2027 Honda Africa Twin range revealed, new 1150 models explained

Honda has given its Africa Twin family one of its biggest updates in years, with a new 1,131cc engine, revised chassis, electronic suspension upgrades and a significant expansion of the model range for 2027. 

Alongside the updated standard Africa Twin and Adventure Sports, a new Enduro Sports model joins the family, while the range-topping Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE introduces a suite of radar-based rider assistance technology.

Almost becoming a brand within a brand, the Africa Twin name has become one of Honda's most recognisable badges. Originally introduced to European riders in the late 1980s, the name was born out of Honda's Paris-Dakar Rally success, with the XRV650 Africa Twin bringing some of that competition heritage to the road and trail. 

It was a formula that proved popular, combining a relatively lightweight chassis, a usable V-twin engine and the sort of versatility that made it suitable for everything from everyday riding to much longer adventures and tours.

The original model eventually disappeared, but Honda revived the Africa Twin name in 2016 with the CRF1000L, effectively starting a new chapter for what has since become one of the Japanese manufacturer's most recognisable motorcycle families. More than 120,000 examples of the modern Africa Twin have been sold in Europe since its return, making it the second most popular model in the continent's 1,000cc-plus adventure segment, according to Honda.

For 2027, Honda is taking the opportunity to broaden that appeal considerably with its new expanded and more diverse range. All four models share a substantially revised parallel-twin engine, producing more power and torque, along with a lighter frame and swingarm, a revised riding position and a new electronics package. 

The main differences come in how each motorcycle applies those foundations, with the standard Africa Twin retaining its all-round adventure remit, the Enduro Sports putting greater emphasis on off-road ability and the Adventure Sports concentrating on long-distance adventure touring.

2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin

The standard Africa Twin remains the foundation of Honda's big-bore adventure bike family, and for 2027 it receives a comprehensive overhaul without losing sight of the balance between road usability and off-road capability.

The biggest change is the introduction of a new 1,131cc parallel-twin engine, up from the previous 1,084cc unit. Capacity increases through a 2mm increase in bore, taking it to 94mm, while the 81.5mm stroke is retained. The compression ratio also rises from 10.5:1 to 12.1:1, with revised cylinder heads, cam timing, valve lift, pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft all contributing to the increased output.

Peak power is now 87.5kW (117.3bhp) at 7,500rpm, a 16.5 per cent increase over the previous engine, while torque rises from 112Nm to 119Nm (87.8lb-ft) at 5,750rpm. Honda has also revised the intake system, with larger 52mm throttle bodies replacing the previous 46mm items. A redesigned exhaust system has also been introduced, which is intended to balance power delivery and emissions performance.

The six-speed manual gearbox receives revised ratios and a new clutch to cope with the additional output, while Honda's six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) remains available as an option. All versions of the Africa Twin retain the bike’s characteristic 270-degree crankshaft and uneven firing interval.

The chassis has also been reworked, with the steel semi-double cradle frame and aluminium swingarm together shedding 1.4kg. A new fuel sub-tank positioned beneath the rider's seat helps lower the centre of gravity, with Honda taking inspiration from the NXR750 Dakar racer. The revised packaging is intended to make the Africa Twin feel more agile without compromising its stability on the road.

Suspension is another significant area of development. Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) is now standard equipment, having previously been an option, and incorporates Honda Skyhook Control. The system continuously adjusts damping according to the motorcycle's vertical and pitching movements, using information from the ECU, IMU and suspension stroke sensor. Honda says adjustments can be made in just one millisecond.

The new 49mm Showa USD forks offer 220mm of travel, with 210mm at the rear through the Pro-Link system. Both figures represent a 10mm reduction over the previous arrangement, contributing to the lower centre of gravity. A new Minimum suspension setting also reduces seat height by 10mm, with the standard seat adjustable between 850mm and 870mm.

Wheel sizes remain familiar, with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked combination wearing tubeless tyres. Braking comes from dual four-piston radial-mount front calipers and 310mm discs, with a 256mm rear disc.

Visually, the 2027 Africa Twin adopts a more mass-forward appearance, with slimmer rear bodywork and redesigned dual LED headlights incorporating cornering lights and daytime running lights. The handlebars are narrower, higher and further forward, while the footpegs move inwards and slightly rearwards.

The cockpit gets a substantial upgrade, too. A new 5.7-inch vehicle information display sits alongside a 7-inch full-colour TFT touchscreen, with a dedicated off-road display and compass. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is a lockable smartphone compartment with USB-C charging. The screen is electrically adjustable through 130mm, while heated grips, cruise control, knuckle guards and an aluminium rear carrier are standard.

Kerb weight is 237kg for the manual version and 247kg for the DCT model, while fuel capacity remains 18.8 litres. Honda quotes a potential range of around 370km.

2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Enduro Sports

If the standard Africa Twin is intended to cover a bit of everything, the new Enduro Sports is designed for riders who want to spend rather more of their time away from the tarmac.

