20 KMPL in most riding conditions. However, Honda claims that its Africa Twin offers a mileage of 21.6 KMPL (as per World Motorcycle Test Cycle).
Honda Africa Twin India Colors
Worldwide, this motorcycle is available with four paint options. For India, however, HMSI offers only one shade – New Victory Red. We’re pretty sure that more color options will be launched in coming time. Here are the other shades available in international markets-
- Candy Prominence Red
- CRF Rally Red
- Africa Twin Tricolor
- Matte Ballistic Black Metallic
Honda Africa Twin India Features
- LCD Instrument Console
- Dual-Clutch Transmission
- Long Travel Suspension
- High Ground Clearance
- Adjustable Seat
- Dual LED Headlights
- ABS
- Rear ABS Off Switch
- Showa 45 mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork
- Monoblock cast aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link and gas-charged damper
Honda Africa Twin India Dimensions
| Length | 2,335 mm |
| Width | 930 mm |
| Height | 1,475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,575 mm |
| Seat Height | 850 mm – 870 mm |
| Dry Weight | 242 KGs |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 Litres |
The Honda Africa Twin measures 2,335 mm in length, 930 mm in width and 1,475 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 1,575 mm. This bike gets an adjustable seat, which has a minimum value of 850 mm and highest value of 870 mm. While the STD (Non-ABS, Non-DCT) model has a kerb weight of 228 KGs, the model that has come to us weighs 242 KGs. The higher weight is owing to the DCT and ABS.
Honda Africa Twin India Rivals
In India, this adventure tourer from Honda will mainly rival the Triumph Tiger and the Ducati Multistrada.
Honda Africa Twin India Design Review
The Africa Twin is built around a steel semi-double cradle chassis that benefits from a really high tensile steel rear sub frame. The design team of this bike was headed by renowned Italian designer Maurizio Carbonara, who went on to say that this Honda’s design is basically an amalgamation of inspiration coming from CRF Rally bikes and the original Africa Twin. It was back in 1984, when Honda and HRC worked together to come up with a new contender in long distance overland races (Read: Mainly Paris-Dakar). The Honda NXR750, which came in 1986, won the Paris-Dakar. Honda then came up with a production-spec motorcycle that honoured the success of the NXR750. Hence, on May 20, 1988, the Africa Twin XRV650 RD03 was launched. The new Africa Twin takes plenty of inspiration from this very bike.
Honda Africa Twin India – Full Specs
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam |
| Engine Displacement | 998cc |
| Max. Power Output | 87 BHP @ 7,500rpm |
| Max. Torque | 92 Nm @ 6,000rpm |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 & 75.1mm |
| Clutch | Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminum Cam Assist and Slipper clutch |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Honda Selectable Torque Control System (HSTC) | HSTC 3-levels + Switch Off |
| Frame Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
| Turning Radius | 2.5m |
| Dry Weight | 222 kg (DCT) |
| Kerb Weight | 242 kg (DCT) |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.8 liters |
| Length x Width x Height | 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,575mm |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 870/850mm |
| Ground Clearance | 250mm |
| ABS system type | 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch |
| Brakes Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| Brakes Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads |
| Wheels Front | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Wheels Rear | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rim Size Rear | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-R21 tube type |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70-R18 tube type |
Stay tuned for latest news on Honda Africa Twin India launch date, price, specifications, features and review.
