Honda XRV 650 Africa Twin

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Honda
Honda Africa Twin 650.jpg
Honda XRV 650 Africa Twin from 1989
XRV 650 (RD 03)
Manufacturer Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Sales description Africa Twin
Production period 1988 to 1989
class motorcycle
design type Travel enduro
Motor data
Liquid-cooled V-engine with two cylinders
Displacement  (cm³) 647
Power  (kW / PS ) 37/50 at 7,000 min -1
Torque  ( N m ) 55 at 5500 min -1
Top speed (  km / h) 168
transmission 5 courses
drive Chain drive
Brakes Front Ø 296 mm single
disc brake and double- piston brake calipers, rear Ø 240 mm single-piston single disc brake
Wheelbase  (mm) 1565
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 2295 × 895 × 1290
Seat height (cm) 88
Empty weight  (kg) 220
Previous model None
successor Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin

The Honda XRV 650 Africa Twin [ ˈæfrɪkə twɪn ] is an off-road motorcycle from the Japanese manufacturer Honda , which was produced from 1988 to 1989. The design of the travel enduro is derived from the Honda XL 600 V Transalp and is powered by the two-cylinder engine of the Honda NT 650 Hawk .

history

In response to the motorsport successes of the BMW R 80 GS in the early 1980s, the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) was commissioned in 1984 to develop an all-terrain motorcycle suitable for the desert for the Paris-Dakar rally . In 1985 the NXR 750 V was presented with a water-cooled two-cylinder with a displacement of 779 cm³ and a rated output of 48 kW (65 PS). This motorcycle won the Paris-Dakar rally four times in a row from 1986 to 1989 and was therefore also called the “Queen of Africa”.

The Africa Twin XRV 650 with manufacturer code RD 03 is not based on the factory rally motorcycle NXR 750, but after the success of the NXR at the Paris-Dakar rally in 1987, it adopted its look. Despite a full tank weight of 220 kg, the travel enduro was easy to move both on the road and off-road. In Germany, due to the cheaper type class, the power was reduced by throttling from 57 hp to 50 hp and the motorcycle was sold at a price of 10,570 DM. The top speed is 165 km / h at an engine speed of 7,640 min −1 . The aluminum rims have steel spokes and are fitted with diagonal tires at the front and rear. The RD 03 decelerates at the front with a disc brake with a two- piston caliper and at the rear with a disc brake with a single-piston caliper. Until 1991 the motorcycle was only available in the color combination (white-red-blue) of the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

construction

drive

The water-cooled four - stroke engine is mounted transversely in the frame, so that the two cylinders of the V-engine are one behind the other at an angle of 52 ° to the crankshaft . The two cylinders have a bore of 79 mm in diameter, the pistons have a stroke of 66 mm with a compression ratio of 9.4: 1. Each cylinder head has a chain-driven camshaft that controls one exhaust and two intake valves. The unit consisting of the engine and transmission block is vertically separated and made of an aluminum alloy. The crankshaft transmits its torque via gears to a multi-disc oil bath clutch on the input shaft of the transmission. The transmission has five gears and is linked to the rear wheel by a chain.

landing gear

The chassis consists of a single-loop tubular frame made of steel with a double top made of rectangular profiles and a classic rear frame. The two stanchions of the telescopic fork have a diameter of 43 mm and a spring travel of 230 mm. They are connected to one another by a fork bridge above the front wheel. The suspension strut on the aluminum rear swing arm has a deflection system and is infinitely adjustable in terms of both spring preload and damping.

cooling

The engine is cooled with a mixture of water and antifreeze , which dissipates the heat of combustion from the two cylinders to the ambient air via two radiators . A coolant pump driven by the oil pump conveys the hot coolant via a thermostatic valve to the radiators and back, whereby the thermostat only opens completely from an operating temperature of 95 ° C. The right radiator has a cooling fan as additional cooling for coolant temperatures above 100 ° C.

Model overview of the Africa Twin

Model code RD 03 RD 04 RD 07 RD 07a
Sales description XRV 650 XRV 750
model J to K L to N P to S T to Y
Construction year 1988-1989 1990-1992 1993-1995 1996-2000
overall length 2295 mm 2330 mm 2380 mm
width 895 mm
height 1290 mm 1420 mm 1430 mm
wheelbase 1564 mm 1565 mm 1564 mm
Seat height 890 mm 860 mm
Dry weight 187 kg 210 kg 205 kg
Tank volume (with reserve) 24 liters 23 liters

Rally use

The motorcycle was successfully used as the RD 03 Marathon in 1989 and 1990 by Honda France at the Paris-Dakar Rally in the marathon class. A rear tank and an enlarged main tank were installed for the long stages. Higher quality components were used on the chassis. Many other changes were made to this model, such as an engine guard with a water compartment, a modified swing arm to attach a chain guide and crash bars for the radiator. However, the standard air filter box proved to be problematic; in the second year of the RD 03 Marathon, it was converted to an air intake behind the tank lid.

Around 60 machines were produced and sold for the Paris-Dakar rally at a price of around DM 30,000 including service.

Reviews

“As a serial offshoot of the legendary works rally racers, the massive touring enduro won many fans with its versatility and reliability. The V2 engine is almost unbreakable, the robust chassis is suitable for brisk country roads as well as for off-road passages on long-distance trips - there is also plenty of comfort and space for luggage. "

- Michael Pfeiffer : 2 wheels

“The aiming accuracy is excellent, the chassis remains stable and calm at all times, and the freedom of lean angle is almost infinite. The Africa Twin is the born Big Twin horror, its nerve-saving engine and chassis design makes it easy for beginners to concentrate fully on the enjoyable swinging. For mechanics and hobbyists, however, the Honda is rather disappointing. It just doesn't want to break. 80,000 kilometers without any problems are easy. If at all, the speedometer cable, steering head bearings or the fuel pump only need to be replaced. "

- Klaus Herder : Kradblatt

literature

Web links

Commons : Honda Africa Twin  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Guido Gluschitsch: 30 years of the Honda Transalp and Africa Twin. In: The Standard . January 26, 2015, accessed February 9, 2015 .
  2. ↑ Fred Siemer: The tendency towards perfection. (PDF; 3.5 MB) Honda XRV 650 Africa Twin: Driving report. In: motorcycle . No. 9, 1988. Sep. 1, 1988, pp. 84-90 , archived from the original ; Retrieved February 9, 2015 .
  3. ↑ 2Räder, edition 4/2009, p. 51
  4. ↑ Klaus Herder: Honda Africa Twin model report. In: bma, edition 11/1998. Kradblatt, November 1, 1998, accessed February 9, 2015 .