Today Honda has officially confirmed the return of the Africa Twin which will be released later this year as a 2016 model. We received a sneak peek of the new CRF1000L Africa Twin when Honda unveiled a mud covered prototype called the “True Adventure” at last year’s Milan EICMA motorcycle show.

Honda states the new Africa Twin will share the same “go-anywhere” off-road focus of the original Dakar Rally winning Africa Twins of the 80’s and 90’s, along with all-day comfort to explore long distances.

Honda said in a release: “The new Africa Twin remains true to all the attributes and abilities of the XRV650 and its successor, the XRV750, while adding the benefits of everything Honda has learned on and off-road over the last decade, including Team HRC’s return to the Dakar in 2013.”

New photos partially reveal a stunning red, white and black paint scheme for the all-new 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin.

The 2016 Africa Twin will feature a 1000cc parallel-twin and a new version of its Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology as an option. A similar system is available in the NC700X/NC750X and VFR1200X Crosstourer. DCT eliminates the need to operate the clutch, and automatically selects the best gear for the riding conditions. Honda says the latest evolution of DCT has been specifially developed “to provide the off-road ability with which the Africa Twin is synonymous.”

2016 CRF1000L Africa Twin is set to shake up the Adventure Touring market with a model that attempts to redefine what a large capacity Adventure Bike can do. It’s a new phase for Honda, which in recent years has shied away from building truly off-road capable Adventure Bikes. The new Africa Twin will be released in Europe at the end of 2015 and is expected to be in U.S. dealers early next year.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.