Speculation: 2020 Honda CRF1100L on the Horizon?

[MotoNews]

Published in: Bikes

Speculation of a new 2020 Honda CRF1100L is popping up on several new sites on the internet. With the exception of the lightly-upgraded Africa Twin Adventure Sports, the current CRF1000L has gone basically unchanged since 2016. The rumors stem from the fact that Euro 5 regulations will take into effect in 2020. As a result, Honda may choose to bump the displacement of their big CRF to give the bike a bit more power, combatting against tightening emissions standards.

One speculation that caught our eye was the possible implementation of VTEC. Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control has been around for decades, used in Honda's automobiles and a few of Honda’s motorcycles (most notably the iconic VFR series). The system shifts between two cam profiles resulting in increased, efficient power at higher RPMs.

Despite suspension issues with the earliest gen CRF1000L, the Africa Twin is widely received and has become a staple in the adventure bike segment, planting itself between mid-sized and full-sized multi-cylinder ADV bikes. We’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent on the ATs, but now we can start pinging Big Red about what we’d like to see in the next big CRF.

We're hoping for multiple variations of the Africa Twin, one for adventure touring, and one geared towards off-road performance, both available with DCT. The DCT automatic transmission is a truly unique feature from Honda and they should continue to develop it, but this time they should offer an optional clutch override (if you've ridden with DCT off-road, you'll know why). The touring version can come with electronic suspension and should bring the seat height back down to more reasonable figures, while the off-road model should come with tubeless wheels and crash protection standard. Both models need to have cruise control and increased fuel capacity, if only to simply keep up with the market.

Do you own or have you ridden the CRF1000L? What did you like and where do you think Honda can improve? Let us know in the comments section below.

Source: Riders.DriveMag

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