This is an entirely new addition to the Africa Twin family for 2027, although it shares much of its mechanical foundation with the standard model, not the larger and comfier Adventure Sports. It gets the same 1,131cc parallel twin, producing 87.5kW (117.3bhp) and 119Nm (87.8lb-ft), along with the revised six-speed manual or optional DCT transmission.

The engine also benefits from the new electronics package, including six default riding modes: SPORT, TOURING, URBAN, RAIN, OFFROAD and OFFROAD+. All modes can now be customised, while the Throttle By Wire system offers two throttle response characteristics, Dynamic and Comfort. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) has seven levels of adjustment and can be switched off completely, with wheelie control also included.

Where the Enduro Sports separates itself is in its chassis and suspension specification. The steel frame and aluminium swingarm are the same lighter components used across the new Africa Twin family, with the under-seat fuel sub-tank helping to centralise mass and lower the centre of gravity.

However, the suspension has been developed specifically for the more demanding requirements of off-road riding. At the front are fully adjustable 49mm Showa closed-cartridge USD forks, developed to CRF450RALLY specification, which replace the electronically controlled suspension found on the other models. The rear gets a fully adjustable Showa shock operating through Honda's Pro-Link system.

Suspension travel increases to 240mm at the front and 230mm at the rear, compared with 220mm and 210mm respectively on the standard Africa Twin. Ground clearance also rises to 260mm, up from 240mm, giving the Enduro Sports more room to deal with ruts, rocks and other obstacles.

The wheel arrangement remains a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, with tubeless spoked wheels wearing 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tyres. Metzeler Karoo Street tyres are approved as standard, while Michelin Anakee Wild rubber is also available for riders wanting a more off-road-biased option.

The braking package uses dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers and 310mm discs, with a 256mm rear disc. Honda has retained the ability to adjust the bike's ABS and traction control settings to suit off-road riding, while the revised riding modes include the new OFFROAD+ setting.

This new riding mode is designed for more demanding off-road conditions, giving riders a different electronic set-up to help manage traction and control on loose or uneven surfaces. 

As with the other riding modes, it adjusts the bike's throttle-by-wire response, engine power, engine braking and traction control characteristics, with all settings available for further adjustment by the rider. On DCT-equipped models, OFFROAD+ also selects a more specialised shift programme, using level 6 as its default, while allowing the rider to choose between levels 5 and 6. Honda says the two off-road modes are designed to improve feel and traction, with OFFROAD+ taking that approach a step further for more challenging terrain.

The Enduro Sports also gets a more focused appearance. Its front end is slimmer and more compact, with lightweight dual LED headlights sitting beneath a small screen, while a high-mounted front mudguard and stripped-back rear bodywork give it a rally-inspired look. The handlebars are 10mm narrower and positioned 10mm higher and further forward than on the previous Africa Twin, while the footpegs move 20mm inwards and 10mm rearwards.

Seat height is adjustable between 870mm and 890mm, reflecting the longer suspension and additional ground clearance. Fuel capacity remains 18.8 litres, with Honda quoting a potential range of around 370km.

Despite its more focused intentions, the Enduro Sports hasn't been stripped of all the modern equipment found on its siblings. It gets the same 5.7-inch information display and 7-inch TFT touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C charging, Honda SMART Key, cruise control and knuckle guards.

Kerb weight is 228kg for the manual version and 239kg for the DCT model, making it 9kg lighter than the equivalent standard Africa Twin in either transmission configuration.

2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports

The Adventure Sports has traditionally been the more touring-oriented member of the Africa Twin family, bringing a larger fuel tank, improved wind protection and a more road-focused chassis package. That philosophy continues for 2027, although Honda has made substantial changes to the motorcycle itself.

Like the other models, the Adventure Sports gets the new 1,131cc parallel twin, producing 87.5kW (117.3bhp) at 7,500rpm and 119Nm (87.8lb-ft) at 5,750rpm. The increase in capacity, revised compression ratio, larger throttle bodies and extensive internal engine changes are intended to provide stronger acceleration and improved roll-on performance, while revised gearing helps reduce engine speed when cruising, which will be handy for those long schleps across continents.

Both six-speed manual and DCT transmissions remain available, with the latter benefiting from revised shift schedules to make better use of the additional torque. The six riding modes, including the new OFFROAD+ setting, are also carried over, with in-mode customisation allowing riders to adjust the bike's response to suit their preferences.

The Adventure Sports uses the same lighter frame and swingarm combination, with the under-seat fuel sub-tank arrangement helping lower the centre of gravity. However, its chassis specification differs from the standard Africa Twin in one particularly important area: the front wheel.

Rather than the 21-inch front wheel used by the standard model, the Adventure Sports retains a 19-inch front wheel, paired with an 18-inch rear. Honda's choice reflects the Adventure Sports' more road-oriented remit, with the smaller front wheel intended to provide improved front-end grip, response and feedback on tarmac.

