Article by: Martin Lortz

In Search of Adventure - Destination North Bay

What kind of motorcycle turns your crank? Options are aplenty: sport, cruiser, sport tourer, chopper, cafe racer, or maybe a big touring bike.

For me, an adventure bike puts the biggest smile on my face. My ride is a Triumph Tiger 800XC, but being curious about other brands, when an opportunity presented itself to spend a few days with a 2022 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport I simply couldn’t say no.

Hmmm, where to go? Replaying all the adventure bike-worthy Ontario destinations from my memory, I settled on a quick overnighter via pavement and dirt. Destination: North Bay.

As with all moto excursions beginning in Toronto, a price must be paid in the form of at least one, but probably more, hours of sharing a multi-lane road with multi-wheeled companions. In my case, the experience was helpful to test the Twins' highway cruising qualities. No issues whatsoever. I was easily cruising at 100 km/h in comfort thanks to good wind protection, a comfortable sitting position, and perks like heated grips.

If you are a motorcycling enthusiast in southern Ontario, you are likely familiar with Muskoka's Southwood Road, aka Country Road 13, a local favourite that promises 33 kilometres of twists and turns. Unfortunately, in recent times Southwood Road is known less for a fun ride and more for broken pavement and early-season sand residue from winter maintenance. Sounds perfect for, you know, an adventure bike. On this run, the rough road conditions aboard the Honda Africa Twin were not only appreciated, I even enjoyed them.

We followed the pavement north before turning onto Star Lake Rd. The second half of our day promised to keep gravel and dirt beneath our wheels and smiles on our faces. Blackwater Lake Rd, Orange Valley Rd, and the historic Nipissing Rd provide the terrain for which the Africa Twin is made for. We rode wide gravel roads and single-lane dirt through tunnels of trees, and even some sand and rock along what could more likely be called a trail than a road. The dirt fun continued almost to the North Bay city limits.

There are countless accommodation options in North Bay to choose from. We dropped our bags at Best Western. Staying here always satisfies with ample parking, comfortable rooms, and good eats at Farina, the on-site restaurant. Well rested, on day two, we, for the most part, retraced our steps toward home.

Yep, the dirt was still as fun as it was yesterday. Back on the pavement, we added a handful of Muskoka top motorcycling roads to the schedule. My favourite road in the region, Highway 518, is twisty and entertaining. The big sweepers along Tally Ho-Swords Rd provide perfect cruising. We followed Highway 141 towards Bracebridge, picked up some post-ride refreshments at Muskoka Brewery, and then keep on twisting and turning along Muskoka Beach Rd and Housey's Rapids Rd before finally pointing the bike south towards home.

Short, sweet and perfect - what a fantastic ride offering everything an adventure bike and rider could wish for. Sure, there are faster ways to get to North Bay, but they definitely aren’t as fun. As for the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport, there is a reason it's one of the most popular bikes in the adventure segment. Sometimes saying less is saying more; my Africa Twin experience was absolute fun, and I would be happy to own one.

2022 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES

ENGINE

• Type: Parallel-twin w/ 270-degree crankshaft

• Displacement: 1084cc

• Bore x stroke: 92.0 x 81.5mm

• Compression ratio: 10.1:1

• Valvetrain: SOHC, 4vpc

• Fueling: Two 46mm throttle bodies

• Transmission: 6-speed

• Clutch: Manual or DCT: Fully and semi-automatic DCT w/ slipper function

• Final drive: 525 chain

CHASSIS

• Frame: Steel, semi-double-cradle

• Front suspension; travel: Electronically adjustable semi-active Showa 45mm inverted fork; 9.1 inches

• Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, electronically adjustable, semi-active Showa remote reservoir shock; 8.7 inches

• Wheels: Wire-spoke tubeless

• Front tire: 90/90 x 21

• Rear tire: 150/70 x 18

• Front brakes: 310mm floating discs w/ radially mounted 4-piston callipers

• Rear brake: 256mm disc w/ single-piston calliper

• Parking brake: DCT-only; cable-actuated single-piston calliper on rear disc

• ABS: Cornering aware; defeatable

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 62.0 inches

• Rake: 27 degrees

• Trail: 4.4 inches

• Seat heights: 34.3 or 33.5 inches

• Ground clearance: 9.8 inches

• Fuel capacity: 6.5 gallons

• Curb weight: 529 pounds (DCT: 551 pounds)