Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 vs. Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

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Overview - Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 vs Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015 are both popular enduro motorcycles that offer a combination of on-road and off-road capabilities. While they have some similarities in terms of engine power, torque, and suspension, there are also notable differences in their technical specifications and overall performance.

Starting with the engine and drive train, the Honda Africa Twin has a bore of 92 mm and a stroke of 75.1 mm, while the Suzuki V-Strom has a slightly larger bore of 100 mm and a shorter stroke of 66 mm. In terms of power, the Honda Africa Twin offers 95 HP compared to the Suzuki V-Strom's 100 HP. However, the Africa Twin has a higher torque of 98 Nm compared to the V-Strom's 103 Nm. Both motorcycles have chain transmissions and a displacement of around 1000 cc.

In terms of suspension, both motorcycles feature upside-down telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. However, the Africa Twin has a steel frame, while the V-Strom has an aluminum frame. This difference in frame material may affect the overall weight and handling of the motorcycles.

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Both motorcycles come with advanced rider assistance systems, with the Africa Twin offering ABS and traction control, while the V-Strom only offers traction control. This means that the Africa Twin may provide better stability and control in various riding conditions.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the Africa Twin has a slightly larger front tire diameter of 21 inches compared to the V-Strom's 19 inches. Both motorcycles have a rear tire width of 150 mm, but the V-Strom has a smaller rear tire diameter of 17 inches compared to the Africa Twin's 18 inches. The Africa Twin also has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1575 mm compared to the V-Strom's 1555 mm. In terms of weight, the Africa Twin has a kerb weight of 232 kg with ABS, while the V-Strom weighs slightly less at 228 kg.

When it comes to fuel tank capacity, the V-Strom has a larger capacity of 20 liters compared to the Africa Twin's 18.8 liters. This may provide the V-Strom with a longer range during long-distance touring.

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

In terms of strengths, the Africa Twin is known for its comfortable yet engaging riding experience, thanks to its perfectly dimensioned engine and comfortable seat height. On the other hand, the V-Strom is praised for its powerful engine, traction control as standard, excellent brakes, and a taut yet comfortable chassis, making it a great touring motorcycle. Additionally, the V-Strom offers complete instrumentation, providing riders with all the necessary information at a glance.

However, both motorcycles have their weaknesses. The Africa Twin's suspension elements are said to be too comfortably tuned at high speeds, which may affect its off-road performance. The traction control on the Africa Twin is also seen as a drawback, as it needs to be readjusted after every short break when riding off-road. As for the V-Strom, some riders have reported turbulence on the head caused by the windshield. The engine of the V-Strom is also said to run out of breath in the upper rev range, and its aesthetics are considered arbitrary.

In conclusion, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015 are both capable enduro motorcycles with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Africa Twin offers a comfortable and engaging riding experience, while the V-Strom provides a powerful engine and great touring capabilities. Riders should consider their specific needs and preferences to determine which motorcycle suits them best.

Technical Specifications Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 compared to Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Engine and Drive Train

BoreBore92 mmBore100 mm
StrokeStroke75.1 mmStroke66 mm
Engine powerEngine power95 HPEngine power100 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpmRpm at Max. Power8,000 rpm
TorqueTorque98 NmTorque103 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,000 rpmRpm at Torque4,000 rpm
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeAntihopping
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
DisplacementDisplacement998 ccmDisplacement1,037 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork

Suspension Rear

Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameAluminium

Brakes Front

PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial, Monoblock

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsTraction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width90 mmFront tyre width110 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height90 %Front tyre height80 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter21 inchFront tyre diameter19 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width150 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height70 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter18 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,335 mmLength2,285 mm
WidthWidth875 mmWidth865 mm
HeightHeight1,475 mmHeight1,410 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,575 mmWheelbase1,555 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)232 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)228 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity18.8 lFuel Tank Capacity20 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017

Still sensational. It scores with the familiar Honda virtues, but never gets stale. A motorbike that goes with you through thick and thin and doesn't tire even on extra-long tours. Very robust off-road, also copes with really tough passages without any problems. Still the benchmark for touring enduros in 2017.

Comfortable but not boring

Pleasant and perfectly dimensioned engine

Seat height a tad lower than on the KTM- from 175cm height it could work

Suspension elements do everything off-road, but are too comfortably tuned at high speeds

traction control is annoying off-road - always has to be readjusted after every short break.

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015

In the large enduro segment, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 occupies the position of the cheapest offer, yet you don't have to do without anything - even traction control and ABS are included as standard. Excellent brakes, great comfort and a wonderfully powerful V-twin engine are ingredients that should please almost everyone. The fact that it doesn't play in the top league with 100 hp is made up for by the wonderful power delivery, which ensures a relaxed climate on long journeys. Only the wind protection is not optimal with the original windshield; one should invest in the affordable, somewhat larger windshield.

Powerful engine

traction control as standard

very good brakes

taut yet comfortable chassis

great touring capability

complete instrumentation

Windshield creates turbulence on the head

the engine runs out of breath in the upper rev range, arbitrary optics

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin vs Suzuki V-Strom 1000

There are a few key differences between a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 and a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 is about 23% higher. Compared to Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2015 there are more Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2017 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 13 compared to 10. It takes less time to sell a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 with 76 days compared to 91 days for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin. Since model year 2015 1000PS.de editors have written 47 reviews for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and 40 reviews for the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 since model year 2005. The first review for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin was published on 12/05/2015 and now has more than 13,600 views. This compares to more than 6,300 views for the first review on Suzuki V-Strom 1000 published on 23/07/2002.

Price Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Suzuki V-Strom 1000

Model year
Current average market prices

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