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NEWS
When the Honda NT1100 first arrived in 2022, it offered something refreshingly straightforward in an adventuresaturated market— a pure, road-focused touring motorcycle that was agile, comfortable, and packed with performance. Now, for the 2025 and 2026 model years, Honda has taken that winning formula and doubled down, with significant upgrades to both ride comfort and technology, and the introduction of a new variant: the NT1100 Electronic Suspension.
At its core, the NT1100 remains a mile-eating, dualpurpose machine built on the proven platform of the CRF1100L Africa Twin. But where the Africa Twin leans into off-road adventure, the NT1100 keeps its wheels firmly planted on the tarmac, appealing to a wide range of riders— commuters, long-distance tourers, and weekend explorers alike— who value precision handling, smart design, and long-haul comfort without the towering height or rugged aesthetic of full-size adventure bikes.
Honda’ s 2025 updates focused heavily on enhancing ride quality, refining the power delivery, and improving usability. The 1,084cc parallel twin engine, known for its punchy and character-rich performance, was revised with a new intake system, longer airbox trumpets, and recalibrated fuel injection, increasing torque in the low and mid-range by 7 %, with no loss to the 75kW peak power. The result is a more muscular response during overtakes, climbs, and two-up riding— exactly where it counts for touring.
A six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit( IMU) was also added, allowing the NT1100 to incorporate more advanced electronics across the board. Cornering ABS, Rear Lift Control, and Wheelie Control are now part of the package, as well as more nuanced rider modes— URBAN, RAIN, TOUR, and two user-defined settings— all of which allow riders to tailor power, engine braking, and traction control to their liking. The Dual Clutch Transmission( DCT), which continues to prove popular among buyers( with 66 % of NT customers opting for it), was also refined for better low-speed operation and smarter gear changes during cornering.
The most headline-grabbing addition is undoubtedly the NT1100 Electronic Suspension model. Equipped with Showa’ s Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment( Showa-EERA™), previously seen on the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, the system uses real-time data from the IMU, fork stroke sensors, and vehicle speed to deliver optimal damping in all riding conditions. Riders can switch between four modes— URBAN, TOUR, RAIN, and USER— and even adjust rear spring preload on the fly, making it one of the most sophisticated suspension systems in the touring segment.
Visually, the 2025 NT1100 received a sharper, more aggressive makeover. The fairing was re-sculpted for both style and function, with integrated LED lighting, redesigned wind deflectors, and a five-stage heightadjustable windscreen that can now be operated one-handed from a seated position. Other thoughtful updates include a 150mm extension to the rear of the front mudguard for better wet-weather protection, and a larger, wider seat designed to improve long-distance comfort. Both panniers, standard on all models, have been enlarged to accommodate full-face helmets.
A 6.5-inch full-colour TFT touchscreen sits at the centre of the rider’ s interface, offering smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay ®, Android Auto ®, and Bluetooth ®. Cruise control, upgraded heated grips, USB and accessory sockets, self-cancelling indicators, and Emergency Stop Signals( ESS) come as standard. Honda even swapped the lead-acid battery for a lightweight SKYRICH lithium-ion unit, trimming 2.5kg from the overall mass and aiding weight distribution.
Underneath, the NT1100 continues to use a semidouble cradle steel frame with a bolt-on aluminium subframe, offering a stable yet nimble ride feel. Dual 310mm front discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers provide serious stopping power, while the 120 / 70-17 front and 180 / 55-17 rear tyres remain road-biased for better grip and comfort on long rides.
With more than 20,000 units sold across Europe since launch, and top sales in the touring segment for three consecutive years, the NT1100’ s formula clearly resonates with riders. Honda’ s decision to build on that success rather than reinvent the bike entirely speaks to the strength of the original design.
For the 2026 model year, the NT1100 and NT1100 Electronic Suspension return unchanged mechanically but gain a new Iridium Gray Metallic colour option, joining Pearl Hawkseye Blue and Mat Warm Ash Metallic in the lineup.
Accessories remain a strong part of the NT1100 ' s offering, with optional packs designed for different riding needs. The Urban Pack adds a 50L top box, alarm system, and backrest, while the Voyage Pack includes comfort seats, fog lights, and a tank bag for those planning longer adventures. A new decorative sticker set and aluminium pannier panels offer additional customization.
In a category where tech-laden adventure bikes often steal the spotlight, the NT1100 quietly continues to make a strong case for the modern, road-focused tourer. With thoughtful updates that prioritize real-world comfort and performance, the NT1100 doesn’ t just keep up— it leads.
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