The 2025 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES sits right at the sharp end of “big adventure bike” territory: premium money, proper touring intent, and a spec sheet built for long UK days where the weather changes faster than your route plan. This 2025 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES review is based on a real UK road test by Liam Simm, Moto Planet presenter and rider, after riding smaller Hondas like the NX500 and Transalp 750.

The big question Liam wanted answered is the one most UK riders actually care about: is a bigger, top-spec adventure bike genuinely better on our roads, or is it just more bike than you’ll ever need?

Summary

• Engine 1084cc parallel twin (270° crank)
• Power 75kW (approx. 101bhp) @ 7,500rpm
• Torque 112Nm @ 5,500rpm
• Weight 253kg (kerb)
• Fuel Capacity 24.8L
• Price £17,799 (UK)

Buying Advice: Who is this bike for? Who should skip it?

If you’re a UK rider who actually does big days and big miles, this is exactly the kind of bike that makes sense. Liam rode it on UK roads and immediately leaned into what the Adventure Sports is built for: stable comfort, loads of wind protection, and effortless overtakes without needing to wring its neck. If your riding is mostly A-road, motorway, B-road touring and commuting with the occasional gravel track, the Adventure Sports DCT ES fits the brief.

You should skip it if your adventures are genuinely off-road-first. Liam’s advice is simple: if you’re going to be properly in the mud and doing tougher trails, the standard Africa Twin is the smarter choice because it’s lighter, simpler, and you won’t be paying for touring-focused extras you don’t need.

First ride feel on UK roads

Within the first few minutes, Liam’s takeaway is that Honda’s DCT suits this kind of bike more than you’d expect. Around town and through everyday UK traffic speeds, it feels smooth and confident, and the controls are intuitive enough that you stop thinking about the gearbox and just ride. On B-roads, it’s the easy, manageable delivery that stands out rather than any single “wow” spec.

Comfort, seat height and wind protection

The Adventure Sports is a big bike, but Liam’s point is that it doesn’t feel intimidating once you’re moving. The bars are wide, the riding position is relaxed, and there’s room to move around on the bike when the road gets rough. Seat height adjustability is a proper UK buyer win too: standard seat height is adjustable between 855mm and 835mm, with a lower seat option that takes it down further for shorter riders.

Wind protection is strong, but not perfect for every rider. Liam is 6ft and still felt some buffeting even with the screen in the highest position, which is a common real-world issue for tall UK riders doing faster A-road stretches.

Check out our motorcycle screens & wind protection accessories.

Tech, features and the “top spec” appeal

This is where the DCT ES version earns its price for the right rider. Liam highlights heated grips, cruise control, a touchscreen TFT with phone connectivity, multiple rider modes, and rider-adjustable settings that let you quickly tailor the bike for commuting, touring, or rougher surfaces. On UK roads, that translates to less fatigue and more “set it up and crack on” convenience, especially if you ride year-round.

Engine character, DCT and real-world performance

On paper, the 1084cc parallel twin makes a claimed 75kW (about 101bhp) and 112Nm, but the more important bit is how it delivers. Liam repeatedly comes back to “smooth” and “manageable”, particularly low down where you actually ride in the UK. If you want rapid progress without drama, it’s strong where it matters.

One rider note that’s useful if you’re coming from a manual bike: Liam says engine braking feels minimal in full auto DCT, but you can easily tap down a gear to bring it back, then let the system return to auto.

Brakes, balance and suspension

Liam calls out the braking hardware (dual 310mm fronts and a 256mm rear) but what he actually praises is feel and control, especially at the rear. Combined with electronic suspension, the bike stays composed when you get on the anchors, which matters on bumpy UK B-roads where stability is often the difference between “fun” and “hard work”.

How the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports compares to its rivals?

Against direct rivals, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT ES leans harder into “all-day, all-weather, all-surface touring”. Versus the Yamaha Ténéré 700, it’s significantly heavier and pricier, but far more refined on the road with stronger overtakes, more wind protection, and a much higher level of comfort/tech. Liam’s own comparison lands on the Honda because the power is easy to use and feels well delivered for UK riding.

Against something like a KTM 890 Adventure (R or standard), the Honda feels less sharp-edged and less “hyper”, but more settled and confidence-inspiring over long distances, especially if you value smoothness and reliability reputation over outright punch. Versus a Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, the Honda gives you that big-tank, big-bike feel and real off-road heritage, but the Triumph is often the more agile, road-focused choice if your “adventure” is mainly fast A-roads and occasional light tracks.

Ownership, running costs & reliability

On fuel economy, Honda quotes fuel consumption of 20.5km/L (around 58mpg UK) for this model, while Liam’s real-world expectation on UK roads is roughly 50–60mpg depending on speed, load and conditions. With a 24.8L tank, that can translate into a genuinely useful touring range for UK trips where fuel stops aren’t always where you want them.

Warranty is another strong ownership signal for UK buyers. Honda UK states a standard 2-year warranty, with the ability to extend up to 6 years total cover (subject to meeting Honda’s conditions, including servicing requirements). For riders planning to keep the bike, that’s meaningful peace of mind.

Servicing intervals and major maintenance vary by model year and usage, but Honda’s official maintenance schedule information for the Africa Twin platform shows key checks (including valve clearance) at 24,000km (16,000 miles). For many owners, that’s the “bigger bill” milestone to plan around. If you’re buying used, ask for proof that the schedule has been followed because it helps both reliability confidence and resale value.

Practicality-wise, Liam’s road test points to strong stability, low vibration, comfortable ergonomics, and touring-friendly features like cruise control and heated grips. For two-up and luggage, the Adventure Sports flavour is the more natural pick than the standard bike if your UK riding includes longer tours and mixed weather.

If you want to double-check the official specs and pricing, use Honda UK as your reference point: Honda UK Africa Twin Adventure Sports specifications and price.

Verdict

Liam’s verdict is clear: it’s a brilliant bike, but you don’t “need” it in the way you might need a sensible commuter. What you’re paying for is how easy it makes big riding days feel, especially on UK roads where comfort, stability and usable power matter more than pub-spec numbers. If your riding is mostly touring and road miles with the odd unmade lane, this is the Africa Twin that feels like it was designed for your life.