The rumor of a new Honda Gran Turismo had been in the air for several months, and today the Japanese manufacturer revealed its brand new NT1100. Comfort, ease and performance. These are the three fundamental characteristics that Honda promises us with this NT1100 that is placed in the list between the “old” Deauville and the Pan-European, bringing with it a slightly sportier propensity.
Aesthetically, the NT1100 adopts a fairly refined style with a few very marked lines that are mainly intended to protect the rider from the flow of air. There are therefore additional upper and lower deflectors and an adjustable screen on 5 levels up to 164 mm in height. The front can also count on a double LED optics with daytime running lights, automatic flashing lights and emergency braking warning.
Even the equipment clearly plays the card of comfort and practicality as the NT1100 comes standard with a pair of heated grips, a USB socket, an accessory socket, side cases of 33 and 32 liters and the “famous” is always appreciated central stand. The driver can also count on a large 6.5-inch TFT color screen that offers three display modes, two background colors and connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via Bluetooth.
Honda NT1100 borrows the twin-cylinder from the CRF1100L Africa Twin
The heart of the NT1100 is the 1,084 cm3 in-line twin which already equips the CRF1100L Africa Twin. This is used in the same configuration as the famous trail, i.e. with up to 75 kW of power and 104 Nm of torque. However, a small change has been made, i.e. the intake level has been adjusted for more touring-friendly behavior. The NT1100 is also available in a manual transmission version or with a DCT double clutch.
With electronic throttle control (Throttle by Wire), the NT1100 is offered with three driving modes (Urban, Rain and Tour) to which there are also two configurable modes that allow you to adjust the power on 4 levels, the engine brake on 3, the torque control and the anti-rotation also on 3 levels. There is also the system cruise control. The DCT version also offers a choice between manual or automatic gear shifting, with two modes D and S where this letter reveals a sportier driving, adjustable according to three mappings.
Top-of-the-range chassis
From a cycling point of view, the NT1100 is still based on some elements of the Africa Twin since it inherits its single cradle frame in split steel with aluminum rear buckle. The suspension and geometry, on the other hand, have been adapted for road use.
We now find a Showa inverted fork with a 43mm spring that can be adjusted in preload and flex of 150mm. The rear shock absorber, which offers the same travel, is also adjustable in preload thanks to a remote dial. The 17-inch aluminum wheels are equipped with 120/70 and 180/55 tires. They support two front discs from 310mm with 4-piston radial calipers and a 256mm rear disc with single-piston caliper.
The wheelbase is set at 1,535 mm with an angle of attack of 26 ° 5 ′, an aerodynamic drag of 108 mm and a ground clearance of 175 mm. The thick two-seater saddle remains accessible with a height at 820 mm. The standard model therefore reaches 238 kg when full. An additional 10 kg is expected for the DCT version. Honda offers the NT1100 in three colors – Matte Iridium Gray Metallic, Pearl Glare White and Graphite Black and is expected to arrive in dealerships in early 2022. Pricing has not been announced.