• Six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit located in the centre of the machine
• Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment now an option
• Revised, lighter frame with bolt-on aluminium subframe
• Cornering ABS provides sure-footed braking and features an off-road setting
• New damping and spring rates for the standard Showa suspension
• Tubeless tyres make for easy roadside repairs
In conjunction with the addition of IMU control for its 2020 evolution the strength and rigidity balance of the steel semi-double cradle frame was completely re-examined by Honda’s development engineers to reinforce its all-round ability on- and off-road.
Rigidity around the steering head has been optimised to enhance feel for front end grip; the main spars are also slimmer and straighter and do away with the front cross pipe. Frame weight is 1.8kg lighter than before.
A bolt-on aluminium subframe replaces the integral steel structure of the previous design and is 40mm slimmer at a width of 195mm – crucial for easier ground reach. The Monoblock aluminium swingarm is all-new, 500g lighter and based on the same design used by the CRF450R. Its improved rigidity improves rear wheel traction and rider feel.
To tailor damping force front and rear – and spring preload to suit load and riding conditions – Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment is available in Australia on one of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports variants.
Showa EERA™ adjusts damping force relative to riding mode selected and aims to deliver high-quality suspension reaction in diverse and opposite conditions - riding comfort at slower speeds and stability at higher speeds.
Input is gathered from stroke sensors plus Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). There are three road settings: SOFT has the lowest damping force for smoothest reaction, versatile MID operates as an all-round setting with HARD, using the highest damping force through low-to-high stroke speed, designed for sportier riding.
There is an OFF-ROAD setting that gradually raises front fork damping force as stroke speed rises and uses higher damping settings for the rear shock.
Rear spring preload can be electronically adjusted while stationary, through four default settings; 1) riding solo, 2) riding solo with luggage, 3) riding two-up and 4) riding two-up with luggage. A USER option allows for fine-tuning of damping force front and rear and 24 points of rear spring preload.
The Africa Twin Adventure Sports Manual and DCT variants offer standard Showa suspension. With stroke length of 230mm, the 45mm cartridge-type inverted front fork offers long-travel bump absorption and features revised internal settings to improve all-round performance. Rebound and compression damping are fully adjustable. A cast aluminium top yoke and forged bottom yoke – joined by hollow aluminium stem shaft – clamp the fork legs with two bolts each top and bottom.
Similarly revised to match the front suspension, the rear shock delivers 220mm axle travel and features a 46mm cylinder and remote reservoir for stable damping control under extreme off-road riding conditions. Spring preload can be adjusted via a dial on the shock body; rebound and compression damping are also fully adjustable. The swingarm pivot points’ inner plates now use 600MPa high-strength steel and the upper cross tube that connects them acts as the rear shock upper mount through a pillow-ball joint.
The IMU takes in lean angle, deceleration (from front/rear wheel speed sensors) and incorporates the slip rate of the front and rear wheels to manage braking pressure through the ABS. Likewise if it detects sudden rear wheel lift, it finely controls brake force to maintain stability. When stationary the rear ABS can be cancelled for off-road riding.
Ground clearance remains 250mm, with wheelbase of 1575mm and rake and trail of 27.5° /113mm. Wet weight has been reduced by 5kg on the Manual version to 238kg, with DCT at 248kg. The Showa EERATM variant adds a further 2kg.
As before compact two-piece radial-mount four-piston calipers work dual 310mm ‘wave’ floating discs through sintered pads. The rear 256mm ‘wave’ disc features hole punching and shaping.
To make puncture repair easier when on tour the 21/18-inch front and rear (stainless steel) spoked wheels wear tubeless Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross Tourer AX41T or Metzeler Karoo Street tyres, sized 90/90-21M/C 54H and 150/70R18 M/C 70H. Block pattern tyres (Continental 90/90-21M/C 54S and 150/70B 18M/C 70Q are also approved for fitment.