:Honda XRV750
{{Verification|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name = Honda XRV750T
|image = File:Honda Africa Twin XRV750T.jpg
|aka = Africa Twin
|manufacturer = Honda
|parent_company =
|production = 1989–2003
|model_year = XRV750T 1996-2003
|assembly =
|predecessor = Honda XRV650
|successor = Honda CRF1000
|class = Dual-sport
|engine = {{convert|742|cc|abbr=on}} 52° V-twin. SOHC, 3 Valve per cylinder
|bore_stroke = {{convert|81.0|×|72.0|mm|abbr=on}}
|compression = 9.0:1
|power = {{Convert|45.3|kW|abbr=on}}@ 7,500 rpm
|torque = {{Convert|62.7|Nm|abbr=on}}@ 6,000 rpm
|ignition = CDI with electronic advance
|transmission = 5-speed manual, chain final drive
|frame = Single downtube with double-loop cradle, rectangular section, steel
|suspension = Front: 43 mm air-assisted telescopic fork, 220mm wheel travel
Rear: Pro-Link 214mm wheel travel with preload and compression damping adjustment
|brakes = Front: two 276 mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear: Single 256 mm disc 1 piston caliper
|tires = Front: 90/90 D21
Rear: 140/80 R17{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorradonline.de/ratgeber/gebrauchtberatung-honda-africa-twin-leidlose-leidenschaft/|title=Gebrauchtberatung Honda Africa Twin (2003): Leidlose Leidenschaft|first=Thorsten|last=Dentges|date=Dec 16, 2003|website=MOTORRAD|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}}
|rake_trail =
|wheelbase =
|length = {{convert|2315|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|2380|mm|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|905|mm|abbr=on}}
|height = {{convert|1243|mm|abbr=on}}
|seat_height = {{convert|860|mm|abbr=on}}
|fuel_capacity = {{convert|23|L|abbr=on}}
|oil_capacity =
|turning_radius =
|related =
|note =
}}
The XRV750 Africa Twin{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZzWLhrktfMC&q=Honda+XRV750|title=Honda|first=Hugo|last=Wilson|date=Feb 19, 1998|publisher=DK Publ.|isbn=9780789435095 |accessdate=Feb 19, 2023|via=Google Books}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorradonline.de/enduro/konzeptvergleich-reise-enduros-schoene-ferien/|title=KTM 620 Adventure und Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin im Test: Schöne Ferien mit Reiseenduros|first=Jörg|last=Schüller|date=Aug 20, 1997|website=MOTORRAD|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}} was a {{convert|742|cc|abbr=on}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e1KsG1LLaSEC&q=XRV750&pg=PA117|title=Superbikes. Le moto più straordinarie di tutti i tempi|first=Alan|last=Dowds|date=Feb 19, 2006|publisher=Gremese Editore|isbn=9788879448192 |accessdate=Feb 19, 2023|via=Google Books}} dual-sport first launched in December 1989.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/xrv750-africa-twin/1989/|title=HONDA XRV750 AFRICA TWIN (1989-2003) Motorcycle Review|website=www.motorcyclenews.com|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}} and based on the Honda NXR-750, which won the Paris-Dakar rally four times in the late 1980s{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kabox9JS1OEC&q=XRV750&pg=PA159|title=365 Motorcycles You Must Ride|first1=Dain|last1=Gingerelli|first2=James|last2=Michels|first3=Charles|last3=Everitt|date=Jan 10, 2011|publisher=Motorbooks|isbn=9780760334744 |accessdate=Feb 19, 2023|via=Google Books}} (from 1986 to 1989).
Description and technical
File:1993 Honda XRV750 Africa Twin RD07 with packbox.jpg
It was preceded by Honda XRV650 Africa Twin, which was a lighter, higher specification version made in 1988 and 1989 by Honda Racing Corporation with a 650 cc engine producing {{Convert|50|hp|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.motorradonline.de/einzeltest/die-honda-xrv-650-africa-twin-im-einzeltest.444897.html// |last=Koch |first=Werner |title=Auf Achse: Honda XRV 650 Africa Twin |publisher=Motorrad Classic |access-date=March 9, 2017 |date=February 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312045528/http://www.motorradonline.de/einzeltest/die-honda-xrv-650-africa-twin-im-einzeltest.444897.html// |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=live }} The much earlier Honda XLV750R was a shaft driven motorcycle.
