Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L (2020+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, released in 2020, replacing the original and already iconic 2016-2019 Africa Twin CRF1000L.
The maintenance is the same between the standard Africa Twin, the DCT, the Adventure Sports, and the Adventure Sports DCT models. The maintenance schedule also shares a lot with the 2021+ Honda Rebel 1100, with which the CRF1100L shares an engine (albeit detuned for the Rebel).
The original Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L really carved itself a niche in the adventure tourer market scene in 2016 when it was launched. The CRF1100L expanded on this, adding more midrange, a more fun motor (and the original was already fun!), and a ton of rider aids like cornering ABS and cruise control.
The Africa Twin is a modern classic — a true alternative to the BMW R 1200 GS, an on-road and off-road bike that you can use to ride around the world.
This post was originally published May 29, 2021, but has since been significantly revised.
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Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L Service Intervals
The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin has 4000 mile / 6400 km service intervals, but you only need to change the oil every 8000 mi / 12800 km per the maintenance schedule.
The major valve service interval is every 16000 miles / 25600 km, and the spark plugs are only due to be replaced at a very wide 32000 mile / 51200 km interval.
The Africa Twin has a chain drive (unusually for a large-capacity adventure tourer) so make sure you keep it lubed and clean, especially after off-road riding or riding in the rain.
Finally, keep the fluids (coolant and brake fluid) fresh.
What you need to service the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L
When servicing the Africa Twin, apart from standard motorcycle maintenance tools, you’ll need the following consumables:
| Part | Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Honda recommends SAE 10W-30, JASO T 903 standard MA with an API classification of SG or higher, like Pro Honda GN4 10W-30. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). |
| Clutch oil filter | For DCT models, you have to regularly change the clutch oil filter. Part number is 15412-MGS-D21, and you can also use Hiflofiltro part number HF117. |
| Oil filter | Honda’s standard part number for the oil filter is 15410-MFJ-D01, or use Hiflofiltro HF204RC for an affordable, high-quality drop-in replacement oil filter.. Use a torque wrench to tighten it to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft). |
| Chain maintenance | Maintain your chain with a Motul chain care kit or Motul chain paste, both of which have many glowing reviews. Honda recommends their own brand of lube. |
| Air filter | The OEM air filter part is 17210-MKS-E00. |
| Spark plugs | Use NGK spark plug part SILMAR8A9S. Use a gapping tool to set the gap to 0.8-0.9mm. You need four. |
| Brake fluid | You can use any DOT 4 oil, but Honda recommends Honda DOT 4. |
| Brake pads (front) | OEM front brake pads are part number 06455-MKK-D01. Alternative EBC double-hardened front brake pads have part number FA679HH. |
| Brake pads (rear) | OEM rear brake pads are part number 06435-MEJ-026. Alternative EBC double-hardened rear brake pads have part number FA174HH. |
| Coolant | Use Honda Long-life Coolant, which is based on ethylene glycol (50-50 premix). |
| Grease | Use lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points and bearings. |
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L.
The maintenance schedule covers DCT and non-DCT — see the notes where relevant. The main things that are different are treatment of the clutch and of the brake lock.
We’ve separated out a “standard inspection checklist” of common items to check, like the condition of the suspension components, tires, and general lubrication level.
Notes:
- At higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
- Where a distance and time-based interval are both specified, follow the earlier of the two.
