Photos: Honda

In 2022, the NT1100 debuted as a newly designed touring machine that ideally combines comfort, agility and driving pleasure. The two-cylinder heart comes from the Africa Twin and is optionally available with DCT dual clutch. The tubular steel chassis with upside down fork and Pro-Link aluminium swingarm is designed for road operation, whereby effortless handling and low seat height additionally characterise the active all-rounder. The fairing with 5-way height and angle adjustable disc offers sophisticated wind and weather protection.
The lavish standard equipment of the NT1100 includes heated grips, side cases, centre stand, cruise control and luggage rack. Driving safety is supported by the driving modes Urban, Tour and Rain as well as two freely selectable user modes; HSTC traction control and wheelie control are also on board. At the front, a double disc brake with radial four-piston calipers decelerates. A 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen rounds off the premium claim including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® connectivity.
For the 2023 model year, Honda offers the NT1100 in an additional new color variant – in discreet Gunmetal Black Metallic.

1. Introduction
There is a gap in the motorcycle universe full of adventure bikes. And for those interested in new machines who want sufficient power, effortless handling, long-distance comfort and equipment with modern technology, but not necessarily the visual appearance or dimensions of typical ADV bikes. Who essentially imagine an uncomplicated touring machine with dynamic-sovereign power output, which efficiently copes with everyday life and shines even when loaded on extended, pleasurable tours.

The NT1100 is exactly that kind of motorcycle. A new type of Honda Tourer, which has what it takes to appeal to experienced and younger customers and perhaps also reminds one or the other enthusiast of similar bikes in Honda history.
With the adapted frame and the proven two-cylinder engine of the CRF1100L Africa Twin, a convincing performance is guaranteed as a basis. At the same time, the NT1100 enhances electronic features and helpful functions that increase attractiveness.

The NT1100 is technically unchanged in the 2023 vintage. With discreet Gunmetal Black Metallic, an additional new colour variant further enhances the visual appearance.

2. Model Overview
Comfortable, agile, pleasurable and functionally convincing. This is how the NT1100 can be described briefly and concisely. The design concept combines an efficiently protective half fairing with a seating position tailored to tours. The height and angle of attack of the wind disc are adjustable 5 times, and additional wind deflectors protect against airstream. A 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen with easy-to-read display also offers Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® connectivity. Heated handles, panniers, centre stand and cruise control complete the particularly generous standard equipment.

The steel frame of the NT1100 combines a comparatively short wheelbase with handling-friendly steering geometry. The front wheel guidance is handled by a Showa 43mm Upside Down telescopic fork, while the rear wheel features an aluminum swingarm and a Showa single strut with Pro-Link link. If necessary, the spring preload at the rear can be adjusted via an easy-to-use handwheel. The double disc brake is equipped with 310 mm discs and four-piston radial brake calipers. The standard tyres are 120/70-R17 at the front and 180/55-R17 at the rear.
 
The two-cylinder engine from the Africa Twin delights with tour-friendly power, plenty of torque and characterful refinement. Modifications to the intake tract and the exhaust system support powerful acceleration and a pleasant sound at low speeds. The performance is in no way at the expense of consumption. A 20-litre tank and exemplary combustion efficiency enable economical fuel consumption and a practical range of 400 km.
The electronics package includes three riding modes (Urban, Tour, Rain), two freely configurable user driving modes and a safety-enhancing HSTC traction control, which is triple-adjustable; plus LED lighting technology all around, self-resetting indicators, wheelie control and a taillight with emergency brake signal function. To the variant with foot-shifted six-speed gearbox, the NT1000 is optionally available with Honda's unique DCT dual clutch transmission (DCT stands for Dual Clutch Transmission).
For the 2023 vintage, the NT1100 remains technically unchanged, with three colors to choose from:

• Gunmetal Black Metallic **NEW**
• Matte Iridium Gray Metallic
• Pearl Glare White
  
  

3. Features

3.1 Styling & equipment
- Fairing with excellent aerodynamic performance.
- 5-way height and angle adjustable windscreen, additional deflectors, side cases, heated grips and cruise control as standard.
- 6.5 inch TFT touch screen including Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto® and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Equipped ex works with main stand, USB port, 12 volt socket

The NT1100 is designed as a dynamically agile motorcycle, which shines with efficient weather protection and casually comfortable ergonomics and allows plenty of riding pleasure even on long tours. Dynamic elegance is the defining feature of the design language of the NT1100. Needless to say, the design is always about the function – with the aim of increasing the quality of experience while driving.
 
The fairing windscreen offers a 5-level height and angle adjustment, the difference between high and low position is 164 mm. Set low, the airstream flows around the shoulders; Adjusted high, the air is directed over the helmets of the crew. Upper and lower deflectors provide additional wind and weather protection around the arms and body. Heated grips are just as much a part of the standard equipment as cruise control.

