New Honda Africa Twin Coming for 2020
Honda is teasing a new “True Adventure” model for 2020 which is expected to be a large Africa Twin displacing around 1100cc. Honda Motorcycles Europe has released a video to hype the new model (you’ll have to take Honda’s word for it, as no bike actually appears in the teaser) while Honda UK has opened a mailing list for people to receive updates on the new adventure bike and other 2020 models.
The current Africa Twin is still a relatively new model, only introduced for the 2016 model year with the Adventure Sports version following in 2018. Why would Honda release a larger model so soon?
The impending Euro 5 regulations may be one reason. Increasing the displacement will help Honda meet the tighter emissions and sound level requirements, while also helping improve performance. That may be especially important if Honda wants to compete with the likes of the BMW R1250GS, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, Triumph Tiger 1200 and other adventure-touring models that already hold a displacement advantage over the 999cc Africa Twin.
British site Bike Social claims to have some inside knowledge on the new Africa Twin, reporting a 1080cc engine claiming 101 hp and 79 lb-ft. Bike Social also claims the Africa Twin will get the Adventure Sports version’s larger fuel tank.
Honda hasn’t mentioned when we can expect official details on the new 2020 Africa Twin; considering the teaser didn’t even show the bike, Honda’s probably going to release bits and pieces of information over the next few weeks.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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So still not enough power to directly compete with the 'big boys' but far enough away from an inevitable 800cc AT. As others have mentioned it needs cruise and tubeless tires, even the KTM 790 R sports tubeless rims and cruise option and that is the most hardcore ADV bike out now. The KTM 790 and Yamaha Tenere 700 should force the hand of other mfg's. to jump in with serious middleweight offerings. A hard core V-Strom? New uber KLR?
Oh Boy! A bigger ADV. Maybe Kawasaki can repurpose the Vulcan 2,000 engine in a newer KLR2,000. Put a 15 gallon tank on it.