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 6.4 | 12.8 | 19.2 | 25.6 | 32 | 38.4 | Every |
| Standard inspection checklist (see below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Engine Oil — Replace (Pro Honda GN4 10W-30) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1 year | |||
| Engine Oil Filter — Replace (HF204RC) Torque: 26 Nm / 19 lb-ft | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Air Cleaner — Replace (17210-MKS-E00) | ✓ | ✓ | More often when riding in wet / dusty areas | |||||
| Spark plugs — Inspect | ✓ | |||||||
| Spark plugs — Replace (NGK SILMAR8A9S) | 32000 mi / 51200 km | |||||||
| Valve Clearances — Inspect / Adjust | ✓ | |||||||
| Clutch Oil Filter (DCT) — Replace Torque: 12 Nm / 9 lb-ft | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Radiator Coolant — Replace (Honda Long-life Coolant) | 3 Years | |||||||
| Brake Fluid — Inspect (Honda DOT 4) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Replace every 2 years | ||
| Brake pads — Inspect for wear | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Brake lock operation (DCT model) — Inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Drive Chain — Inspect / Lubricate See below for more notes on chain maintenance | 600 mi (1000 km) (More often when riding off-road) | |||||||
| Clutch system (non DCT) — Inspect correct function, no leaks Free play: 10-20mm (3/8 – 13/16 in) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Drive chain slider — Inspect for wear (see to wear limit line) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often when riding off-road | |
| Wheels/Tires — Check condition, tread, and for spoke tightness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often when riding off-road | |
| Spark Arrester (if fitted) — Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Secondary Air Supply System — Check | ✓ | |||||||
| Crankcase Breather — Check / Clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often when riding in rain / at full throttle | |
| Evaporative Emission Control — Inspect | ✓ |
CRF1100 Standard service checklist
Do the following checks on your Honda Africa Twin 1100 as part of every scheduled inspection (as above).
| Honda Africa Twin 1100 Inspection Checklist |
|---|
| Fuel Lines — Check condition, correct routing, and for no cracks |
| Throttle operation and free play – Lubricate with Protect all cable life Target free play: 2-4 mm (0.1-0.2 in) |
| Check engine idle speed Target idle speed: 1250 rpm +/- 100 rpm |
| Cooling system — Check for no leaks, and that fans come on |
| Radiator coolant — Inspect level |
| Brake system — Check for proper function |
| Brake light switch — Check lights come on |
| Suspension — Check for smooth operation, no leaks |
| Headlight aim — Check, re-adjust after adjusting suspension |
| Side stand / Centre stand — Check for smooth function, lubrication condition |
| Steering head bearings — Check for smooth operation |
| Nuts, bolts, fasteners — Check for presence. Replace / retighten as needed |
Africa Twin Chain Maintenance
Honda recommends you inspect and lubricate the chain on the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L every 600 mi / 1000 km, or more often when riding off-road.
There are three aspects to maintaining the chain:
- Cleaning and lubricating the chain (using a product that’s portable and high-quality, e.g., Motul Chain Paste, or SAE 80 / 90 gear oil if that’s not available)
- Checking and adjusting the slack / tension
- Inspecting it for wear, and replacing it if necessary. Inspect the sprockets for wear — if they’re shark-toothed, chipped, or damaged, then replace them and the chain.
You don’t need to measure the chain length on the AT. But if the chain is stretched to the point where it’s in the “red zone” on the indicator at the rear axle, it’s too worn and should be replaced.
Inspecting the drive chain slack (chain tension)
To check the chain tension on the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, follow the following procedure. You just need a ruler
- Put the motorcycle in neutral.
- Put the vehicle on its side stand on a level surface.
- Find the midpoint between the sprockets and move the chain up and down with your finger. Measure the vertical slack distance
Target slack for the CRF1100L Africa Twin: 35-45 mm (1.4-1.8 in).
If slack is more than 60mm, don’t ride the motorcycle. You can adjust the chain slack following the procedure below.
Adjusting chain slack
To adjust chain slack on the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, you need to
- Loosen the rear axle nut
- Loosen the lock nuts on both adjusting bolts (both sides)
- Turn the adjusting bolts an equal number of turns, checking the slack. Usually you’ll turn counter-clockwise to tighten the chain.
