2026 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT Final Review

It is always a bittersweet afternoon at the Moto-1 garage when the keys to a long-term press bike have to go back into the envelope. But handing back the 2026 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT feels like saying goodbye to an old friend who brought fresh coffee, handled the heavy lifting, and never complained about a 700-mile day.

When Honda originally revived the Africa Twin nameplate a decade ago, it was a dirt-first, 21-inch-front-wheel rally machine. Fast forward to 2026, and Big Red has refined this platform into what can best be described as the “Gold Wing of the ADV World” — without the portly curb weight or lazy manners. Having put this machine through its paces both stateside and across sweeping European asphalt on our recent Maritime Alps Motorcycle Tour, we can confidently say this is one of the most complete long-distance street-adventure tourers on the market.

Why the 19-Inch Front Wheel Changes Everything

The headline update on this Adventure Sports variant is the shift from the classic 21-inch front wheel to a 19-inch front paired with an 18-inch rear. For riders who spend 80% to 90% of their time on pavement — where most heavy adventure tourers actually live — this geometry shift is a total game-changer.

That fatter front tire plants the chassis firmly through high-speed sweepers, eliminating the light, twitchy steering feel typical of 21-inch front setups on hot asphalt. Yet, because 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel sizes remain standard across the ADV segment, you still have immediate access to aggressive off-road rubber if you decide to kick up dust on dirt fire roads.

Torque, Character, and the Magician’s Transmission

At the heart of the Africa Twin is Honda’s 1,084cc parallel-twin engine. Early iterations of this motor felt a bit muted and appliance-like, but the latest tuning delivers genuine rumble and punch. It produces a deep exhaust note and low-end torque that makes passing traffic at highway speeds completely effortless.

Pair that engine with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), and long-distance touring becomes downright decadent.

• Seamless Shifting: Let the computer handle gear selection, or use the handlebar thumb/index triggers to manual-shift whenever the mood strikes.
• G-Mode Functionality: Engaging G-Mode tightens clutch engagement, delivering instant power delivery to the rear wheel when you need to pop the front end over obstacles or trail-ride off-road.

Fuel Economy Note: With the cavernous 6.6-gallon fuel tank, miles melt away fast. If you twist the grip with enthusiasm, expect average fuel economy around 35 mpg. Short-shifting in cruise mode can bump that closer to 40 mpg, giving you well over 200 miles between fill-ups.

Electronic Suspension & Comfort

The Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) suspension allows you to transform the bike’s character on the fly. With a quick menu adjustment, you can stiffen the damping and max out preload, turning a soft, comfortable highway glider into a firm, corner-carving sport-tourer.

Add in a plush rider seat, wide upper fairing bodywork that punches a massive hole in the wind, a tall manually adjustable windscreen, standard heated grips, and cruise control, and you have an armchair built for multi-state iron-butt runs.

The One Hiccup: Handlebar Interface

If there is one bugaboo keeping the Africa Twin from complete perfection, it is the switchgear and user interface. The left handlebar cluster features an overwhelming array of buttons, and navigating the 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen menus requires a learning curve. Throw in a lack of backlit switchgear for night riding, and you have an interface that takes a few owner’s manual read-throughs to master.

Maintenance Intervals

Honda’s legendary build quality shines through in a practical, ownership-friendly maintenance schedule:

• Engine Oil Changes: Every 8,000 miles.
• Engine Oil & DCT Clutch Filters: Every 16,000 miles.
• Spark Plugs: Inspect at 16,000 miles; replace at 32,000 miles.
• Air Filters: Replace every 12,000 miles.
• Valve Inspection: Every 16,000 miles.

The Value Proposition

Ringing in right around $20,599 (or just over $21,000 when outfitted with Honda’s heavy-duty aluminum panniers), the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT goes toe-to-toe with heavyweight competitors like the European flagship adventure touring crowd. For an in-depth breakdown of how it stacks up against the competition, check out our BMW R 1300 GS Comparison or explore our complete Honda Africa Twin Series coverage.

2026 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT Technical Specifications