| MODEL | HONDA XRV 650 AFRICA TWIN 1988 - 1989 |
| Year | 1988 - 1989 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, longitudinal 52° V-twin, SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 647 cc / 39.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 79 x 66 mm / 3.1 x 2.6 in |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 42.5 kW / 57 hp @ 8000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 55 Nm / 6.1 kgf-m @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | Digital transistorised with electronic advance |
| Induction | 2x 32 mm CV carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | Air-assisted telescopic fork, 220 mm / 8.6 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link, rebound damping adjustment, 210 mm / 8.2 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 296 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single 210 mm disc |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2295 mm / 90.3 in |
| Overall Width | 895 mm / 35.2 in |
| Overall Height | 1290 mm / 50.7 in |
| Seat Height | 880 mm / 34.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 1565 mm / 61.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 215 mm / 8.4 in |
| Dry Weight | 185 kg / 407 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 220 kg / 485 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 90/90-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 130/80-17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 25 Litres / 6.6 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | 168 km/h / 104 mph |
The XRV650 (RD03) was the first Africa Twin, a road-going adventure bike that borrowed its look and layout from Honda's Paris-Dakar winning NXR750 rally machines. It used a liquid-cooled 647 cc 52-degree V-twin with three valves per cylinder, a 25-litre tank, long-travel suspension and a frame-mounted fairing, all finished in rally-inspired tricolour paint. Built for only two seasons, it established the Africa Twin's reputation for reliability on and off road before being replaced by the 750.
