Honda Adds New Tricolor Africa Twin To Its Lineup for 2021
The iconic white, blue, red color scheme is back for the standard Africa Twin.
Honda has been known for creating bold color schemes going back to the 80s with its XR/XL line. The original XRV650 Africa Twin released in 1988 in the White, Blue, Red livery is still one of the best looking bikes Honda has ever produced. When the Africa Twin returned in 2016, the Tricolor option was a nod to the iconic early Africa Twins and it became one of the most sought after colors for many would-be owners.
After Honda completely revamped the Africa Twin in 2020, bumping it up from 1000 to 1100cc, this eye-pleasing color scheme was noticeably missing from the options list for the standard Africa Twin. Honda only made it available for the Adventure Sports model. For 2021, we’re happy to see the Tricolor graphics are coming back!
After a comprehensive update to the standard Africa Twin for 2020 with almost no bolt left untouched, it appears the only change for 2021 will be the new Tricolor graphics. But we must admit, the 2021 Africa Twin does look stunning in what Honda calls their ‘Pearl Glare White Tricolor’ color scheme. While we are big fans of the previous years’ Tricolor models matched with gold rims, this time Honda is going with black rims. Somehow though, the black rims along with black plastics, offset with a white frame and red/white striping offers a more-subtle look that is quickly growing on us.
The all-new Tricolor paint job joins the existing Grand Prix Red and Matte Ballistic Black options for the standard Africa Twin. So far the new graphics have only been announced for Europe, but we are hopeful they will bring it here to the USA too. Currently, the U.S. only gets the Matte Ballistic Black option, so a little more color would be appreciated. We’ll report back when we learn more information from Honda. For now, enjoy the view!
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Specs
| Engine Type | SOHC liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and Uni-cam |
| Displacement | 1084cc |
| Bore & Stroke | 92mm x 81.5mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 100.6 hp (75kW) @ 7500rpm |
| Max. Torque | 77.4 ft.-lbs. (105 Nm) @ 6250rpm |
| Oil Capacity | 4.8/4.3 (5.2/4.7 DCT) |
| Fuel System | PGM-FI |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 5 gallon (18.8L) |
| Fuel Consumption | 48 MPG (20.4km/L) MT; 49 MPG (20.8km/L) DCT |
| Starter | Electric |
| Battery Capacity | 12V-6Ah Li-ion battery (20hr) |
| ACG Output | 490 watts @ 5000rpm |
| Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate with coil springs, aluminium cam assist and slipper clutch; DCT – 2 wet multiplate clutches with coil springs |
| Transmission Type | 6 speed manual (6 speed DCT) |
| frame Type | Semi double cradle |
| Dimensions (L´W´H) | 91.7 in. x 37.8 in. x 54.9 in. (2330mm x 960mm x 1395mm) |
| Wheelbase | 62 in. (1575mm) |
| Caster Angle | 27.5° |
| Trail | 4.4 in. (113mm) |
| Seat Height | 33.5/34.3 in. (850/870mm); low seat option 32.5 in. (825mm); high seat option 35.2 in. (895mm) |
| Ground Clearance | 9.8 in. (250mm) |
| Wet Weight (EU) | MT 501 lbs (US); DCT 524 (US) |
| Front Suspension | Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustments, 9.1 in (230mm) stroke |
| Rear Suspension | Monoblock aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with Showa gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustments, 8.7 in. (220mm) rear wheel travel |
| Front Wheel | 21M/C x MT2.15 wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rear wheel | 18M/C x MT4.00 wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21″ |
| Rim Size Rear | 18″ |
| tires Front | 90/90-21M/C 54H (tube type) (Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer AX41T / Metzler Karoo Street) |
| tires Rear | 150/70R18M/C 70H (tube type) (Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer AX41T / Metzler Karoo Street) |
| ABS System Type | 2 channel with IMU Selectable ABS MODE with on-road and off-road setting |
| front brakes | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| rear brakes | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with single piston caliper and sintered metal pads. 2-Channel with rear ABS off mode. |
| Instruments | LCD Meter, TFT 6.5inch touch panel multi information display |
| Security System | Immobilizer, security alarm (optional) |
| Headlight | LED |
| Taillight | LED |
| Electrics | Daytime running lights, Bluetooth audio and Apple Carplay, USB socket, auto turn signal cancel, cruise control, emergency stop signal, IMU, HSTC and wheelie control) |
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Honda need to alter the cruise control lower limit down for 3rd gear and 40km for residential and school zones.
Most cars don’t even do that.
? Both my BMW cars can handle 40kph school zones easily, and a previous VW as well… the new Africa Twin needs a firmware update for School zones and residential zones (driveway) safety which mean 40 kph 3rd – just fyi my KTM 1190R (McCrusie) can do 1st gear 20kph or any gear any speed and in school zones i can be sure to pick up any kids darting out and hit my brakes. CC allows the rider to 100% scan the road ahead and never divert his eyes away in fear of a $500 fine or loss of licence. It should be called enhanced mode. I have now owned a Triumph Exp, a KTM and an Africa Twin with CC and it’s way way more than a freeway tool. It becomes a full co-pilot when used correctly. But atm the Honda is stuck in the past with 60kph 4th gear CC limits.
Hmmmm, need to be able to engage cruise at 30kph. That’s the speed limit in play ground zones around here. AND, my car engages at 30kph (Volvo). Being able to engage cruise @ 30kph means I can set it in play ground / school zones and not speed.
the height of the seat should be increased, the same should be done in blue and above all, do not experiment but RETURN THE GOLD WHEELS
OMG .I’m about to lay down $30,000 for the Africa Twin, please don’t tell me the wheels are black???
What happened to gold forks/ gold rims??
Maybe that’s a deal breaker.