May 24, 2024 Morocco: The Honda Adventure Roads Morocco 2024 concluded on 20th May 2024 after 10 days. A journey starting in Agadir and ending in the Northern city of Nador spanning 2,895 Km through golden sands, hilltops, beaches, and deserts through the beautiful country of Morocco on Honda Africa Twins.
30 riders from 12 Different Nationalities battled the journey through the terrain of Morocco in the Africa Twin to experience the true meaning of adventure riding.
The journey started from the HRC training grounds of the Southern City of Agadir through the desert of Merzouga, high elevation ride on the breath-taking Atlas Mountains, jungle riding in Tazekka National park and concluding in the north city of Nador.
The riders got an opportunity of a lifetime to ride with Dakar Ambassadors Adrien Van Beveren and Tosha Schareina along with the experienced team of the Honda Adventure Roads and guest rider Dave Thorpe.
What is Honda Adventure Roads (HAR) & why do Honda operate it?
In essence, the adventure road tour of a lifetime. Since in its inception in 2017, our aim has been to be provide an experience for journalists and customers that outline the true capability of Honda’s premier off-road adventure motorcycle., the CRF1000 Africa Twin.
However, HAR as it is often known by is much more than that. Honda as a business has key philosophies and guiding principles around how it operates and wishes to be perceived as motorcycle manufacturer. The notion of community and shared experiences through riding our bikes are at the very core of this, underpinned by a Japanese term called ‘Gemba’, which translates as ‘Go to the Place’. In operating Honda Adventure Roads, we want to make these customers who wish to participate, the chance to experience an adventure that will test them and the Africa Twin motorcycle they are using, but also allow them to connect with each other, to live that shared experience that embraces the sense of community. And as the saying goes, ‘Honda: The Power of Dreams’. Participation in the Honda Adventure Roads
Owners of Africa Twin only with 5 years riding experience aged from 25-70. The Honda Adventure Road Team provides various variants of the Africa Twin, Standard, Adventure Sport and Adventure Sports ES models, to tackle various terrains across the route.
The owners of the Africa Twin will need to register on a Honda Adventure Roads dedicated website. Once the registration is complete, a Honda appointed agency will conduct an assessment test as well as a one-to-one interview to select riders for the limited placements for each country.
What are the future ambitions for HAR?
Honda Adventure Roads will return both again in 2025 and 2026, with future already being made beyond these years too. From activating these events yearly, it is our hope and ambition that the Honda Adventure Road brand and experience will continue to go from strength to strength, acting as a flagship event that any Africa Twin owner would want to participate in.
For the Year 2025, Honda Adventure Roads will start from Rome to Istanbul where the route will cover 8 countries over a span of 9 Days. In 2025, Customers from MENA region can register for the event on each country’s website. (more details will be provided nearer the time)
Key Information about the CRF1100 Africa Twin
All customers and journalists used the CRF1100L Africa Twin 24YM. The reasons for this are various and outlined below. Customers have chosen either a Manual or DCT variant, whilst all journalists swapped between models during the ride event.
Updates for the 2024-year model of Honda’s definitive full-sized adventurer include more muscular performance with the OHC liquid-cooled twin cylinder engine 7% more torque. Equipped to give a stronger performance off the bottom and through the middle of the rev range. The higher compression ratio, valve timings and updated intake and exhaust have given the Africa Twin 75kW (101 hp) at peak.
The fundamentals of the enduringly popular package remain: hard-edged off-road performance from an athletic, lightweight chassis with slim rally-style bodywork and characterful, torque-heavy 1084cc engine; a full electronics package with a 7-level Honda Selectable Torque Control, 6-Axis IMU – monitoring rear wheel traction, three level wheelie control, cornering ABS and four default riding modes (Urban, tour, gravel and off-road). Not forgetting a six speed DCT version, newly updated for a natural feel at slow speeds and launch, coming equipped with rider customisation features depending on your riding style.
In many ways, the standard variant of the Africa Twin (opposed to the Adventure sports option) is the perfect choice for Honda Adventure Roads. Being built as the ultimate off-road adventure bike. Riding off-road is about finding that balance to push, the lightweight steel frame, bolt on subframe and CRF450R inspired swingarm setting a kerb weight of 233 kg provide the right rigidity and feedback for traction. Showa EERA™ offers optimised damping in all riding conditions, as well as the ability to change rear spring preload on the move via the 6.5in touchscreen display. Available in 5 modes - SOFT, MID, HARD, OFF-ROAD and USER, the system’s flexibility means that damping adjustment can be programmed to suit the rider’s preference at the touch of a button. This coupled with a huge 250mm of ground clearance clears most obstacles. Rider comfort with the taller, wider screen with five levels of adjustment is provided, maximise your forward visibility for an uninterrupted view of the terrain, or maximise your wind protection.