A bigger engine, standard semi-active Showa, a dirt-first Enduro Sports and Honda’s first radar suite.
Summary: Honda’s 2027 CRF1150L Africa Twin family gets a 1,131cc twin rated at 117 hp, standard Showa EERA semi-active suspension, a new off-road-focused Enduro Sports model and an Adventure Sports that debuts Honda SENSING RIDE radar rider aids. Pricing and U.S. availability are not announced yet.
Ten years after the CRF1000L brought the name back, Honda just gave the Africa Twin its biggest update yet. The 2027 CRF1150L lineup grows to three models: the standard Africa Twin, a new dirt-focused Africa Twin Enduro Sports and a long-range Africa Twin Adventure Sports, which can now be ordered with front and rear radar. Honda released full details on November 2, the eve of EICMA, and EICMA’s exhibitor materials put Honda in Hall 7. We’re in Milan for the show and will get a closer look at all three bikes in person.
A Decade of the Modern Africa Twin
The modern Africa Twin launched for 2016 as the 998cc CRF1000L, then grew to 1,084cc in 2020 as the CRF1100L. Honda says it has sold more than 120,000 since its return and that it’s the second most popular model in Europe’s 1000cc-plus adventure segment. The 2027 update touches nearly everything, from the crankshaft to the switchgear.
Engine: More Bore, More Squeeze, More Power
A 2mm bigger bore (now 94.0mm) on the same 81.5mm stroke takes the parallel twin to 1,131cc (69.0 ci). Compression jumps from 10.5:1 to 12.1:1, throttle bodies grow from 46mm to 52mm, and the cylinder head, Unicam SOHC valvetrain, pistons, con-rods and crank are all revised. Honda claims 117 hp (87.5 kW) at 7,500 rpm, a 16.5% gain over the 101 hp (75 kW) of the old engine, and 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) of torque at 5,750 rpm, up from 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) at 5,500 rpm. Good news for twin-cylinder fans: the 270-degree crank and uneven firing order stay, so it should still sound and hook up like an Africa Twin. Claimed top speed is unchanged at 124 mph (199 km/h).
Buyers still choose between a six-speed manual with an assist/slipper clutch or Honda’s six-speed DCT. A quickshifter for the manual, or a foot shifter for the DCT, is optional. Final drive is chain. Six riding modes now cover SPORT, TOURING, URBAN, RAIN, OFFROAD and the new OFFROAD+, with all of them customizable within the mode. The six-axis IMU manages seven levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC).
Chassis and Showa EERA Suspension
The steel semi-double-cradle frame and aluminum swingarm are 3.1 lb (1.4 kg) lighter combined. A new under-seat fuel sub-tank, inspired by the NXR750 that won four straight Paris-Dakar rallies from 1986 to 1989, moves weight lower. Showa EERA semi-active suspension is now standard on the base Africa Twin, with Honda Skyhook damping control and a 49mm fork replacing the old 45mm unit. Travel drops 0.4 in (10mm) to 8.7 in (220mm) front and 8.3 in (210mm) rear. A new Minimum setting lowers the seat another 0.4 in (10mm) and stays selected after you turn the bike off. Seat height is 34.3/33.5 in (870/850mm), and ground clearance is 9.4 in (240mm).
Wheels stay 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked, tubeless, wearing 90/90-21 and 150/70R18 Metzeler Karoo Street tires. Two radial-mount four-piston calipers grab dual 12.2-inch (310mm) wave discs, with a 10.1-inch (256mm) disc out back. Honda claims a curb weight of 522 lb (237 kg) for the manual and 545 lb (247 kg) for the DCT. The 5.0-gallon (18.8-liter) fuel capacity is good for a claimed 230 miles (370 km), based on 46 mpg (5.1 L/100 km) for the manual and 44 mpg (5.4 L/100 km) for the DCT in WMTC testing.
Styling, Ergonomics and Tech
The new look is more mass-forward with less rear bodywork, and new dual LED headlights add cornering lights and DRLs. Compared with the CRF1100L, the bars are 0.4 in (10mm) narrower, higher and further forward, and the pegs are 0.8 in (20mm) narrower and 0.4 in (10mm) further back. A new 7-inch TFT touchscreen pairs with a 5.7-inch info display, adds an off-road screen and compass, and now boots in about five seconds. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto go wireless. The electric screen adjusts through 5.1 in (130mm) of travel. Standard kit includes a lockable phone pocket in the tank cover with a USB-C port, Honda SMART Key, cruise control, heated grips, knuckle guards and an aluminum rear carrier. Colors are Pearl Glare White (Tricolour) and Mat Sandstorm Beige.
New Africa Twin Enduro Sports
This is the one for the dirt crowd. The Enduro Sports shares the engine, frame and electronics, but trades the EERA for a fully adjustable, CRF450 RALLY-spec Showa 49mm closed-cartridge fork and a fully adjustable Showa shock. That’s 9.4 in (240mm) of travel up front, 9.1 in (230mm) out back and 10.2 in (260mm) of ground clearance. Seat height is 35.0/34.3 in (890/870mm), and the wheelbase stretches to 62.4 in (1,585mm). It’s also the lightest of the bunch: Honda claims 503 lb (228 kg) for the manual and 527 lb (239 kg) for the DCT. It gets a high front fender and 5.0 gallons (18.8 liters) of fuel, and comes only in Extreme Red.
