The Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE is 21kg heavier than the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, with a seat 30mm taller, and scores 4/10 against 6/10 on the Holloway Green Lane Score.
4/10V-Strom 1050DE
6/10Africa Twin
Which suits you
Choose the Africa Twin if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 21kg lighter wet.
The Africa Twin has the lower seat by 30mm, which matters more on a rutted lane than on the road if you are shorter in the leg.
The Africa Twin has 60mm more ground clearance (250mm against 190mm), useful over deep ruts and rocky steps.
Both take a 90/90-21 front tyre, so the same front tyre options fit either bike.
The Africa Twin goes further on a tank, roughly 230 miles against 145, which helps on lanes where fuel stops are far apart.
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Where they sit against every other bike
Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.
Our take on each
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE: A reliable, refined and comfortable V-twin with a 21 inch front wheel that is better off-road than the standard V-Strom, but it is still a wide, heavy road bike at heart.
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.
