Honda NT1100 - bargain tourer taps traditional customers
By Ben Purvis
Although it's been something of an open secret that an Africa Twin-powered touring model was joining Honda's 2022 range, the reality of the new NT1100 is something of a surprise. Instead of tapping the model's adventure bike roots, the company has aimed squarely at more traditional tourer buyers who've been rather ignored for the last few years.
The no-nonsense approach is refreshing. Despite sharing the engine and frame from the Africa Twin, the NT1100 hasn't been launched in a flurry of 'lifestyle' buzzwords but as a descendant of hardworking, straightlaced tourers like the Pan European and NT700V Deauville.
Power comes from the 1,084 cc parallel twin of the latest Africa Twin, with identical performance despite updated intake ducts and a new exhaust silencer. The steel frame is also the same, but for the NT1100 a new bolt-on aluminium subframe supports a more passenger-focussed seat. Showa suspension with 43 mm USD SFF-BP forks gives 150 mm travel at each end. Sitting much lower than the Africa Twin, the seat height drops to an acceptable 830 mm.
While the bodywork has its roots in the 2019 CB4X concept bike, it's toned down for production, gaining a much more comfortable looking seat as well as a five-position adjustable screen with side wind deflectors. The only visual nod to the adventure bike roots come in the form of the bar-mounted mirrors rather than fairing-mounted versions.
Removable panniers come as standard, offering a combined 65 litres of luggage space, and there's the option of a 50-litre top box as well, incorporating a pillion backrest. The fuel tank holds 20.4 litres, for about 250 miles of range.
There's a strong focus on technology, with a large 6.5" TFT dash and smaller LCD display below it, both straight from the Africa Twin. As well as a trio of pre-programmed setups - Tour, Urban or Rain - there are two user-configurable modes.
Of course, being Africa Twin-based, there's the option of Honda's twin-clutch DCT gearbox, giving yet more options in the form of four selectable automatic settings to alter the revs and aggression of gear changes, plus a manual mode allowing shifts via paddles on the left-hand bar. Alternatively, the cheaper, lighter, manual version of the NT1100 can be ordered with an optional quickshifter and auto-blipper, allowing clutchless up and down-shifts without the complexity of the DCT box.
As on other models, the DCT transmission comes with a 10 kg weight penalty, taking the bike from 238 kg to 248 kg wet.
The cheapest version of the NT1100 lists at £11,999 (€ 14,120) compared to the £13,049 asked for an entry-level Africa Twin. DCT takes it to £12,999
(€ 15,350). The bikes will reach dealers in February or March 2022.
