The Honda Africa Twin Automatic is the only variant to be launched in India, priced quite steeply.
At every Auto Expo, Honda’s two-wheeler arm has something big to announce. At the 2014 Auto Expo, it was the CBR650F and at the last Auto Expo in 2016, they announced their plans to launch the Africa Twin in India. But before you get too excited, there is some bad news.
While Honda plans to locally assemble the adventure bike in India via the CKD route at its Manesar plant, its price will be at a premium as a recent report states it will be priced around Rs. 13.8 lakhs (ex-showroom). This makes the Honda Africa Twin look overpriced in front of competition like the Kawasaki Versys 1000 and the Triumph Tiger range.
The Honda Africa Twin will be launched in July 2017 and will be available with only a DCT gearbox, thus becoming an apt adventure bike who like to ride without wanting to take control of the cogs. Powering the Honda Africa Twin is a 998cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that produces 94 BHP and 97 Nm. It is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox as well.
Also known as the CRF1000L, the Africa Twin is popular for its off-road performance and boasts of a high ground clearance, long wheelbase, switchable ABS, three mode traction control system known as Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and a high-tensile steel semi-double cradle frame. Will the Japanese automaker sell the Africa Twin in good numbers or will it be a mediocre seller like the CBR650F which found 16 homes (the Kawasaki Z800 sold around 20 units) last month?
Honda Africa Twin Automatic Launch
– Honda planning Africa Twin launch in India in July 2017
– The adventure bike will only come with an automatic DCT version
– Honda will locally assemble the Africa Twin in India
Source – AutocarIndia.com