When Honda resurrected the Africa Twin in 2016, there was not only general enthusiasm about it, but also the question whether this completely newly developed motorcycle would carry on the virtues of the previous models. Robustness, longevity and low maintenance not only made the classic V2 a reliable companion in everyday life and when traveling, but also provided an extremely solid base for reliable and durable rally conversions.

We addressed this question by starting into rally season 2016 with our own newly developed rally version - the AQ-Honda CFR1000R. In the last four years, our top pilots F. Catanese and M. Doretto could achieve numerous victories in the international rally scene with this bike. It was amazing how well the AQ Racing Team could already keep up with the many factory machines of different brands on this first conversion edition.

These race participations allowed us to thoroughly test the new Africa Twin itself under extreme conditions, as well as to extensively test and continuously develop the used components and thus consistently optimise them. The result of this evolution is a largely revised and refined concept: Our updated, current conversion edition CFR 1000Rally EVO presented here.

Very high attention has been paid to the optimisation of mass distribution and general weight reduction. The relatively high, top-heavy centre of mass – mainly due to the heavy 1000cc parallel twin engine with its forward-leaning weight – proved to be a noticeable handicap for the production vehicle in off-road use.

As a major step towards distinctly compensating for this adverse weight distribution, we developed a completely new tank system that positions the unchanged total amount of fuel lower and more centred on the motorcycle. The main tank's upper part was reduced in size and the sides extended lower down. An additional, secondary tank directly under the seat moves even more weight down- and backwards into the centre of the frame. This new design also allows for a significantly sportier seating position: A seat shifted forward by 20 cm enables the rider to noticeably improve the manoeuvrability of the machine thanks to more room to move. The new tank concept is by far the most remarkable and most elaborate innovation, highlighting our EVO Light version!

The fairing Kit now sports a mounting bracket made entirely of carbon. Compared to its predecessor, made of aluminium, this results in a significant weight reduction of about 2 kgs. The previous PIAA headlights gave way to an original LED unit from Honda and the newly designed transparent front fairing/windshield now is of even more flexible and break-resistant material.

The suspension, which was already very good in the first evolutionary stage, has seen a further upgrade by a shock absorber with a new, very innovative air-oil damping system and a WP fork specially made for AQ.
The newly developed SC Titanium exhaust system provides even more torque and power without having to touch the engine itself.
The concept is rounded off by a number of lightweight Carbon components and many other functional details.

Our brand-new Rally EVO will have to prove itself during coming rally season. Thanks to its significantly reduced weight with a lower and more centred mass distribution, as well, as the update to the all-new, innovative suspensions, it now offers the AQ Racing Team pilots a promising base for being able to compete again at the front of the field on the race track.

Engine & Exhaust

• K & N air filter
• Aluminium radiator guards
• Silicon coolant hoses
• Kevlar "Race" clutch
• Carbon engine side covers RX & LX
• Carbon engine guard
• SC "Race" Titanium - complete exhaust system
   

Chassis:

• WP forks kit "AQ Race" with 280mm suspension travel
• "AIR TENDER PLUS" shock absorber, Öhlins based
• Excel wheel set
   

Fairing & Cockpit: 

• AQ "Rallye Sport EVO" fairing kit
  Fiberglass/Kevlar/Carbon-hybrid side panels
  Carbon subframe for rally instruments
  Honda LED headlights 
• Aluminium handlebar
• Aluminium reinforced hand guards
• Venhill quick action throttle grip
• 2 x RNS GFX trip master
• DIGITAL roadbook reader
   

Tanks:

• 14 Liter Aluminium front tank
• 5 Liter Aluminium under seat tank
   

Other:

• AQ “Sport” foot pegs, CNC milled
• Enduro front mudguard
• AQ "Race" Aluminium rear fender conversion
• AQ sport seat, one-piece
• Carbon tank & frame covers
• CNC milled footbrake & gear levers
• CNC milled handbrake & clutch levers, adjustable
• closed rear chain guide
   

Individual Configurations

This conversion can be configured individually according to customer requirements or preferences. You'll find more information on available parts & kits here: