HONDA The Power of Dreams

The Africa Twin (XRV650), launched in 1988, was the first adventure sports bike with advanced technology developed in the Paris-Dakar Rally, and was highly popular, especially in Europe. Displacement was subsequently increased to 750 cc, and was sold for more than a decade, until 2000.

In terms of racing, Honda had taken a break from the Paris-Dakar Rally since winning in the motorcycle category for the fourth consecutive year in 1989. Meanwhile, the Paris-Dakar Rally had moved its venue to the South American continent starting in 2009.

For Honda, South America is an important market. There was also growing demand centered in Europe for a fully-developed adventure model. In response, Honda announced its return to the Dakar Rally in 2012.

Honda's first entry in 24 years was the Dakar Rally 2013 Peru-Argentina-Chile (Dakar Rally), where it raced with the CRF450 RALLY, newly developed by Team HRC.

The premise for Honda’s re-entry in the Dakar Rally was the development of a production adventure model that reflected the know-how gained through participation. Following the 2013 Dakar Rally, development of the CRF1000L Africa Twin began.

While the development team was working relentlessly to create a full-featured adventure model that reflected advanced technologies suitable for a new generation, Honda Motor Europe Ltd. (HME) began planning an effective PR strategy to capture new fans.

First, in November 2014, HME announced its plans for EICMA 2014, at which it presented a prototype named “True Adventure” as a reference model.

The exhibit gave the impression of a well-traveled off-road bike, but specifications such as displacement were not revealed. Despite the lack of details and a muddy prototype on display, expectations for a new adventure model from Honda gained traction.

The following year, in May 2015, HME announced that the True Adventure prototype, officially the CRF1000L Africa Twin, would be launched in Europe in 2015. With the model name and launch date announced, HME had declared the return of the Africa Twin. It also gave the impression that development was finally nearing completion.

In July 2015, prior to the official launch, HME released details of the CRF1000L Africa Twin’s technology:

• -  Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, 2-cylinder, inline OHC 1000 cc engine
• -  Availability of a model equipped with Honda’s proprietary DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) technology for motorcycles
• -  Application of technical know-how of the CRF450 RALLY, HRC’s factory machine competing in the Dakar Rally.

Honda simultaneously revealed the selling price in Europe and its plans for availability in North America and Japan.

In October 2015, HME officially announced the CRF1000L Africa Twin. Along with the information about the mid-December launch in Europe, photos were released depicting desert and off-road riding scenes and models equipped with genuine accessories such as pannier cases. This depiction of performing in tough environments demonstrated it would fully meet the expectations of adventure fans.

In Japan, the CRF1000L Africa Twin was exhibited at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 as a planned production model, giving visitors the opportunity to see it for themselves. In February 2016, the CRF1000L Africa Twin was officially launched.

The CRF1000L Africa Twin was designed to be extremely lightweight, to achieve an intricate balance between off-road and touring performance. As a result, it weighed 232 kg*, 2 kg less than the 2000 Africa Twin.

Two types of transmission were offered: a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed DCT.

The CRF1000L Africa Twin quickly became a hit product with performance that exceeded the expectations of adventure fans, especially in Europe.

While continuing the tradition of the first-generation 1988 Africa Twin (XRV650), which aimed to create a new market, the development of the new era Africa Twin greatly expanded the world of fascinating adventures.

CRF1000L Africa Twin technical details