The wheels are spoked and use tubeless tyres, with Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 and Michelin Anakee Road tyres approved as original equipment. More off-road-focused Michelin Anakee Wild tyres are also available.

Suspension is provided by Showa EERA electronic units, now standard fitment and incorporating Honda Skyhook Control. The system continuously adjusts damping according to the movement of the motorcycle, with new 49mm front forks replacing the previous 45mm units. Suspension travel is 210mm at the front and 200mm at the rear, shorter than the standard Africa Twin's arrangement.

The new Minimum setting lowers seat height by 5mm, with the adjustable seat sitting between 830mm and 850mm. Honda has also revised the seat foam to improve support over longer distances, while the revised handlebars and footpeg positions are intended to create a more natural riding position.

The Adventure Sports' biggest practical advantage remains its fuel capacity. The dual-tank arrangement provides 24.2 litres, compared with 18.8 litres for the standard Africa Twin, and Honda quotes a potential range of approximately 480km based on its claimed WMTC fuel consumption figure of 5.1 litres per 100km.

Styling is also more touring-focused, with a larger front fairing, dual LED headlights, integrated cornering lights and daytime running lights. An electrically adjustable screen offers 130mm of height adjustment and 10 degrees of rake adjustment, while standard wind deflectors provide additional protection.

The new cockpit mirrors the rest of the family, with a 5.7-inch information display and 7-inch TFT touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a dedicated off-road display and compass, and a lockable smartphone compartment with USB-C charging.

Heated grips, cruise control, knuckle guards with extensions and an aluminium rear carrier are also standard. Honda quotes kerb weights of 245kg for the manual and 255kg for the DCT version.

The Adventure Sports is therefore still the Africa Twin for riders who prioritise covering distance, although the revised engine, lower centre of gravity and electronic suspension should ensure it remains capable of dealing with more than just the motorway.

2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE

At the top of the 2027 Africa Twin family sits the new Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE, a model that takes Honda's long-distance adventure tourer and adds a substantial collection of radar-based rider assistance systems.

Mechanically, it shares its foundations with the standard Adventure Sports, including the 1,131cc parallel twin, 87.5kW (117.3bhp) peak power and 119Nm (87.8lb-ft) of torque. It also retains the 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination, 24.2-litre fuel capacity and electronically controlled Showa EERA suspension with Honda Skyhook Control.

The important distinction is its equipment package. The SENSING RIDE is fitted with front and rear radar units, allowing the motorcycle to monitor surrounding traffic and provide a series of rider support functions. It is available exclusively with Honda's six-speed DCT transmission, which allows the assistance systems to work alongside the automatic gearbox.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is one of the headline additions. The system maintains a rider-selected speed and following distance from vehicles ahead, while an integrated Stop & Go function allows it to manage spacing in stop-start traffic.

There are also two less conventional additions. Group Ride Assist is designed to manage the distance between motorcycles travelling together, extending the Adaptive Cruise Control concept beyond simply following a car or van. Distance Assist, meanwhile, helps riders maintain an appropriate following distance when operating the throttle manually.

Emergency Brake Assist is another part of the package, providing braking assistance when the system detects a collision risk with a vehicle ahead. Honda has also included Forward Collision Warning, which uses the instrument panel to alert the rider to a potential collision, alongside Brake Pulse, which provides an additional warning.

The rear radar adds further awareness functions. Blind Spot Information uses LEDs integrated into the mirrors to alert the rider when a vehicle enters a rear blind spot, with the warning changing between steady and flashing depending on the situation. Rear Distance Information displays an alert when a vehicle approaches from behind, while Rear Collision Warning rapidly flashes the indicators to warn following traffic of a potential collision risk.

It is a considerable collection of technology for a motorcycle, particularly one that is expected to spend time away from motorways and busy commuter routes. Honda is clearly positioning the SENSING RIDE as its most technology-focused Africa Twin to date, although the systems are intended to assist the rider rather than replace the need for attention and control.

The rest of the equipment broadly follows the Adventure Sports specification, including the electrically adjustable screen, wind deflectors, heated grips, cruise control, knuckle guard extensions, aluminium rear carrier and the new TFT infotainment system.

There is also the revised braking package, with Electronically Controlled Combined ABS managing the distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels. Vehicle Hold Control is fitted too.

The radar equipment does bring a slight additional weight penalty, with Honda quoting a kerb weight of 256kg for the SENSING RIDE, compared with 255kg for the standard DCT Adventure Sports. That makes it the heaviest member of the 2027 Africa Twin family.

For riders who spend much of their time touring, particularly on longer journeys involving busy roads and motorways, the SENSING RIDE offers a different proposition to the more traditional Africa Twin. It retains the model's long-distance range and adventure-bike capability, but adds a level of rider assistance that is becoming increasingly common among premium touring motorcycles.

With the Enduro Sports at one end of the family and the SENSING RIDE at the other, Honda has made the Africa Twin name cover a considerably wider range of riding requirements for 2027.

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