Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
1 comment 
Pilot The Legendary Honda Africa Twin, The Two-Wheeled SUV. From R$16,000, Explore Without Limits. Classic And Affordable Trail
Trail bikes are often called two-wheeled SUVs, although technically we should call them dual-sport. They are suitable for both asphalt and trails, and like cars, in many cases, their off-road capabilities are merely symbolic. Modern trails are refined, powerful, and full of electronics, but in the eighties, they were true beasts. Monstrous off the pavement and, in many cases, born from competition. Such is the case with today’s bike: an icon of the Dakar, an indestructible Honda trail, and for R$ 16,000… a second-hand gift.
Honda Africa Twin XRV650/XRV750, Classic, Indestructible… And Affordable
If there is a bike that defined the trail segment and contributed to its current popularity, that bike is the Honda Africa Twin. It is a founding member of a select club of pioneering dual-sport bikes born in the eighties, which includes the Yamaha XT 600 Ténéré, the Honda Dominator, and the BMW R80 G/S. All of them were born with strong ties to competition and overcame extremely tough tests in the Dakar and other demanding rallies. Gradually, they were transformed into street machines for riders in search of adventure.
One Of Its Design Requirements Was To Maintain Sustained Cruises Of 150 Km/h… Off-Road
Contrary to what one might think, the first trails were not difficult to ride or complex bikes. They were designed to be extremely tough, very reliable, and simple to repair with basic tools. Moreover, they had to have a low center of gravity, a suspension that wouldn’t abuse the rider on long journeys off-road, and be easy to ride. With these premises, Honda launched the XR650 Africa Twin in 1988, directly derived from the competition Honda NXR750.
-
Engineers propose a fourth traffic light for intersections – the change promises to affect crossings, queues, and waiting times.
-
Chevrolet Suburban Z71 lands in Brazil with a V8 engine, off-road design, air suspension, seven seats, and colossal size, a rare version imported for around R$ 1.3 million with luxury and exclusivity.
-
The Chevrolet Onix 1.0 turbo achieves 17.7 km per liter on the highway and ranks among the three most economical cars in Brazil in 2026, alongside two more expensive Toyota hybrids available at dealerships.
-
Little sister of the Hilux: Toyota launches Land Cruiser FJ with 4 radical versions, 2.7 engine with 166 hp and 4×4 traction with locking.
The NXR won four consecutive Dakars from 1986 to 1989 when Honda officially withdrew from the event, leaving a high standard. The XRV650 Africa Twin were practically replicas of the NXR, both aesthetically and technically. Not just because of their spectacular fairing with eye-catching colors, but because of a robust tubular chassis filled with protections, an imposing front end with a dual radiator, a riding position of 890 mm in height, a 25-liter fuel tank, or front forks of no less than 43 mm in diameter.
Its Design Is Iconic, With HRC Colors (Honda Racing Corporation) And A Dual Headlight Protected By A Metal Grille.
The Africa Twin had the best off-road hardware available at Honda, and its name was a clear reference to both the Dakar and its V-twin engine. The choice of a V-twin engine was deliberate, aimed at minimizing vibrations and fatigue during a marathon ride. Initially launched with a power of 57 HP and 647 cubic centimeters, this liquid-cooled carbureted engine is known not only for its high torque at low revs and its refinement but also for its extreme durability.
It is not uncommon for these engines to exceed 200,000 km without mechanical issues, and 100,000 km is a very common mileage in the second-hand market for these bikes. The first Honda Africa Twins, the XR650 produced between 1988 and 1990, were manufactured by HRC at their facilities and are known for their impeccable quality, with almost no weak points or endemic failures. Starting in 1990, the Africa Twins began to be called XRV750, started to be produced on a large scale, and their engine grew to 742 cubic centimeters and 62 HP.
Their Suspensions Were Adjustable For Pre-load And Compression, And Their Exhaust Was Made Of Stainless Steel. They Were Bikes Built To Last.
They are bikes as robust as the first Africa Twins but have some endemic faults that are important to know before buying one of these trails in the used motorcycle market.
What Can Fail In Classic Honda Africa Twins?
It is important to remember that these fantastic bikes, as tough and reliable as they are, often exceed 30 years. It is possible that their carburetor is misadjusted, and you may need to resort to a specialist if the bike stutters, floods, or doesn’t start properly. Some units may develop superficial rust on their chassis, although it is not a worrying issue. A very common failure is its fuel pump, which tends to fail over time. The usual solution is to replace it with the fuel pump from Yamaha Ténéré or a more modern pump.
In many cases, it is a preventive upgrade that many owners choose to undertake. Another common issue is the CDI failure, the bike’s ignition module. Located under the seat, vibrations often damage its connections. This can be resolved with careful disassembly and re-soldering of its terminals. In addition to these problems, the bike’s current regulator is susceptible to failure over time, as it occurred in many bikes from the nineties. An improved, more modern regulator is the definitive solution.
The First Africa Twins Were Sold, With Almost No Changes, Between 1988 And 2003.
Lastly, it should be noted that wear items, such as shock absorbers, may need replacement. The brakes, although adequate at the time, today have very modest performance and may feel insufficient in demanding riding. In any case, the Honda Africa Twins are cheap to maintain, very reliable, very tough, and will bring much joy to their owner. A true adventurous trail that, besides that, could be yours for much less money than you think.
From Less Than 16,000 Reais In Your Garage
The Honda Africa Twins are classic bikes at an affordable price. Although they are not as cheap as they were a few years ago, from less than 16,000 reais you can acquire units in good condition. The offer mostly consists of 750 cubic centimeter units, with very few 650 cubic centimeter units – the most desirable for those looking for a classic trail. The equilibrium price can be between 21,000 and 30,000 reais, always bearing in mind that it is neither a large nor liquid market, and therefore, it is the supply that drives the price.
The Entire Offer Of Bikes Typically Has High Mileage
All bikes for sale have over 75,000 km on their odometers, and some even exceed 150,000. This shouldn’t be a concern for you; the most important thing is to ensure the bike is in good condition. For this, the seller should be able to justify its maintenance, appearance, repairs, or possible upgrades. In used bikes, this doesn’t always correspond to the more expensive bikes, so the best course of action is to talk to multiple sellers and carefully “probe” before closing the first meeting with a seller.
Olá, tudo bem?
Sabe me dizer onde eu posso encontrar essas motos para venda? Eu moro em Curitiba e São Paulo.
Agradeço.
Att,