If you love adventure touring and have money to spend, Honda has planned something real interesting for you. We told you way back in August last year (link to story) that Honda has plans to showcase the Africa Twin in India and the Adventure machine was right in front of our eyes at the pavilion and it looked magnificent in that red and black livery.
The CRF 1000L, also known as the Africa Twin has proved its mettle at the Dakar Rally and it looks every bit purpose-made. Honda claims that this twin cylinder marvel of an off-roader finds itself at home even on tarmac. The best part – Honda is planning to launch the bike in India via the CKD route (just like the CBR650F).
The 998 cc liquid cooled mill with 270 degree crank and uni cam layout produces 93.9 bhp of maximum power at 7,500 rpm and 98 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. Mated to this is a 6 speed manual transmission (US and Europe also get a 6 speed DCT as well). It gets dual channel ABS as standard with the rear being switchable.
The African Twin uses a semi-double cradle frame with high tensile steel rear sub-frame. Braking duties are administered by 310 mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with 4 piston radial calliper at the front and 256 mm single wave disc at the rear with two piston callipers. The front wheel gets 21 inch rims while the rear gets 18 inchers.
In terms of dimensions it measures 2,335 mm in length, 930 mm in width and 1,475 mm in terms of overall height which goes along with a wheelbase of 1,575 mm. The Africa Twin aims to be a cracker of a performer in the wild and at the same time a tamed beast on the streets.
Also Read: CX-02 Cross Adventure: Another Expo, Another Stunning Concept by Honda [Auto Expo 2016]
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Honda is expected to launch the bike later this year in India but considering CBR650F’s end prices we are not very hopeful of a very luring preposition in the making in terms of monies we may have to shed.
