Honda Africa Twin Forum banner

Africa Twin Tested by Marquez and Barreda

5159 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Nessuno


Honda has let loose two of HRC's most valuable assets on the new CRF1000L Africa Twin.

Joan Barreda is Honda's Dakar ace and is considered one of the fastest rally racers currently. You might have heard of the second guy, a young kid named Marc Marquez, double MotoGP world champion and an experienced dirt rider in his own right.


The two Spaniards were enlisted to not only showcase the capabilities of the Africa Twin in competent hands -complete with choreographed slides- but to also share their thoughts on the big enduro.

The 5'6, 130 pound Marc Marquez seems to have no issue man handling the new Africa Twin, possibly making use of the lower 32.3 inch optional seat.

Barreda says the most important thing for him is that the AT can go anywhere. Even better, 'Bang Bang' says that the technology is similar to what HRC packed into his Dakar bike.


Marquez loves that the big 999cc twin pulls hard and the chassis allows him to keep high speeds for long distances (surprise, surprise from your GP champ). As a smaller man Marquez didn't find the CRF overbearing, finding the bike stable after jumps and compliant through tighter, twisty stuff. Notably MM93 praised the ergonomics both seated and standing.


It's a great bit of promotional work from Honda Europe, while the feedback was fantastic to hear from two legends in their own right, we're a little antsy to hear a thing or two about the CRF1000L from someone not on Big Red's payroll.

Stay tuned!
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
Watching the video couple of times I noticed that red bike changes from manual to DCT. Turn signals change too, and hand guards disappear and reappear (while riding too).
Watching the video couple of times I noticed that red bike changes from manual to DCT. Turn signals change too, and hand guards disappear and reappear (while riding too).
:surprise: So the videos may have been edited?
:surprise: So the videos may have been edited?
Videos are definitly edited :) But Honda tried to make it look like Joan and Marc were riding 2 different bikes (White and Red), but actually they were riding 4 different. What I don't understand is why the ruse?
Videos are definitly edited :) But Honda tried to make it look like Joan and Marc were riding 2 different bikes (White and Red), but actually they were riding 4 different. What I don't understand is why the ruse?
Could of been because honda got rid of the base bike with no ABS. Originally they had a base bike up on the website that came without handguards or bash plate... could of been Honda trying to minimize screen time of a bike they're not selling... at least thats the best explanation I have...
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top