Other nods to touring comfort include panniers, cruise control, centre stand and heated grips all as standard, as well as a remote preload adjuster for the rear shock. Given the touring is the aim, the NT is wrapped in wind deflecting bodywork with a five-position screen designed to divert air over and around the rider. The result of this is a greatly reduced seat height of just 820mm – over an inch lower than the Africa Twin with its seat in the lowest position. The suspension is much shorter travel (150mm at either end) and its now on 17" wheels, instead of the 21"/18" of the AT. Honda has also brought across the steel frame and aluminium subframe from the AT but it’s the suspension and bodywork that’s changed. It’s got new intakes and exhaust innards to fatten up the midrange, with a minor drop in peak torque, so it now produces 100.5bhp 7250rpm and 75 ftlb 6250 but its other wise unchanged, which is no bad thing as far as we’re concerned. The truth too is that for most people, especially if you spend time just on road, they’re a better choice.Īs the NT1100 name suggests, the new bike is powered by the 1084cc parallel twin from the Africa Twin. Honda say they made the bike because there’s a large group of people out there who want the comfort, technology and performance of modern adventure bikes without the size of the things or the associated cost.
Honda have brought touring back into focus with its new NT1100 – an Africa Twin based sports tourer that has modern performance, old-school practicality and a sensible price tag.