- Push the wheel forward to ensure contact with the adjusting bolts, checking slack
- Check rear alignment, making sure the adjusting plate aligns with the same graduation on both sides of the swingarm
- Tighten the axle nut (100 Nm / 74 lbf-ft)
- Tighten the lock nuts, holding the adjusting nuts in place (27 Nm / 20 lbf-ft)
- Re-check the chain slack to make sure it’s still within spec.
After tightening the chain, check the indicator on the rear axle to see if the chain is in the “red zone” indicating it is too worn.
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L
The Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard:
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 90/90-21M/C 54H | 33 psi (225 kPa, 2.25 kgf/cm2) |
| Rear | 150/70R18M/C 70H | 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.50 kgf/cm2) (solo) 41 psi (280 kPa, 2.80 kgf/cm2) (2-up) |
For the CRF1100L, the standard model has tubed tyres, and the Adventure Sports model has tubeless tyres. The tyres the Africa Twin ships with are:
- Tubed: Bridgestone Battlax AdventureCross Tourer AX41TF
- Tubeless: Metzeler Karoo Street
About the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L
The Africa Twin has gushing praise from just about everyone that owns it, and this has been the case ever since the (re)launch of the Africa Twin in 2016, as the CRF1000L.
In 2020, when Honda released the similar-but-much-improved Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, it was also received with gushing praise. It has more power, more torque, and less weight — what more could you want?
There was very little that was “wrong” with the earlier model. If you wanted to be difficult, you could say that the earlier AT had tubed tyres where it should have had tubeless ones (at least as an option), deserved better rider aids to compete with big BMWs, and had spokes that gave way to rust a little too easily.
Honda fixed all this with the 2020 Africa Twin CRF1100L. And they fixed something nobody had complained about — the engine.
The Africa Twin CRF1100L (which needs its full name because the engine did increase in displacement) is still an adventure tourer that can do decent dirt time if you ask it of it.
But the engine has been boosted from 998 cc to 1084 cc, with stroke lengthened out from 75.1mm to 81.5mm. The claimed peak power is around 75 kW or 100 hp, with 105 Nm (77 lb-ft) of torque peaking at 6250 rpm.
The higher displacement in the 2020 Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L is partly because of emissions regulations. Restricting the bike means that increasing displacement is the only viable path forwards to keeping the bike competitive compared with the previous model.
The difference is stark. You can see more torque through the ENTIRE rev range. It sounds nicer, too; but of course, as an emissions-compliant motorcycle, you can barely hear it when you’re riding.
The motorcycle’s engine is quite easy to service. It’s a 1084cc single overhead cam 8-valve parallel twin with a 270 degree crank. It puts power down through a 6-speed manual transmission (unless you get the DCT option) and a chain drive. So those are things you have to maintain on any long adventure.
Noteworthy is the DCT option. Like the previous Africa Twin, you can get the CRF1100L with Honda’s DCT “Dual Clutch Transmission”. This lets you either shift using switches at the handlebars or to let the motorcycle shift for you. Many riders scoff at this, but are converted once they take it for a ride.
The 2020-onward AT has a ton of rider aids, including an IMU, cruise control, and a beautiful TFT display. Overall, the cockpit is quite a nice place to be for an extended period.
From 2022, Honda also uses the CRF1100L’s engine in their new sport touring motorcycle, the Honda NT1100.
Alternatives to the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin — Big Bore Adventure Motorcycles
The Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L shook up the adventure market in 2016, but the CRF1100L is in a much more competitive playing field. Here are the other (latest) big-bore adventure motorcycles with which it competes.
BMW R 1300 GS (2024+)
The BMW R 1300 GS (2024+), is the latest in the long line of GS boxer-powered adventure motorcycles. It’s a high-power, high-spec, and very capable adventure tourer, designed to be at home on highways or on dusty 4×4 paths. It’s powered by a 1300 cc liquid-cooled boxer engine with VVT (“ShiftCam”). The R 1300 GS replaces the already high-spec R 1250 GS, with updates including optional radar-supported adaptive cruise control, improved Telelever design, improved optional dynamic suspension, and 12 kg / 26 lb reduced weight. The R 1300 GS “Adventure” is not yet available, though the GS is available with optional 20mm longer travel suspension (just not a longer-range tank).
