Which suits you
- There is little in the weight: 237kg against 231kg wet.
- The Africa Twin runs a 21" front wheel against 19". The bigger wheel rolls over ruts and stones more easily and opens up more knobbly tyre choices.
- The R 1300 GS goes further on a tank, roughly 250 miles against 230, which helps on lanes where fuel stops are far apart.
- The R 1300 GS makes more power (145hp against 102hp), better for road miles between lanes, though power is rarely what you need on a lane itself.
- The Africa Twin costs £2,596 less new.
Holloway ratings side by side
BMW R 1300 GS Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
Green lane
Technical off-road
Beginner friendly
Road
R 1300 GS vs Africa Twin specs
| BMW R 1300 GS | Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin | |
|---|---|---|
| Green lane score | 2/10 | 6/10 |
| Price | £15,995 | £13,399 |
| Wet weight | 237kg | 231kg |
| Seat height | 850mm | 850mm |
| Ground clearance | Not published | 250mm |
| Suspension travel (f/r) | 190mm / 200mm | 230mm / 220mm |
| Wheels (f/r) | 19" / 17" | 21" / 18" |
| Tyre sizes (f/r) | 120/70-19 / 170/60-17 | 90/90-21 / 150/70-18 |
| Engine | 1300cc | 1084cc |
| Power | 145hp | 102hp |
| Fuel tank | 19L | 18.8L |
| Real-world range | ~250 mi | ~230 mi |
| Licence | A | A |
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Our take on each
BMW R 1300 GS: A superb road tourer that carries its weight well on gravel, but its bulk and narrow front wheel make it a poor match for tight, rutted UK lanes.
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin: One of the most genuinely dirt-capable big adventure twins, with the wheels and suspension to prove it, if you can handle 230kg-plus in the mud.
Remember: rider ability, tyres and the weather on the day move the real answer more than the bike does. Check each lane's own difficulty and legal status before you ride.
Find where to ride either one
Plan a day of legal green lanes across England and Wales on Holloway's map, with each lane's difficulty and status.
Open the map