The Honda Africa Twin is a dual-sport motorcycle produced by Honda in several models: the XRV650 of 1988–89, the XRV750 of 1990–2000, the CRF1000L of 2016–19 and, since 2020, the CRF1100L. All trace their name to the NXR-750 that won the Paris–Dakar rally four times in the late 1980s.
Honda Africa Twin at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Type | dual-sport motorcycle |
| XRV650 | 1988–1989 |
| XRV750 | 1990–2000 |
| CRF1000L | 2016–2019 |
| CRF1100L | since 2020 |
| XRV750 engine | 742 cc |
| XRV650 engine | 650 cc, 42 kW (56 hp) |
| Rally heritage | based on the NXR-750 |
| Paris–Dakar wins | four, in the late 1980s |
| CRF1000L debut | UK late 2015, US early 2016 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Africa Twin.
History of the Honda Africa Twin
Rally roots
The Africa Twin was based on the NXR-750, which won the Paris–Dakar rally four times in the late 1980s. The first version, the eponymous XRV650 Africa Twin, was a lighter, higher-specification machine made in 1988 and 1989 by Honda Racing Corporation, with a 650 cc engine producing 42 kW (56 hp) and chain transmission.
The XRV750
From 1990 to 2000 the model was the XRV750, a 742 cc dual-sport motorcycle. The original V-twin Africa Twin was sold in Europe from 1988 to 2003, but was never brought to the United States.
The modern revival
The CRF1000L became available in the UK in late 2015 and in the US in early 2016, reviving the Africa Twin line. It was developed as a modern interpretation of the XRV750 and XRV650 and as a lighter, more off-road-focused answer to heavier adventure tourers such as the BMW R1200GS, Ducati Multistrada and Triumph Tiger Explorer. Since 2020 the model has been the CRF1100L.
Design and features
- Dakar lineage: developed from the NXR-750 rally bike.
- V-twin origins: the XRV650 and XRV750 used V-twin engines.
- Off-road bias: lighter and more dirt-oriented than big road tourers.
- Long production: the name has covered four model families since 1988.
Honda Africa Twin versions
- XRV650 Africa Twin (1988–1989): HRC-built 650 cc original.
- XRV750 Africa Twin (1990–2000): the 742 cc V-twin.
- CRF1000L (2016–2019): the 1000 cc revival.
- CRF1100L (2020 onward): the current model.
The Africa Twin is Honda’s rally-inspired adventure bike alongside the Transalp and the Varadero. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda Africa Twin, English Wikipedia: model families, engines, rally heritage, markets
