The Honda Africa Twin Is The Japanese ADV That Might Be The Ultimate Choice For A One-Bike Garage

With motorcycles getting more capable by the year, and prices climbing higher, it makes more sense than ever to stick to a one-bike garage. But what exactly should you look for in your do-it-all motorcycle? The answer is versatility and practicality. Your bike should wear multiple hats without much fuss. For this, you need an engine that’s powerful enough to have fun yet tractable enough for commuting and touring. The suspension shouldn’t be too stiff for comfort, nor too soft for sporty riding. Of course, a bit of safety features, because you can never be too safe.

Such a motorcycle that strikes this balance is not common, even in 2025. But one bike that comes to mind first is the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. It pairs the standard Africa Twin’s comfort and flexible engine with more road-biased underpinnings and top-spec semi-active suspension. So, it’s a motorcycle that redefines versatility: commuting, off-roading, touring, and even corner carving. Here’s why this Japanese ADV might be the best choice for your one-bike garage.

The Ultimate ADV All-Rounder At An Unbeatable Price

Starting Price: $17,599 ($18,399 For DCT)

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, a more road-biased AT model, is bred for on-road adventure, according to Honda. This variant sacrifices a bit of its off-road capability to become a more versatile all-rounder, which can handle everything from commuting and sporty riding to long-distance tours. Still, it retains some of the off-roading DNA, reflected in its rally-inspired design, long-ish travel suspension, and 19-inch front wheel, which is more than enough for the terrain you may encounter on your cross-country ride.

The Adventure Sports ES’ crown jewel, however, is the semi-active Showa EERA suspension. It automatically adapts to various riding conditions, keeping the bike composed over a variety of terrain. Even the parallel-twin engine, though with humble power figures, offers usable performance with a linear power curve and plenty of mid-range punch. You can even shell out for the DCT variant, which does away with the hassle of changing gears for added comfort.

Honda

We’ve picked the Africa Twin because it’s the only bike to offer the same mix of versatility, reliability, electronic suspension, and an optional automatic gearbox at this price. The Multistrada V2 S comes close with Ducati Skyhook suspension, but it’s an expensive bike to buy and maintain. The BMW F 900 GS makes more horsepower and offers Dynamic ESA as an option, but gets expensive very fast. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio PFF Rider Assistance Solution is another excellent option, but it can’t match Honda’s reliability record or service network.

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES vs. Rivals

Usable Power With A Side Of Reliability And An Optional DCT

Power Output: 100.5 HP @ 7,500 RPM

On paper, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES’ power figures may sound weak, but outright performance isn’t what the bike is made for. Instead, it focuses on smooth power delivery with a broad spread of torque across the rev range. The parallel-twin’s 270-degree crank makes throttle modulation easier, helping it tackle everything from off-road to highways. Not to forget, the 270-degree firing order gives it a V-twin-like sound signature! The engine’s understressed nature also makes it more reliable in the long run, so your Africa Twin will last you for years to come.

Honda also offers a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) variant of the AT Adventure Sports ES, which takes care of shifting the gears for you. Honda says this transmission offers consistent, super-fast, and seamless gear changes, giving the bike a proper twist-and-go character, while still providing the natural, feathered clutch feel on initial takeoff. The result is an adventure bike that not only produces usable power but also allows you to enjoy the ride without worrying about shifting gears. There’s always the option to shift gears manually using paddle shifters, too, when the mood strikes.

Engine Highlights

• Parallel-twin Unicam engine layout lets the bike’s front wheel tuck in closer to the engine, shortening the wheelbase, making the bike more agile
• Unique twin air intake system with two vertical filtration elements results in excellent engine performance
• 10.5:1 compression ratio and updated valve timing increase midrange horsepower and torque by more than 7% over the previous version
• Increased muffler size improves performance and sound quality
• Dry sump engine design gives the bike more ground clearance
• Water-pump is located behind the cover and is driven by a balancer shaft, so there’s no need for external hoses that can snag
• Biaxial counterbalancer cancels out engine vibrations, resulting in a smooth ride
• DCT uses a steel gear transmission that can be operated manually with paddle shifters

Performance Specs

Semi-Active Suspension That Adapts To Various Riding Conditions

Suspension System: Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA)

Honda

The Adventure Sports ES shares the semi-double cradle frame with the standard Africa Twin, which is stiffer and four pounds lighter than its predecessor. It’s paired with a CRF450R motocrosser-derived swingarm, beefed up to handle the ADV’s weight. Honda has also worked on lowering the center of gravity by placing heavier components closer to the COG and using a compact Unicam engine. This makes it a full-size adventure bike that feels lighter than its size suggests, making it easier to ride in a variety of conditions.

