The Honda Touring Motorcycle That Is Worth Every Penny

Honda has long dominated the motorcycle world with versatile, dependable machines — but for years, American riders looking for a proper sports tourer had to look elsewhere. That gap is now firmly closed. The NT1100 DCT arrives with a liter-class parallel-twin shared with the Rebel 1100 cruiser and Africa Twin ADV, a sharp futuristic design, and a feature list that punches well above its price point.

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The depth of technology and comfort on offer is genuinely impressive. And when you factor in a starting price that undercuts every immediate rival, the NT1100 becomes one of the most compelling crossover motorcycles on the market. Here’s a closer look at why this Honda touring bike earns its hype.

The Honda NT1100 DCT Banks High On Its Easy-To-Ride Nature

Standard DCT Gearbox Is A Major Contributor To Its Practicality

The NT1100 is a remarkably practical motorcycle — so much so that it makes a strong case for being called the most practical motorcycle of 2025. Much of that credit belongs to its standard DCT gearbox. Some may call it uninspiring, but the 6-speed automatic DCT is engineered to bridge the gap between daily commuting and long-haul touring, delivering a scooter-like twist-and-go ease that keeps fatigue at bay. Riders who crave a more engaged experience can switch to manual mode, which uses cleverly positioned paddle shifters (more like finger shifters!) on the right side of the handlebar.

Perks Of The NT1100 Touring Motorcycle DCT Gearbox

• No stalling
• Reduced fatigue
• Improved Fuel Efficiency
• No hand clutch and foot shifter
• Elevated low-speed maneuverability, handy in steep hill situations

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Powered By A Versatile Parallel-Twin Engine

Same As The Africa Twin And The Rebel 1100

Honda Powersports

Getting 100 horsepower out of a sub-$12,000 touring bike is a genuine achievement. The NT1100 DCT’s lively character stems from its liter-class parallel-twin, an engine celebrated for its versatility and shared with the dune-bashing Africa Twin ADV and the uber-cool-looking Rebel 1100 cruiser. In the NT1100, this 1,084 cc mill produces 82 pound-feet of torque.

Peak power and torque arrive at 7,500 RPM and 5,500 RPM, respectively. The strong low- and mid-range torque makes the NT a capable, effortless urban runabout, while its early power surge keeps the engine relaxed during extended highway stints. The DCT gearbox and a final chain drive handle power delivery to the rear wheel.

Honda

Engine Specs

Underpinnings That Add Sportiness To This “Practical” Honda

A Gorgeous Café Racer Also Utilizes Its Chassis

Honda Powersports

The engine and chassis together are what elevate the NT1100 from a plain touring bike to a true sports tourer. The spirited parallel-twin is matched by a playful chassis with elements shared with the Rebel and the Africa Twin. Even the Honda Hawk 11 café racer (still a forbidden fruit for US buyers) shares the main frame with the NT. Honda has revised the rake and trail, fitted 17-inch rims with road-focused tires, and added a stronger, shorter bolt-on sub-frame tailored to the NT1100’s touring mission.

Honda Powersports

Suspension is handled by long-travel Showa inverted forks up front and a monoshock at the rear, with preload adjustability at both ends. Braking hardware consists of dual discs up front and a single disc at the rear, all clamped by Nissin calipers. The seat height measures 32.3 inches, and 6.9 inches of ground clearance gives the rider a commanding perch. Honda also offers an optional 32.6-inch accessory seat for taller riders.

Hardware Specs And Dimensions

The New Honda NT1100 Is A Looker

Sharp And Edgy Design Gives It A Futuristic Vibe

Honda

The NT1100 looks unlike any other touring bike on the market — a guaranteed head-turner thanks to its sharp edges and an aggressive headlight assembly. The proportions are well-balanced, with the only debatable styling note being the oddly angled muffler. The striking front half-fairing is partly constructed from biodegradable Durabio plastic, which is both environmentally conscious and beneficial for keeping curb weight in check.

The transparent windscreen is adjustable across five positions within a 6.5-inch range. A unique wind deflector below the tall visor adds another layer of visual interest — the transparent, wide “U”-shaped unit extends to the handlebar ends and doubles as hand protection from wind blast, a genuinely thoughtful touch. The 2025 Honda NT1100 is currently offered in a single shade of Pearl Hawkeye Blue for America.

A Price Tag Of Under $12,000 Makes It The New VFM Icon Among Sports Tourers

Relaxed Ergonomics, Impressive Electronic Suit, And Lots Of Touring Accessories

Honda

Despite its sporty credentials, the NT1100 doesn’t compromise on touring comfort. The scooped seat positions the rider inside the motorcycle rather than perched on top of it, and combined with the adjustable touring visor, it delivers meaningful wind protection that keeps fatigue in check on long rides. The rider triangle is relaxed, with a tall, wide handlebar and footpegs positioned just below the rider. Pillion accommodation is equally generous, making this a capable two-up tourer.

Honda

The cockpit centers on a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, enabling hands-free calls and text notifications. A secondary LCD display below the TFT — borrowed from the Africa Twin — shows speed, fuel level, and other key data at a glance. Honda equips the NT1100 with a six-axis IMU that enables advanced safety and assist features including wheelie control. Three preset riding modes — Urban, Rain, and Tour — come standard, supplemented by two fully user-configurable modes. A throttle-by-wire system sharpens the character differences between each mode.

Oodles Of Accessories Elevate Things

Honda Powersports

Honda offers a well-stocked accessories catalog aimed squarely at transforming the NT1100 DCT into a fully equipped touring machine. The stock NT1100 is admittedly lean by touring-bike standards, but that’s a reasonable trade-off given its sub-$12,000 starting price. All accessories available on the US-spec Honda NT1100 are listed below.

It Faces Competition From Triumph, Yamaha, And BMW

Triumph

The Honda NT1100’s ability to deliver all of this for under $12,000 puts it firmly in the spotlight. Its rivals are certainly accomplished, with more on-road pedigree, but they carry noticeably higher price tags. The Triumph Tiger Sport 800 is $595 more expensive, and the closely matched Yamaha Tracer 9 costs $900 more. The nearest competitor on price is the BMW F 900 XR, which comes in just $96 higher.

Yet none of those rivals pack features as densely as the NT1100 does. To put the NT’s value proposition in sharp relief: the $19,499 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT and the $18,599 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ are sport-tourers that share this segment with the $11,899 Honda NT1100 — and the Honda makes them work hard to justify the premium.

Sources: Honda Powersports, Triumph, BMW, Yamaha