The Real Dual For The Duel

We review the capable Adventure Motorcycle, the Honda Africa Twin

 

- Sandeep Goswami

Few could have predicted that a television series starred by two non-descript actor motorcyclists would change the way motorcycling would be seen a decade hence. Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s documentary ‘Long Way Round’ glorified the trans-continental motorcycle tourer to no end and the dual-purpose motorcycle just came along for the ride. Not just for the ride but to stay. Since then we’ve seen the times of the dual sport or the dual purpose ‘go anywhere’ kind of motorcycles dawn upon us in earnest. Most other manufacturers across the globe were quick to realize that touring is the most popular form of motorcycling and so any and every motorcycle maker worth his name soon had a model or two in this dual-purpose category in their offer list. Honda has been a little slow in getting onto the bandwagon here, almost 10 years late, though they are by no means a new player in this game. The Honda Africa Twin is an old timer but getting it up and ready for the modern day took a while. Finally they are here with the new Africa Twin formally numbered the CRF1000L. It’s new, up to date, bristling with technology and ready to take on anything either on road or off.