The operator sits comfortably integrated into the machine, protected by the fairing. A wide and well-padded seat offers plenty of space for driver and front passenger; the seat height is 820 mm. The luggage rack is equipped with a passenger handle.
 
The rear muffler runs flat to maximize luggage volume. The standard side cases are removable. The luggage volume is 33 liters on the left and 32 liters on the right. The baggage chutes are carefully kept slim for driving in city traffic and measure only 901 mm at the widest point.
 
The 6.5 inch TFT touch screen offers three screen display options. GOLD displays numerical information as well as mode data. SILVER focuses on the speedometer and rev counter, BRONZE only on the rev counter. The background color allows you to choose between black or white as the default. Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto® and Bluetooth connectivity allow access to smartphone functions via the display.

The premium equipment is rounded off by LED lighting technology all around (including daytime running lights), self-resetting turn signals and a tail light with emergency braking signal function. The well thought-out practical functionality of the NT1100 is further enhanced by the main stand, a USB port and a 12 volt socket.

3.2 Chassis
- The basis is the steel frame of the CRF1100L with aluminium frame rear
- Chassis geometry designed for driving pleasure and agile handling
- Showa 43 mm upside down telescopic fork, aluminium swingarm with Pro-Link linkage and mono strut
- 310 mm double disc brake with radial four-piston calipers

The load-bearing structure of the NT1100 can be described as proven and robust, because the steel frame and the screwed-on aluminium rear come from the Africa Twin CRF1100L. In order to do justice to the dynamic all-round determination of a touring motorcycle, the framework of the off-road sister was adapted by a road-oriented design with adapted steering geometry.

Showa's 43 mm upside down fork is adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping and has 150 mm travel. The Showa shock absorber of the aluminium swingarm with Pro-Link deflection also has 150 mm of travel. To make it easier to ride with pillion and/or luggage, the spring preload can be adjusted hydraulically via a practical hand dial.
 
The cast aluminum wheels with hollow hubs have a handsome, intersecting spoke design. Modern radial tires of the dimensions 120/70-R17 at the front and 180/55-R17 at the rear are mounted. The wheelbase measures 1,535 mm, steering head angle and caster are 26.5°/108 mm, the ground clearance is 175 mm. The weight for the NT1100 with six-speed manual transmission amounts to 238 kg when fully fueled, the variant with DCT dual clutch weighs 248 kg.
Two 310 mm front brake discs are actuated by radial four-piston calipers. The rear 256 mm disc is equipped with a single-piston caliper. A dual-channel ABS protects against unpleasant surprises during courageous braking manoeuvres on treacherous or rain-soaked surfaces.
 

3.3 Engine
- Parallel two-cylinder engine with 1,084 cm³ displacement.
- 102 hp (75 kW) of power and 104 Nm of torque.
- Pleasant power delivery, strong pulling, pulsating running culture.

The 1,084^cm3 SOHC 8-valve parallel two-cylinder engine of the NT1100 comes from the CRF1100L Africa Twin. The nominal output is 102 hp (75 kW) at 7,250 rpm and the maximum torque is 104 Nm at 6,250 rpm. Special features are the 270 degree crankshaft crank and the uneven ignition interval; both contribute to the pleasantly pulsating running culture. The compression ratio is 10.1:1.

The PGM-FI fuel injection prepares the ignitable mixture, while an electronic throttle by wire ensures perfect engine management. The engine tuning differs noticeably from that of the Africa Twin. The length of the air intake ducts has been optimized, and the silencer innards have also been modified to make low-frequency pulsation even more pleasant. Overall, the engine characteristics perfectly match the touring tasks for which the NT1100 was designed.
 
The crankcase of the parallel twin is divided vertically. The water pump is integrated in the housing on the coupling side, the thermostat is positioned on the cylinder head to save space. The housing parts for the manual six-speed manual transmission and for the DCT variant differ only slightly externally. The engine's two balance shafts drive both the water and oil pumps at the same time.
A sensitive crankshaft sensor manages misfire detection, which is important for Euro 5 compliance and the exact function of all onboard diagnostics. In addition, the lambda sensors in the intake system allow precise measurement of the air/fuel proportions, which are also important for compliance with emissions according to strict Euro 5 regulations.

