American Honda has released a new interactive simulator on its consumer website
by Sagar Patil, on LISTEN 03:33What saw as Honda’s grand comeback to the ADV world back in 2016, the CRF 1000L Africa Twin was one of the perfectly balanced machines from the Honda stable, and a lot of bike for your buck. The CRF”1000L” Africa Twin became the CRF “1100L” Africa Twin, courtesy a larger 1,084cc engine for more power and a lighter structure.
Being a Honda, it also comes along with a 6.5-inch color TFT “Multi-Information Display” that interfaces with the rider and the multitude of pertinent metrics and electronics. For some, this could turn out intimidating, and so, Honda Powersports America has a new interactive simulator on its consumer website for me and you to play along and get accustomed to.
The Africa Twin is a machine born in the factory but tamed in the wilderness. It inherits the “go anywhere” phenomena and embodies the latest in technology and engine construction to do just that without any fuss. The TFT dash is backed up by an LCD screen down below that rocks a whole bevy of indicator lights. The icing on the cake here lies with the Apple CarPlay feature that networks the bike’s computer with your smartphone to unlock wireless phone operation, music, weather, and navigation services.
All of this can be toggled through the 6.5” screen via the scroll buttons on the left-hand controls of the handlebar. And a multitude of information array is displayed in front of you and might need some getting used to. Options to toggle along include activation/cancelation of ABS and G-mode; and adjustment of settings for Honda Selective Torque Control (HSTC), wheelie control, riding modes, user mode, and other data like time, speed, etc. On applicable versions like the “ES” and “DCT” Africa Twins—suspension and automatic gearbox information can also be viewed.
This is a massive amount of information for our tiny brains to comprehend. Honda’s way ahead to deal with it is on its website that has a virtual screen and left-right control setup to toggle around to your heart’s content. Honestly, that too was a bit too much for my standards.
To have a go at it, click on this link here.
The CRF 1100L Africa Twin is powered by a larger 1,084cc engine for more power at 101 horsepower – up six percent or seven ponies — and 77 pound-feet of torque. It gets a lighter, redesigned frame, subframe and swingarm, an IMU with new electronics including for wheelie control, cornering ABS, rear-lift control, DCT cornering detection, cruise control, and more.
The Adventure ES additionally gets Showa Electronically Equipped Adjustment Suspension (EERA), cornering lights, tubeless spoked wheels/tires, heated grips, lower seat, a larger adjustable windscreen, a larger skid plate, a rear rack, and a 12V charging outlet. MSRP for the CRF1100L Africa Twin is $14,399 (6-speed manual transmission), and $15,199 (DCT). The Adventure Sports ES will be available in Pearl Glare White/Blue, MSRP is $17,199 (6-speed manual transmission), and $17,999 (DCT).