HONDA

CRF 1100L AFRICA TWIN 2023...The big trail segment is one of the most disputed worldwide. Since 2017, Honda has offered in Brazil the motorcycle that is a world reference in this category, the Africa Twin, heir to a tradition that began in the Paris-Dakar rally, with the four consecutive victories of the Honda NXR 750, in the late 1980s.

The legendary champion in the African deserts gave rise to models that inspire motorcyclists to venture around the world on the handlebars. More than three decades after their appearance, the Africa Twins of any generation have a common DNA: efficiency on any type of terrain, extreme reliability, high performance and cutting-edge technology.

Since its launch in Brazil in 2017, the Africa Twin has set a new standard in the big trail segment. Established by the 'True Adventure' concept, the new generation has returned to the adventure segment the maneuverability and ability to tackle terrains of all kinds with excellent performance, technology and comfort.

In 2022, the CRF 1100L Africa Twin underwent a profound technical renovation, an improvement that increased power, torque and reduced weight, which in summary resulted in even better performance. Simultaneously to this work of polishing the model, the versions equipped with the DCT - Dual Clutch Technology gearbox were introduced, whereby gear changes can occur automatically or through a command located on the left wrist, without the need to use a clutch lever.

For 2023, the CRF 1100L Africa Twin will be offered in four versions that differ by the capacity of the fuel tank and the type of transmission, which can be conventional or DCT, exclusive technology from Honda and which from this generation will manufacture the transmission. DCT at the Manaus-AM plant, previously made exclusively in Japan, thus confirming the high technological standard achieved by Moto Honda da Amazônia. This innovation will make it possible to increase production volume and competitiveness, while maintaining the same quality and reliability that made the big-trail a reference in the segment.

Its entry version is characterized by the 18.8 liter tank and agility due to its low weight. For 2023 it will be offered with both conventional and DCT transmissions, and bringing new colors and graphics that enhance the model's sportiness, in addition to having as standard equipment a robust rear luggage rack made of aluminum, predisposed to receive the practical trunk, offered as an option. On a technical level, the only change concerns the new adjustment of the DCT transmission, optimized in 1st and 2nd gears to provide a smoother progression when starting from immobility and at low speeds.

The Honda CRF 1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES (Electronic Suspension), whose 24.8 liter tank ensures adequate autonomy for long journeys, also brings new colors and graphics in its 2023 version, as well as the new adjustment in the DCT system. In addition, the five-way adjustable windshield has been redesigned, is 110 mm shorter in height, yet offers the same protection against wind and weather. Also new are the side fairing protections, in black anodized aluminum, as well as the luggage rack.

All versions have dual LED headlights, daytime driving lights (DRL) with automatic lighting intensity adjustment. The touch-sensitive color MID (Multi Information Display) panel has a 6.5-inch TFT screen through which you can control the Riding Modes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the Africa Twin equipment, allowing connectivity through the use of helmets with Bluetooth headphones and microphone. Another device present is the ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system, which activates front and rear direction lights in the event of emergency braking at speeds above 50 km/h. Common equipment to all versions of the CRF 1100L Africa Twin is the cruise control.

Equipped with a TBW electronic accelerator and HSTC traction control system, the Africa Twins make use of a six-axis IMU inertial platform, which helps in the management and elaborate functioning of items related to the Riding Modes, such as the adjustment of the power parameters (P) in 4 levels, engine brake (EB) at 3 levels, traction control (T) at 7 levels plus off and antiwheelie (W) at 3 levels plus off. The four Riding Modes - TOUR, URBAN, GRAVEL and OFF-ROAD - are complemented by two customizable USER modes. On Africa Twins with DCT transmission, the gearshift option (D, S1, S2, S3 and MT) does not change the previously selected Riding Mode.

As for the engine, the SOHC parallel twin-cylinder with 8 valves and liquid-cooled remains unchanged: it has 1,084 cm3 of capacity, 99.3 hp at 7,500 rpm and 103 Nm of maximum torque at 6,000 rpm. The lubrication system is semi-dry sump and the PGM-FI feed has 46 mmØ injection bodies.

In the cycling part, the Africa Twin uses a steel chassis with a semi-double cradle architecture and an aluminum sub-frame, the same material used in the rear suspension scale. The inverted Showa front suspension has 230 mm of travel and 45 mmØ tubes, is adjustable in spring preload, rebound and compression. The Showa rear shock offers 220mm of travel and spring preload can be adjusted via a control on the shock body. Rebound and compression damping is fully adjustable. The Honda CRF 1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES has Showa EERATM electronic control suspensions that act electronically, adjusting the damping capacity in real time.

The brakes have a Cornering ABS function that optimizes the system's behavior when cornering. The 310 mmØ wave type front disc has Nissin four-piston radial-mount calipers. The wave-type rear disc is 256 mmØ and has a single-piston caliper. The wheels are spoked with aluminum rims. The front is 21 inches and the rear 18; at the front the tire measures 90/90-21M/C and at the back 150/70B-18M/C, like Tubless on the Adventure Sports versions. The CRF 1100L Africa Twin's curb weight is 215 kg dry, the Adventure Sports version weighs 221 kg dry. Versions equipped with DCT transmission have an extra 10 kg.

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