honda africa twin tft display made in china

Honda has posted an online simulator that lets you play with the Africa Twin’s TFT display.   The online simulator offers current or potential future riders the means to introduce themselves to the display’s functions without having to be on or own one of the machines.

Perhaps the online resource is a hidden nod to the complexity that these types of displays bring.  But kudos to Honda.  They are taking the initiative to allow riders to use and understand the system before making an Africa Twin purchase.

The website provides a simulation of the Africa Twin’s TFT display and left and right-hand control switches.  The simulator allows a rider to adjust the multiple settings available on the bike.

Once at the website, you will see a simulated TFT LCD instrument cluster with technical information on the display.  The visitor can customize the readouts with a click of a button on the left-hand control switch.  It’s found on the lower right portion of your monitor.

Unfortunately, there are no detailed instructions on how to use the simulator.  So you’ll have to fiddle a bit with the controls to understand what they do and how to change its settings.  Still, it’s a decent way to get a feel for the display and what it can do for you.

The new 2020 Honda Africa Twin, no matter what type of Africa Twin you get, has the 6.5-inch touch-panel TFT LCD Multi-information Display with handlebar controls and features like Apple CarPlay and settings for the ABS, Torque Control, wheelie control and more. To help folks understand what’s what before they get out there knot the real-world,

“The electronic technology of the 2020 Africa Twin is amazingly capable, and Honda’s new Multi-Information Display simulator enables customers to more easily get the most out of their machines,” said Chris Cox, Manager of Experiential Marketing & P.R. at American Honda. “We encourage customers—whether they already own an Africa Twin or are in the market for a new adventure bike—to give the tool a try.”

Not only has the basic performance as a motorcycle been thoroughly refined, the new model also features a touch panel TFT LCD multi-information display for infotainment, cornering lights, and other features. It offers a wider range of riding pleasure.

This sensor is capable of measuring yaw, pitch, and roll in six axes. By detecting the vehicle"s attitude accurately and in real time, it enables more precise control of the quickshifter, DCT, HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control), wheelie control, electronic suspension, ABS, cornering lights, etc.

“Actually, it is not so difficult to work on the development of each control system. The difficult part was that there is a lot more information coming from the IMU and all the controls are intertwined in a complex way; for example, if you change the meter program, the engine feeling could change .......”

“You would think so. But despite that impression, all programs are intricately intertwined, and unexpected things often happen when something conflicts with some other instruction. It was a difficult development, as the more we tried our best in each section, the more problems we encountered. However, it was worth working hard for, as we were able to create a system with a high degree of perfection, in which many devices work in harmony and faithfully follow the rider"s will during cornering, acceleration, and deceleration ....... I hope you will try it out in a variety of situations.”

Wheelie control is newly added to Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). When the front and rear wheel speed sensors detect deceleration of the front wheel and acceleration of the rear wheel due to front wheel rise, the engine torque is controlled based on the vehicle pitch angle information from the IMU sensor.

The front face has been completely redesigned while retaining the identity of the previous Africa Twin models. Under the headlight is a cornering light that changes its illumination range in three stages depending on the cornering bank angle (Adventure Sports only). This improves visibility at night.

"My personal recommendation is to display a map on the meter. Even if you don"t have to be navigated, just having a map within easy reach gives you a completely different sense of security.

We also paid attention to the position of the display to ensure that it is neither too high nor too low so that you can always keep your eyes on the road ahead and get information without interfering with your immersion in the riding experience.

“Living in Japan, it may be difficult to take full advantage of the Africa Twin"s potential and use it to blast through the desert. But that"s not the only kind of "adventure" you can have. I hope you"ll take advantage of the CRF1100L"s electrical components and challenge yourself to create your own adventure!”

No manufacturer is immune from the dodgy tribute band effect. We have already run one long list of copycat motorcycles originating from China which rip-off models from Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha among others and yet in 2021 there is now even more material for a second name and shame.

It’s even more powerful than the Iron 883 at 53bhp (unlike the Harley’s 51bhp) from its 650cc twin-cylinder engine. Throw in LED headlights and LCD display and the Xiang Shuai is going a long way to rendering this article incorrect…

Compared with many of the motorcycles on display here, the company imaginatively titled ‘Moto’ has showcased some decent attention to detail in order to create the S450RR, which most will realise is a S1000RR copy even before they see it.

Here, on what is a fairly faithful attempt at copying the Himalayan’s distinctive retro-no-frills style, the G30 treats us to a TFT dashboard, LED lights, inverted forks and a 26hp single-cylinder engine. Swanky!

How blatant? 7/10 How insulting? 5/10 - If the Honda is an African Safari, the Dahaidao is the not-as-advertised wildlife park in the Midlands you experience in a Volvo with the windows up

Using the Honda Africa Twin as your go to clone presents a few risks. For one, it’s a big old model to copy that needs a hefty engine to fill that space, and then it needs to be capable of traversing some of the world’s toughest terrain to fulfil its ADV brief.

