Honda Xrv750
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources
. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008)
Honda "Africa Twin".
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Honda Africa Twin
The Honda XRV750, also known as the Africa Twin, is a motorcycle manufactured by Honda. The motorcycle was based on the NXR-750 which won the Paris Dakar rally 4 times in the late eighties.
The Africa Twin XRV was available in 650cc (42kW) and 750cc (742cc) configurations. It is no longer manufactured. It is considered by many to be the most robust motorcycle that Honda has ever manufactured.
Related models are the Honda XRV650 Africa Twin which was a lighter, higher specification version made in 1988. The Honda XLV750R was a high specification shaft driven version made to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally.
Built in homage to the giant desert racers of the gruelling Paris-Dakar Rally, the Africa Twin is a large, imposing trail-styled bike, powered by a softly tuned V-twin engine. The engine is derived from the very robust VT500 and six figure mileages are often reported. A wide, long dual seat stretches back from the tank to an aluminium grabrail/luggage rack, while an aluminium bashplate protects the bottom of the engine from flying rocks and impacts. In December 1989 the original Honda XRV750 Africa Twin was launched. In 1992 the Tripmaster computer was added. In 1993 the motorcycle had a major re-design including new frame, body work plastics, fuel tank, engine modifications and a lower seat. In 1996 the XRV gained improved seat and clutch, larger silencer, modified upper fairing and luggage rack. In 2003 the Honda XRV750 Africa Twin ceased production.
While the Africa Twin's styling points to off-road prowess, its detail design and performance suggests otherwise. A close-fitting front mudguard quickly clogs with thick mud, the plastic bodywork is easily damaged in the inevitable tumbles of off-road riding, and the 205kg (452 lb) weight makes the XRV hard to pick up after dropping it.
Kept on the road though, the Africa Twin works well as a touring bike and is also useful in town. There is plenty of weather protection from the fairing, and the large fuel tank gives an extended range. The riding position is comfortable for extended two-up riding, and the rear rack is useful for carrying luggage. The seat is high however, and even average-height riders will struggle to touch the ground at traffic lights.
Although the 742cc, 6-valve, four spark plug, liquid-cooled engine is rather dated by 2003 standards and low on power, its flexible delivery allows reasonable progress, and it is both reliable and economical. The long-travel suspension insulates the rider from uneven surfaces and while the twin-front and single rear brake discs are a trail-styled compromise, they work well enough. When riding with a pillion, there is a large amount of nose dive under hard breaking, and the fitting of progressive springs and thicker oil helps reduce this, but losing smoothness over harsh terrain solo. The rear standard shock absorber is also prone to overheating when two-up with luggage and over rough terrain.
The other weakness is the fuel pump which is reported to weld itself together over about 10,000-20,000 miles, but there are many modifications available to cure this.
The XRV's instruments have some unusual additions; a large trip computer LCD display mounted above the conventional speedometer and tachometer is styled like Dakar racers' navigational displays, and incorporates a range of extra electronic timers and trip meters.
Specifications
XRV750 Africa Twin
L to N models
(1990 to 1992)
P to S models
(1993 to 1995)
T models onwards
(1996 on)
Overall length
2315 to 2380 mm
Overall width
895 mm
905 mm
Overall height
1420 mm
1430 mm
Wheelbase
1565 mm
Seat height
880 mm
860 mm
870 mm
Weight (dry)
185 kg
205 kg
Fuel tank capacity (including reserve)
25 litres
23 litres
Wheels:
Front 21 inch spoke, aluminium rim
Rear 17 inch spoke, aluminium rim
