For 2018 we'll have few updates, among the others bigger tank and wider foot pegs mounted on steel brackets not alu cast. Good move from honda, but they should start with this from the beginning.

important changes:

chassis:
Wet weight 2kg lighter at 230kg (MT version)
Rider footepgs and pillion footpeg hangers redesigned for off-road use
Stainless steel spokes improve durability and ease of care
New Emergency Stop Signal function for rear indicators

engine:
New intake design and exhaust aid mid-range response
New exhaust also designed to improve engine note
New lighter balance shaft weight
New lithium-ion battery saves 2.3 kg and enhances durability
Power is smooth and consistent, with linear torque delivery

Engine management electronics:
TBW brings with it 3 rider modes to tailor engine character and traction
The riding modes are comprised of different levels of Power (P), Engine Braking (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
HSTC now has 7 levels and OFF
Assist/slipper clutch helps upshifts and downshifts

https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/motorcycl...0l-africa-twin

Hi, also:

- 12V socket
and
- grip heating

but only in the Adventure Sport model!
Let's wait and see what all this things will cost

Regards NightAlp

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It's better to do a short trip - than dream of long journey only ...

Wider, taller in the saddle - bigger all round basically, heavier, more electronic technology (fly by wire throttle in particular) and more expensive.
The new one comes in one colour scheme only, being a special edition to commemorate some date known unto Honda.

What's not to like?

__________________
Dave

I they're the same heated grips as the 'previous' model, I would stay well clear, even if free! I paid around £200 for mine and they were useless. I'd be interested to see what the mpg of the 'adventure sport' model is suggested as being, though. More fuel capacity buy heavier bike - will 5l add an appreciably longer distance? With the GS ADV being 30l, even 24l doesn't seem that much.

At the NEC last year, Honda made a big deal about the AT being simple (relatively, I appreciate) and robust for travel. Not sure how the newer one will fit into this mould?

Also, I appreciate hat the lithium ion battery will be lighter, but are there any other benefits over lead? If yes, I might look into a replacement!

I don't know, I have new lithium ion battery on my ktm exc and don't see any benefits. When cold have to crank 2 or 3 times, while the lead starts my honda at first...

That's not great. My lead battery so far doesn't like the cold, and it's not even that cold in the UK yet! Guess I'll avoid the LI one, then!

I just had the chance to ride from Senegal to Europa with 2 AfricaTwins. The old and the very new one http://schoene-motorradtouren.de/?report=senegal

There was never a way we had a lack of horespower. SpeedLimit was 100 km/h, we were on holliday, lots of animales and people on the road and no police was chasing us but the consumtion of petrol was to high. If we would have traveled by car we would have saved a lot.

Adventure starts were the asphalt stops but on gravel or mud you cant even get 50 horsepower on the ground without the wheels spinning. Thats also why traveling makes the tires last much longer. While traveling with luggage you dont exelerate and use your brakes so hard.

For real adventure both AfricaTwins were waaay to heavy. Think of situations were you manover on a crowdet marked place to park in front of a restaurant to be able to watch your stuff while eating or of you try to reach a nice wild camping spot in the evening.

I prefere any rented 4 dollars per day scooter that i use to ride for thousends of kilometers in India or Asia to this. The light and easy to manover 125cc scooters have more adventure riding qualitys as any new "adventure bikes" on the marked and can go 100 km per hour as well but with just 3 liters on 100 km: http://adventure-travel-experience.de/?report=mumbai

My "Lack of Horsepower comment on Africa Twin" relates more to how it stacks up against it's competition ... mainly KTM, and the fact the Honda AT is down 30 to 50 HP vs KTM's top models. (1090, 1190, 1290) For some, this matters.

Totally correct that for 3rd world back country exploration, no one can use 160 HP provided on the KTM 1290 Adventure ... and these big bikes can actually be a hindrance in crowded cities, deep mud or super knarly tracks. But for smooth, modern open roads in USA, EU ... they excel.

Like you, in Asia I got along fine riding 100cc to 125cc rental bikes. In fact, easier to make it through mud on little bike vs. any full size GS, KTM or even a 650 class dual sport like my DR650 or even a XR400 Honda or DRZ400.

My Honda comment might matter to some. Mainly ON Road Riders who rarely leave USA or EU on their bike and ride in groups, riding fast, mainly nice paved roads, mountain passes and such.

It's all good and I currently do similar riding ... but that's not exactly ADV riding or travel, it's just hooning around with your buddies having fun ... which is fine.

Some rumors were around about Honda bringing out a smaller, lighter iteration of the Africa Twin. Perhaps using their 500cc Parallel twin or 650? Or? No idea if they will follow up with such a bike.

I think it might out sell the BIG 1000cc Africa Twin, if done well.

KTM are putting A LOT into their new 790. In a year or so we will see the "off road" version of this bike, it's first iteration will be the road going 790 Duke, which should be for sale late this year.

If your travels are mainly wide open USA/Canada and central EU areas, then a bigger, more road oriented bike can work for many. We only need look how popular the R1200GS has been last 10 years and still is! This, a $25,000 usd
motorbike!

price but seriously I don't like tubed tyres and throttle by wire.

BTW Current model version ma be available at nice discounts soon, if there are any left overs.

Fly by wire throttle technology leaves me distinctly underwhelmed.
Slipper clutches from the race track to shave milliseconds off the lap times, ditto.
The 2018 colour scheme is straight out of the year "eons ago" - "United Colours of Benetton" advertising would be appropriate.


Quite a few bits and pieces fitted as OEM can be very cheap and need to be replaced quickly - that goes for more than one manufacturer, to keep down the headline pricing in the shop window.
Original sprockets, chains, tyres, suspension, handlebars, to name a few.
So long as the plastics are "shiny new" then the customers will buy.


I prefer what Suzuki have done with their XT range of the VStroms; no holes drilled through a perfectly good rim = tubeless tyres fitted and spokes are still used.
BMW/Behr rims ditto, but Honda probably won't pay royalties to use a patent?

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Dave