The legendary Africa Twin is back. Honda has announced that the new adventure model based on the True Adventure prototype shown at EICMA last November will be called CRF1000L Africa Twin, and will be available in dealerships across Europe in late 2015.
In the course of the last seven months Honda has beenvery keen on circulating the occasional teaser, but has yet to disclose acomprehensive technical description of this motorcycle. Apart from acknowledgingits official name, the latest press release includes two new photosand also confirms the option to equip the Africa Twin with a new evolution ofHonda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) – a world first in thissegment.
Judging from the two new teaser images, the production model is very close to the True Adventureprototype, nowadorned with an Africa Twin logo and a red, white and blue color scheme that isso reminiscent of the original model from the late '80s.
The CRF1000L promises to be an efficient dual purposemachine, powered by a completely new 1000 cc two cylinder engine. An obvioustarget for the new Africa Twin would be the KTM Adventure range, a series of motorcyclesthat built on KTM's success at the Dakar Rally. Now Honda has the chance to collecton its return to the rally world since 2013 and this new adventure model candefinitely benefit from the lessons learned in the sand dunes of South America.Actually Honda can afford some concessions in order to allow for good off-roadcapabilities, given that its lineup also includes the VFR1200X Crosstourer, a choicecatering to the more street-oriented clientele.
So far the press release informs us that the new modelwill be available in Europe in late 2015, no word yet for the US or any othermarket. Stay tuned for updates as soon as more information is released.
Source: Honda