Tyres L to N (1990 to 1992) models:
Front 90/90-21 54H
Rear 130/90-17 65S
Tyres P models onwards (1993 on):
Front 90/90-21 54S
Rear 140/80-R17 69H
Tyre Pressures (Rider) L to N (1990 to 1992) models:
Front 29 psi
Rear 29 psi
Tyre Pressures (Rider & Passenger) L to N (1990 to 1992) models:
Front 29 psi
Rear 33 psi
Tyre Pressures (Rider) P models onwards (1993 on):
Front 29 psi
Rear 29 psi
Tyre Pressures (Rider & Passenger) P models onwards (1993 on):
Front 29 psi
Rear 36 psi
External links
The UK Africa Twin Website, with its own wiki on the Africa Twin
vde
Honda Motor Company
Automobiles
1300 Accord Accord Hybrid Acty Airwave/Partner Ascot Avancier Ballade Beat Capa City City Turbo Civic Civic GX Civic Hybrid Civic Si Civic Type R CR-X CR-X del Sol Concerto Crossroad CR-V Domani Element Elysion EV Plus FCX Clarity Fit FR-V Freed HR-V Insight Inspire Integra Jazz Legend Life Life Dunk Logo Mobilio Mobilio Spike N360 N600 NSX Odyssey Orthia/Partner Passport Pilot/MR-V Prelude Quint Rafaga Ridgeline Saber Stepwgn Stream S500 S600 S800 S2000 That's Today Torneo Vamos Z Zest
Acura automobiles
CL CSX EL Integra Legend MDX NSX RDX RL RSX SLX TL TSX Vigor ZDX
Concept automobiles
CR-Z Dualnote HSC J-VX Remix Spocket WOW New Small Concept
Race automobiles
HSV-010 GT R800 R1300 RA270 RA271 RA272 RA273 RA300 RA301 RA302 RA100 RA099 RA106 RA107 RA108
Motorcycles
CB series CBF series CBR series CM/CMX series CR series CRF series CX series Fury GL series NSR series RC series ST series VF/VFR series VT series VTX series XR/XL series XRE300 Transalp Africa Twin Deauville Bros/HawkGT NX250 Pacific Coast TL Series (Reflex) Valkyrie X4
Mopeds and
light motorcycles
Ape CT series Cub F Cub series Gyro Motra P50 PC50 ST series/Dax Wave series Z series
Aircraft
MH02 HA-420
Engines
A-series B-series B20A C-series D-series E-series E07A F-series F20C G-series H-series J-series K-series L-series Circle L Diesel N-series Diesel P07A series R-series HF120 Turbofan VTEC I-DSi I-CDTi
Robots
Honda E series Honda P series ASIMO
Scooters
Aero Big Ruckus Dio Elite S Elite E Express Helix Juno Metropolitan Metropolitan II Motocompo NH series Reflex Spree Ruckus/Zoomer Silver Wing
Subsidiaries
Acura Hero Honda Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Honda Siel Cars India Honda Racing Honda F1 Honda Aircraft Company Team G Cross Honda
Keiretsu affiliates
Keihin Showa Corporation Nippon Seiki
Influential people
Soichiro Honda Nobuhiko Kawamoto Takeo Fukui Tadao Baba
vde
previous - Honda motorcycle timeline, 1990sresent
Honda List of Honda motorcycles Honda Racing Corporation Repsol Honda
Type
1990s
2000s
2010s
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Standard
CG125
CBF125
CMX250C/Rebel
CMX250C/Rebel
CB500
CBF500
CBF600
CB750/Nighthawk
CBF1000
CB600F/Hornet/599
CB900F/Hornet/919
CB1000R
CB1100
Sport
NSR125
CBR125R
CBR250
CBR600F
CBR600F2
CBR600F3
CBR600F4
CBR600F4i
CBR600RR
CBR900RR
CBR918RR
CBR929RR
CBR954RR
CBR1000RR
RC51
VTR1000F
CBR1000F
CBR1100XX (North American sales ended 2003)
Touring
VFR750F
VFR800/Interceptor
VFR1200F
ST1100/Pan-European
ST1300/Pan-European
Gold Wing
Dual-sport
NX250
NX650 Dominator
XL125V/Varadero 125
XL600V/XL650V/XL700V/Transalp
XRV650/XRV750/Africa Twin
XL1000V/Varadero
This motorcycle, scooter, or moped-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
vde
Categories: Honda motorcycles | Motorcycle stubs | WikiProject Motorcycling stubsHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from May 2008 | All articles lacking sources
by: himfr
New Hero Honda Hunk Face Lifted Launched Hero Honda Launches Cwg Special Edition Of Passion Pro New Hero Honda Passion Pro Cwg Edition Launched Honda Seriously Exploring Sub-rs 40,000 Slot For Bikes Honda Expected To Launch 250cc Bikes Vtr Or Cbx Twister The Different Types Of Quad Bikes The Benefits Of Fitness Bikes A Guide To Folding Bikes Stylish Hero Honda Bikes With Exciting Features Hero Honda Cbz Xtreme In India Harley Davidson- The King Of Bikes Honda Activa In India Hero Honda Passion Pro, Cwg Special Edition- Price Unveiled