As I crest the hill, the track drops down and into a sweeping left hander. I twist the throttle and the big twin engine blasts me down into the turn, the tyres scrabbling for grip as I cut tothe inside line.

In the distance, the blades of a vast wind turbine turn lazily in the midday sun, and as I rip along the trail on the all-new Africa Twin, I can think of nothing I would rather be doing at this precise moment, and to be honest, any other bike I’d rather be doing it on.

When Cyril Neveu won the Dakar rally back in 1986 on an NXR650, neither he nor Honda could have dreamed that the win would lead to the development of the most successful Japanese adventure bike ever.

The first three incarnations of the Africa Twin were produced from 1988 to 2001 and sold more than 73,000 units, gaining both an incredible reputation and legions of fans across the globe. So much so, that even with a layoff for 15 long years, the 2016 Africa Twin was able to quickly return to the head of the sales figures almost as if it had never left.

Since the relaunch, Honda has sold over 86,000 bikes from China to California, outstripping every other manufacturer except BMW and establishing the model as an unstoppable force within the motorcycle market yet again.

So, for the launch of the next generation of the iconic brand, the expectation was definitely on Honda to deliver something special to continue the legacy. But aside from the ‘unofficial leaks’ that the bike was going to get a capacity hike to take it to 1100, advance pictures seemed to show little more than a cosmetic make-over and a wider profile. This did not seem like progress.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the bikes looking quite similar to the 2018 incarnation, the all-new Africa Twin has undergone a total redesign with virtually every single component being either redesigned, reinforced, replaced, lightened or improved by a team of obsessive and dedicated designers and engineers in a process that has more than a hint of ‘Trigger’s Broom’ about it.

Save for the brakes and a few nuts and bolts, everything on this bike is new. The 2020 Africa Twin is more powerful, more agile, lighter and more technically advanced than ever before. Honda’s best, apparently just got a whole lot better.

To show off the fruits of its labours, Honda chose the idyllic island of Sardinia, taking over a beautiful spa resort to the south of Olbia as their base for the launch of the new bike. The whole development team were on site, backed up by a detailed and comprehensive presentation, as a line of immaculately prepared machines sat sparkling in the glare of the autumn sun.

Now we say new bike, but in fact, there are now six different versions of the Africa Twin. There’s the standard bike, which is available without DCT, the Adventure Sports option with or without DCT, and the new kid on the block is the Adventure Sports with EERA (Showa’s Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment) again available with or without DCT.

Slinging my leg over the Adventure Sports, the first and most welcome thing to notice is that you no longer need to be an NBA athlete to touch the ground. Honda have sliced down the seat height by a massive 50mm to a much more sensible 850mm on the lowest setting, or 870mm on the higher setting. But don’t worry, if you actually are a basketball player or indeed a jockey, there are high and low seat options in the accessory catalogue.

There’s also a new subframe, the previous welded steel one being ditched in favour of a motocross-style bolt-on aluminium version which allows greater flexibility and makes the rear of the bike much slimmer. Honda have also taken inspiration from their open class motocross bike for the swingarm, the long and light design contributing to better traction and feel both on and off the tarmac.

And then there’s the dashboard. Honda are playing catch-up with the other brands in bringing a TFT dashboard to the Africa Twin, but they’ve come in strong with a detailed yet unfussy design and layout to replace the LED display on the 1000L.

Turn the key (no keyless tech here) and the 6.5-inch TFT screen goes into its opening sequence with a series of swooshes and graphics that take an embarrassingly long time to finish. You have to tap the screen to accept the disclaimer and the full display comes up.

If you can’t be bothered to wait for all this, Honda have also included a secondary digital display below the TFT that carries basic information meaning that if you are in a rush you can just hit the starter and go. The new Africa Twin is set up for Apple Car play through a Bluetooth connection. More importantly, this means you can run your navigation and entertainment apps on the TFT screen while still seeing how fast you are going and what gear you are in – clever stuff.

On the standard Africa Twin Adventure Sports, there are 14 different buttons for your left thumb to navigate. If you choose the DCT model, the additional paddle shifts take this up to sixteen.

If you are into your tech, you’ll love the options on the new Africa Twin, even if you may need to overlook the somewhat cluttered and complicated way you need to access it. At least there isn’t an App to learn as well …

With enough time spent drooling over tech and frame dimensions, we head out onto the deliciously deserted roads of Sardinia and the bike immediately has that familiar Africa Twin feel.

The wide bars, the tall riding position and the commanding view of the road are all staples of the brand and Honda have not messed with a winning formula. Of course, this being the Adventure Sports version, it’s a bit chunkier than the standard bike, notably from the big new tank that holds nearly 25 litres and will take you a claimed 310 miles between fuel stops.

