The 2027 Honda Africa Twin 1150 lineup will make its debut at EICMA with three new models, 10 years after the launch of the CRF1000L.
The XRV650 and XRV750 Africa Twin were produced between 1988 and 2003 and sold extensively throughout much of the world. For adventure riders here in the United States, however, the Africa Twin was nothing more than a daydream. We watched as an iteration of the Africa Twin (the NXR-750) competed in and won the Paris-Dakar Rally four times throughout the late 1980s. The model carried ADV riders around the world and evolved over the years to be one of the best adventure touring machines available on the market at the time.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Honda (finally) brought the Africa Twin to the United States – in the form of the CRF1000L – and adventure riders around the country rejoiced. Powered by a 998cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree crank, the Africa Twin was a no-frills, do-everything adventure motorcycle that was priced competitively and carried on the legacy of the XRV750 with modern bodywork and an all-new motor, among other things.
I rode one of the first models that made its way to the US and remembered thinking that adventure motorcycles couldn’t get much better. It carried its weight down low, made plenty of horsepower, and for lack of a better phrase, felt like a big dirt bike that you could ride across the country.
Fast forward 10 years, and the Africa Twin has grown both in size and price, with a plethora of modern amenities thrown at the model, many of which were welcome additions, although a few were not (I’m looking at you, DCT). And while it’s no longer a no-frills machine, it’s still a do-everything kind of motorcycle, albeit not as off-road focused as the first generation.
For 2027, Honda will offer three variations of the Africa Twin, most notable of which is the new Enduro Sports model, an off-road focused and rally-inspired variant. There will also be a standard Africa Twin, which serves as the base model, and the lineup-topping Adventure Sports, which is the premium option geared toward long-distance touring.
What’s Improved?
Across the model range the parallel-Twin engine grows to 1,131cc and is said to deliver 119 horsepower and 87 lb-ft of torque, 16% more power and torque than the previous generation, according to Honda. The frame and swingarm are also 3 lb lighter than the previous generation, and both the standard Africa Twin and Adventure Sports models are equipped with Showa EERA suspension that incorporates the Skyhook Control system.
Additionally, there are now six rider modes to choose from (previously four), all of which are customizable, along with wheelie control, switchable traction control, cruise control, keyless ignition, and a six-axis IMU supporting lean-sensitive electronic rider aids. There’s also an all-new 7-inch color TFT display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Africa Twin Ménage à Trois
The 2027 Africa Twin range comprises three versions, all of which share the same 1,131cc parallel-Twin engine, frame, and electronics. What sets them apart, however, is the front wheel, suspension, weight, and fuel tanks.
The standard Africa Twin features a 21-inch front wheel, a 5-gallon fuel tank, and a weight of 522 lb.
The new Adventure Sports is the most technologically advanced Africa Twin to date. It is outfitted with a 19-inch front wheel, a 6.4-gallon fuel tank good for an estimated range of 298 miles, and E-Combined ABS. It also features Honda Sensing Ride, which incorporates two radar detectors for adaptive cruise control, collision warnings, and blind-spot detection. Available only as a DCT model, the Adventure Sports will weigh in at 564 lb.
Rounding out the trio of new Africa Twin models is the Enduro Sports, an off-road focused variant styling that draws inspiration from the CRF450 RALLY race bike. Equipped with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel setup, the Enduro Sports’ rally-inspired design includes a compact, electronically adjustable windscreen, a raised front fender, as well as a narrow, contoured seat. It features a fully adjustable 49mm Showa closed-cartridge fork offering 9.4 inches of travel at the front, paired with a Showa rear shock that provides 9.1 inches of travel at the rear.
Additionally, the Enduro Sports offers riders an Offroad+ mode that turns off all of the rider aids (tractional control, ABS, etc.) and sets the TFT to display only the essential information needed when riding off-road (gear indicator and speed).
The new off-road focused variant has a lower center of gravity than the standard Africa Twin and Adventure Sports models thanks to a Dakar-inspired dual tank setup, which improves off-road handling. It offers more than 10 inches of ground clearance, an optional 6-speed manual gearbox, can HRC Tricolor livery, and a weight of just 502 lb.
With an off-road focused model slotted into its lineup and a wide range of improvements and added technology available on both the standard and long-distance touring variant, Honda has given adventure riders three machines that, while sharing the DNA of the original Africa Twin, are now fine tuned for different kinds of adventures.
If you happen to be in Italy this week attending EICMA, you can see all three new Africa Twin models at the Honda display in Hall 7.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2027 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
