Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 vs. Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

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Overview - Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 and the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 are both enduro motorcycles that offer a range of features and capabilities.

Starting with the engine and drive train, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 is equipped with an in-line, 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1043cc. It delivers 120 horsepower and 102 Nm of torque, providing strong pull and a rev-happy performance. The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022, on the other hand, features a 2-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1084cc. It produces 102 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque, offering a powerful performance.

In terms of suspension, both motorcycles have upside-down telescopic forks at the front and a swing arm with a monoshock at the rear. However, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 offers a greater travel distance for both the front and rear suspension, providing better off-road capabilities.

When it comes to the chassis, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 has an aluminum frame, while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 has a steel frame. The aluminum frame of the Kawasaki offers a lightweight and agile feel, while the steel frame of the Honda provides durability and stability.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

In terms of brakes, both motorcycles are equipped with double disk brakes at the front.

In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both motorcycles offer ABS and ride by wire technology. However, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 also includes additional features such as riding modes, cornering ABS, cruise control, traction control, and anti-wheelie.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 has a wheelbase of 1520mm and a seat height of 840mm. It weighs 257kg with ABS and has a fuel tank capacity of 21 liters. The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1574mm and a slightly higher seat height of 850mm. It weighs 226kg with ABS and has a fuel tank capacity of 18.8 liters.

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles feature LED headlights. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 offers heated grips and cornering lights, while the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 includes additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity and a TFT display.

In terms of strengths, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 offers high riding comfort for both the rider and passenger, great wind and weather protection, and a high-quality chassis that can be adjusted precisely. It also has a well-controllable and rev-happy engine with strong pull.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022, on the other hand, boasts a powerful engine, sophisticated electronic driving aids, and a wonderfully functioning DCT (optional). It also has a touch-screen color display, good ergonomics, and long-distance capability. The windshield of the Honda is particularly suited for off-road riding.

In terms of weaknesses, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020's standard windshield is too generously dimensioned, providing minimal wind even at the lowest setting. Additionally, its display and mobile phone app cannot keep up with the competition.

The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 has an operating concept for the electronics that is not very clear and intuitive. Its handguards are not very robust for off-road use, and the windshield offers only manageable protection. The ergonomics of the Honda are also not ideal for standing riding.

Overall, both the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 and the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Kawasaki offers a comfortable and adjustable riding experience with a powerful engine, while the Honda provides advanced electronic features and off-road capabilities.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 compared to Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore77 mmBore92 mm
StrokeStroke56 mmStroke81.5 mm
Engine powerEngine power120 HPEngine power102 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power9,000 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpm
TorqueTorque102 NmTorque105 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,500 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio10.3 Compression Ratio10.1
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
IgnitionIgnitionDigitalIgnitionTransistor
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders4Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement1,043 ccmDisplacement1,084 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
TravelTravel150 mmTravel230 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel152 mmTravel220 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentCompression, Preload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameSteel
RakeRake63 degreeRake62.5 degree
TrailTrail106 mmTrail113 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter310 mmDiameter310 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyradial, PetalTechnologyradial, Wave

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter250 mmDiameter256 mm
PistonPistonSingle pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Ride by Wire, QuickshifterAdvanced 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 diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter21 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter18 inch
LengthLength2,240 mmLength2,330 mm
WidthWidth950 mmWidth960 mm
HeightHeight1,530 mmHeight1,395 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,520 mmWheelbase1,574 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height840 mmSeat Height850 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)257 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)226 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity21 lFuel Tank Capacity18.8 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentHeated grips, Cornering lights, LED-HeadlightsEquipmentBluetooth, Connectivity, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE is a particularly well-designed representative of a type that is so difficult to categorise. In the end, it is simply a very good and universal motorbike. At the regulars' table, it will hardly score points with 120 hp. But in practice, all elements of the motorbike are designed and dimensioned in such a way that you enjoy riding it for a long time. On long tours, it has sufficient power, offers dynamic handling and high riding comfort. Compared to the competition, you hardly miss the power. Kawasaki should improve on the integration of a Navigatinos app in the display.

High riding comfort for rider and passenger

Great wind and weather protection

High-quality chassis can be adjusted very precisely to the requirements

Well controllable and rev-happy engine

Strong pull from the engine

At high temperatures, the standard windshield is too generously dimensioned - even at the lowest setting, you hardly get any wind at all

display and mobile phone app cannot keep up with the competition.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 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.

powerful engine

sophisticated electronic driving aids

wonderfully functioning DCT (option)

touch-screen colour display

good ergonomics

Long-distance capability

Windshield good for off-road

Operating concept of the electronics not very clear and intuitive

Handguards not very robust for off-road use

Windshield offers manageable protection

Ergonomics not ideal for standing riding

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE vs Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 and a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 is about 10% higher. Compared to Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin 2022 there are more Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2020 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 8 compared to 4. It takes less time to sell a Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin with 82 days compared to 156 days for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 12 reviews for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE and 28 reviews for the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin since model year 2020. The first review for the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE was published on 11/6/2018 and now has more than 25,500 views. This compares to more than 109,400 views for the first review on Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin published on 9/23/2019.

Price Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

Model year
Current average market prices

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