Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin: specifications, pros and cons, compatible accessories
The bike that brought back the Africa Twin name, and how we equip it today
Four years of production and a large number of bikes on the road: the CRF1000L is a maxi enduro that you can buy used and really ride. The catalog includes what you need to ride it better and for longer — handguards, auxiliary lighting, mechanical cruise control, dashboard and tank protection, and tank bags. Engine and frame protection are not catalogued: we’re saying it up front so you don’t waste time looking for them.
- In summaryMature used bike: 21-inch wheel, proven mechanics, lower prices.
- Do this firstBarkbusters BHG-062 handguards and non-slip tank stickers.
- For touringKaoko cruise control, DENALI-mounted auxiliary lights, tank bag.
- WarningHandguards: it needs the BHG-062, not the CRF1100L’s BHG-082.
- BrandsBarkbusters, DENALI, Eazi-Grip, Kaoko, LOBOO.
Recommended for
It’s the right bike if
- You are looking for a capable maxi enduro on a budget: prices have fallen since the 1100 arrived
- You ride serious off-road: a 21-inch wheel and chassis designed for it
- Essential electronics are enough for you, with fewer things that can go wrong
- You are tall and comfortable with 232 kg and a seat height between 850 and 870 mm
- You want to set it up for touring: lighting, cruise control and soft luggage are the most direct route
Look elsewhere if
- You ride long stages without stopping: 18.8 litres is not much for serious touring
- You do a lot of motorway riding: wind protection on the base version is modest
- Planning to reuse accessories from the 1100: almost everything changed between 2019 and 2020
- Looking for engine guards, chain guards or radiator grilles: they are not catalogued for this model
- Order the handguards by eye and you’ll get it wrong: this model needs the BHG-062, not the CRF1100L’s BHG-082
In a nutshell: this is the Africa Twin to buy used and really ride, not the most comfortable for long distances. If you want newer electronics and accessories still in production, the CRF1100L is its natural successor; if 232 kg is too much for your kind of dirt riding, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 does the same job with almost thirty kilos less.
Technical specifications
| Engine | 998 cc parallel twin, 270-degree crankshaft |
|---|---|
| Power | 95 hp at 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 98 Nm at 6,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or dual-clutch DCT |
| Chassis | Steel half-cradle frame, adjustable Showa fork |
| Wheels | 21-inch front, 18-inch rear, spoked |
| Weight | 232 kg in running order |
| Fuel tank | 18.8 litres |
| Seat height | 850-870 mm adjustable |
| Production | 2016-2019, replaced by the CRF1100L |
Pros and cons
Pros
- 21-inch wheel and a genuine off-road attitude
- Used prices fell after the 1100 arrived
- Proven mechanics familiar to workshops
- Basic electronics, fewer things to go wrong
- DCT was already available on this generation
Cons
- 18.8-liter tank: short range for long-distance travel
- Tall seat and significant weight on slow dirt sections
- The accessories do not carry over to the 1100, and vice versa
- Modest wind protection on the base version
- On heavily used examples, the chain and bearings should be checked
What to install, in order of priority
Eight dedicated accessories, all verified on this model. The order follows what really changes the riding experience: hands and visibility first, then comfort on long trips, finally cosmetic protection and luggage.
- 1
Barkbusters handguard mounting kit BHG-062The first purchase: protects levers and hands in a stationary fall, the most common kind. It also fits the X-ADV 750. The 1100 requires the BHG-082; it is not the same. - 2
DENALI auxiliary light mounts LAH0110300Brackets designed around the CRF1000L front end: the auxiliary lights stay aligned and do not vibrate, which universal engine-guard brackets cannot guarantee. - 3
SoundBomb horn mount HMT0110200The SoundBomb does not fit in place of the stock horn: this bracket gives it a mounting point without drilling anything. Small cost, big difference in traffic. - 4
Kaoko mechanical cruise control 2016-2019Locks the throttle without electronics or wiring: on long main-road stretches, it is the simplest remedy for an aching wrist. It also fits the Adventure Sports. - 5
Kaoko cruise control for motorcycles with Barkbusters handguardsThe version to choose if you already have the BHG-062 installed: the handlebar attachment is different. If you buy the handguards together with the cruise control, this is the right part number. - 6
Eazi-Grip instrument protection 2018-2019Rigid film on the dashboard: protects against stones and brush scratches. Only for 2018-2019 models, where the screen is the larger one. - 7
Eazi-Grip tank traction padsStanding on the footpegs, they make a difference: your knees grip the tank and your arms work less. Shaped for 2015-2019. - 8
Expandable magnetic tank bag 4.5-6.5 LMagnetic attachment, no straps to install. The same family ranges from 2.5 to 10 liters: choose the size based on the trip you are taking, not the motorcycle.
Compatibility table
| Accessory | Adventure Sports 1000 | CRF1100L from 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Barkbusters BHG-062 handguard kit | yes | no, BHG-082 is required |
| DENALI auxiliary light mounts and horn mount | not stated by the manufacturer | no, codes dedicated to the 1100 |
| Kaoko 2016-2019 cruise control | yes | no |
| Kaoko cruise control for Barkbusters handguards | yes | yes |
| Eazi-Grip instrument protection | not stated by the manufacturer | no |
| Eazi-Grip tank decals | not stated by the manufacturer | no, different tank |
| LOBOO magnetic tank bags | yes | yes |
Brands with dedicated accessories
BarkbustersHandguardsBHG-062 kit, shared with the X-ADV 750 and different from the one for the 1100.
DENALILighting and hornLAH0110300 auxiliary light mounts and HMT0110200 SoundBomb mount, both designed for the CRF1000L.
KaokoCruise controlMechanical throttle stabilizer, in two codes: standard and for handlebars with Barkbusters handguards.
Eazi-GripGrip and protectionNon-slip tank decals, instrument protection, and protective bodywork film.
LOBOOTank bagsFour magnetic-attachment sizes, from 2.5 to 10 liters, expandable and waterproof.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have engine guards, chain guards, or a radiator grille for the CRF1000L?
No. Engine and frame protectors are not listed for this model: we prefer to say so here rather than make you search. What you will find are handguards, auxiliary lighting, a mechanical cruise control, instrument and tank protection, and tank bags.
Do the 1000 accessories fit the CRF1100L?
Largely, no. Between 2019 and 2020, the frame and bodywork changed: handguards, auxiliary light mounts, and protectors have different codes. Only the magnetic tank bags and the Kaoko cruise control in the version for Barkbusters handguards carry over.
Which handguard kit should I get?
The BHG-062, which also fits the X-ADV 750. The BHG-082 is for the CRF1100L: the two codes look similar but are not interchangeable.
There are two Kaoko cruise controls: which one should I choose?
It depends on the handlebar. If the bike is stock, choose the 2016-2019 code; if you have already fitted Barkbusters BHG-062 handguards, choose the dedicated version because the attachment at the end of the handlebar is different.
Which tank bag size is best?
The 4.5-6.5-liter bag covers a typical day: documents, spare gloves, phone, and an inner tube. The 2.5-3.5-liter bag is enough for a short trip, while the 10-liter bag with a sliding base is designed for multi-day travel. All of them attach magnetically, so they can be removed at the gas station in two seconds.
Is it worth buying used today?
It is one of the most affordable adventure bikes for what it offers: a 21-inch wheel, proven mechanics, and prices that have now dropped. Its limitation remains the range with 18.8 liters.