Honda africa twin vs bmw gs: the battle for adventure dominance

The Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are two of the most iconic adventure motorcycles on the market. Both bikes have a long history of success, and they offer a unique blend of performance, comfort, and versatility. But which bike is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS side-by-side to help you make an informed decision.

Engine Performance

The Honda Africa Twin is powered by a 1084cc parallel-twin engine, while the BMW GS is powered by a 1254cc boxer-twin engine. Both engines are powerful and torquey, but the BMW GS has a slight edge in terms of horsepower and torque.

• Honda Africa Twin: 1084cc parallel-twin engine, 101 horsepower, 73 lb-ft of torque
• BMW GS: 1254cc boxer-twin engine, 136 horsepower, 105 lb-ft of torque

Handling and Suspension

The Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are both excellent handling motorcycles. The Africa Twin is slightly lighter and more agile than the GS, but the GS has a more planted feel on the road. Both bikes have long-travel suspension that can handle rough terrain with ease.

• Honda Africa Twin: 45mm inverted Showa forks, 230mm of travel; Pro-Link rear suspension, 220mm of travel
• BMW GS: 46mm USD Telelever front suspension, 190mm of travel; Paralever rear suspension, 200mm of travel

Comfort and Ergonomics

The Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are both comfortable motorcycles for long rides. The Africa Twin has a more upright riding position than the GS, which makes it easier to see over traffic. The GS has a more relaxed riding position, which can be more comfortable for some riders.

• Honda Africa Twin: Upright riding position, wide handlebars, adjustable seat height
• BMW GS: Relaxed riding position, narrow handlebars, adjustable seat height

Features and Technology

The Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are both packed with features and technology. The Africa Twin comes standard with a TFT display, cruise control, and heated grips. The GS comes standard with a TFT display, cruise control, heated grips, and a hill start assist system.

• Honda Africa Twin: TFT display, cruise control, heated grips, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility
• BMW GS: TFT display, cruise control, heated grips, hill start assist system, BMW Motorrad Connected app

Price and Availability

The Honda Africa Twin starts at $14,399, while the BMW GS starts at $15,695. Both bikes are available at dealerships nationwide.

• Honda Africa Twin: Starting at $14,399
• BMW GS: Starting at $15,695

Which Bike Is Right for You?

The Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are both excellent adventure motorcycles. The Africa Twin is a great choice for riders who want a lightweight and agile bike that’s easy to handle on rough terrain. The GS is a great choice for riders who want a more powerful and comfortable bike that’s packed with features and technology.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which bike is right for you is to test ride both of them. That way, you can get a feel for the handling, comfort, and features of each bike and make an informed decision.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re considering the Honda Africa Twin or the BMW GS, you may also want to consider the following alternatives:

• KTM 1290 Super Adventure: A powerful and versatile adventure motorcycle with a long list of features.
• Triumph Tiger 1200: A comfortable and capable adventure motorcycle with a unique triple-cylinder engine.
• Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro: A high-performance adventure motorcycle with a Ducati-exclusive V-twin engine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which bike is more reliable?
A: Both the Honda Africa Twin and the BMW GS are known for their reliability. However, the Africa Twin has a slightly better reputation for reliability than the GS.

Q: Which bike is better for off-road riding?
A: The Honda Africa Twin is better for off-road riding than the BMW GS. The Africa Twin is lighter and more agile than the GS, and it has a longer suspension travel.

Q: Which bike is better for long-distance riding?
A: The BMW GS is better for long-distance riding than the Honda Africa Twin. The GS has a more comfortable riding position and a larger fuel tank than the Africa Twin.