Honda’s flagship adventure tourer blends comfort, capability and technology into one of the most complete motorcycles money can buy.
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Let’s be real, the ‘perfect’ motorcycle doesn’t actually exist. Ask ten riders what they want, and you’ll get ten completely different wish lists. You’ve got the speed freaks, the comfort lovers, and the crowd that just wants a machine capable of doing it all like touring, corner-carving, dodging traffic, and still look stunning parked outside a café.
This non-stop hunt for the perfect ride is exactly why adventure bikes have completely taken over the world over the last ten years. They’re dangerously close to perfect in the motorcycle scene. The best part? There’s an ADV bike for pretty much any budget nowadays. Brands are working overtime to build the ultimate do-it-all machine, giving us everything from entry-level machines to tech-heavy flagship titans.
Nevertheless, if we are talking about a bike that comes dangerously close to perfecting this formula, the standout contender dominating the conversation isn’t an european heavyweight. Instead, it is a legendary Japanese machine named after an entire continent. It is the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports.
For years, the Africa Twin has carved out a reputation as one of the most capable adventure bikes on the planet. It does not scream for attention, brag about having the highest horsepower, or rely on useless gimmicks. Instead, Honda focused on building a motorcycle that’s genuinely easy to live with.
Design and Features
Lets talk about the design and features. The Africa Twin is a big motorcycle, but somehow Honda has managed to make it look less intimidating than many of its competitors.
The styling remains unmistakably Adventure Sports with its tall stance, large fuel tank, adventure-ready bodywork and signature dual LED headlights. Unlike some modern adventure bikes that look overly complicated, the Honda still carries a purposeful and rugged appearance.
The 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen display remains one of the best units in the segment. It’s bright, responsive and easy to navigate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, making navigation and connectivity incredibly convenient during longer rides.
Since the current generation arrived in 2016, Honda has also packed the bike with every electronic aid you could realistically need. Multiple riding modes, wheelie control, cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control and electronic suspension adjustment are all present, yet none of them feel complicated to operate. Instead, everything feels intuitive, which is exactly how a touring motorcycle should be.
At its heart lies a 1,084cc parallel-twin engine pushing out 102hp and 112Nm of torque. With its 270-degree crankshaft, the bike gives off a deep, distinctive exhaust note and a surge of low-end grunt that feels absolutely perfect for adventure riding. And, of course, it features Honda’s most unique crown jewel, the Dual Clutch Transmission, or DCT.
But raw numbers only tell half the story. The real question is whether all that engineering actually translates into a better riding experience on our Malaysian roads. After spending proper, quality time with the Africa Twin, I can confidently say one thing, this bike makes almost every single ride feel effortless.
Let’s Talk About DCT
Bu before we dive deep, lets take a look at this masterpiece. It is indeed one of the biggest reasons why the Honda Africa Twin feels so completely different from almost every other adventure bike on the market. Yes, its the Honda’s famous DCT.
Now, I know some rider will immediately laugh and giggles when they hear the words “automatic gearbox.” Well, I used to be one of them. For a long time, adventure riding was strictly about raw rider involvement like clutch control, finding the biting point, and slamming through manual gear changes.
Plus, there is no hiding the fact that the DCT system adds some serious weight to the machine. Compared to the standard manual version, you are carrying around roughly 10kg to 11kg of extra hardware. On paper, that sounds like a massive penalty, especially for an adventure bike meant to tackle unpredictable terrain.
But the moment you start riding, that weight completely vanishes. Thankfully, this was not my first time experiencing Honda’s electronic gearbox tech, having recently spent time with their new E-Clutch system on the CBR650R. Because of that, the absence of a traditional clutch lever did not feel weird or intimidating.
Instead, in heavy Malaysian traffic, it completely transforms your relationship with the bike. There is no heavy clutch to constantly pull, no endless shifting between neutral and first, and absolutely zero hand fatigue after spending an hour crawling through brutal rush-hour congestion. You simply focus on navigating the road while the bike handles the gear changes with seamless precision.
What genuinely blew me away was just how intelligent the system is. The gearbox constantly seems to know exactly what gear it needs to be in, making better decisions than I would have most of the time. It shifts smoothly, reacts instantly to throttle inputs, and rarely ever catches you off guard.
