The Africa Twin isn’t simply one other journey bike in Honda’s lineup. It’s one of the iconic autos to bear the Honda badge. The title alone carries a long time of rally heritage, relationship again to Honda’s Dakar-winning machines of the late ’80s. That DNA nonetheless issues at this time, particularly in a phase now crowded with liter-class journey bikes from Europe and Japan.
Whereas some rivals chase larger numbers and extra excessive specs, Honda focuses on stability. The fashionable Africa Twin doesn’t attempt to intimidate you. It is slim between the knees, manageable at low speeds, and genuinely usable off-road. That’s an enormous purpose it’s stayed related even because the phase turns into extra premium and extra tech and horsepower-heavy. Riders nonetheless desire a bike that looks like an precise software, not only a rolling spec sheet.
For 2026, Honda sticks to that philosophy. No mechanical adjustments, simply new colours and graphics throughout the vary, and ones that nod to the nameplates’ retro heritage at that. Beneath, it’s the identical 1,084cc parallel twin placing out about 100 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are removed from the highest of the category (they’re bordering middleweight territory, to be trustworthy), however they’re tuned for the actual world. Robust midrange pull, clean energy supply, and simple freeway cruising with out feeling frantic at larger rpms.
Picture by: Honda
The actual standout, although, is Honda’s Twin Clutch Transmission. It is attention-grabbing to notice that nearly half of Africa Twin buyers chose DCT in 2024, which says lots. In a phase historically dominated by purists, that’s enormous. DCT removes the clutch lever completely and handles shifts for you. No stalling on technical climbs. No hand fatigue in site visitors. You’ll be able to nonetheless shift manually with paddles in order for you, however once you’re drained or distracted, the bike steps in. It makes an enormous journey bike means much less intimidating, particularly for newer riders or these transferring up from smaller machines.
Honda provides two predominant variations of the usual Africa Twin. The bottom mannequin runs absolutely adjustable Showa suspension. The Digital Suspension model upgrades to Showa’s good system that routinely adjusts damping primarily based on situations. You’ll be able to even change rear preload whereas using, which is ideal when switching between solo journeys and loaded touring. That model additionally provides heated grips and an adjunct energy socket.
Then there’s the Africa Twin Journey Sports activities. That is the long-haul machine. It will get a bigger 24.8-liter gas tank, good for roughly 315 miles of vary in comparison with about 239 miles for the usual bike. Honda additionally suits a 19-inch entrance wheel as a substitute of the off-road-focused 21-inch setup, bettering stability and really feel on pavement. Seat peak sits at 32.9 or 33.7 inches, relying on the setting.
Tech is correctly fashionable. A six-axis IMU manages traction management, cornering ABS, wheelie management, and rear raise mitigation. On DCT fashions, it even tweaks shift timing primarily based on lean angle. You get a number of journey modes, cruise management, heated grips, USB charging, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lighting is full LED with daytime working lights and cornering lights that illuminate the street mid-turn. Honda additionally provides 4 manufacturing unit accent packs for city using, rally styling, long-distance touring, or full journey builds.
For 2026, each customary Africa Twin fashions are available Grand Prix Crimson, Matt Ballistic Black Metallic, and Pearl Glare White. The Journey Sports activities will get Matt Iridium Grey Metallic or a daring Tricolore white scheme with gold wheels.
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