Post Sale Update: This Africa Twin sold for $8,700 after 37 bids on eBay.
The first generation of the Africa Twin was introduced in 1988 in response to Honda’s success with the NXR750 racebike – it would end up winning Paris-Dakar four years in a row, starting in 1986. Honda already had the single-cylinder NX650 and the V-Twin Transalp, but the Japanese company decided another big trailie was needed. History has shown that they were correct, and of course the name has recently been brought back for another successful run. All the new ATs owe their existence to this model, which was not officially available in the US.
The XRV utilizes a 647cc 52 degree V-Twin that put out 57 horsepower through a 5-speed transmission. The suspension was 43mm Showa forks with 9 inches of travel up front and a Pro-Link monoshock with 8.25 inches of travel in the back. Dry weight was 425 pounds and the fuel capacity was 6.34 gallons. For more information on the model, check out this site dedicated to the RD03.
This example (VIN: RD03-1000313) was imported from Japan and is now titled in Washington State. It has 12,057 miles and is said to be all original. Considering what the purpose of this bike was, it’s still in decent cosmetic shape – there’s some small chips in the paint and one of the mounting bolt holes for the right fairing is cracked. The seller says the bike works perfectly and it was recently given a full tune-up with new tires, spark plugs, chain, air filter, brake pads, oil change, brake fluid flush, and a carb cleaning. I don’t foresee this bike being used as an adventure explorer anymore but it sure is a lovely piece of history.
Find this Africa Twin for sale in Auburn, Washington with bidding up to $3,950 and the reserve not yet met