Skip to main content

Honda answers ADV riders’ prayers with new Africa Twin 1000 teaser

honda answers adv riders prayers with new africa twin 1000 teaser crf1000l adventure 2016front
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Dual-sport riding, also known as ADV riding, has become a major segment in the modern motorcycle world. And one of the biggest players – Honda – has been noticeably remiss in having an up-to-date bike in its U.S. lineup.

That is about to change in a very big way (emphasis on big).

Honda has announced they are bringing a new bike, the Africa Twin 1000 (proper model number: CRF1000L) and it looks like it will take on luxe dual sports like the Ducati Mutlistrada in a fast-growing market.

Euro-market riders and others have been buying up 650/750cc Africa Twins and Transalp models for decades now while U.S. riders have made do with the stone-age (but highly capable) XL650L since the 1980s.

Details were scant in the press release, which only included two teaser images and no specific specifications outside of displacement, but one noteworthy mention is the new Africa Twin will be available with Honda’s high-tech dual-clutch automatic gearbox as an option.

Honda says its DCT will be re-tuned for the big dualie — a good thing since this is a bike that will likely be spending at least some time in the dirt. Expect multiple ride modes and manual shifting (via handlebar buttons) as part of the DCT package.

CRF1000L_Africa_Twin_Adventure_2016
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Not much can be gleaned from the pair of images in the release, which appear to show the AT will be more along the lines of the tech-heavy and civilized Ducati Multistrada than the more hard-core BMW G/S series or the KTM Adventure machines.

Photos show a lot of plastic bodywork and a substantial fly screen, along with gold-colored forks and a thinnish, motocross style seat. Handguards appear on the grips and twin headlights – likely LED types – light the way forward. The engine is a P-Twin as expected. Other than that, not much to go on for now. We have emails and bribery offers in to Honda for more information.

However the Africa Twin 1000 turns out, whether it’s more pavement-oriented or retains the harder edge of the True Adventure prototype shown at EICMA last November, it’s long, long overdue, at least in the States. We can’t wait to try it out.

Editors' Recommendations

Bill Roberson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I focus on producing Digital Trends' 'DT Daily' video news program along with photographing items we get in for review. I…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more