Today we have all types of motorcycles available in different segments. But not every offering excels at doing all this. In general, adventure bikes are best here, as they make the least compromises. Flagship ADVs take things up a notch by offering top-tier performance, ride enhancing electronics and unique underpinnings including electronic suspension to make the most of their adaptive layout. The BMW R 1300 GS is a solid choice, and the Ducati Multistrada V4 is also a solid choice. However, Honda’s flagship ADV leaves these popular Europeans behind, thanks to standout features like a standard automatic transmission, while it also undercuts the base trim levels of its immediate rivals.
Honda Excels is building do-it-all motorcycles
The fame of the do-it-all motorcycle lies in its uncompromising versatility. These bikes are designed to seamlessly transition between touring, corner carving, commuting, and even trail riding. Depending on the segments, some exclusive motorcycles also combine economy and utility with comfort and ergonomics. Surprisingly, every motorcycle segment has some offerings, and most of them come from Honda.
This also includes sports bikes, where the Honda CBR650R E-Clutch stands out with its comfortable ergonomics and clutchless shifting convenience. Among naked bikes, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP and CB750 Hornet do a commendable job of touching most of the bases. This is another Honda, the Rebel 1100 DCT, that shows us how versatile a cruiser bike can be.
Honda ADV extends its do-it-all appeal
Generally, ADVs are best suited for the “do it all” tag because they blend on-road comfort with off-road capabilities. The rugged styling is useful for both dirt and tarmac. Touring, commuting, off-roading and even moderate corner-carving skills are covered. Top-tier ADVs do it best, offering the best performance, technology, hardware and comfort. While almost all major manufacturers have a bit of this premium segment to offer, Honda stands out with the Africa Twin, which does it all without any compromise, especially the loaded Adventure Sports ES model.
2026 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES excels everywhere
Price: $17,799
The standard Honda Africa Twin is already a great adventure bike that can do it all. The higher-spec Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES takes it up a notch by packing a larger fuel tank, standard electronic suspension, smaller road-biased wheels, a larger windscreen and offering lower suspension travel to improve tarmac comfort. At the same time, off-roading capabilities are still strong here.
The standard Africa Twin and Adventure Sports ES models are related in the same way as the BMW R 1300 GS and R 1300 GSA. But Honda does a better job of balancing all the functions despite the extra features and weight in the Adventure Sports ES model. It’s this balance that helps the most tech-savvy Honda Africa Twin model to excel everywhere.
The torque-rich engine makes it a versatile go-anywhere motorcycle
Powering the top-spec Africa Twin model is a familiar 1,084 cc parallel-twin engine. The versatility of this engine has been proven by its application on the Rebel 1100 cruiser bike and the NT1100 sport-tourer. On the Adventure Sports ES model, this engine is tuned for low- and mid-range torque.
This character helps the Africa Twin to be active on city roads, sit comfortably at medium speed RPM on highways and provide that extra punch to tackle challenging terrains. It has a low compression ratio of 10.5:1, which helps in producing 100.5 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 82 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm.
Its automatic transmission helps a lot in urban driving
Paying the extra $800 to include the automatic dual-clutch transmission can really improve the riding experience. Honda is one of the first manufacturers to deploy DCT gearboxes on a large scale on motorcycles. Its origins can be traced to the 2010 VFR1200F sport-tourer.
Over the years, the technology has been refined, and today it is so versatile that it can be adapted for use on ADVs, sport-tourers and luxury tourers. In fact, Honda has recently updated its six-speed DCT on the Africa Twin to deliver a smoother and more natural ride experience at low speeds. There are two settings here – automatic and manual. The automatic setting has two modes (Drive and Sport), and the manual setting offers more engagement via handlebar-mounted paddle shifters.
An example of how Honda has modified their DCT gearbox to work well on ADV is the “G” (Gravel) mode. This helps reduce clutch slip and provides a more direct connection between the throttle and the rear wheel. In simple terms, it offers better traction, better cornering and the ability to corner and slide on gravel or dirt without the intervention of a sophisticated gearbox.
A huge fuel tank to help it go far
One big difference between the standard Africa Twin and the Adventure Sports ES is the significantly larger 6.6-gallon fuel tank. That’s 1.6 gallons more than the base model. Combine this with a claimed fuel economy rating of 48 mpg, and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES becomes an easy 300-plus-mile touring-capable ADV. Add the optional side case, top box, and other touring-focused features, and this top-spec Africa Twin easily replaces a full touring bike.
Adaptive underpinnings make this Honda excel on all surfaces
The Adventure Sports ES model shares a semi-double cradle frame with all other Africa Twin models. The sub-frame is also shared and is a steel unit designed for extra strength to handle the weight of an adult pillion and loaded luggage boxes. A standard electronic suspension system with automatic damping and preload adjustment sets it apart from its stablemates. It gets 45 mm Showa inverted front forks with 8.3 inches of travel, while the rear gets a Showa monoshock with 7.9 inches of travel.
Showa Era (Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment) technology is designed to adapt to different conditions with multiple settings (Hard, Medium, Soft, Off-Road and user-defined). Setting it to automatic mode adjusts spring rates in real time, helping this ADV excel in the handling game. Braking duties are taken care of by 310 mm dual discs mated to Nissin four-piston calipers at the front. The rear gets a 256 mm disc with a single-piston calliper. Grip is provided by 19-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels wrapped in dual-purpose tyres. This helps strike a solid balance between on-road and off-road capabilities.
It was further enhanced with electronics touching all the bases
Honda has equipped the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES with top-tier electronics. There are two displays in the cockpit – a modern 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen at the top and a thin LCD just below that. The first offers Bluetooth connectivity and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The small old-school display shows all the ride-related information, like speed, range and fuel level. There are features like six riding modes (Tour, Urban, Gravel, Off-Road and two user modes) and cruise control to enhance the riding experience on all surfaces. Its safety and assists include features like seven levels of traction control, three levels of engine brake control, cornering ABS and even three levels of wheelie control.
The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES slots well into the over 1000 cc ADV segment
The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES offers a calculated combination of a versatile parallel-twin engine, adaptive underpinnings with electronically adjustable suspension and a tall, slim form factor with ample wind protection. Its rivals like the BMW R 1300 GSA, KTM 1390 Super Adventure R and Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally are solid. But they struggle to offer a balanced package like this Honda. What’s more, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES is ahead of its rivals due to its aggressive pricing at under $18,000. Even the base models of its rivals are more expensive.
Source: Honda Powersports
