- 2020 Africa Twin gets significant design updates
- Will be powered by a bigger 1084cc, parallel-twin motor
- Likely to be introduced in three variants
Honda is all set to majorly revamp its flagship adventure tourer, the Africa Twin, for 2020. In the last week of July, we had reported about its technical details which surfaced online. To make things further interesting, pictures of the 2020 Africa Twin have now surfaced on the internet.
An online report suggests that the bike will be introduced in three variants including standard, a more off-road-focused Adventure trim along with a third iteration, based on the latter, with added accessories. Retaining a similar silhouette, these models will get a major design upgrade over the current-gen Africa Twin. The split headlamp features a more compact and angular design while the knuckle guards, radiator cowl and fuel tank also appear to be sleeker now. The tail section sports beefier panels as compared to the existing bike. The Adventure Sports version, on the other hand, features a taller windscreen, more muscular side panels, larger knuckle guards and a longer under-seat cowl. The additional touring-oriented features on this version include auxiliary lamps below the headlamp and luggage rack at the rear.
As the current Africa Twin is also called the CRF1000L, with ‘1000’ representing the engine displacement, the ‘1100’ suffix in the upcoming model signifies a hike in its displacement. It will reportedly run a 1084cc motor, up from the current 999cc mill. The power output will see an increment of around 7bhp over the existing figure of 88bhp. In order to comply with the tightening emission norms, the motorcycle also incorporates a chunkier exhaust can.
The main USP of the Africa Twin is the availability of two transmission options - manual and DCT (dual clutch transmission). The next-generation models will reportedly retain these gearbox options on all three variants. In terms of cycle parts, the bike apparently gets subtle changes such as a revised swingarm and a bolt-on sub-frame, as against a single-unit chassis on the existing model. Lastly, the pictures reveal a new horizontally-placed instrument cluster, as opposed to the vertically aligned unit on the current model.
Honda is expected to reveal the next-generation Africa Twin at the 2019 EICMA show in Milan. Although the bike will surely arrive in India owing to the demand it seeks in the market, it remains to be seen which variants will be offered.
Source – CycleWorld