The House of the golden wing has removed the veil from the main novelty that we will see next month at Eicma in Milan: the Nt1100 tourer. The newcomer deviates from the popular trend of maxienduro, headed by her sister Africa Twin, to favor a return to the asphalt and to the long hours in the saddle of long (also) motorway trips (Honda promises intervals of 400 km between a gas station and the other). We are not exactly on the side of the real tourers (like the Bmw R1250Rt to be clear), but the new Honda is a crossover model between the two segments, in the wake of models of the past such as the Deauville and the Pan European.
While the front is very reminiscent of that of the Adv750, the Nt1100 has the engine in common with its “African” sister: its parallel twin of 1,084 cc delivers 102 hp of maximum power and 104 Nm of torque, at 6,250 rpm. The Throttle by wire (Tbw) throttle control allows effective engine management in all riding conditions, and mapping with three preset Riding Modes (Urban, Rain, Tour), in addition to two that can be set by the rider. The TBW also manages the Hstc traction control and the anti-wheelie control.
The frame is a semi-double cradle in steel, with an aluminum seat post, associated with suspension with increased travel (150 mm): 43 mm diameter Showa SFF-BP fork and shock absorber are both adjustable in spring preload (hydraulic, with knob, at the rear). The chassis geometries see a relatively short wheelbase and an agile front end that also guarantees stability at high speed. Powerful braking system consisting of 4-piston radial calipers on 310 mm discs at the front; the 17-inch wheels are in light alloy and mount 120/70 and 180/55 tires.
The interface with the rider is entrusted to a dashboard with a 6.5-inch Tft touch screen and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity to connect to the driver’s smartphone, which can also count on a 5-position adjustable windshield.
The Nt1100 will be available, at a price not yet known, in gray, white or black, with an interesting standard equipment: side cases, heated grips, cruise control and central stand; it will also be possible to choose between the version with manual gearbox and the one with the 6-speed Dct double clutch, introduced by Honda in 2009 and today at the state of the art with over 200,000 motorcycles sold with this gearbox.