Got people to see, places to visit, a bucket list to check off? The 2019 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin will take you everywhere you want to go, on or off road, in comfort and style. And it will do all of that for, in some cases, thousands of dollars less than its direct competition. Honda burst onto the adventure-bike scene in 2016 with the Africa Twin (named after yesteryear’s Paris-Dakar Rally-inspired XRV650 and XRV750T). Then, as now, that model was available with an optional six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). Unlike some so-called adventure bikes, the Africa Twin is fitted with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, which makes running off-road-specific rubber easy. Keeping things simple, the Showa cartridge-type fork and remote-reservoir-equipped shock are manually adjustable for spring preload, as well as compression and rebound damping.

An alternative to the already dirt-capable Africa Twin, the Adventure Sports is marketed by Honda as a $1,500-premium trim level—taller windscreen, larger fuel tank, additional suspension travel, bigger skid plate, and wider footpegs—that encourages you to “go farther.” That said, the base model is already pretty premium and capable of going pretty far. Tough decision…

Likes: One of the most user-friendly 500-plus-pound motorcycles you'll ever meet

Dislikes: Got inseam? Good. Even with the adjustable-height seat, you might need it.

Verdict: A little heavier, slower, and taller than best in class—but a lot less expensive

“When you crunch the numbers, the Adventure Sports starts to look like a bargain,” Bonnier Motorcycle Group Video Producer Spenser Robert wrote after riding the standard Africa Twin back to back with the Adventure Sports model. “Even my conservative estimates point to this package being a great bang for your buck.”

Midsize Adventure Off-Road Shootout 2018 Honda Africa Twin Vs. 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

“Adventure” is one of the most popular and hotly contested categories in motorcycling. Other top mid-displacement/liter-class players in this versatility-first segment include the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, 1090 Adventure R, and 790 Adventure R, as well as models from BMW (F850GS, R1250GS), Ducati (Multistrada), and Triumph (Scrambler, Tiger).

Best Adventure Bike—2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R KTM 790 Adventure And 790 Adventure R First Look 2019 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro First Ride BMW Adopts Variable Valve Timing On 2019 R1250GS Adventure Bike 2019 BMW F850GS/Adventure

For 2019, both CRF1000L models—the Africa Twin and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports—can be purchased with either a six-speed manual transmission or, for $800 more, a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). Plus, Honda offers a gamut of accessories, ranging from windscreens to heated handgrips and luggage options.

Manufacturer Claimed Specifications

Cycle World Tested Specifications