At the front, the twin 310 mm wave discs and radial-mounted four-pot calipers manage to combine massive stopping power with delicate control and, when combined with the semi-active suspension, ABS and Bridgestone Battlecross AX41T hoops, will allow you to haul the bike up from silly speeds to a standstill without a murmur. At the rear, there’s an equally responsive single-pot caliper and 256mm disc, and with roads lined with those cacti, that’s a massive plus.

It’s like it was made for the route, the thrum of the twin cylinders below making the perfect soundtrack as we scythe through the landscape, blasting past the tall pines and twisted cork trees. It’s on roads like this that all the work on the motor becomes evident. Honda have managed to maintain the distinctive feel and sound from the parallel twin, 270-degree, SOHC lump and yet take everything up a notch and even be Euro 5 compliant in the process.

Although figures like this are impressive and serve to give the bike an appreciable boost, the Africa Twin is still considerably down on peak power compared to the likes of the BMW, KTM and Ducati, as the keyboard warriors have been all too eager to point out.

And while they are indeed correct, the observation misses the point of the Africa Twin. Honda were never trying to match those massive figures with this bike and are doubtless aware that if massive horsepower is your priority, then you probably won’t buy their bike. The beauty and indeed the strength of the Africa Twin has always been the usability and character of the motor, and Honda have not sacrificed that to chase either the figures or the competition.

The Africa Twin now has a six-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that controls everything from traction control to engine braking, wheelie control to cornering ABS, and on the EERA model, this is linked into the active control of the suspension.

After lunch, it’s a short blast on more wonderful roads before we reach the first of the trails and a chance to see how the Africa Twin Adventure Sports and all its new technology copes in the dirt.You can toggle into any of the pre-set riding modes without stopping or even throttling off, and the bike will set the engine and suspension parameters in the blink of an eye.

Selecting ‘Gravel’ mode and a bit more pre-set with the ‘two-passenger’ option, I set off on to the rocky trails that will take us up to Plato Ala. The route flows left and right for mile after mile and from the get-go the Africa Twin is a complete joy to ride. As soon as you stand on the pegs the bike becomes instantly far more like its motocross cousins, the weight and bulk dissolving away and allowing you to get on and enjoy the trails.

The HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) selector is another welcome option. It allows you to decide just how much you want to hang out the back. Set it to ‘1’ or even turn it off and you can slide it like a flat-track hero, or reign it into maximum ‘7’ and the back won’t deviate from the trail one iota.

Both the Africa Twin Adventure Sports and the stock Africa Twin now have cruise control as standard, and although there are few very long or straight roads in Sardinia, there are enough to appreciate the ease of use of the new system, thankfully located on the far less cluttered right-hand switchgear.Also, on this side are the controls for the heated grips, but in 25-degree autumn sunshine it wasn’t too much of a problem.

Other electronic delights include the self-cancelling indicators, emergency stop signal system that sets the indicators flashing on heavy braking, three-stage cornering lights and the uber-cool halo running lights. Oh, and the display on the TFT screen has three different levels of display information. All levels are selectable with a black or white background, with an auto setting that will change over the display if it gets dark or you plunge into an alpine tunnel.

Changing with your finger and thumb takes a bit of concentration to start with, but faced with an unexpectedly winding and fast route back down towards Anela, I have to learn quickly to avoid plummeting to an untimely demise. And within ten minutes or so, I can feel myself getting quicker into and out of the bends and enjoying the whole paddle shift experience, even if the occasional scream or chug from the motor indicates the bike is not enjoying it as much! Honda have sold over 100,000 DCT models since the technology was introduced back in 2009, and now an impressive 43% of all Africa Twin sales are from DCT models.

As the sun slips gently into the distant Mediterranean, we finally arrive back at the hotel. While the Africa Twin’s saddle is beautifully comfortable, after 177 miles on some of the most wonderful roads and the best trails that Sardinia can offer, it’s time for a cool beer by the pool.

So, for the final part of the day, we got to ride the standard bike, and after the barrage of technology and superlatives of the four Africa Twin Adventure Sports bikes, it’s good to be downsizing to the standard bike and more familiar territory.

The revised dimensions of the new Africa Twin make it easier to move around on the bike and get the best out of the motor and the chassis. With the bike in ‘Gravel’ or ‘Off-road’ mode with a tad of traction control, the Africa Twin is a blast. It might make only 101 bhp, but that’s plenty enough to have fun on this bike, and if you opt for the increased adjustability within the ‘User’ mode, you can fine tune the off-road manners of this bike like it’s a Steinway Grand piano.

