Unsurprisingly, for anyone who has heard me wax lyrical about Africa twin before, this was the bike of the day for me.
I love the Africa Twin and I love the Adventure Sport even more. More suspension travel, bigger fuel tank and weather protection, heated grips and engine bars as standard – what’s not to like. I even like the silver / white colour option, new for 2019.
I have to be very critical even to list any faults at all. In fact, I can’t actually fault anything that’s on the bike, only things which are missing - the fog lamps, centre stand and top box are all cost options.
It doesn’t have some of the extras of its competitors, such as tire pressure monitors, heated seats, and the screen has no adjustment of any kind but while I am rolling along the road, none of the “missing” items matter one bit.
Both the engine and chassis are so perfectly matched. The balance of the chassis is so pinpoint and feather light, you could be forgiven for thinking it weighs half of what it does.
The engine is almost perfect, the throttle connection is far better that many other current ride-by-wire bikes. It almost feels like it has a mechanical throttle cable (that is a big compliment).
I have heard so many people say they wish the Africa Twin engine was bigger, and more powerful – but I think Honda have got it so right. I think gear selection is the key here. If the engine is kept in the midrange it accelerates well.
People who want acres of acceleration at low revs, in top gear, should definitely consider a bigger engine with more grunt. Such as a 1200 Crosstourer.
It’s horses for courses – buy a 1200 Crosstourer if you want the big engine feel, buy a CRF 1000 Africa ~Twin if you want the mid-size engine feel.
I think of it as the GSXR 750 of the adventure bike class – and that is one of the most complimentary things I could say about any bike.
(Leonard Gingell)