Honda NT1100 tourer | Full specs, features and video

A familiar nameplate is about to return to the two-wheeled world, as the new 2022 Honda NT1100 makes its official debut. Like the Honda NT1100 of old, the new bike forms a two-wheeled bridge, linking the 750 touring range on one side, with the flagship Honda Gold Wing on the other.

All You Need To Know about the new Honda NT1100

Using the solid and dependable Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin as its base, the new NT is a refreshing addition to the touring category - which has been seemingly ruled by lanky adventure bikes for a number of years now. Are times about to change?

While it’s not a full-blown change of direction back to the days of the VFR (blub), the move to a less adventure biased machine, and one with true on-road potential will be welcomed by riders worldwide.

Honda NT1100 price, colours, and availability

The new NT1100 is available in manual and DCT versions. The manual comes in at £11,999 and the DCT is £12,999. Three colours are hitting UK dealerships: Matte Iridium Grey Metallic, Pearl Glare White, and Graphite Black.

The press launch for the bike is next month – stay tuned for the full review and video – and demos will be in dealerships from January, with customer bikes arriving between February and March.

Honda NT1100 engine and electronics

Borrowed from the Africa Twin, the specs of the engine are a familiar tale. 100bhp and 76lb-ft are the key numbers from the liquid-cooled parallel-twin. A funky 270° crank is of course still employed and promises to give the NT all the bark and bite of its adventure sibling.

The ride-by-wire throttle brings with it the usual high levels of electronic assistance, with Honda throwing three default riding modes and two user-configurable options at the new bike.

• URBAN is standard and offers an all-around middle ground of engine power and braking.
• RAIN softens the power delivery and engine braking for wet weather riding.
• TOUR gives full engine power and standard engine braking, for strong acceleration while carrying a pillion and luggage.
• USER 1 and 2 modes offer the ability to customise between the settings for the preferred combination. These are retained by the bike when the key is turned off.

On top of the riding modes there are three levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (traction control), and another three levels of wheelie control to play with.

Manual or DCT

After hitting the milestone of 200,000 DCT units sold since 2009, Honda obviously wasn’t going to pass up on the chance to add the latest generation of the system to the new NT1100. As with other DCT systems, you have manual or automatic options, and four shifting schedules for the auto setting. D (for Drive) provides smooth riding, subtle up and downshifts and is generally the best for maximising the bike’s frugal economy. On top of that there is S mode, with three different schedules within that setting. Level 1 is the most modest, changing gears in the medium rpm range. Level 3 is the most aggressive and operates at high rpm with Level 2 is being an intermediate point between the pair.

The rider’s preferred shifting schedule is retained when switching the bike off, meaning you’ll always be in the right mode.

For those more inclined to shift cogs themselves, the Honda NT1100 will of course also come in a manual form with a conventionally operated clutch. For those looking for an extra bit of pep on the up and downshifts, an optional quickshifter for the manual bike is also available.

Honda NT1100 chassis

Like the engine, the frame of the NT1100 is borrowed from its muddy sibling, although in touring form it is mated to road-focused suspension front and rear. 43mm Showa forks are employed at the front end, providing 150mm of travel and the ability to adjust the preload. The shock is also a Showa, with the same 150mm of travel and a remote preload adjuster.

The suspension changes have brought the seat height of the new NT1100 down to 820mm from the Africa Twin’s towering 850 to 870mm perch. The low seat and fairly accommodating step-over should open up a world of riders to the new bike, something Honda is no doubt keen to exploit.

With a wheelbase of 1,535mm, it's clear the new Honda is leaning more to the touring side of sports touring, although that’s not to assume it’ll be some whale of a bike in the corners. It’s running 17-inch rims at both ends, and the 120/70 front and 180/55 rear. This should allow the NT to hold its own on a ride, be it on an alpine pass or a British B-road.

To help the bike sit on its nose a little more, the rake has been brought down – from 27.5° on the Africa Twin – to 26.5°. The result of that is a reduction in the trail, from 113mm on the Africa Twin to 108mm on the NT. These changes, added to the lower centre of gravity, sportier suspension and more road-biased tyres – should totally transform the handling dynamics for the new model.

The claimed kerb weight for the bike is 238kg for the manual transmission, and 248kg for the DCT-equipped machine. Ground clearance is a claimed 175mm.

The front brakes are chunky 4-pot Nissin callipers that are radially mounted, and ABS controlled. The front discs are 310mm while the rear is 256mm and acted on by a single-piston caliper.

Honda NT1100 options

As standard the NT1100 comes with the panniers as seen in the images, although as expected there are a few ways you can boost the bikes range and usability.

For those that prefer to point at a page when they are stood in the dealership, Honda has three trim options that owners can choose from.

URBAN PACK

50L top box with inner bag, comfort back rest, 4.5L tank bag.

TOURING PACK

Rider/pillion comfort seats, comfort pillion footpegs and fog lights.

VOYAGE PACK

50L top box with inner bag, comfort back rest, 4.5L tank bag, rider/pillion comfort seats, comfort pillion footpegs and fog lights.

On top of those there is the already mentioned quickshifter and blipper and aluminium luggage infill panels for improved aesthetics.

Honda NT1100 specs

For more information, head to: www.honda.co.uk