You don’t have to insist too much for Juan Antonio, a good friend for more than 20 years, to lend you one of the motorcycles that currently live in his private garage. In fact, I already told him, some time ago, about letting me have his spectacular Honda XRV650 Africa Twin in 1989 to test drive it and later publish it on our website, to which he simply answered me kindly:
“Jorge, take her whenever you feel like it, of course, you’re in charge of making her pretty for the photos (cleaning her) because I’m busy with my affairs… Is that okay with you?”… No sooner said than done. So, after finding a space in the agenda, I was finally able to go pick it up at its home just a few days ago and, after a brief introductory guide to the model from its lucky owner, I put myself at its command, with a smile from ear to ear.
That’s what it’s like to be a textbook petrolhead and enjoy like a pig soaking in the mud, when you have the opportunity to pilot this iconic eighties trail model, which has already become an institution within the golden wing brand. And it is no wonder, since wherever it passes it attracts the eyes of those who know its history. Mainly because of how uncommon it is these days to come across one driving on our roads.
Honda XRV650 Africa Twin: A little history about the model
On May 12, 1988, Honda made official the launch in Japan of a new model within its Offroad range of the moment: The new XRV650 Africa Twin. A frame that was initially announced as a limited edition of only 500 units for a final price of 749,000 yen at the time, about 4,320 euros at the exchange ratealthough it was finally marketed for a season in different global markets.
The idea was to commemorate the three Dakar Rally achieved by the technological NXR750 with a motorcycle in the image and likeness of the latter. Although in the technical apparatus it would not share practically any attribute with the three-time champion of the brand, aesthetically the XRV650 Africa Twin fell in love with all the followers of the Japanese firm, who were also faithful followers of Honda’s competitive exploits within the Offroad world.
As presented by the brand itself at that time “Honda launches a dynamic and large touring motorcycle”there was no doubt that we were looking at a motorcycle designed to tackle long road routes, as well as to travel on tracks and dirt roads with total efficiency. In 1989, a year after its launch, it won the Marathon category of the Paris-Dakar Rally, designed for unmodified production motorcycles, taking the first two positions overall.
To this end, the brand created the “Dakar Objective” initiative, with Hervé Guio at the head, in which Honda France invited amateur pilots to pilot an Africa Twin in the well-known Offroad competition. Fifty participants were selected to compete in the legendary test with the support of the brand’s French subsidiary, 18 of whom managed to complete the race.
Those XRV650 Africa Twin “Marathon” all had a chassis and engine number that began with the number 5, and were equipped with a special accessory kit with which they could face the test with guarantees. For the following season, another 50 units were prepared with which to participate again in the demanding African competition. On this occasion, the chassis and engine numbers began with 6 (from 600001 to 600050).
As detailed on this specialized website about this special edition of the model “About twenty ATs were delivered in France, at least three in Spain, while about fifteen of these motorcycles arrived in Italy in mid-November 1989, when it was too late to participate in the rally.”
Honda XRV650 Africa Twin: The technique
Although on an aesthetic level Honda created a motorcycle with an accomplished Dakar image, in technical terms it opted for a package that combined efficiency, versatility and balanced performance thanks to incorporating the everlasting 52° V-twin engine and 647 cc known in internal code under the acronym RC31E. With an OHC architecture with 6 valves in the cylinder head and water-cooled, it had internal dimensions of 79 mm x 66 mm, and was also associated with a 5-speed gearbox.
However, it managed to offer a final power of 57 hp at 7,500 rpmalthough in some markets this figure was limited to 50 HP, adjusting to the prevailing regulations of the time in depending on which countries. The final maximum torque amounted to 55 Nm at 6,000 revolutionswith a top speed that, in favorable conditions, could flirt with 180 km/h, as witnessed by some of the tests carried out by specialized media of the time.
Regarding its cycle part, Honda clearly sought from the first moment a very successful general balance. To do this, it used a double cradle steel chassis with a rectangular section, combined with a conventional aluminum swingarm. The assembly in turn rested on a suspension system made up of a 43 mm Showa fork, with a travel of 230 mm, and a Pro-Link monoshock with up to 210 mm useful between stops.
