After the bike was leaked through documents a few months ago, Honda has now officially lifted the curtain on the new NT1100, with which Big Red has set its sights on the tour segment.
The beating heart of the CRF1100L Africa Twin, mounted in a semi-double cradle frame and packaged in a tour package best described as “Pan European Meets Deauville”, that is, in a nutshell, Honda’s new NT100, which Honda in 3 words as comfortable, agile and enjoyable. Agile and enjoyable thanks to the sharp steering geometry with high-quality brakes and suspension and comfortable thanks to the low seat, good wind protection and extensive electronics, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
With the new NT1100, Honda has dug into the gap that has arisen because almost all manufacturers in the touring segment have started to focus on high-ranking players, following BMW that with the GS, a bike with a strong ‘go-anywhere’ all-rounder. image has set the market. Not that owners will ever do that themselves, a weekend in the Ardennes is exciting enough for many, in addition there are plenty of motorcyclists who have had it with high performers (or have never seen anything in it).
So there was a space in a motorcycle landscape strewn with high-rises. A space for motards looking for performance, handling, long-ride comfort and technology, but without the image or physical bulk of an Allroad. In other words, they are looking for a straightforward touring bike, but one with high-quality equipment and a sporty edge in terms of performance. The kind of motorcycle that can be used efficiently and practically every day for commuting and is also ready for a long multi-day ride, packed and lowered.
“Honda has a long tradition of catering to riders who want a ‘traditional’ touring bike. For example, our Pan European and Deauville models enjoyed a large and very loyal following for many years. So when designing a new touring model, we definitely wanted to develop something that would resonate with the broad group of traditional touring bikers. And of course we also wanted to spark a desire among riders of all ages and tastes, looking for a genuine and versatile fun bike.
The result is our new NT1100: modern engine performance, a pleasant and agile chassis, a solid offer of modern driving technology and a completely new, fresh and distinct look. We sincerely hope that many new owners will want to discover the maximum potential of his versatile character.”
The starting point for the NT1100 was therefore an engine that had to be sporty and manoeuvrable on the one hand to please the sporty motorcyclist, and on the other hand comfortable enough to ride all day long. To start with the latter, the stock upper and lower wind deflectors are designed to protect the rider’s arms and lower body. The windshield is adjustable in height and angle in five ways, with the difference between the highest and lowest point being 164 mm.
Heated grips are standard equipment, as is cruise control. Honda describes the seat as “perfectly integrated into the motorcycle, protected, shrouded in the fairing”. The wide saddle is made of thick material and offers generous seating space for two. The saddle height is 820 mm. The pillion seat has been placed higher, so that you as a passenger can look above the rider. A handle for the duo is provided at the rear of the motorcycle.
The muffler is positioned low to allow maximum space for the side cases. Those detachable, standard-fit side cases are one of the key elements of the NT1100. They were purposefully designed to be slim for effortless urban riding and measure just 901mm at their widest point. The volume is 33 liters on the left and 32 liters on the right.
The clear, easy-to-read 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen offers a choice of three views: GOLD shows all info around numbers and riding modes. SILVER centers the speedometer and rev counter and BRONZE centers the rev counter. The background color has a default setting and also offers the choice between white or black. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity make it possible to control and use smartphone functions via the TFT display.
Complete LED lighting (with daytime running lights), automatic turn-off indicators and emergency stop signaling complete the premium specifications. A USB port, center stand and ACC port further enhance practicality.
Block of the 1100 Africa Twin
Then the sporty aspect. The beating heart of the NT1100 is the well-known 1,084 cc two-cylinder inline engine with 270° offset crankpin that made its debut in the CRF1100L Africa Twin and has also been used in the Rebel 1100 this year, good for a top power of 102 hp at 7,250 rpm and maximum torque of 104 Nm at 6,250 rpm. Values ​​that are equal to those of the Africa Twin, but according to Honda you will immediately notice that the block has been adjusted differently.
Honda has optimized the length of the air intake and the internal structure of the muffler for a pleasant sound at low revs. According to Honda, this also ensures a powerful acceleration combined with a relaxed release on the highway. In short, Honda claims, perfectly tuned for the versatile tasks for which the NT1100 is intended.
The crankcases are separated vertically. The water pump is located in the clutch housing and the thermostat is integrated in the cylinder head. The manual and DCT versions of the engine use the same crankcase with only a few minor external differences. The reciprocating movement of the pistons neutralizes secondary vibrations and two-axis balance shafts neutralize primary vibrations. The balance shafts drive the water and oil pumps.
As for electronics, you have a choice of 3 driving modes (plus a further 2 selectable USER modes), 3 levels of traction control (Honda Selectable Torque Control) and 3 levels of wheelie control. The three fixed riding modes (Urban, Rain, Tour) control not only the degree of traction and the way the power is delivered, but also the degree of engine braking. Urban is standard by the way, Rain for when the weather is bad and Tour has less engine braking.
Honda would not be Honda if the NT1100 were not available in DCT version, so there is also the choice of a version with semi-automatic transmission. According to Honda, more than 200,000 DCT engines have now been sold in Europe, in 2020 53% of buyers opted for the DCT version with a model that can be supplied with DCT.
Finally, the bicycle part. The proven and robust foundation of the NT1100, the steel semi-double cradle frame with bolt-on aluminum subframe, comes from the Africa Twin CRF1100L. To meet the versatile and sporty ambitions of the NT1100, Honda replaced the suspension with a purely road-oriented variant. The steering geometry has also been adapted in that regard.
The Showa 43mm SFF-BP upside down fork is preload adjustable and has 150mm of travel. The single Pro-Link Showa rear shock also features 150mm of travel. The diameter of the rod is 14 mm. The spring preload can be adjusted hydraulically and separately so that the rider can easily carry luggage and/or a passenger.
The aluminum wheels are cast with sand cores and thus have a hollow center for the hub. The pattern of the spokes is crossed (with the spokes attached diagonally to the rim). The advantage of this, according to Honda, is that vibrations in a straight line are suppressed and the stiffness in bends is improved. The tire dimensions are 120/70-17 at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear.
The wheelbase is 1,535 mm. Headset angle and trail are at 26.5° and 108 mm and the ground clearance is 175 mm. The manually switched NT1100 has a curb weight of 238 kg or 248 kg with DCT. Lightweight radial-mount four-piston calipers grip on 310mm front discs. The rear brake disc (256 mm diameter) is operated with 1 brake caliper. ABS controls the braking maneuvers.
The NT1100 will be available in Matte Iridium Gray Metallic, Pearl Glare White and Graphite Black. Price and delivery time are not yet known.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.