Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Unveiled at EICMA 2026: Specs

Honda gave the CRF1150L Africa Twin series its world premiere at EICMA 2026 in Milan on 3 November 2026. It is a 27YM (2027 model year) adventure bike with a 1,131 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine rated at 87.5 kW at 7,500 rpm and 119 Nm at 5,700 rpm. There are three versions, and the Adventure Sports DCT can be fitted with Honda SENSING RIDE, a radar-based rider-assistance system. Honda has not announced prices or on-sale dates in the pages used here.

The three versions

• Africa Twin: the standard model, with an updated platform, engine and rider interface.
• Africa Twin Adventure Sports: 24-litre fuel tank, 19-inch front wheel, and the option of Honda SENSING RIDE.
• Africa Twin Enduro Sports (new): off-road focused, with front suspension based on the one on Honda's CRF450 RALLY.

Il Sole 24 ORE reports that the Enduro Sports is about 9 kg lighter than the standard bike, with longer-travel suspension and more ground clearance. Honda's release does not give an overall weight; it says the new frame and swingarm are 1.4 kg lighter than the previous generation.

Engine figures

Honda lists 1,131 cc, 87.5 kW and 119 Nm. Il Sole 24 ORE says the twin has been enlarged and makes about 17 hp and 7 Nm more than the previous generation, a rise of roughly 16.5 per cent in power. These comparisons come from the Italian outlet, not from the Honda page.

Chassis and electronics

• Showa EERA electronically controlled suspension with Honda Skyhook on the standard and Adventure Sports models.
• Six default riding modes.
• A fuel sub-tank under the seat, to lower the centre of gravity.
• Recycled and plant-based materials in some parts.
• Il Sole 24 ORE also lists a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity and a Smart Key as standard.

What Honda SENSING RIDE does

In a separate EICMA release, Honda introduced Honda SENSING RIDE, a rider-assistance system for motorcycles. It uses a millimetre-wave radar unit at the front and rear to detect surroundings, and gives notifications, warnings and operating assistance. Honda lists these functions:

• Adaptive Cruise Control, and ACC with Stop and Go
• Group Ride Assist and Distance Assist
• Emergency Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning
• Brake Pulse
• Blind Spot Information
• Rear Collision Warning and Rear Distance Information

The system works with Honda's automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), and the 27YM CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports is the first model to get it. Honda says the systems have limits and may not work as intended depending on road, weather and vehicle conditions, so riders should stay attentive.

Terms explained

A parallel twin has two cylinders side by side in a line. DCT stands for dual-clutch transmission: two clutches handle odd and even gears so that gear changes happen automatically, without the rider using a clutch lever. Skyhook is Honda's name for a control method that adjusts semi-active suspension damping using sensor data, so that the suspension firms up or softens as conditions change. Millimetre-wave radar sends out radio waves of very short wavelength and measures the reflections to judge the distance and speed of vehicles around the bike.

What else Honda showed

The Africa Twin sits within a wider Honda line-up for 2027 that includes the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade series, the V3R 900 E-Compressor, the Honda RN0 electric-assist mountain bike, the ADV125 commuter and the CBR500R FOUR, which has Honda's E-Clutch automatic clutch control. Honda's overview page gives no prices or on-sale dates for these models either, so any figures that appear elsewhere before Honda announces them should be treated as unofficial.

Dates and what is not yet known

The press days at EICMA were 3 and 4 November, and the public days are 5 to 8 November 2026. Honda has not published prices, on-sale dates or an India launch plan in the sources used. As of 4 November 2026 these figures are the manufacturer's announced specifications for the show models.

Sources

• EICMA 2026: Honda Presents World Premiere of CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Bike Series Models, Honda Global
• Honda Introduces Honda SENSING RIDE Advanced Safety and Rider-Assistive System for Motorcycles, Honda Global
• Eicma 2026: Honda unveils the future of its motorbike and scooter range, Il Sole 24 ORE

Image credits: Cover photo: 2026 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT by Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0. Pictures from Wikimedia Commons.