Photo: insella.it
It looks like Honda's internal security system is still penetrable, as the first video of the Africa Twin in action has made it to the wire. Apparently, the black and white sequences have been shot during a test ride, and the cuts have been quickly put together into a more coherent video, give or take.
All the video bits come from onboard cameras, even though it looks like at least two cameras on a second motorcycle have captured the new CRF1000L Africa Twin in its entirety. It is impossible to tell now whether both bikes are Africa Twin, but we'd rather put our money on the fact that they are.
If anything, it looks more like the stock exhaust of the new BMW R1200GS. This, in turn, makes us believe that we might see the rise of a new trend in adventure bike exhaust design.
The cameras also show that the bars are loaded with several buttons, and this makes us believe that the new Africa Twin might arrive with switchable engine maps, and possibly, traction control, especially as TCS has become a standard feature on most modern bikes, sport, street or adventure as they might be.
We can't see an ABS ring on the right front rotor, and we can therefore assume it is located on the left one, like the prototype showed. All bikes sold in Europe will be equipped with mandatory ABS, so things are most likely settled in this matter.
it is yet impossible to tell whether the front wheel of this Africa Twin is a 19" or a 21" one because the camera angle is offering a weird perspective. With the wire spoked wheels, we'd go for the 21" version, honestly.
In the end, the bike showed in the debut of the video might be the DCT one. You can see the rider's thumb reaching to what might have be a - button under the grip. And the lowering revs might also indicate downshifting before a stop, but this is already guessing territory. Scroll down in the video window and enjoy!
A sporty, modern exhaust and busy bars
Aside the classic sound of the parallel twin engine, the video shows a different exhaust than what the Africa Twin prototype Honda brought at EICMA had. The cylindrical can of the prototype was replaced by a modern, boxy one with dual vents.If anything, it looks more like the stock exhaust of the new BMW R1200GS. This, in turn, makes us believe that we might see the rise of a new trend in adventure bike exhaust design.
The cameras also show that the bars are loaded with several buttons, and this makes us believe that the new Africa Twin might arrive with switchable engine maps, and possibly, traction control, especially as TCS has become a standard feature on most modern bikes, sport, street or adventure as they might be.
We can't see an ABS ring on the right front rotor, and we can therefore assume it is located on the left one, like the prototype showed. All bikes sold in Europe will be equipped with mandatory ABS, so things are most likely settled in this matter.
it is yet impossible to tell whether the front wheel of this Africa Twin is a 19" or a 21" one because the camera angle is offering a weird perspective. With the wire spoked wheels, we'd go for the 21" version, honestly.
In the end, the bike showed in the debut of the video might be the DCT one. You can see the rider's thumb reaching to what might have be a - button under the grip. And the lowering revs might also indicate downshifting before a stop, but this is already guessing territory. Scroll down in the video window and enjoy!
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