BMW R 1250 GS 2020 vs. Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

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Overview - BMW R 1250 GS 2020 vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

In terms of engine and drive train, the BMW R 1250 GS 2020 is equipped with a Boxer engine, while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has an in-line engine. The BMW has a larger bore and stroke, resulting in a higher engine power of 136 HP compared to the Honda's 102 HP. The BMW also has a higher torque of 143 Nm compared to the Honda's 105 Nm. Both motorcycles have electric starters, but the BMW has a transmission with a prop shaft, while the Honda has a chain transmission. Both motorcycles have 2 cylinders, but the BMW has a larger displacement of 1254 ccm compared to the Honda's 1084 ccm.

In terms of suspension, the BMW R 1250 GS 2020 has a telelever front suspension with a diameter of 37 mm and a travel of 190 mm. The front suspension is adjustable for preload. The rear suspension is a single swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 200 mm. The rear suspension is adjustable for preload and rebound. On the other hand, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 45 mm and a travel of 230 mm. The front suspension is adjustable for compression, preload, and rebound. The rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 220 mm. The rear suspension is also adjustable for compression, preload, and rebound.

In terms of chassis, both motorcycles have steel frames. The BMW R 1250 GS 2020 has a load-bearing engine frame type, while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has a double cradle frame type. Both motorcycles have a rake angle of around 62 degrees, but the Honda has a slightly larger trail of 113 mm compared to the BMW's 109 mm.

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

In terms of brakes, both motorcycles have double disk brakes at the front. The BMW R 1250 GS 2020 has advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, anti-slipping control, riding modes, and ride by wire. The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has additional advanced rider assistance systems such as cornering ABS, cruise control, traction control, and anti-wheelie.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the BMW R 1250 GS 2020 has a front tire diameter of 19 inches and a rear tire diameter of 17 inches. The rear tire width is 170 mm. The wheelbase is 1525 mm and the seat height is adjustable from 850 mm to 870 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 249 kg and the fuel tank capacity is 20 liters. On the other hand, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has a front tire diameter of 21 inches and a rear tire diameter of 18 inches. The rear tire width is 150 mm. The wheelbase is slightly longer at 1575 mm and the seat height is also adjustable from 850 mm to 870 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 250 kg, slightly heavier than the BMW, and the fuel tank capacity is larger at 24.8 liters.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles have LED headlights. The BMW R 1250 GS 2020 also has a windscreen that is adjustable, while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 has a touch-screen color display.

In terms of strengths, the BMW R 1250 GS 2020 is praised for its extremely high-torque boxer engine, good sound, comfortable seating position suitable for long distances, stable braking performance, good weather protection, standard color TFT display, and LED headlights. On the other hand, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 is praised for its high-torque engine, sophisticated electronic driving aids, wonderfully functioning DCT, touch-screen color display, good ergonomics, long-distance capability, windshield with a good adjustment range, and semi-active suspension close to perfection.

In terms of weaknesses, the BMW R 1250 GS 2020 is criticized for its manageable standard equipment and a long surcharge list, as well as its jagged appearance with little elegance. The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 is criticized for its operating concept of the electronics not being very clear and intuitive, and its handguards not being very robust for off-road use.

Technical Specifications BMW R 1250 GS 2020 compared to Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

BMW R 1250 GS 2020
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeBoxerEngine typeIn line
BoreBore102.5 mmBore92 mm
StrokeStroke76 mmStroke81.5 mm
Engine powerEngine power136 HPEngine power102 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpm
TorqueTorque143 NmTorque105 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,250 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio12.5 Compression Ratio10.1
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeAntihoppingClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionProp shaftTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeDual-clutch
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesOHC
CoolingCoolingliquid-airCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement1,254 ccmDisplacement1,084 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTeleleverFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter37 mmDiameter45 mm
TravelTravel190 mmTravel230 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSingle swing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel200 mmTravel220 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeLoad-bearing engineFrame typeDouble cradle
RakeRake62.9 degreeRake62.5 degree
TrailTrail109 mmTrail113 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter305 mmDiameter310 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial, Wave

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter276 mmDiameter256 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Riding modes, Ride by WireAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Cruise control, Traction control, Anti-wheelie

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width90 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height90 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter19 inchFront tyre diameter21 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width170 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height60 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter18 inch
LengthLength2,207 mmLength2,330 mm
WidthWidth952.5 mmWidth960 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,525 mmWheelbase1,575 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height850 mmSeat Height850 mm
Seat Height up toSeat Height up to870 mmSeat Height up to870 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)249 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)250 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity20 lFuel Tank Capacity24.8 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentLED-Headlights, Windscreen adjustableEquipmentLED-Headlights

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

BMW R 1250 GS 2020

The BMW R 1250 GS is the logical further development of the R 1200 GS - logical above all because one should not expect such a popular motorbike to be radically changed. Accordingly, the design has been changed cautiously, and the familiar options for the chassis and electronics have been retained. The new name R 1250 GS, however, promises a new engine - and it really is something! 136 hp at 7750 rpm and a whopping 143 Newton metres of maximum torque at 6250 rpm are an absolute blast! BMW has thus renovated the big GS almost perfectly: it remains clearly recognisable, has a little more electronics as standard, a still long list of surcharges (which customers like to tick from A to Z) and a now even better and more sovereign power plant - what more could you want?!

extremely high-torque boxer engine

good sound

comfortable seating position, suitable for long distances

stable braking performance

good weather protection

colour TFT display standard

LED headlights

Manageable standard equipment, long surcharge list

jagged appearance with little elegance

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022

For me, the Africa Twin is a touring enduro as a touring enduro should be. This was already true of the predecessor model and did not change with the increase in displacement and power. Because the latter remained manageable at 102 hp, and Honda even managed to shed a few kilos compared to the CRF1000L. So it remained versatile, functioning just as well on the motorway as off-road. The chassis absorbs almost all bumps, the engine remains sovereign in every situation, ergonomics and seating comfort are exemplary. A motorbike for all days as well as for the big trip - wherever that may be.

High-torque engine

sophisticated electronic driving aids

wonderfully functioning DCT

touch-screen colour display

good ergonomics

long-distance capability

windshield with good adjustment range

semi-active suspension close to perfection.

Operating concept of the electronics not very clear and intuitive

handguards not very robust for off-road use

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1250 GS vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT

There are a few key differences between a BMW R 1250 GS 2020 and a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW R 1250 GS 2020 is about 17% higher. Compared to Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2022 there are more BMW R 1250 GS 2020 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 71 compared to 8. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1250 GS with 43 days compared to 124 days for a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 50 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS and 25 reviews for the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT since model year 2020. The first review for the BMW R 1250 GS was published on 19/09/2018 and now has more than 305,600 views. This compares to more than 109,400 views for the first review on Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT published on 23/09/2019.

Price BMW R 1250 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT

Model year
Current average market prices

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