2025 Honda NT1100 DCT First Ride Review: Sport Touring Comfort

First Impressions and Ergonomics

• 🏍️ The 2025 Honda NT1100 DCT is presented as a comfortable yet engaging sport-touring machine, built for covering long distances.
• 📏 The rider, 5'10" with a 32" inseam, found the riding position comfortable with mildly bent legs and feet positioned well under the body, allowing for easy weight shifts.
• 💨 An adjustable windscreen is highlighted for its effectiveness in blocking wind, contributing significantly to overall comfort.

DCT and Riding Modes

• ⚙️ The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) means the motorcycle is automatic, featuring no clutch lever or traditional shift pedal.
• 🕹️ Riders can choose between automatic 'D' (Drive) and 'S' (Sport) modes, or engage manual mode with paddle shifters for control.
• 🚦 Riding modes (Rain, Urban, Tour) adjust power, engine braking, and traction control intervention, with fewer indicator lights signifying less electronic assistance and more direct power.
• 🅿️ A parking brake is a notable feature of the DCT models, preventing the bike from rolling when stopped on an incline, as it cannot be put into neutral like a traditional motorcycle.

Engine and Performance

• 🚀 The NT1100 utilizes the 1084cc parallel-twin engine from the Africa Twin, producing 101 horsepower and 86 ft-lbs of torque.
• ⚖️ Despite its 547 lb weight, the bike feels surprisingly light and nimble during rides.
• 💨 In city riding, the DCT can feel a bit clunky at low speeds, quickly upshifting and sometimes lugging. The sport shift mode significantly improves responsiveness and quicker downshifts.
• 🛣️ On the highway, the bike is planted and comfortable, with excellent wind protection. The sport mode is recommended for more engaging highway performance.

Handling and Controls

• 🏙️ The lower perceived seat height and wide handlebars contribute to surprisingly nimble handling in the city, making direction changes easy.
• ⚠️ A minor drawback is a piece of the engine on the right side and the pegs that can force the rider's leg out slightly when coming to a stop.
• 🕹️ The controls feature a large cluster with menu buttons, horn, paddle shifters, hazard lights, and blinkers, though the blinker placement can be a bit hard to reach.
• 🔌 The bike includes a cigarette lighter power outlet and a USB-A port, supporting wired Apple CarPlay.

Technology and User Interface

• 📱 The dashboard features a TFT touchscreen (upper screen) and a secondary display, similar to the Africa Twin's setup.
• 🤔 While functional, the user interface is described as somewhat convoluted and not the most intuitive, with difficulty navigating settings without prior knowledge.
• 💡 The touchscreen functionality is demonstrated, but accessing deeper settings like traction control proves challenging for the reviewer.

Chase Score and Final Verdict

• 📊 The NT1100 received a final Chase Score of 69, with notable scores for comfort (9/10) and versatility (8/10).
• 💰 The bike is considered to have strong value at its $11,900 MSRP, offering a lot for the price, especially for those seeking a sport-touring option without off-road intentions.
• 👍 Honda is praised for delivering a phenomenal bike at a competitive price, making it an attractive option for serious touring.
• 🌟 The parallel-twin engine is a standout feature, providing punchy and fun power suitable for both city and highway riding.