For braking, the Japanese firm opted for a single disc on each axle, 296 mm at the front and actuated by a double-piston caliper and 240 mm at the rear, bitten in this case by a single-piston caliper. Finally, we should mention its iconic anodized gold aluminum wheels, shod with mixed tires in sizes 90/90-21 54S and 130/90-17 68S, front and rear respectively. Highlight in this section is its generous gasoline tank with up to 24 liters of capacity.
On the contrary, we had a curb weight of 220 kilograms, which was somewhat high by the standards of the time. This did not prevent the XRV650 Africa Twin from being truly manageable, thanks, among other things, to a seat located 880 mm from the ground.
Honda XRV650 Africa Twin: General behavior
It’s funny how, whenever I put myself at the controls of any of the frames from the golden wing brand, belonging to the ranges marketed by the brand over the last two decades of the last century, the same idea always comes to mind: “Honda is Honda.” And it’s no wonder, believe me, because their performance, despite their advanced age, is surprising to say the least.
Our protagonist today, the XRV650 Africa Twin (just turned 37 years old), does not disappoint in this aspect from the first moment you position yourself in the cockpit. Starting with the correctness of its posture, going through the quality of its manufacturing materials in general terms, and ending with its operation, smooth and linear from very low revolutions. Added to all this is a gearbox that, beyond the ratios chosen for it, exhibits a touch worthy of any current motorcycle.
On the other hand, both the compendium of controls that are grouped on the sides of the handlebars and the instrument panel itself offer simple and intuitive operation. The latter also has all the necessary information that can be expected from a mixed approach model. Because let’s not forget that the
Once underway, the motorcycle “goes forward.” That is to say, from the first pulse of its V-Twin we are fully aware of the two faces it offers. Although below 4,000 rpm it appears somewhat lazy, above that figure and up to around 7,500 rpm it provides us with a very different face. Taking into account that we have a rather discreet power on the right control, the XRV650 Africa Twin stretches in a very dignified and forceful way in almost any situation.
However, it is necessary not to let the engine drop below the aforementioned speed, since the gear ratio of this XRV650 Africa Twin is rather open, which will force us on more than one occasion to go down a gear if we are not attentive to this issue. Likewise, another factor to take into account is the braking section, where it is advisable to start the maneuver in advance. Among other things because we are talking about a motorcycle that, with rider included, will generally weigh around 300 kilos.
This, together with the fact that we only have a single disc on the front axle, predisposes us from the first moment to driving under this condition. At an aerodynamic level it is obvious that the front screen of the XRV650 Africa Twin fulfills its function at legal speeds, but not if we decide to increase the pace. In any case, this motorcycle is infinitely more enjoyable when our intention is to travel kilometers in a calm manner, without the intention of squeezing the maximum performance that its mechanics can offer us in “attack mode.”
In the case of this unit in question, the mounting of Offroad tires greatly conditions its operation on the road, although another thing is quite different when we decide to leave the asphalt to travel a stretch of track. Likewise, it performs its function efficiently on the surface of secondary roads where the asphalt itself leaves much to be desired.
Beyond this aspect, it is crucial to understand the operation of the motorcycle itself by the mere fact of using this type of tire, putting a lot of weight in the direction at low speed. Finally, the average consumption that, even today and with nearly 85,000 kilometers on its odometer, is achieved by this 1989
Honda XRV650 Africa Twin: Currently
Currently it is easy for us to find an XRV650 Africa Twin for sale. This particular unit has been in the hands of its owner for approximately 6 years. In fact, I myself accompanied him at the time to take a look at it and later to pick it up once the purchase was agreed. To give us an idea, less than a decade ago it was not very difficult to acquire one of these in a fairly decent condition for a price of around 2,000 euros.
As we all know, the second-hand market is currently truly crazy in terms of prices depending on which models. Taking into account that we are talking about the first Africa Twin in the saga and that it was only in production for just a year, its iconicity has caused it to revalue considerably in recent years. With prices that start at 4,000 euros at best, we can find some copies in perfect magazine condition for sums that far exceed 6,000 euros.