Built in homage to the giant desert racers of the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Africa Twin is a large, dual sport bike, powered by a softly tuned V-twin engine. It has twin headlights, a windscreen, and a long dual seat which stretches back from the tank to an aluminium grabrail and plastic coated luggage rack. An aluminium bashplate protects the bottom of the engine from flying rocks and impacts.
File:Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2000 (9680690897).jpg
The engine is a 742 cc, liquid-cooled V-twin with a single overhead camshaft, 6-valves (3 per cylinder) and four spark plugs (2 per cylinder). The long-travel suspension insulates the rider from uneven surfaces. The brakes are twin discs at the front and single disc at the rear.
== History and update==
File:Honda XRV 750 Tripmaster.JPG
In December 1989 the original Honda XRV750 Africa Twin was launched, which became known as the 1990 model. In 1990 was updated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.honda.co.jp/pressroom/products/motor/afriatwin/africatwin_1990-02-20/|title=Honda | バイク製品アーカイブ 「アフリカツイン」|website=www.honda.co.jp|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}} In 1992 the Tripmaster computer was added. In 1993 the motorcycle had a major redesign including new frame, body work plastics, fuel tank, engine modifications and a lower seat. Nevertheless, it gained weight slightly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorradonline.de/ratgeber/gebrauchtkauf-honda-africa-twin-motorrad-01-1997/|title=Gebrauchtkauf Honda Africa Twin: MOTORRAD 01/1997|first=Holger|last=Hertneck|date=Jan 1, 1997|website=MOTORRAD|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorradonline.de/ratgeber/gebrauchtberatung-honda-africa-twin-affrika-twin/|title=Gebrauchtberatung Honda Africa Twin: Affrika Twin|first=Holger|last=Hertneck|date=Dec 23, 1996|website=MOTORRAD|accessdate=Feb 19, 2023}} In 1996 the XRV gained an improved seat and clutch, larger silencer, modified upper fairing and luggage rack. However, the rear shock absorber lost some of its adjustability. In 2000 the Honda XRV750 Africa Twin ceased production. XRVs still in the showrooms were sold and registered until 2003 but there is no XRV with a VIN that is newer than 2000. Nowadays good second hand examples are very much sought after among aficionados. Several aftermarket products exist with which to equip the bike such as crash bars to protect the vehicle's plastics and tank from damage in a low speed fall.
The later XRV's instruments feature a large trip computer LCD display mounted above the conventional speedometer and tachometer, styled like Dakar racers' navigational displays, and incorporates a range of extra electronic timers and trip meters.[https://books.google.com/books?id=SWd40hfW2bYC&q=honda+xrv+trip+computer Superbikes: The World's Top Performance Machines, page 114]
Specifications
| class="wikitable"
|+ XRV750 Africa Twin | |||
| L to N models (1990 to 1992) | P to S models (1993 to 1995) | T models onwards (1996 on) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | colspan="3" align="center"| 2315 to 2380 mm | ||
| Overall width
| align="center"| 895 mm | colspan="2" align="center"| 905 mm | |||
| Overall height
| align="center"| 1,420 mm | colspan="2" align="center"| 1430 mm | |||
| Wheelbase | colspan="3" align="center"| 1,565 mm | ||
| Seat height
| align="center"| 880 mm | align="center"| 860 mm | align="center"| 870 mm | |||
| Weight (dry)
| align="center"| 209 kg | colspan="2" align="center"|205 kg | |||
| Fuel tank capacity (including reserve)
| align="center"| 24 litres | colspan="2" align="center"|23 litres | |||
| Wheels
| colspan="3" align="center"|Front 21-inch spoke, aluminium rim 1.85x21" | |||
| Tyres
| align="center"| Front 90/90-21 54S | colspan="2" align="center"| Front 90/90-21 54S |
{{-}}
Later versions
Africa Twins were originally built with a V-twin layout, but current models use a parallel twin engine with a 270° crankshaft (as pioneered by the Yamaha TRX850). The new engine was cheaper to build, lighter and more compact, allowing both a shorter wheelbase and easier placement of inlet and exhaust manifolds. Also, the 270° engine's "big bang" concept allows excellent rear wheel grip to the track surface.
References
{{Reflist|30wm}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.honda.co.jp/pressroom/products/motor/afriatwin/africatwin_1993-03-22/ Partial history update of XRV750 on honda.co.jp]
- [https://www.motorradonline.de/enduro/vergleichstest-zweizylinder-enduros-motorrad-14-1992/ Test 1992: Cagiva Elefant vs Honda Africa Twin vs BMW R 100 GS vs Yamaha XTZ 750]
{{Honda}}
{{Honda motorcycles}}