The new 2022 Honda Africa Twin : What upgrades does it has?

Honda has updated their Africa Twin recently. After the first release in 1988, the XRV 650 (RD-3) was was a great success for the Honda Motorcycles. In 2016, they came up with the latest generation Africa Twin with the model number CRF1000L/CRF1100L. 

The new 2022 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L (Source: MCN)

For the year 2022, they are improving the adventure riding experience even more with significant updates. There are a few fundamental updates available for the 2022 model year. Although the updates are minor, it is plenty to give an adventure rider. Everyone can enjoy their off-road riding experience with more comfort and stability. Here are some nifty features of the new 2022 Honda Africa Twin.

Engine

When you talk about an Africa twin, the engine will come to mind first. It is the primary feature of this bike due to its layout. It has a parallel twin configuration with a 270-degree crankshaft. 

Since a twin-cylinder engine is the most punchy setup, Honda always used this configuration in their Africa Twin bikes. Before releasing the latest generation, Honda used to put V-twin powerhouses in their ADVs. 

But now, they use parallel-twin setups with a 270-degree crankpin configuration. This configuration lets Honda reduce the size of the package drastically. Plus, a 270-degree crank provides the same power output as a V-twin.

1084cc 270-degree parallel twin engine with 100HP and 110nm of torque (Source: Big Wing Honda)

For the 2022 model year, Honda is sticking with its 1084cc capacity. It produces 100HP at 7500rpm. The torque output is impressive, though. The most exciting thing is that it is available at a lower rpm. This engine can deliver 110nm of torque at 6000rpm. So, when you are off-roading, it will provide plenty of feedback in the midrange. There is also a throaty soundtrack available with this engine.

Transmission

 Honda is offering two options for the 2022 Africa Twin. A 6-speed DCT and a 6-speed manual. The DCT works like an automatic transmission similar to cars. However, you can still toggle to manual mode and change gears by yourself. Contrarily, the manual works like any other traditional motorcycle transmission.

Although the DCT from previous Africa Twins were very unresponsive at low speeds, Honda has improved it this year. They said that the new DCT is smoother than before, and it shifts efficiently in the mid and low rpm range.

Chassis

The current chassis is a twin-spar design made of aluminum. Along with it, you also get a removable subframe. The new chassis design provides better stiffness while you are riding the bumpy off-road. 

Honda introduced this design back in 2016 at the Auto China show. Compared to the XRV 750T's double loop cradle frame, the new chassis is more stable. It also has better weight shifts from side to side. So, riders feel nimble and agile while dealing with dirt, mud, or gravel.

Aluminum twin-spar frame with a removable subframe (Source: Big Wing Honda)

To accompany the frame, Honda offers two 45mm USD forks from Showa. On the read, the mono-shock suspension is compression and rebound adjustable, which is also from Showa. So, you are getting a full suite of adjustability.

USD front forks from Showa with electronic adjustability (Source: Big Wing Honda)

There is an optional extra feature available for the 2022 model. Riders can choose an electronically adjustable suspension setup from Showa. Honda coupled the new automatic suspension system with the ECU to adjust settings based on the riding mode. The novice rider can benefit from this new electronic suspension. It will provide a better feel and convenience to them. Unfortunately, this suspension is only available with the Adventure Sports model. The base model only gets the regular forks and shock from Showa.

Breaks

Like last year's model, the new Africa Twin is getting similar setups in the breaking department. The front wheel has two 310mm disks with two radially mounted calipers. Each of them has 4-pots inside to provide the best braking power. 

Radially mounted 4-pot Nissin calipers on 310mm disks (Source: Big Wing Honda)

The rear wheel has a 220mm disc with a single-pot caliper. The front and rear breaks are from Nissin, just like last year. Although the calipers are not top-of-the-class mono-blocks from Brembo, they still perform phenomenally.

Electronics

Honda is not providing an industry-leading electronics package with the new Africa Twin. The 2022 model is getting a new 6-axis IMU. This IMU assists in corner-sensitive ABS and Traction control. So, riding in the gravel or mud is becoming easy for novice riders.

Additionally, there is Wheelie control, cruise control, self-canceling indicators, an emergency stop feature available with this bike. It also has 6-rider modes for different road conditions.

6.5" TFT touchscreen dashboard for changing the rider modes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Source: Big Wing Honda)

All of the settings are available on a 6.5" TFT screen. There is another small LCD screen with speed and fuel consumption information. However, you can connect your smartphone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay to use your preferred navigation app. Or you can control music with the built-in controls on the handlebars.

Other features

Among other nifty features, the 2022 Africa Twin gets a 19-inches spoked rim in the front. It has a 90 section tubeless tire which improves the off-road ride quality. On the rear, you are getting a 17-inches wheel with a 150 section tubeless tire. 

The new model is coming with a few color schemes. The regular version has three new options, Matte Ballistic Black, Grand Prix Red, and a Pearl Glair White Tricolor variant. The Adventure Sports model gets only two variants, the Pearl Glair White and the Matte Ballistic Black Metallic option.

The most significant improvement from the 2021 Africa Twin is the tank capacity. Although every model from 2021 got an 18.8L tank, the new Adventure Sports model is getting a 24.8L unit. According to Honda's fuel consumption figure, the new tank can last up to 314 miles before refueling.

Conclusions

It seems that Honda tweaked only a few aspects of the Africa Twin for 2022. Do you think this incremental update is enough to increase the sales figure? How will it feel to ride a fully equipped 2022 Africa Twin? Would you buy one with the new suspension?