2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES DCT MC Commute Review

This year marks 32 years of Honda’s do-it-all, see-it-all Africa Twin. Originally designed as a dual sport, the Africa Twin has evolved into a heavyweight adventure rig designed to go further with more comfort than ever before. Honda has updated its top-of-the-range ADV with a series of changes to make it competitive in the segment. Review the 2020 Honda Africa Twin First Look Preview article to get up to speed on the technical improvements. This article revolves around what it is like to ride the most premium and touring-friendly Adventure Sport ES DCT ($17,999) model.

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When seated at the controls, it’s easy to tell that the Africa Twin is more oriented to the road-touring side of the ADV spectrum, especially in Adventure Sport trim. The seat is low (for an ADV bike), and the rider’s saddle has a deep dish that positions him or her in a low position. The forward fairing and manual height-adjustable windscreen are broad and do a fantastic job of blocking the elements, as do the plastic hand guards. Five-way-adjustable heated handgrips and precise cruise control are other nice touches.

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The handlebar has a road-pleasing bend with plenty of rearward sweep. Taller riders will wish it was higher and more forward (Honda raised the bar height for 2020) when standing at the controls during off-road rides. Thankfully the controls can be rolled forward, however height is fixed.

A 6.5-inch color TFT display is positioned front and center. It offers combined touchscreen and push-button switch gear manipulation. A rectangular LCD screen flanks it and is a curious addition to the primary display. There is a lot going on inside the primary screen. So much so that we recommended riders study the owner’s manual and/or the 2020 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L Display Simulator to understand how to work the various settings. Even after doing homework, the menu navigation is awkward and nowhere near as intuitive as its Bavarian rival.

Look past this gripe however and the technical prowess of the 2020 Africa Twin’s electronics is astounding. From adjustable power modes (the lower the number, the higher the power—which is the exact opposite of Big Red’s liter-class sportbike) to wheelie, engine-brake, traction control (Honda calls it Selectable Torque Control), ABS, and semi-active suspension damping control, this decked-out CRF is a tour de force in the electronics department.

These systems work in harmony to allow folks to ride the bike harder than they could without these rider aids. This was especially apparent in the dirt with the Off-Road ABS paired with the softer (suspension damping) Off-Road setting. The front brakes could be squeezed harder than you’d expect over slick hardpack-style dirt. Conversely, road riders will value wheelie control (yes, it power wheelies) and the added shifting response of Honda’s latest and greatest Dual-Clutch Transmission technology.

Available as an option, DCT eliminates the traditional manual clutch and foot-operated gearshift levers. Riders can still select gears using a pair of buttons on the left-hand-side switch gear, or simply put it in automatic and let the machine do the work. The programming is far more accurate and responsive than we remember with previous generations of DCT. Not that it was bad before, but in this game milliseconds count. Well done, Honda.

The extra piston stroke of this liquid-cooled parallel twin helps it launch from stop signs with a liter-class sportbike-like vigor and the uneven 270/540 firing order helps the engine growl. Still, because it is a Honda, the configuration isn’t as rowdy sounding as other modern (but smaller displacement) parallel twins we’ve sampled recently. Fuel-mileage-wise, we averaged 35.6 mpg during mostly fast paced riding.

The OE-fitted Metzeler Karoo Street tires are downright excellent on, and off, pavement (however are loud and have an audible hum) and real dirt bike-sized tubeless spoked wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) allow you to fit aggressive knobby-type tires if you really want to venture off the beaten path. Still, with its higher-capacity 6.5-gallon fuel tank filled to the brim the Adventure Sport AT weighs 553 pounds (claimed), which means some level of caution needs to be exhibited over slick terrain.

Those seeking a highly competent touring-style road bike that has the chops to go beyond where the tarmac ends will love Honda’s 2020 Africa Twin. Funky dash navigation aside, Big Red’s class-leading electronics and borderline ridiculous value make it a real threat—especially for the rider who is looking for a streetbike that can do a bit of everything.

This episode of MC Commute is brought to you by Liqui Moly. Liqui Moly engineers engine oils, lubricants, and additives designed to enhance the performance and durability of your motorcycle. Find out more.

Helmet: Shoei RF-SR

Jacket: Rev’It! Vertex Air

Gloves: Racer Guide Gloves

Boots: Alpinestars Oscar Monty