Honda Africa Twin to be released in July – expected at Rs 13.8 lakh ex-showroom

There have been reports that the Honda Africa Twin should be released in India around July 2017. Although it was expected much earlier, the launch seems to have been delayed by an earthquake near the Hamamatsu plant that is supposed to develop the assembly kits for Honda’s Africa Twin.

The vice-president of sales and marketing for Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), YS Guleria commented saying, “Our plan to launch the Africa Twin is very much as per schedule. We plan to introduce it with the six-speed DCT tentatively in July.”

Although Honda refuses to comment or suggest on what the pricing is, sources say that it is expected to be sold at a price of Rs 13.8 lakh ex-showroom. Although, we have been informed that the bike will only be available in India in one variant, that is, the automatic DCT (dual-clutch transmission).

First displayed in India at the 2016 Auto Expo, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India announced that it would bring the CRF1000L Africa Twin to the country, and the adventure tourer would be sold as a CKD, to keep up with price competition. It was confirmed in July 2016 that HMSI’s Manesar plant would be the one to assemble the bike and that it would hit the showrooms around mid-2017.

The Africa Twin is equipped with a liquid-cooled, 998cc, parallel-twin engine, Globally, it comes bearing two transmission options, a six speed DCT, and a six-speed manual. However, only the DCT would be for sale in India. A bike made for off road travel, the Africa Twin has high ground clearance with a low seat height option, with a build consisting of a semi-double cradle-type frame using high-tensile steel, as well as a long 62-inch wheelbase. It is also fitted with technology such as a switchable anti-lock braking system and also an advanced traction control system set with three different modes.

The Africa Twin will be the second premium motorcycle model by HMSI, to be locally assembled.