As much as motorcyclists would love to own multiple motorcycles for multiple riding moods, that’s simply impractical or unattainable for most of us. Have you seen how expensive motorcycles are today and how quickly they depreciate in value over the years? That’s why, perhaps the most logical thing to do today is to get a bike that you can keep forever, a bike that can do everything you ask of it without making you regret your purchase.You’d think a bike like this would come with its own set of compromises and limitations. That’s generally true for most motorcycles. You can’t expect to commute and tour on a track-ready supersport, nor can you expect to take your cruiser bike off-roading. There are some motorcycles that get this balance right, though, including one that we’re focusing on today. Not All Motorcycles Have A ‘Forever Potential’ DucatiYou want to keep a motorcycle forever, but for that, the motorcycle must fulfill many criteria. The bike should be powerful enough so you never get bored with it, while being reliable in the long run. It should also be comfortable and versatile, so you can take it around everywhere, whether you’re heading to work, on an off-road trail, or the other side of the country.Ducati ADVs make the best sense here as they are akin to Swiss Army knives on two wheels. They can do everything you ask of them, which is one reason why ADVs have exploded so much in popularity in the last decade. But not all ADVs can be suitable for a one-bike garage. Sure, you can get an exotic Ducati or a trusty old Kawasaki KLR650, which are terrific for certain tasks but unsuitable for many other things. Luckily, there’s a Honda adventure bike that’s designed to keep you riding for years to come. The Honda Africa Twin DCT Offers Top-Notch Versatility For $15,199 Starting HondaThe Honda Africa Twin, as the manufacturer puts it, is bred for adventure touring, and it’s positioned as a true go-anywhere machine. This nature has earned the Africa Twin a reputation for being a benchmark in the dependable adventure motorcycle category. It comes with a reliable parallel-twin engine, a lightweight frame, and advanced suspension. Despite being a full-size ADV, the Africa Twin also manages to be quite versatile for everyday use as it focuses its performance on real-world use, not spec sheet battles. Options For Varying Rider Preferences Honda The Africa Twin DCT starts at $15,199 for the standard variant, and even in this form, it’s a complete motorcycle. The higher variants are designed to meet different riding requirements. Honda also offers a more road-biased version, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, for $17,799, which brings a bigger fuel tank and electronic suspension. Both models are complemented by DCT versions, which start at $15,999 for the standard and $18,599 for the Adventure Sports ES DCT version. Liter-Class ADV Performance With A Focus On Real World Use HondaThe Africa Twin is powered by a narrow 1,084cc Unicam parallel-twin engine that produces 100.5 horsepower and 82.6 pound-feet of torque. Honda says this engine is tuned to deliver strong torque smoothly across the rev range. Thanks to the 10.5:1 compression ratio and mid-range-tuned valve timing, even the horsepower is delivered linearly across the rev range.Honda PowersportsThis engine also packs some nifty tricks up its sleeves. For example, its twin intake system uses dual vertical filtration for prolonged use in dusty environments. It also features a biaxial counterbalancer for a smoother ride. Plus, its 270-degree firing order not only improves power delivery but also gives it a V-twin-like rumble. Let’s not forget that, being a tried-and-tested Honda ADV, the engine is also fairly reliable and easy to maintain. Engine Design Also Helps With The Bike’s Versatile Handling Honda DCT Makes Life Easier HondaThe standard Africa Twin models use a conventional six-speed transmission, but the DCT is the game-changer. This system uses a six-speed steel-gear DCT that takes care of changing the gears for you. Honda claims this transmission offers smoother control at low speeds, too, with more natural gear changes. A dedicated 'G' (Gravel) mode slips the clutch to make off-roading more fun. Rally-Inspired Designed To Handle Everything On The Road HondaThe Africa Twin uses a lightweight semi-double-cradle frame akin to those found on Honda’s HRC Rally bikes, with a history of Dakar wins. It’s paired with a lightweight swingarm with tech developed for the CRF450R. Add to that the bike’s low center of gravity, rally-style fairing, and athletic yet comfortable riding position, and you have a bike that is lightweight and easy to handle, despite its heft.Honda PowersportsThe same ergonomics are also designed for long hours in the saddle and off-roading, depending on the variant you pick. The standard model features a narrow seat that’s said to make maneuvering the bike easier at low speeds and off-roading. Meanwhile, the Adventure Sports model gets a slightly larger seat with enhanced foam for more support and comfort on the highway. Even the tall handlebars are designed to open up the cockpit for the rider. Long-Travel Suspension To Soak Up All The Bumps HondaThe standard Africa Twin comes with a fully-adjustable Showa suspension, including a 45 mm USD fork with 9.1-inch travel and a Pro-Link monoshock with 8.7-inch travel. Honda says this is the highest suspension travel in the 1,000cc ADV class, and we think it’s more than enough for everything that the bike is designed to do. This suspension is paired with a 21/18-inch wheel setup with tubeless wire-spoke wheels to take on the worst roads and some challenging trails.HondaThe Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES hides the real party-trick, though, thanks to its Showa EERA electronic suspension. This setup reduces the suspension travel to 8.3 inches front and 7.9 inches at the rear, and the front tire size to 19 inches. It makes up for the difference by constantly adapting the suspension to the road conditions. You can choose between five modes for the suspension. So, if ultimate road comfort is what you’re looking for, the Adventure Sports ES is the variant to go for. Getting Other Basics Right, Too Honda In terms of tech, the Africa Twin offers just the right amount of essentials to keep you entertained, informed, and safe. It features a 6.5-inch TFT display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The bike also features six riding modes, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), wheelie control, cornering ABS, and off-road ABS mode. Honda also offers optional luggage options. On the Adventure Sports ES, the bigger 6.6-gallon fuel tank improves the bike’s effective riding range to up to 300 miles between fill-ups.Honda PowersportsCombine everything, and the Africa Twin comes off as a seriously competent package that can wear as many hats as you want it to. It has the power and comfort to sit at highway speeds, enough low-end grunt to handle commuting, and all the essentials to get gnarly on an off-road trail. If we had to buy one motorcycle for the money, the Africa Twin is the one to get. And given how reliable these things are, we’re sure it would easily outlast most motorcycles in the same garage.Source: Honda