Ducati Multistrada V4
Ducati’s latest incarnation of its Multistrada is the Ducati Multistrada V4, powered by Ducati’s V4 Granturismo motor, which makes impressive power of 125 kW / 170 hp at 10000 rpm) and has super long 36000 mile / 60000 km major maintenance intervals, thanks to a traditional spring valve return — no desmo. The Multi V4 has loads of things that make it special, including active “Skyhook” suspension, and a popular option of radar-based adaptive cruise control.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Harley-Davidson released the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250, surprising markets by releasing not just an adventure motorcycle, but one with a liquid-cooled engine that’s packed with an array of tech and which makes a surprising amount of power. It combines peak power of 112 kW / 150 hp at 9000 rpm with hydraulic self-adjusting valve lifters, meaning it never needs a valve service. The Pan America has a neat trick of lowering itself at low speed, to make it easier to flat-foot at lights. On top of that, the Pan America comes with cornering ABS, cruise control, and 19/17-inch wheel combo with optional spoked rims.
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L
The Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin is Honda’s continuation of the revival of an iconic brand that put them on the map as adventure touring manufacturers. The 2016+ models are powered by a parallel twin “Unicam” engine which has a 270-degree crankshaft, and has loads of torque and character. The Africa Twin has a 21-inch front tire and comes with tubes in some configurations, which is something to be aware of. The 1100+ model has cruise control and a 6-axis IMU for cornering ABS, and optional semi-active suspension.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S / R
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (along with its sibling, the Super Adventure S) is a bike that has so much power and character that some find it overwhelming. Both bikes are powered by the LC8 V-twin, a 1301 cc liquid-cooled high-power beast that also powers the 1290 Super Duke R. It makes 118 kW / 160 hp @ 8750 rpm, and gobloads of torque. The S is the street bike, with a smaller front rim, semi-active suspension, and radar-supported active cruise control, and the R is the off-road adventurer with long-travel suspension (non active), both rims spoked with a 21-inch front wheel, and a shorter screen.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE
The Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and 1050 (same 1037 cc engine capacity for a while) have always been budget contenders in the adventure touring market, but this doesn’t mean they’re not capable and very well-equipped — plus stylish! For 2023, Suzuki updated the 1050 to the V-Strom 1050DE, bestowing upon it a 21-inch front wheel and letting you disable rear ABS for off-road riding. Otherwise, the V-Strom 1050DE is the same V-twin powered adventure bike with a motor that traces its architecture back to the groundbreaking Suzuki TL1000S. The V-Strom 1050DE doesn’t have all the latest tech (e.g. radar or active suspension) that its competitors do, but it has cruise and an IMU, and a much lower sticker price.
Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally / Explorer
Triumph has been making the big triple-powered Explorer 1200 for many years, but in recent years has made concerted efforts to make it more off road-ready. The Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer (and Rally Pro) replace the XE and XC models, and they’re the same concept — a big adventure tourer powered by an 1160 cc triple, powering the rear through a shaft drive, a relative rarity in this class. The Rally models have a 21-inch front wheel, still with a tubeless tire, and semi-active suspension.
Yamaha Super Ténéré XTZ1200
The Yamaha Super Ténéré XTZ1200 is almost forgotten next to its middleweight sibling, the darling Ténéré 700, but for a long time was the secret alternative to the GS. The “S10”, as it’s affectionately known, is powered by an 1198 cc big bore parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft, and puts power down through a shaft drive. The ES version lets you electronically control rear preload and front and rear damping. Aside from the introduction of the option of ES, the XTZ1200 hasn’t had major updates since 2014 and has been discontinued in some markets.
Manual for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L in 2020. We checked it against other years of the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L too.
You can download the manual from Honda’s owners’ manual website here.
