LONG TERMER: Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin

We caught up with Bertie Simmonds to see how he’s getting on with the big adventure bike. Here’s what he said…

Long-term readers will know that I ran the 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. Honda had loaded the bike with extras. This model had the DCT auto gearbox, the lovely big metal panniers, and top-box, as well as extras such as the front-side pipe kit, deflector set, and front fog lights. I put around 4300 miles on the bike and loved every minute of it.

Now, it’s fair to say the Dual Clutch Transmission was something that I got used to rather than ‘loved’. It’s popular, as it snatches 55 per cent of Twinkie sales and I even spoke to many who loved it – but for me it answered a question I’d not yet asked, and it also added around a grand in the overall price and 10 kilos on the lard side of things. I opined at the time that I’d prefer to have a quick-shifter.

When I was told I was the lucky recipient of the Africa Twin, secretly I prayed it would be the bike with a manual gearbox. It seems Honda may have flicked through my old reports as I ended up with the traditionally geared machine – and with a quick-shifter. Hurrah! But then, did they listen? Because, while I loved the looks and image of the Africa Twin (I’ve been a former V-twin owner) I’ve always said I don’t do ‘off-road’. 

Enter stage left 2024’s Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports: oh yes, surely this would be the bike for me. Out goes the 21-inch/90/90 front tyre for a 19-incher with a 110-section tyre which is much more suited to the ‘only’ road riding I’ll be doing in 2024. The seat height and semi-active suspension is set lower, which helps as I have ‘Welsh legs’ as my Nan told me. That is, while I may be a tad over six foot, I have a long body and not so long legs, which helps when you’re standing on mountains. That’s what she said, honest.

But, when I went to pick the bike up it had a 21-inch front and no luggage, so it was clearly not the Adventure Sport. Now, the AS has an adjustable seat height of between 835-855mm and this compares to the standard AT which has a seat height of between 850-870mm as standard. So, I sized up my quarry and doing the old, approved Bertie ‘Bruce Lee’ roundhouse kick, I was able to get those sculpted Welsh pins over that plank of a seat. Yes, it’s a plank – but I used to be able to do 150 miles in one hit on the old version, so I doubt I will have any other issues.

So, what are my first plans? Well, it’s simple: firstly, see if the seat is in the high position. Secondly, get some luggage (the black plastic Urban Pack stuff Honda does looks cool), and thirdly, get a dongle for it so I can link up to my phone without a wire going betwixt phone and the bike. I may also get a tank bag. After that, I’m hoping to enjoy this Africa Twin as much as I’ve enjoyed the previous two. Wish me luck.

Bertie Simmonds / One month / 369 miles