Honda NT1100 SportsTourer Proves A Highly Capable Machine.

Honda’s NT1100 Sports Tourer rides supremely well and has plenty of power for the job. Jeremy Webb racked up the miles on many rides around the Southeast, finding the bike comfortable and capable. Priced extremely competitively, you get a machine that offers the rider lots of fun and practicality.

I swung my leg over the Honda NT1100 and was immediately taken by its lightness, immensely cushy riding position, and saddle. It feels like an Adventure bike and has handles like one, with great agility, sharp cornering, and power.

The 2025 Honda NT1100 is based on the previous version with the added option of a DCT automatic gearbox. It also features a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit, which brings an angle-responsive function to the ABS, three-level HSTC (with integrated wheelie control), and Rear Lift Control. The Dual Clutch Transmission is improved, and I can’t fault it. Initially, your hand and foot think they are changing gear and pulling the clutch in, but you soon lose that reaction and enjoy the benefits of riding without a clutch lever and gear shift.

It's so simple to operate that you can ride in D Drive, S Sport, and MT Manual. You control gear changes via two buttons on the left side of the handlebars: minus for downshifts and plus for changing up. Select the system you want, and the bike will remain static until you input the throttle. No creeping from the bike, so it is totally safe, and proved ideal when I led a group ride of twenty to Alf’s motorcycles in Worthing. I was able to indicate to my fellow riders where I wanted them to stop and mark the direction we were taking. Quite tricky when trying to work the clutch on my usual bike. When parking, the NT1100 comes with an emergency brake, a physical lever mounted on the handlebar using a dedicated rear calliper that prevents the motorcycle from rolling if you’re on an incline.

You get so comfortable using the manual gearshift in D that it becomes your default choice, and you still have the option to override it with Sport and button shifting on the go.

The Honda NT1100 has gained 7% through its low and mid torque curve despite using the previous 100bhp engine. The technicians have changed the fuelling system, intake, combustion, and exhaust. The bike comes with three default riding modes and two customisable ones. You have plenty of power for aggressive riding, best ridden in Sport.

Honda has completely redesigned the NT’s screen with a five-way adjustable system that can be operated with one hand and offers a 167mm range of movement. The fairing has a sleeker look, and the rear mudguard has been extended by 150mm for better weather protection.

To add to comfort, the saddle is 20% larger, and for practicality, the panniers' capacity has been increased by 4L a side, with them now 37L on the left and 36L on the right. To add to touring comfort, you get cruise control, centre stand, heated grips, and a remote preload adjuster for the rear shock.

“ A practical and highly capable sports-tourer.”

Daylight running lights are integrated into the twin LED projector headlights, and the sports tourer has a USB and ACC power sockets, a 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are all standard fitments.

The Honda NT1100 Electronic Suspension uses the Showa-EERA semi-active suspension, which is also used on the Africa Twin ES models. It features three pre-defined suspension modes (Urban, Tour, and Rain) and a customisable ‘User’ mode. The system automatically varies the damping at both ends, and you can alter the spring preload finely through 24 steps while riding.

My overall opinion of the Honda NT1100 is highly favourable. It is a fantastic do-it-all motorcycle with Honda reliability. An excellent riding position and comfort are exactly what you need when covering high mileage. It is practical and can be your daily ride, a sporty ride for a nip to the coast or countryside, or, of course, an accomplished tourer.

Price:

The NT1100 and NT1100 Electronic Suspension cost £12,679 and £14,099, respectively. DCT will be an option on the NT1100 model (priced at £13,679), but the ES version only comes with it fitted as standard.