Early signs can be rust coming up through spoke holes. Now considered something of a modern classic, prices of good 750 Africa Twins, partly because of their proven high mileage reliability and quality compared to rivals of the time, are on the up and easily exceed those of the contemporary Yamaha Super Ténéré, Suzuki DR800 and so on. [11], "2016 Honda Africa Twin – FIRST RIDE REVIEW", "First Ride: 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin", "Up-Close with the Honda "True Adventure" Prototype", "The new Africa Twin? OE replacements are expensive (around £400) but you can replace with a pattern version for around half that – check out specialist Africa Twin websites for latest prices (www.xrv.org.uk and www.ruggedroads.co.uk). Carbs can lose fuel on older models, so there is a fix using different vent tubes and connectors from RD07A models. All, however, while still OK and versatile performers, stand out as if you were parking an RC30 next to Fireblade. Some CDIs suffer from loose connections internally and can be repaired by carefully splitting the unit and re-soldering the internals. Built in homage to the giant desert racers of the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Africa Twin is a large, dual sport bike, powered by a softly tuned V-twin engine. [3] The CRF1000L has also been seen as a response by Honda to the heavier on road focused adventure touring motorcycles such as the BMW R1200GS, Ducati Multistrada, and Triumph Tiger Explorer with a lighter more off-road focused machine. From 1993 it gained the gimmicky ‘Tripmaster onboard computer’ (basically just a set of clocks looking like a Dakar road-book) but anything more came via aftermarket accessories, of which there were – and still are – plenty: ranging from luggage kits and high screens, to uprated suspension and off-road protection. Several aftermarket products exist with which to equip the bike such as crash bars to protect the vehicle's plastics and tank from damage in a low speed fall. honda xrv750 africa twin (1990-2003) brakes Brakes, along with tyres and suspension, usually suffer on older bikes in comparison to modern machines and that’s just as true of the Africa Twin. Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reg no. Get a quote for this bike with, Bennetts is a trading name of Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited, registered in England and Wales (company number 11453343) with its registered office at Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB. Purists, however, may prefer the more angular RD04 (1990-93) which doesn’t seem to wear as well so can be had for £2750-£3500. Little wonder some go for new/refurbed rims. The early ‘Dakar replicas’ aren’t a patch on the latest modern adventure bikes when it comes to equipment and gizmos but in its day the Twin had more class than most plus, especially with the early models, genuine ‘racer replica’ appeal – the first HRC-built 650 RD03 has been likened to ‘a desert racer RC30’ which also came out in 1988 and it’s not hard to see why. But the original 650 and RD04, especially in HRC colours, are slightly classier and better built although, sadly, most are fairly tatty by now. Ridden hard or off-road, however, will reduce that dramatically. The later XRV's instruments feature a large trip computer LCD display mounted above the conventional speedometer and tachometer, styled like Dakar racers' navigational displays, and incorporates a range of extra electronic timers and trip meters. 913949). The prototype was heavily disguised with camouflage and covered in mud so that it did not reveal any specific details about the new motorcycle other than visual details such as a parallel twin engine, dual front disk brakes with ABS, 21 inch front and 18 inch rear tires on spoked wire rims, and the absence of a shift lever, indicating the dual-clutch transmission from other Honda motorcycles such as the VFR1200X and NC700X/NC750X could be an available option. [8], The first full prototype of the CRF1000 was revealed at the 2014 EICMA international motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. In 2003 the Honda XRV750 Africa Twin ceased production. Nevertheless, it gained weight slightly. The early ‘Dakar replicas’ aren’t a patch on the latest modern adventure bikes when it comes to equipment and gizmos but in its day the Twin had more class than most plus, especially with the early models, genuine ‘racer replica’ appeal – the first HRC-built 650 RD03 has been likened to ‘a desert racer RC30’ which also came out in 1988 and it’s not hard to see why.