Armed with a set of chunky Continental TKC 80s, the punchy motor, tweaked Showa suspension and uber-powerful brakes, the bike skips along the trails and through the gnarled olive trees like an enthusiastic mountain goat, and I’m loving it. From rocky climbs to technical descents, flat-out straights to sweeping bends, the Africa Twin devours the landscape in a shower of roost, and I don’t want the day to end.

So, the question has to be, does the next generation of the CRF1100L do justice to the brand? Is it still an Africa Twin? In a word – yes. The new bike has the DNA of the original bike running through it like a stick of rock, and the team of engineers have kept the spirit of the Africa Twin alive.

The new technology makes the Africa Twin bang up to date, offers buyers a genuine reason to upgrade and perhaps more importantly, has improved what was already a very good package. The legend lives on.

Not everything is a hardcore dirt-blaster not everything will even enjoy a global distribution, but it’s worth noting there are some pretty exciting new and updated models due to drop in 2023 from the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, KTM, Benelli and CFMOTO.

Powered by the same 754cc twin found in the company’s Leoncino 800 naked sports bike, the TRK 800 lifts Benelli into a very competitive space in the market currently occupied by the 890 Adventure R and Tenere 700, but won’t seek to go head-to-head with the two in a display of offroad prowess.

The TRK 800 should present as a fine commenter perfectly capable of tackling dirt roads but not straying into technical terrains. With the 502X selling for $10,690 Ride Away and the Leoncino 800 Trail for $13,990, you’d expect the 800 to arrive at $15,000-$16,000 which would put it where we expect the new Honda XL750 Transalp to sit.

Moto Morini first showed the XCape a year ago and it’s fair to say that, while it may not be a household name, the model cuts a sharp figure giving the vibe of an Africa Twin rear end mated to a Ducati front perhaps.

A decent fit-out gifts the XCape switchable ABS, Brembo brakes, adjustable Marzocchi forks and a large 7″ TFT screen. Powered by a 649cc in-line twin and weighing in at a claimed 213kg dry (approx. 231kg fueled), the Chinese-owned Moto Morini puts out a claimed 60Hp and rides on a 19/17-inch wheelset.

Some were hoping for a mid-size Africa Twin but Honda sought to attract the widest possible audience worldwide with a logical extension to the CB500Xand a stepping stone to the Africa Twin.

The Transalp’s 755cc eight-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine puts out a claimed 90hp and hits the trails on a set of 21/18-inch wheels and a claimed weight of 208kg.

The brand new parallel-twin 776cc engine puts out 62kW (83hp) at 8500rpm and 78Nm at 6800rpm, while the 21/17-inch wheelset tackles the terrain complemented by 220mm suspension travel front and rear.

The styling has been renewed and a new TFT display fitted. The WP Xplor suspension has been tuned to offer more all-day comfort while a new windshield promises better airflow. The bike will also be delivered with a Demo Mode which will allow the rider to test the complete suite of electronics for the first 1500 kilometres.

Powered by a 693cc, parallel twin the CL-X Adventure is more scrambler than straight adventure but that style of hybrid can be a lot of fun on the right kind of rides.

The current model sells for $19,399 Ride Away and offers little in the way of electronics, whereas the 2023 model does offer an upgrade in the electronics as well as a colour TFT screen. Any price increases on the $19,399 would push it uncomfortable towards the

The DE has a 21-inch front wheel, longer travel suspension and a longer wheelbase. It now has a Gravel traction control setting, switchable ABS, a 5-inch TFT screen, quickshifter and new, wide footpegs. And the crash bars come standard.

With pricing leaked on the KTM Twins forum, we can see that the KTM 790 Adventure will cost $12,499 MSRP, while the KTM 790 Adventure R will come in at $13,499 MSRP.

There are also three riding modes standard on both bikes, with a fourth “Rally” mode available on the base model, which comes standard on the R bike. The dash is handled by a 5″ TFT display.

With a 7-inch version (above) appearing on the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, Continental’s new MultiViu Sports display platform is a highly adaptable motorcycle instrument cluster based on a scalable development platform easily adapted to diverse applications. The automotive-grade display uses optical bonding technology to provide sharp images, and it will be offered in a number of sizes and aspect ratios in both portrait and landscape format. The TFT display features anti-glare and anti-reflection coatings, an 800x480-pixel resolution (for 5- and 7-inch sizes), a brightness value of 1,000 cd/m² and a contrast of 1,000:1. The Continental developer platform permits customized image content and simplified integration of external services such as weather info or music streaming, with future versions offering touchscreen functionality.

Making it easier to get away but harder to escape, the 2022 Honda Africa Twin will feature compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via its 6.5-inch TFT display (above), matching the full integration that first debuted for the brand on the 2021 Gold Wing. New Africa Twin owners will be able to seamlessly integrate applications and services including music, phone calls and messaging when paired with a required Bluetooth headset.