It goes without saying that the Honda NT1100 DCT is built well – we’ve come to expect that from Big Red. I’m not sure many people would say that the NT is good looking but there’s no denying that its fit and finish is second to none. And second to that, being based heavily on the Africa Twin, reliability and durability should stand the test of time. But these aren’t the only reasons we included the NT1100 DCT in AMCN’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year (MOTY) presented by Shannons Insurance.
Honda claims the “NT1100 was made for riders that desire a straightforward touring motorcycle with a rich specification list and a sporty edge to its performance” and I reckon Honda has smashed that out of the park. It certainly leans more toward the touring end of the spectrum, although it’s more than capable of play. But when play time was over and it was time for us to hit the road in miserable conditions, the Honda became a firm favourite for its excellent protection from the elements, tractable parallel-twin engine, comfortable seat and upright ergonomics. As a long-distance tourer it’s top notch!
I’m all for innovation if it improves the breed, and on paper Honda’s DCT gearbox is certainly innovative in the motorcycle space. But it’s not all fondue and fairy bread, and in real world usage I reckon it’s a bit hit and miss. When cruising around town or out on the highway I can’t fault the NT1100’s DCT. But when you get your sport on it’s just not able to keep up and I resorted to using the manual shift paddles.
I don’t want my motorcycle changing down for me mid-corner when I’ve thrown it on its side and am hooking through a corner, and I don’t appreciate a bike weighing 248kg holding second gear while I’m doing a feet up U-turn suddenly dropping into first halfway through.
My other gripes are the left switchblock which, like the Africa Twins, has the complexity of a Rubik’s Cube – and with winter gloves on can be a proper pain in the rear to use. The protective screen, although adjustable, can’t be adjusted on the fly and it wobbles at highway speeds.
At $22,699 (plus ORC), the NT1100 is great buying for a sports-tourer, and that’s especially true if you’re planning on doing big distances. For that money you get plenty of electronic fruit, a super comfortable ride, a grunty 1084cc parallel-twin donk and that legendary Honda reliability.
The Honda is everything a sport-tourer needs to be: it’s sure footed at any speed, offers neutral handling, the parallel-twin pulls well throughout the rev range and the whole package is user-friendly. It’s a cliché I know, but in making such a good all-rounder Honda has squeezed the fun out of the NT. The DCT takes away from the riding experience and the whole package is a bit bland.
But I’m still in my hoon faze, so if you’ve got a maturity level bigger than your shoe size and checking out the scenery and rolling into a destination in comfort is your idea of fun then you may adore the NT.
TEST: PETE VORST
Over the next several days we will reveal more about the eight MOTY finalists on the AMCN website and eventually announce the winner. If you can’t wait that long to find out which motorcycle has been awarded AMCN’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year presented by Shannons Insurance, grab a copy of the AMCN Yearbook, which is on sale now at newsagents and select supermarkets.