If you want options, Honda gives them to you. Drive mode prioritizes pure comfort and fuel economy, while Sport mode holds the gears longer, keeping the engine screaming right in the powerband for a much more aggressive character. And if you ever feel the itch to take total control, you can instantly override the system using the manual shift paddles mounted on the left handlebar.
The truth is, the system works so beautifully that after a few days, I found myself barely touching those manual controls. Honda’s DCT has reached a level of maturity where it feels less like a gimmick and more like a genuine, advantages. My only real complaint? It makes you incredibly lazy. And I mean that in the absolute best way possible.
Riding Experience: On The Road
Well, the first thing that surprised me about the Honda’s flagship ADV was just how easy it is to ride. Looking at it in a parking lot, you’d expect it to feel huge and intimidating. And yes, you definitely notice the weight when pushing it around manually. But once the wheels start moving, the bike somehow feels much smaller than it actually is.
Around town, it never felt like a burden. The combination of the DCT gearbox, light steering and smooth low end torque makes riding through traffic surprisingly effortless. Filtering between cars, making U turns and dealing with Kuala Lumpur’s stop and go traffic felt much easier than I expected from a bike of this size.
In my book, the highway is definitely another natural habitat for the Africa Twin. It’s so incredbily fast that I hit 209 km/h before even realizing how quickly I was moving. On top of that speed, the adjustable windscreen keeps the wind buffet to a minimum, and the upright ergonomics and comfortable seat mean you can ride for hours without feeling it. It is, pure and simple, a flawless riding experience.
Cruise control is another feature I quickly grew to appreciate, especially on longer rides. Honda has also done a great job with the electronics. The different ride modes, traction control, ABS and wheelie control all work perfectly in the background without ever feeling intrusive.
Also, one thing I particularly liked was the fuel range. Filling up the 24.8 litre tank means you stop for fuel far less often than most motorcycles. During my time with the bike, I rarely found myself thinking about fuel, which is exactly what an adventure tourer should do. Parking still requires a bit of attention because of its size.
Riding Experience: Off-Road
You can’t really review an Africa Twin without getting its tyres dirty. So I took the bike to an off road trail not far from my office to see whether it could live up to its legendary reputation.
For a motorcycle of this size, I was genuinely surprised by how manageable it felt once the road turned into gravel and loose dirt. The low centre of gravity and well balanced chassis gave me plenty of confidence from the very beginning. Even when the rear wheel started moving around on loose surfaces, the bike never felt nervous or out of control. Everything happened progressively, making it easy to stay in control.
Switching to Gravel or Off Road mode completely changes the riding experience. The electronics allow a little more freedom by reducing ABS intervention and letting the rear wheel move naturally, giving you more confidence to play around on loose terrain instead of feeling restricted by the rider aids.
This is also where Honda’s DCT system really proves its worth. Without needing to worry about clutch control or changing gears, I could focus entirely on picking my line, controlling the throttle and shifting my body position. It makes off road riding feel much less intimidating, especially for riders who are just starting to explore beyond the tarmac.
The G Switch mode also improves throttle response by reducing clutch slip, making the bike feel more connected to the terrain. The Showa electronic suspension deserves plenty of credit too. It soaked up rocks, ruts and uneven surfaces with ease while keeping the bike composed throughout the ride. Despite its size, the bikes hides its weight remarkably well and feels far more agile than expected.
Verdict
After spending proper time with this Honda Africa Twin, it becomes very easy to understand why this motorcycle has built such a loyal following around the world. It doesn’t dominate the spec sheet. It doesn’t try to be the most powerful or the most extreme motorcycle in the segment.
Instead, it focuses on doing everything exceptionally well. The engine is smooth and torquey. The DCT system genuinely improves everyday usability. The comfort level is outstanding, the electronics are well integrated and the handling inspires confidence regardless of where you’re riding.
Most importantly, the Adventure Sports never feels like hard work, as the bike always feels ready for the task. Is it the perfect motorcycle? Probably not. But after riding it, it’s very easy to argue that the Africa Twin is one of the closest things to it.
A simple favourite question or just facts. Does this bike gets a lot of attention? Yes, people absolutely stare at it. Every fuel stop, every traffic light and every coffee break seems to attract attention. The Africa Twin has that presence that makes people stop and look. Even as someone who normally gravitates towards sportbikes, the bike feels like one of those motorcycles you simply need in your garage.
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