Honda Africa Twin - Factory Suspension Setup

Michael shows you how to completely restore this Africa Twin's suspension back to factory settings.
The owner purchased this 2017 CRF1000L used, and didn't know where the suspension settings were at. So we reset it to factory, and then fine-tuned it specifically for the rider.
It is worth pointing out that this generation of Africa Twins are known to be under-sprung. Meaning, the springs are too weak for our North American butts.
If you need to set up your sag, we suggest watching Moto-Trek's video where they explain the 30% rule for rider sag setup. However, in our case, the 30% was not achievable due to the weak factory Honda springs.
In the end, Michael eludes to upgrading his own bike's suspension springs to Hyperpro springs.
If the factory suspension isn't quite good enough for your riding style, stay tuned and look for our upgrade video. We will cover the process and the overall price. #howto #adventure #suspension
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Front Suspension Overview
01:16 Fork Spring Preload Setup
02:24 Fork Rebound Setup
02:58 Fork Compression Setup
04:04 Rider-Specific Preload
04:53 Rear Suspension Overview
05:14 Rear Preload Setup
06:07 Rear Rebound Setup
06:38 Rear Compression Setup
07:13 Rider-Specific Rear Preload
07:27 Outro
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Thanks for watching!
1 LiterADV

[@flaviotico4862]

One of the most simple videos out there about this subject. Many thanks to take the time to do this.

[@1LiterADV]

Thanks for your feedback! We like to be straight to the point.

[@UncleWally3]

Clear and concise; thanks. A follow up could be the “why” and hopeful result of each adjustment. For example: If too bouncy on the rear, do this . . . if too hard on the front, do this. And, for primarily on tarmac, or for passenger/solo, do this, etc. Again, thanks!

[@ranjitchougale2142]

Thanks! This made a difference after buying a pre-owned one from a heavier rider.

[@davidobrien3874]

Great video. Thanks alot

[@BadDadio]

Excellent video. I also liked the, “anti-clockwise” banter

[@1LiterADV]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@markw2k7]

Great work guys. Please keep making crf1000l content

[@1LiterADV]

Thank you for the comment! We have a lot of Africa Twin content coming in the future.

[@Asdfghjkl1234]

Amigos. Excelente. Very clear and informative video. I bought a used 2020 Africa twin and love it. Greetings and respect to all from Durango Mexico 🇲🇽

[@1LiterADV]

Buenos Dias. Thanks for the complement. Enjoy that 2020!

[@evansongaga1925]

Enjoy it Sir. What's the price of used 2020 in USD Sir?

[@robertgyetvai5926]

Thanks for the guidance!

[@1LiterADV]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@totaratree99]

very useful thankyou.

[@hSolo717]

Thank you it is better now 👍💯👋

[@1LiterADV]

Love hearing things like that. Thanks for taking the time to post your feedback.

[@madeiraonwheels]

Very good video. I would like to take off the front dive that my ATAS 2018 has. I hope that you make more videos with the Africa Twin.

[@1LiterADV]

Thanks for the comment. FYI ATAS has slightly different factory settings. Fork Preload is 8.5 turns from soft Fork Rebound is the same Fork Compression is 4 from max Shock Preload is the same Shock rebound is 13 from max Shock compression is 19 from max

[@joemaillard]

Thank you!

[@1LiterADV]

You bet!

[@daveshelton9936]

I did about the same with my 19 and I ended up nearly blitzing moderate whoops with it stock. I defiantly felt the front end go through the stroke at its limits. Amy faster and it would have not been good.

[@Ozride12]

Thanks, excelent straight forward video! Thanks mate

[@1LiterADV]

Glad it helped!

[@archivecontentsrestoration387]

makes me appreciate the ES

[@blaynehumphrey3198]

Brilliant video, thanks, dialing up to 10 on the preload made a hell of a different 👍

[@1LiterADV]

Glad it helped.

[@Angry-Lynx]

Is there noticable difference on forks from ful soft to full hard on compression? On my ktm950 there was no difference

[@vspatmx7458]

Any idea as to how soft / plush is the suspension in the new CRF1100L 2022 ? Any idea as to how longome can ride that before the terrible seat hardness kickin ?

[@1LiterADV]

No idea on 2022. Honda still need to send me test bikes.

[@kevinhanlon6817]

Thanks for the info. Bike sounds good, what exhaust is on there?

[@1LiterADV]

I think the owner had a factory muffler that he slightly gutted out.

[@AlHom-ve4gz]

I just inherited this bike so I'm a newbie to understanding it. I was able to follow along and understand everything you explained until 7:14. You were matching the Rear Shock Preload to match the Front Forks Preload and said you didn't go Full Max but you went Full Hard (isn't that the same?). This is the part I didn't understand, "you backed it out and left a bit on the top". Factory Setting is 7 clicks from full soft. Does that mean you turned to Full Max/Full Hard and then just backed off a couple of clicks? TIA

[@yns73]

Hi, do you know if the 2022 model has the same settings?

[@1LiterADV]

I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know the 2022 model/s. Referencing the owners manual is the best advice I could give you.

[@jeffferguson899]

one thing I am confused about , are you supposed to do everything on just one fork or are the forks seperate function

[@1LiterADV]

Both forks will need the exact same setup, separately.

[@AG-wm9tp]

What is the factory setting weight for a standart rider? And how do you calculete the additional turns and clicks for heavier rider?

[@1LiterADV]

Those are the factory settings. After that there is no “one answer fits all” for setting sag. Also, compression and rebound is personal based on load and riding style.

[@AG-wm9tp]

Thank you very much.

[@DanTube2010]

In general, the factory settings are likely suitable for lighter riders.

[@TheZakkmylde]

So everything is stock settings minus adding more preload on forks and shock? But doesn’t everyone seem To say it’s all to soft in General? I just bought a 24 standard and under its own weight with the preload cranked I can’t even meet the 10% static sag or my rider sag doesn’t seem like there’s much adjustment in the preload in the rear. So I’m not sure about adjusting the rest of it or how to do it properly.

[@1LiterADV]

What you said seems all correct. Unless your weight is like your average 6th grader…changing out springs will allow more room for adjusting.

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@1LiterADV ya I believe it would. Haven’t went off routing yet to know it’s limitations, but when I’ve had potholes or bumps in the road so far, it seemed good. It’s strange. I’ve had many people say. The stock suspension is fine and then some say completely opposite.🤷🏼‍♂️

[@aronPru2660]

Is this applicable for 2020+ models as well? Thanks

[@1LiterADV]

I’m sure the procedure is similar, but we can’t verify the turns and/or clicks. You would need to reference your owners manual

[@markcogburn3137]

I’m 270 lbs, on the Preload for the rear shock, full hard the back off say 5 clicks?

[@1LiterADV]

You will just have to do some trial and error. But that would be a decent starting point

[@markcogburn3137]

@@1LiterADV Thanks appreciate it!

[@andykearns5997]

How heavy was he please

[@1LiterADV]

Rider was about 250lbs at the time

[@user-xx6gi5zo6p]

WTF would you want to set it back factory? Why wouldn't you just set it up for the rider Front rider sag is 69mm Rear rider sag is 66mm Then set up comp and rebound to suit your riding style. SCREW FACTORY SETTINGS!

[@1LiterADV]

It’s so you have a reference of where you’re at. The bike was bought 2nd hand and new owner did not know where previous owner had bike set.