NEW DELHI:
Redefining adventure-touring in India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd. today launched its first BS-VI compliant big bike – the 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports!
Inheriting the “go anywhere” spirit of its celebrated predecessors, #TrueAdventure gets bigger with 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports. A completely brand new adventurer from the wheels up, the 2020 Africa Twin brings with it the look and feel of a true rally machine. Smaller, slimmer and 5 kg lighter, Honda’s off-roader legend gets a new bigger engine, new lightweight chassis, new electronics, new suspension, and is power- packed with loads of new features for total control on all terrains!
Celebrating its origins as the adventure machine developed to conquer the brutal Dakar Rally (world’s toughest rally championship), the brand new 2020 Africa Twin was today launched in both Manual (for the first time) and DCT transmission variants by Ricky Brabec (Reigning 2020 Dakar Rally World Champion from Monster Energy Honda Team).
Today was the maiden India visit of the 28-year-old Honda champion, who created history earlier this January as the first American rider ever to conquer the Dakar challenge. Elaborating on the significance of the 2020 new Africa Twin and Honda’s plans ahead, Minoru Kato, President, CEO & Managing Director, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Honda today started the BS-VI era of its premium motorcycling business. And we are delighted to bring to India, the two ultimate world champions of Adventure for the first time ever – Ricky Brabec (2020 Dakar rally world champion from Monster Energy Honda Team) and the 2020 Africa Twin in Manual transmission as well! We are confident that the 2020 Africa Twin will take adventure to the next level. Going ahead, expect a lot more excitement from the BigWing (Honda’s premium motorcycling business).”
Announcing the bookings for Africa Twin Adventure Sports, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Since its Indian debut in 2017, the mighty Africa Twin’s tribe celebrates over 200 adventure lovers. The all-new 2020 Africa Twin unleashes more power for the #TrueAdventure lovers. Simply put, it’s brand new from ground up – new frame, new bigger engine, more peak power & peak torque, new electronics, new suspension enhancing the legend’s long range off-road capabilities. Bookings for the two variants – DCT and Manual start from today itself! So get ready to conquer all terrains.”
There are many reasons why the 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports is brand new from ground up.
The legend now gets bigger 1,084 cc parallel twin engine, up from the previous 998cc. The new engine produces 12% more peak power, 11% more peak torque and is much stronger everywhere in the rev range.
Lighter Yet Powerful
New Africa Twin has shed a lot of weight; it is 5kg lighter yet powerful offering 10% more power to weight ratio. The Lithium Ion battery offers 1.6 times longer shelf life and 4 times longer durability. The 2020 Africa Twin brings forth the Technology from the “Dakar” machine CRF450R moto-crosser. The frame has been completely revised and now features a bolt-on aluminium subframe. The swingarm, too, is aluminium.
IMU – the secret behind Total Control
At the center of the Africa Twin is the new six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The IMU controls the Throttle by Wire (TBW) and expanded 7 level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). Additionally, the IMU also controls 4 new technologies introduced in 2020 model for the first time – Wheelie Control, Cornering ABS with off-road setting, New Rear
Lift Control and Cornering Detection:
1. Wheelie Control allows rider to choose between 3 levels of Input. Level 1 allows for intended wheel lift but suppresses any sudden movement, level 3 stops any front wheel elevation and level 2 is mid-way between the two.
2. Cornering ABS with off-road setting distributes the maximum brake force to each wheel based on the riding situation, ensuring the best braking performance under cornering conditions. Off-Road setting also joins the default riding modes of Urban, Tour and Gravel plus two customizable user settings to cover most riding conditions.
3. Rear Lift Control allows the rear wheel from lifting off the ground under heavy braking
4. Cornering Detection feature in the DCT variant recognizes when the bike is cornering and adjusts for the most natural gear changes.
Comfortable Ride
Africa Twin’s bodywork gets more aggressive and compact designed to work better off-road. Tailored for complete control, the riding position features a slimmer-section seat and higher-set handlebars.
For 2020, Africa Twin gets NEW Adjustable 5-stage windscreen adjustable up to 60mm and new Heated grips.
Dual LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) provide consistent daytime visibility.
Cornering Lights automatically illuminate corner blind spots depending on speed and lean angle.
Tubeless tires take away the pain of roadside repairs.
ACC charging socket keeps your electronic devices charged on the go.
Cruise Control too is now fitted as standard to ease long distance highway travel.
Adding to the long distance off touring capabilities is the NEW larger capacity fuel tank of 24.8 liters.
Smart Convenience
A first for Honda is the full colour newMulti Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen display with the Apple CarPlay® & Bluetooth connectivity feature. The MID can also be customized to show various levels of information relative to the riding mode chosen, and is easy to use even when wearing gloves.
Accessories
A full range of genuine Honda accessories is available for both versions of the Africa Twin, including top box, visor, quick shifter, main stand, rally step, engine guard, front fog light, wind screen (smoke) and more.
Price and Availability
For 2020, joining the DCT variant for the first time is the much loved Manual transmission of Africa Twin as well.
Starting today, Honda has started the bookings for 2020 Africa Twin at its premium BigWing dealerships. Price starts from an attractive Rs. 15.35 lac (ex-showroom, pan India).
