Honda previews NT1100 tourer
Honda already offers multiple variants of their CRF1100L Africa Twin adventure tourer, including units with dual clutch transmissions and active suspension, but for 2022, they’ll be spinning an all-new model off the Africa Twin platform – the NT1100.
Style and Spec
Described as a straightforward touring motorcycle with a rich specification list and a sporty edge to its performance, the NT1100 essentially takes the Africa Twin and makes changes to the engine tuning, geometry, ergonomics, suspension, wheels and tyres to suit its tarmac focus.
That focus has also dictated a major difference in style, with the NT1100 getting all its own bodywork, including a large fairing, a windscreen that’s five-position adjustable, upper and lower wind deflectors to suit long rides on the highway and an ergonomically-shaped seat that’s at 820mm.
There are three set riding modes – Urban, Rain and Tour – and two customisable modes that adjust power delivery, engine braking, Honda Selectable Torque Control and Wheelie Control intervention.
Other touring-friendly features include heated grips, cruise control, 12V and USB sockets, a centre stand, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 6.5-inch TFT instrument screen with multiple display options
Africa Twin Base
Under its bespoke fairing and other features, the NT1100 runs the Africa Twin’s steel semi-double cradle frame and subframe, as well as the same liquid-cooled 1084cc parallel twin engine, but retuned for this application.
Outputs are not listed, but in the base Africa Twin, this engine produces 75kW at 7500rpm and 105Nm at 6250rpm, so expect similar from the NT1100.
What Honda has revealed is that the retuning includes optimisation of air intake duct length and muffler internals to deliver smooth acceleration and relaxed highway cruising, while not impacting on fuel economy.
Like the Africa Twin, the NT1100 will be offered in manual and DCT form, with six speeds for each and chain final drive. On the DCT, there are three operating modes, including an ‘MT’ manual mode that allows gear shifting using a trigger on the left handlebar, while ‘D’ and ‘S’ modes offers standard and sports shifting, respectively.
Showa suspension that’s familiar from the Africa Twin features at each end, comprising 45mm USD forks up front and a Pro-Link monoshock at the rear. The front end only offers preload and rebound adjustment, with remote preload adjustment at the rear and 150mm travel at each end – shorter than the Africa Twin in both instances.
Steering geometry is sharper to suit road use, with rake of 26.5 degrees and trail of 108mm, while cast alloy 17-inch wheels are standard, shod with 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear road tyres.
The dual 310mm front and single 256mm rear brake discs are the same as the Africa Twin, with 4-piston radial calipers at the front and a single piston rear caliper. Two-channel ABS is standard.
Fuel capacity of 20 litres is an increase on the Africa Twin’s 18.8 litres (but down on the Adventure Sports variant with 24.8 litres.
2022 arrival
Australian release of the Honda NT1100 is scheduled for Q2, 2022. Full specs, available accessories and pricing will be announced closer to local arrival, but expect something in the $20,000+ range, in line with current pricing for the Africa Twin.