Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024 in an everyday test

The first reason - the seat height: The 20 millimeter shorter suspension travel of the Adventure Sports 2024 results in a seat height of 835 to 855 millimeters. As an option, Honda offers a lower seat that reduces the seat height to a minimum of 795 millimeters. This factor significantly improves stability in urban traffic - a feature that is particularly important when parking, frequently dismounting in traffic jams or during unexpected maneuvers and emergency braking. With a more secure stance, the relatively heavy motorcycle becomes significantly more accessible and increases safety in use during rush hour, on narrow city streets and in hectic everyday use.

The lower seat height allows riders of different stature to reach the ground more easily and thus keep the motorcycle more stable. This not only contributes to safety, but also to comfort, as riders need to exert less effort to control the motorcycle when stationary.

The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) of the Honda Adventure Sports simplifies handling significantly in daily use. During a test on Swiss roads in the brisk early morning cold, the benefit of not needing to use the clutch became quickly evident: at a mere three degrees Celsius during a highway traffic jam, the DCT allows you to keep both hands on the heated grips, fully utilizing their warmth. This feature also greatly reduces strain on the hand muscles, particularly during peak traffic times. This function notably enhances the driving experience in traffic jams and colder weather.

Additionally, the DCT model provides the ability to manually change gears at any time using the paddle shifters located on the left side of the handlebars. The smoothness of the downshifting process is especially impressive, enabling the rider to respond delicately to varying situations and precisely control speed through the engine, even in slow-moving traffic on highways or rural roads.

However, what would have been beneficial in this updated model are additional driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot assist, which would further ease navigation in complex traffic scenarios. Hopefully, these features will soon be available in future Honda models.

In urban traffic conditions, where frequent starts and stops are the norm, riding a motorcycle that responds twitchily to throttle inputs can be exhausting. However, the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024 handles these challenges effortlessly. Despite its robust performance that kicks in the moment you twist the throttle, the updated DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) ensures a smooth and serene progression from one traffic light to another, even in heavy urban traffic.

The DCT truly shines when it facilitates smooth starts and quiet stops at traffic lights, making the ride in frequent start-stop scenarios far more enjoyable. The transmission's capability to finely control the ride plays a crucial role in enhancing overall driving comfort.

On highways, the smoothness of the Adventure Sports is particularly noticeable. In "D" mode, the Twin cruises exceptionally smoothly and comfortably, allowing for fatigue-free long-distance travel. However, you can switch to one of the three sport modes at any time to spice up the ride when desired. That's when the excitement really begins.

The latest model of the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports maintains several of its time-tested features that make it especially suitable for wet commuting. The manually adjustable windshield and the capacious 24.8-liter fuel tank are components that provide superb protection against the elements.

The riding posture on the Adventure Sports is crafted for comfort, featuring a relaxed knee angle that enhances the experience during extended commutes. However, the motorcycle's ergonomics have been modified slightly towards a sportier stance due to the introduction of the new 19-inch front wheel. This change might make it somewhat challenging for riders taller than 1.90 meters to find a comfortable riding position.

As previously seen in the earlier model, the 2024 Honda Africa Twin continues to feature a display that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This functionality is particularly beneficial for daily motorcycle operations, allowing riders to access applications like Google Maps directly through the bike's display. Consequently, not only is route navigation facilitated, but also real-time updates on traffic conditions, congestion, and potential detours are readily available. This proves invaluable, especially for frequent urban riders, by easing navigation challenges and ensuring constant access to the latest traffic information.

This integrated approach also offers cost savings, as there is no need for a separate navigation device, and it minimizes theft risk since the display is permanently fixed within the motorcycle, making it difficult to steal.

For those looking to unwind with a leisurely ride after work, the Calimoto app can be activated via Apple CarPlay to set up a scenic, winding route. This connectivity enhances the practical value of the Africa Twin, making it an excellent choice for commuters and those who enjoy using their motorcycle for both everyday travel and recreational outings.

The 2024 Adventure Sports has already established itself as a reliable companion for journeys, evening rides, and weekend getaways over the past few years. Yet, here are three specific reasons why the Twin excels during post-work rides with the latest model.

The new Adventure Sports model comes standard with an electronic, semi-active suspension system that has been further refined from last year's model. Test rides in the Swiss Alpine foothills, ranging from the bustling streets of Zurich to the steep rural roads of St. Gallen, demonstrated that the suspension maintains stability and consistent performance across various conditions—a definitive indication of the system's efficacy.

The primary advantage of the semi-active suspension is its capability to automatically adjust to the prevailing driving conditions. It utilizes data from three sensors—the tilt sensor, the lift sensor, and the speed sensor—to modify the damping in real time. Consequently, the suspension continuously adapts to both the road conditions and the rider's maneuvers without any required input from the rider, ensuring optimal comfort and dynamic handling.

Although the overall performance of the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports engine has remained unchanged, the model now offers an additional 7 Newton meters of torque. This boost might not be very noticeable on straight roads when riding solo, but it truly shines in challenging riding scenarios, such as the twisting, narrow, and steep routes of the Alps.

These extra Newton meters prove invaluable when the motorcycle is burdened with additional weight, whether from luggage or a passenger. In these situations, the increased torque ensures that more power is accessible even at lower engine speeds.

While the engine enhancements might appear modest compared to the previous version, it is evident that the improvements have been strategically implemented to enhance performance, particularly in tough conditions.

Compared to the traditional 21-inch wheel, the smaller 19-inch wheel on the Honda Enduro provides enhanced road feedback, leading to improved riding safety. This feature is particularly beneficial under less-than-ideal conditions, making the ride more enjoyable and worry-free.

During our evaluation, temperatures dipped to three degrees Celsius, a scenario where road conditions can swiftly become precarious. This is especially true during early spring mornings or late autumn evenings when the asphalt tends to cool rapidly, increasing the risk of the front wheel skidding. The 19-inch wheel, with its superior feedback, ensures better traction and thus safer handling.

This modification enhances the safety and accessibility of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, making it more appealing for Honda enthusiasts who might have been reluctant to choose this model before. The smaller front wheel significantly boosts rider confidence across diverse conditions, particularly in challenging environments like Switzerland.

After spending a full day navigating the Swiss roads on the new Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, it became evident that this motorcycle transcends the typical stereotypes associated with it. Admittedly, adapting to its size and weight may require some effort, but it compensates with its versatility, proving ideal for both daily commutes and leisurely post-work rides.

However, the bike does fall short in certain respects, particularly with regard to its tech features. The latest iteration of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports could have significantly benefited from the inclusion of advanced options like adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, wireless Apple CarPlay, and an enhanced display. These additions are not merely desirable; they are somewhat expected in today's fast-evolving market to elevate the riding experience by boosting both safety and comfort.

Thus, while the Africa Twin continues to be a formidable bike that excels in numerous areas, it still has potential for growth, especially in embracing technological advancements.

During our evaluation day, we meticulously examined the fuel efficiency of the new Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (ATAS) by conducting real-world fueling stops.

Initially, we topped off the tank and then navigated through various traffic conditions over a span of two days: 25% of the time was spent in urban traffic, 25% on mountainous roads, and the remaining 50% on highways. This blend of diverse driving environments yielded an actual fuel consumption of 5.43 liters per 100 kilometers (11.46 liters per 211 kilometers).