Hey, I just got my hand on the 2022 Honda Africa Twin and I must say, I was eager to put it to the test. The Africa Twin is a classic adventure bike with a long and storied history that has been updated for the modern era. Many riders consider it to be one of the best adventure bikes on the market, and today, I aim to find out if lives up to its name.

The 2022 model of the Africa Twin has been engineered with a focus on both comfort and performance, making it an ideal choice for both on-road and off-road riding. At the heart of the Africa Twin is its 1084cc parallel-twin engine. This engine is capable of producing 101 horsepower and 77 lb-ft of torque, while still maintaining good fuel efficiency.

Did I mention that it was the 6-speed automatic version (DCT for dual clutch tansmission) that I had my hands on? A good thing yes and no. The good thing is that this will enable me to compare with the Rebel 1100, which got a similar power plant and that I’ve tested earlier this season.

While I appreciated the chance to compare the two, I wish I could have also tried the manual version. My off-road experience has taught me to trust my own skills more than electronics, but I heard that it’s good to push beyond our comfort zones and try new things.

If you have read my previous reviews, you know that I’m not a big fan of bells and whistles, and this one has a lot! Right from the start, I had to read the booklet before taken off… making me feel more like a jet fighter pilot!

On the other hand, if you like to fine tune your bike, you’ll be thrilled! The Africa Twin comes with an extensive range of electronic aids and driving modes.  You get to choose between four engine power outputs, seven torque control level, on/off ABS switch, four suspension preloads. And the pre-set driving mode includes Tour, Urban, Gravel and two customable users.

You also get five heated grip stage, Bluetooth control, cruise control, paddle shifters, auxiliary power outlet for a GPS, a USB port has well an adjustable windshield.  The bike also has a new instrument panel, which is touch screen, easier to read, and offers more information than the previous model. In the end, I would be lying if I say that I didn’t try and used pretty much everything that the A.T. had to offer.…

As you can see in this picture, it is built to endure the toughest terrain, and the sturdy frame, handguards, and skid plate are testament to this. Honda Motorcycles didn’t cut corners when they designed the Africa Twin.

Accompanied by a L.E.D. headlight, 18 and 21 inch spoke wheels and a ground clearance of 9.8 inched, this motorcycle is more than ready for wherever you wish to go and in whatever weather conditions.

The bike is well balanced and not as high as I expected once seated with a seat height between 33.5 and 34.3 inches. The driving position is comfortable and the switch between seated and standing up is easy and natural. The redesign windshield work well and is easy to adjust as well.

Since I’m no off-road professional, I didn’t push the limit on the A.T., but I can say that I didn’t felt overwhelmed at any time. When you use to setting properly, even with the DCT, the bike behaviour is great and predictable. I had a lot of fun off-roading and play around with it.

One thing that change everything for me is that the driving mode doesn’t only affect the engine setting but also suspension stiffness. So harder on highway (Tour), medium around town (Urban) and soft for gravel and special off road for off-roading.

Personally, I liked it a lot. It’s the first time since I’m riding motorcycles that had driving mode that I’ve used it this much… This feature is a game-changer, making riding in various conditions more enjoyable.

Do you plan to go off-road only occasionally or not at all? No problem! The bike is also great to ride on highways and around town. This Honda has all the features necessary to provide an enjoyable and comfortable ride both on and off-road.

If I compare the two bikes, the big difference between the Rebel and the Africa twin is the throttle response, strangely enough, is smoother on the A.T. … Same thing for the DCT, whose shifting is smoother  an closer to normal shifting behavior. This made the Africa Twin more enjoyable overall with the DCT in my humble opinion.

The 2022 Honda Africa Twin is an excellent choice for those looking for an adventure motorcycle and for those who appreciate good styling and a classic look. And with a fuel tank capacity of 18.9 Liters and a decent fuel consumption, you will have plenty of freedom to go explore and not worry too much about finding the next gas station.

In closing, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, our readers, for taking the time to read our reviews and being part of the community!

Do you own an adventure motorcycle or have questions about the Africa Twin? Let me know in the comments!

Be safe on the road!

Jean-Sébastien Mackay
Knuckle / LeCarnetMoto.com