The chassis isn’t what makes the Adventure Sports ES such an excellent all-rounder, though; it’s the Showa EERA semi-active suspension. This setup continuously optimizes damping and even adjusts rear spring preload on the move. It does so using a dedicated Suspension Control Unit, which collects data from the IMU, the bike’s stance, fork behavior via stroke sensor, and the ECU’s speed input. It then makes adjustments within a mere 15 milliseconds after these calculations are made.

How does that translate on the road? This Africa Twin adapts to the road surface almost instantly. For example, it uses firmer damping at higher speeds and softer damping when you’re crawling through traffic. It can even prepare the bike’s suspension for various situations, like sticking a landing or reducing dive under hard braking. So, whether you are riding over broken pavement, munching miles on a highway, or carving corners, the suspension is always correctly set up and dialed in.

Honda

Rounding out the underpinning package of the Adventure Sports ES is a 19/18-inch wheel setup with wider rims than the standard model, shod in tubeless tires. While this setup is suitable for mostly on-road circumstances, the 19-inch front wheel and long-travel suspension do give the bike some off-road chops for when the road ends. And dual four-piston radial calipers and petal discs up front, paired with a single rear disc, take care of the braking duties.

Chassis and Suspension Specs

Designed For Long-Distance Comfort And Low-Speed Maneuverability

Seat Height: 33.7 in. (Standard) / 32.9 in. (Low Position)

One look at the Africa Twin, and you notice the rally inspiration peeking through the tall fairing. It’s designed after the rally bikes of old, but it’s not just a cosmetic nod. Honda claims the rally-type fairing on the ES is reworked to reduce high-speed wind buffeting, helping you stay fresh on long hours in the saddle. That’s paired with a tall handlebar that opens up the cockpit, and a neutral riding position that feels relaxed without sacrificing control over the bike.

The Adventure Sports (that’s a long name) isn’t just made for touring alone. Honda has also focused on improving low-speed usability. The bike features a narrow subframe at the seams, along with a narrow seat, making it easier for riders to put both feet down on the ground. You can adjust the seat to a lower position, bringing the ground even closer. Add in the bike’s low center of gravity, and the tall adventure bike feels a lot more approachable than it looks.

Practicality continues with fuel efficiency. Honda claims a fuel economy of 48 MPG, making it a great everyday roundabout that’s cheap to run. Since the Adventure Sports ES model features a larger 6.6-gallon fuel tank compared to the standard’s 5-gallon one, you can expect the bike to travel over 300 miles between fill-ups. As a result, the bike is ready for both daily commuting and touring, which is a genuine win-win situation in our books.

Dimensions Specs

All The Tech You’d Need On Your Motorcycle And Then Some

The AT Adventure Sports ES comes with all the right essentials you’d need in your one-bike garage. Up front, a 6.5-inch TFT display offers a multitude of information at a glance, and it is paired with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, letting you easily access texts, calls, maps, music, and more. You also get three ABS modes, six ride modes, plus the safety net of traction control and wheelie control to keep the shiny side up.

Adding cherry to the cake is a fuel range of 48 genuine accessories from Honda, including a center stand, a quickshifter, hard panniers, and much more. These accessories allow you to further tailor your Honda ADV exactly the way you want. Put it all together, and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES is ready to tackle everything you throw at it. It has usable, versatile power, semi-active suspension, comfortable ergonomics, and essential tech — everything you need for a one-bike garage.

Notable Features

• 6.5-inch TFT display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Six-axis IMU
• Seven-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
• Three ABS modes, lean-sensitive
• Wheelie Control
• Six ride modes: Tour, Urban, Gravel, Off-road, and two user-customizable modes
• Dual LED DRLs and headlights