Buying a Used Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin – Tips and Insights

The legend had been just that—a legend—for long enough. Honda's flagship adventure bike, the iconic Africa Twin, finally saw a successor with the 2015 launch, a decade after the XRV750 Africa Twin (introduced in 1990) was discontinued in 2003. The liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine with 998cc churns out 95 hp at 7500 rpm and delivers a peak torque of 98 Nm at 6000 rpm. In 2018, the model received updates including a bit more power (102 hp), additional riding modes, an improved intake and exhaust system, and a throttle-by-wire control. The same year, the Adventure Sports variant was introduced, featuring a larger fuel tank and longer suspension travel.

By 2019, around 87,000 units of the CRF1000L Africa Twin had been sold globally. This means there is generally a wide selection of models available, with prices varying depending on the year, condition, and features. However, due to their popularity, these bikes quickly get snapped up—an Africa Twin is rarely a slow seller! Honda's extensive dealer network throughout the DACH region ensures seamless servicing for an Africa Twin is easily accessible.

Check out the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and Adventure Sports on the 1000PS Marketplace!

Since its launch in 2016, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin has established itself as one of the most popular adventure tourers. It succeeded the legendary XRV750 and brought the "Africa Twin" name back to the market. Honda deliberately chose a unique approach, rather than simply creating a powerful competitor to the BMW GS or KTM Adventure. Instead, Honda focused on a blend of touring and off-road capability, combining riding enjoyment with high everyday usability.

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Honda is renowned for its robust and refined engineering, and the Africa Twin is no exception. Many bikes have surpassed 200,000 kilometers without significant engine issues. Varahannes, who now primarily rides the Africa Twin alongside his venerable Honda Varadero 1000, has even clocked over 500,000 kilometers without a hitch! The engine and transmission are particularly noted for their exceptional longevity. Additionally, the peripherals, such as brakes and suspension, are sturdy and resilient under heavy loads.

With 98 hp (later 102 hp), the CRF1000L intentionally stays below the power threshold of rivals like BMW or KTM. Instead of sheer power, Honda focuses on well-balanced power delivery and high torque. This makes it a pleasant and manageable adventure tourer that feels at home both on long-distance rides and winding mountain roads.

All 1000PS Reviews of the CRF1000L Africa Twin, CRF1000L Africa Twin DCT, and CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports

The Africa Twin is one of the few adventure bikes that truly feels at home off the beaten path. The 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel combination provide excellent balance in off-road conditions. Its long suspension travel and well-tuned chassis offer ample comfort on rough trails. This makes it an excellent choice for adventurers who frequently venture off-road.

The optional Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) provides a unique automatic option in the adventure touring segment. Especially in stop-and-go traffic or off-road sections, it eases the rider's workload and ensures a smooth ride. The manual shifting option remains available, allowing for sporty riding as well.

Honda offers a wide range of genuine accessories, including heated grips, crash bars, luggage systems, and auxiliary lights. The aftermarket also provides numerous customization options, allowing every rider to tailor their Africa Twin to their specific needs.

The Africa Twin is highly popular on the used market. Well-maintained models sell quickly, indicating strong value retention. Dealer-serviced bikes, in particular, have high resale value. While a complete service history isn't mandatory, it can significantly boost the sale price. Missing maintenance records may suggest irregular upkeep or improper repairs. Especially for bikes with high mileage, it's crucial to check if key wear parts like the drive set, brake pads, and discs have been timely replaced.

It's expected that the maintenance-free acid battery of the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is adequately sized and functions flawlessly, as one would presume with a Honda. However, some riders, particularly those venturing off-road, might consider a lighter lithium-ion battery for weight savings, especially since the current Africa Twin can come equipped with one. Nevertheless, this battery type requires more care and doesn't handle very low temperatures well. Moreover, it needs specific chargers, as not every charger can accommodate a lithium-ion battery. Therefore, those who ride their CRF1000L Africa Twin in sub-zero temperatures and don't want to invest in a new charger should reconsider this minor weight reduction.

The maintenance intervals are relatively long at 12,000 km, but the 24,000 km service can cost over 500 euros, and the 48,000 km inspection might even exceed 1,000 euros. The costs are particularly driven up by the iridium spark plugs and the DCT maintenance package. Additionally, labor costs at authorized service centers are not to be underestimated.

While simple tasks like oil changes or air filter replacements are manageable, checking the valve clearance is more involved. Maintenance is particularly complex for DCT models, as they require a separate oil filter and have multiple drain plugs. Even experienced hobby mechanics can find themselves quickly overwhelmed.

The initial 2016 models occasionally had issues with the starter button, which could prevent the bike from starting properly. However, this problem was addressed during production, and affected motorcycles have generally been rectified.

In the early models, the battery was positioned at the front left, making removal somewhat cumbersome. This was later improved, but early owners had to adapt to this setup.

Weighing in at around 230 kg, the Africa Twin is not a lightweight, and its tall seat position can be challenging for shorter riders. The Adventure Sports version, with its higher suspension, was particularly not suited for all riders.

There is now a wide range of tires available for the Africa Twin, but for off-road use, true knobby tires are necessary to fully exploit its potential. Fuel consumption ranges from 5 to 6 liters per 100 km, which is acceptable for an adventure tourer but not exceptional.

The display is structured and informative, but it's difficult to read in direct sunlight. The changes made from 2018 onwards improved this somewhat, but it still doesn't match the quality of the TFT display on the successor, the CRF1100L Africa Twin.

The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin has rightfully earned its place in the adventure touring world. It combines high reliability, good handling, and off-road capability with a distinctive character. Its weaknesses mainly lie in maintenance costs and minor early production issues, which have generally been resolved. Anyone looking for a versatile, durable, and well-thought-out adventure tourer will find it hard to go wrong with the Africa Twin.