Adventure Sports and Honda SENSING RIDE
The Adventure Sports is still the long-haul version. Its 6.4-gallon (24.2-liter) fuel capacity gives a claimed range of about 298 miles (480 km). It rolls on a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear, with 8.3 in (210mm) front and 7.9 in (200mm) rear travel, a 33.5/32.7-inch (850/830mm) seat and 8.7 in (220mm) of ground clearance. New E-Combined ABS and Vehicle Hold Control come standard. Honda claims curb weights of 540 lb (245 kg) for the manual and 562 lb (255 kg) for the DCT.
The headliner is the DCT-only Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE (564 lb / 256 kg claimed). It’s the first model to get Honda’s new radar-based rider-assistance system. Front and rear millimeter-wave radar run Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Group Ride Assist (which automatically spaces you from the bikes in your group), Distance Assist, Emergency Braking Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Brake Pulse, Blind Spot Information, Rear Collision Warning and Rear Vehicle Notification. Stop & Go can bring the bike to a halt in traffic, but you still have to give it an input to move off again. Colors are Pearl Glare White (Tricolour) and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic.
Price and U.S. Availability
Honda hasn’t announced 2027 pricing in Europe, the UK or the U.S., and American Honda hasn’t confirmed which versions are coming here or when. There’s no official price to convert yet. For reference, the 2026 U.S. lineup starts at $15,199 for the Africa Twin and $15,999 for the DCT, and the Adventure Sports ES runs $17,799, or $18,599 with DCT (plus a $775 destination charge). Expect the new bike to cost more. Want to know how the outgoing bike rides? Read our 2026 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT road test, our final review and our French Riviera tour, or see how it compares with Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 World Raid. For everything else coming out of Milan, check our 2026 EICMA Preview.
2027 Honda Africa Twin Specs
| 2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin (Honda claimed specs, EU) | |
|---|---|
| U.S. price | N/A (not announced; 2026 base model $15,199) |
| Engine | 1,131cc (69.0 ci) liquid-cooled parallel twin, Unicam SOHC, 8 valves, 270° crank |
| Bore x stroke | 3.70 x 3.21 in (94.0 x 81.5mm) |
| Compression ratio | 12.1:1 |
| Claimed power | 117 hp (87.5 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Claimed torque | 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) @ 5,750 rpm |
| Claimed top speed | 124 mph (199 km/h) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual with assist/slipper clutch, or 6-speed DCT; quickshifter/DCT foot shift optional |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Frame | Steel semi-double cradle; aluminum Pro-Link swingarm |
| Front suspension | Showa EERA 49mm USD fork, Honda Skyhook; 8.7 in (220mm) travel |
| Rear suspension | Showa EERA shock with manual preload; 8.3 in (210mm) travel |
| Front brakes | Dual 12.2-inch (310mm) wave discs, radial four-piston calipers, ABS |
| Rear brake | 10.1-inch (256mm) wave disc, ABS |
| Tires | 90/90-21 front, 150/70R18 rear, Metzeler Karoo Street (tubeless, spoked wheels) |
| Rake / trail | 27.5° / 4.6 in (117mm) |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 in (1,575mm) |
| Seat height | 34.3/33.5 in (870/850mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.4 in (240mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.8 L) |
| Claimed fuel economy, manual | 46 mpg (5.1 L/100 km, WMTC) |
| Claimed fuel economy, DCT | 44 mpg (5.4 L/100 km, WMTC) |
| Claimed curb weight, manual | 522 lb (237 kg) |
| Claimed curb weight, DCT | 545 lb (247 kg) |
| Colors | Pearl Glare White (Tricolour), Mat Sandstorm Beige |
| U.S. availability | N/A (not announced) |
2027 Honda Africa Twin FAQ
How much horsepower does the 2027 Honda Africa Twin make?
Honda claims 117 hp (87.5 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) at 5,750 rpm from the new 1,131cc parallel twin, up from 101 hp (75 kW) on the old 1,084cc engine.
How much does the 2027 Africa Twin cost?
Honda hasn’t announced 2027 prices yet. The 2026 U.S. Africa Twin starts at $15,199.
What is the Africa Twin Enduro Sports?
It’s a new off-road-focused model with a CRF450 RALLY-spec Showa fork, 9.4 in (240mm) of front travel, 10.2 in (260mm) of ground clearance and a claimed 503 lb (228 kg) curb weight in manual form.
What is Honda SENSING RIDE?
Honda SENSING RIDE is a radar-based rider-assistance suite with adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Group Ride Assist, blind-spot and collision warnings, and more. It debuts on the DCT-only Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE.
Is the 2027 Africa Twin coming to the U.S.?
American Honda hasn’t announced the 2027 Africa Twin lineup, U.S. pricing or timing yet.