3.4 Engine electronics
- Three riding modes (Urban, Rain, Tour) plus two user riding modes
- Safety-enhancing, three-stage traction control
- Three-stage adjustable wheelie control

The electronic throttle control (throttle by wire) manages and controls engine power, safety-enhancing HSTC traction control and wheelie control depending on the selected driving mode. Three pre-configured riding modes (Urban, Rain, Tour) are available, covering a wide range of driving conditions. For the freely configurable user driving modes, power and engine braking can be determined in three stages, with level 1 representing the respective maximum.
Three levels can also be preselected for HSTC traction control and wheelie control, with level 3 being the highest intervention level.
The operating mode is selected via the left handlebar armature. If HSTC traction control is activated while driving, a warning lamp in the TFT display in the cockpit lights up for visual information.
Urban as standard mode offers a universally suitable setting for power delivery and engine braking.
RAIN reduces engine power and brake when pushing for added safety on wet or slippery asphalt.
TOUR combines maximum power delivery with medium engine brake and is suitable for tours with pillion and luggage, especially when powerful acceleration is required.
USER 1 and 2 allows two personalized setups. The configurable user modes are automatically saved and do not have to be constantly readjusted when the ignition is switched on again after stops.
 

3.5 DCT Dual Clutch Transmission
- With DCT, gear changes are possible automatically (AT) as well as manually (MT)
- The three-stage S mode allows higher speeds and shifts back earlier; ideal for dynamic sporty driving

Honda has already sold over 200,000 motorcycles with dual clutch transmission (DCT) in Europe. In 2009, the system debuted in the VFR1200F. The acceptance of DCT technology, which only Honda offers in the motorcycle sector, is generally high. Since the launch of the NT1100, 66% of buyers have opted for the optional DCT variant.
 
The dual-clutch transmission makes driving easier by automatically changing gears. The electronic-hydraulic control also takes over the metered actuation of the clutch for starting. That's why there is no clutch lever on DCT Hondas. Simply turning the throttle after a driving mode is activated is enough to drive off. The ingeniously simple operation quickly becomes a pleasant matter of course for users, which is no longer reluctant to do without.
 
Technically, the DCT system uses two clutches: one for starting and gears one, three and five, the other for second, fourth and sixth gears. Each clutch is controlled by an electronic-hydraulic circuit. During automated shifting, the system selects the next gear using the clutch that is currently open. While it closes electronically, the other one opens at the same time – so that the newly selected gear can intervene without interrupting traction.
 
The result is smooth, fast gear changes without noticeable shifting pauses. The tractive force at the rear wheel is only minimally interrupted when changing gears, which almost eliminates jerking and pitching movements of the machine. Another benefit is the potentially increased service life, because gross or negligent shifting operations that could damage the gears are excluded by the system. It is also not possible to stall when starting off with DCT, as no clutch lever can be operated. Especially in city traffic, a bike with dual clutch is pleasantly effortless and allows the rider to devote his full attention to the traffic situation.

DCT allows automated (AT) and manual (MT) operating modes. D-Automatic allows stress-free all-round efficiency and is suitable for city and motorway operation alike. S-Automatic supports sportier driving in three stages, with the ECU control unit turning the engine slightly higher before upshifting and shifting back a little earlier for more engine braking effect. Level 1 changes gears in the medium speed range. Level 3 is sportier for higher speeds, with Level 2 located in the function between the two.
The preferred level in S automatic mode can be saved. In manual MT mode, the rider shifts gears selectively via the shift paddles for the thumb and index finger on the left handlebar armature.

4. Accessories
Honda has tailor-made a comprehensive collection of accessories for the NT1100, such as a Quickshifter with autobllipper function or decorative aluminium covers for hardcase luggage solutions. To make it easier for future owners to complete their NT1100 individually, there are three preconfigured equipment packages to choose from, which also offer price advantages. All items from the Honda original accessories program can of course also be purchased separately.

The Touring package extends comfort for both driver and front passenger and enhances the lighting system. Included are:
- Comfort driver's seat
- Comfort pillion seat
- Front LED fog lamps
- Comfort footrest set for the pillion passenger

The Urban package optimises the possibilities for carrying luggage for pillion seating comfort and includes:
- 50 litre manual top box with key system
- Inner packing bag 25 litres
- Aluminium cover Topbox (colour-coordinated)
- 4.5 litre tank bag
- Black backrest with red stitching

The travel pack allows an accessory equipment that leaves nothing to be desired. These include:
- Comfort driver's seat
- Comfort pillion seat
- Comfort footrest set for pillion passenger
- Front LED fog lamps
- 50 litre manual top box with key system
- Inner packing bag 25 litres
- Aluminium cover Topbox (colour-coordinated)
- 4.5 litre tank bag
- Black backrest with red stitching

Further accessory offers for the NT1100 are:
- Quickshifter Up & Down
- Parking brake lever (only for DCT)
- Fairing for lever parking brake (only for DCT)
- Cover for side cases
- Backrest with black stitching
- Decorative rim strips

5. Technical data