2022 Honda NT1100 | New Africa Twin-based Tourer & Pricing HD

Let’s talk the latest motorcycle out of Honda, their new NT1100, which is essentially a sport-touring machine derived from the Africa Twin. It’s easy to get caught up in the performance wars of needing over 150 ponies on a tourer, but in reality it seems like there’s strong demand for more value driven machines, with 100 horsepower enough - even two-up - for many. It’s also worth noting that back when the Africa Twin launched pricing was incredibly competitive, this was back in 2015, but in the US it was $13k for the base model, or $15.5 here in Australia jumping to $17k for the ABS. Even adding on-roads that was a fair sight under the 20k figure, where now the base model in Australia is about $22.5k on the road. There’s lots of reasons why that’s the case, but there’s no doubt incredible value launched the Africa Twin to great success. Pricing released so far for the NT1100 in the UK is £11,999 pounds, or £12,999 for the DCT, which is about a thousand pounds cheaper than the equivalent Africa Twins. I haven’t been able to find US or Australian pricing in comparison unfortunately, but I think it’s safe to say the new NT1100 will be cheaper than the Africa Twin, if not as competitive as that early 2015 launch price which was £10,500 pounds. So what are we getting? Well a road going Africa Twin in proper sports touring trim, road based fairing, cast wheels, more manageable seat height, comfortable looking seat, good wind protection, and fairly relaxed overall ergonomics. That starts with the 1084 cc parallel twin engine, producing 75 kW and 104 Nm of torque, with characterful 270 degree firing interval, ride-by-wire throttle and either manual or DCT versions available. The tune is unique to the NT1100 with modified intake duct and muffler internals and of course Euro5 compliant. Electronics include three default ride modes with two custom user modes, alongside Honda’s selectable torque control and wheelie control, which are both three level. Power and engine braking likewise offer three levels. On the DCT models there’s four modes offering different AT or Automatic shifting characteristics, with three levels within S or Sport setting, and D offering a fuel efficiency and more relaxed setting. MT or Manual Transmission mode is for when the rider wants full control in comparison, and DCT stands for Dual Clutch Transmission if you’re wondering. In MT mode a paddle trigger on the left handlebar offers control of shifts. Apparently 53% of buyers now pick the DCT version when buying a Honda too, which gives you an idea of how a popular and accepted it is. On the chassis side of things there’s a steel semi-double cradle frame and aluminium subframe, which come from the Africa Twin, and Showa provide the suspension with 43 mm forks with preload adjustment, while the shock includes external preload adjustment for easy access. Travel at both ends is 150 mm. The base Africa Twin in comparison runs 45 mm forks, and both ends offer preload, compressio