2025 · Tourer · A variant of the NT1100
Differences between the standard NT1100 and the DCT/ES
The Two-Pedal Long Hauler
The NT1100 in this DCT/ES trim is Honda's argument for touring without fuss. Its core is a 1084 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin rated at 102 hp and 83 lb-ft, paired with Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), so you never touch a clutch. This trim builds on the standard NT1100 with semi-active electronic suspension. Both sit on top of a shared kit that already includes cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, cruise control, heated grips, an adjustable windscreen and a center stand. Add the TFT display with Apple CarPlay and the picture is clear: this is a tourer defined by its equipment, not its horsepower. Typical Honda.
Read the hardware and the brief is obvious: long days, big distances, changing weather. A 5.4 gal (20.4 L) tank, an adjustable screen, heated grips and cruise control all point at the long highway stretches between the good roads. A steel double-cradle frame, an upside-down fork and 17-inch wheels at both ends keep it on conventional road-bike ground, and the seat sits at 32.3 in (820 mm). At 549 lb (249 kg) wet it's no lightweight, and a tourer doesn't need to be. The luggage system comes standard, so you're ready to travel loaded. Honda doesn't dramatize touring. It solves it.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1084 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 549 lb (249 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.4 gal (20.4 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The NT1100 DCT/ES (MY2022-DCT/ES) builds on the standard NT1100: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the DCT/ES adds vs the standard NT1100
Difficult Apple CarPlay/Android Auto pairing
Riders experience intermittent connection dropouts and failed pairing handshakes between the smartphone and the touchscreen display, causing smartphone mirroring to disconnect unexpectedly.
Spontaneous riding mode switching
The bike may change riding modes by itself without rider input, for example from Rain to another mode, which can be disorienting and affect throttle response.
DCT throttle click noise
When returning the throttle to idle, a distinct click sound and physical sensation can be felt coming from the transmission area, reported on 2022 DCT models.
Where this Honda NT1100 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the NT1100 is actually built for.
For long hauls to Trail Ridge or Beartooth, this is the best fit here: DCT, cruise control, heated grips and an adjustable screen carry the load. Riding two-up with full bags? The luggage comes standard.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
A strong match for 200–400 mi days on Highway 1 or the Blue Ridge: semi-active suspension and 83 lb-ft point to mixed roads, and the comfort kit covers the highway in between.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
At 549 lb this is a comfort-first tourer, not a lightweight corner tool. It's a fair fit if the ride in from Knoxville or Charlotte matters to you as much as the Dragon itself.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2022–2026
Africa Twin Tamed For Tarmac
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Honda NT1100. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
