Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 vs. BMW F 850 GS 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

BMW F 850 GS 2018

BMW F 850 GS 2018

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Overview - Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 vs BMW F 850 GS 2018

In terms of engine and drive train, both the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and the BMW F 850 GS have inline engines with similar power outputs of 95 HP. However, the Africa Twin has a slightly larger displacement of 998cc compared to the F 850 GS's 853cc. The Africa Twin also has a higher torque rating of 98 Nm compared to the F 850 GS's 92 Nm. Both motorcycles have electric starters and chain transmissions.

In terms of suspension, both motorcycles feature upside-down telescopic forks at the front and swing arm suspensions at the rear. The Africa Twin offers adjustable suspension settings for compression, preload, and rebound, while the F 850 GS only offers adjustment for preload and rebound.

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Both motorcycles have steel frames and double disk front brakes. The Africa Twin offers advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS and traction control, while the F 850 GS only has ABS.

In terms of dimensions and weights, both motorcycles have a front tire diameter of 21 inches and a rear tire width of 150mm. However, the Africa Twin has a larger rear tire diameter of 18 inches compared to the F 850 GS's 17 inches. The F 850 GS has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1593mm compared to the Africa Twin's 1575mm. The seat height of the F 850 GS is also slightly higher at 860mm compared to the Africa Twin's 850mm. The F 850 GS has a lower kerb weight of 229kg compared to the Africa Twin's 232kg. The Africa Twin also has a larger fuel tank capacity of 18.8 liters compared to the F 850 GS's 15 liters.

In terms of strengths, the Africa Twin is praised for its reliable engine, comfortable seating position, well-tuned chassis, good looks, good brakes, and optional DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). It also offers performance modes for different riding conditions. On the other hand, the F 850 GS is praised for its superior engine, adequate braking system, very good seating position, easy handling, extensive range of accessories, and off-road capability. It also offers riding modes and traction control.

BMW F 850 GS 2018

BMW F 850 GS 2018

However, the Africa Twin has some weaknesses including not quite optimal wind protection, the lack of cruise control, and the inability to switch off ABS on the front wheel. The F 850 GS has weaknesses such as a disc that is positioned too low and a sound that could be better.

In conclusion, both the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and the BMW F 850 GS are capable enduro motorcycles with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Africa Twin excels in terms of reliability, comfort, and performance options, while the F 850 GS offers a superior engine and a wider range of accessories. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the rider's specific preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 compared to BMW F 850 GS 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018
BMW F 850 GS 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore92 mmBore84 mm
StrokeStroke75.1 mmStroke77 mm
Engine powerEngine power95 HPEngine power95 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpmRpm at Max. Power8,250 rpm
TorqueTorque98 NmTorque92 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,000 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
Can be restricted for A2 licenceCan be restricted for A2 licenceYesCan be restricted for A2 licenceYes
DisplacementDisplacement998 ccmDisplacement853 ccm

Suspension Front

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

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountPro-LinkShock mountdirect
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentPreload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter310 mmDiameter305 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonDouble piston
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter256 mmDiameter265 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

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

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width90 mmFront tyre width90 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height90 %Front tyre height90 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter21 inchFront tyre diameter21 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 mmLength2,305 mm
WidthWidth875 mmWidth922 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,575 mmWheelbase1,593 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height850 mmSeat Height860 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)232 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)229 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity18.8 lFuel Tank Capacity15 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

The new Africa Twin has come exactly as fans expected: Well controllable, unagitated and a wonderful travelling companion. The fact that it also looks extremely good was a pleasant bonus. So there is no reason to fundamentally change the Africa Twin, what was good remains good on the new one - and much has been improved. Thanks to Ride by Wire, you can now also enjoy performance modes on the Africa Twin, and the traction control can be adjusted 7-fold (instead of 3-fold previously) and switched off. The optional DCT is still a big hit and a lot of fun, but it also costs a lot.

Reliable engine

comfortable seating position

well-tuned chassis

good looks

good brakes

optional DCT

performance modes

not quite optimal wind protection

no cruise control

ABS on front wheel cannot be switched off

BMW F 850 GS 2018

BMW F 850 GS 2018

You might not see it at first glance on the new BMW F 850 GS, but it really is a completely new design. Both the steel chassis and the drivetrain have been changed, the engine enlarged to 853 cubic capacity and designed to be even more powerful with the 90-degree crankpin offset. As a result, the new F 850 GS presents itself more sovereign than excited and is convincing both on the road and off-road. The very special thing about the BMW is the ability to tailor it exactly to your personal needs thanks to the extensive range of accessories - there is actually no feature currently available that you can't get on your F 850 GS. However, this also drives up the price.

superior engine

adequate braking system

very good seating position

easy handling

extensive range of accessories

riding modes

traction control

off-road capable

Disc too low

sound could be better

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin vs BMW F 850 GS

There are a few key differences between a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 and a BMW F 850 GS 2018. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW F 850 GS 2018 is about 8% higher. A Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 experiences a loss of 720 USD in one year of ownership. This is offset by a loss of 2,440 USD for a BMW F 850 GS 2018. Compared to BMW F 850 GS 2018 there are more Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 10 compared to 5. It takes less time to sell a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin with 99 days compared to 112 days for a BMW F 850 GS. Since model year 2015 1000PS.de editors have written 47 reviews for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and 31 reviews for the BMW F 850 GS since model year 2018. The first review for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin was published on 5/12/2015 and now has more than 13,600 views. This compares to more than 69,800 views for the first review on BMW F 850 GS published on 11/21/2017.

Price Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

Model year
Current average market prices

Price BMW F 850 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

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