ROAD NEWS
HONDA RETURNS TO SPORT TOURING WITH NT1100
Honda has added to its touring lineup for the first time in years and joined the growing industry sports tourer trend with the announcement of the all-new NT1100 . The sleek new NT1100 takes its engine from the Africa Twin CRF1100L , meaning it ’ s a 1084cc SOHC parallel twin “ but with intake and exhaust tuned for super-smooth acceleration and a pleasing low-rpm sound ”, according to Honda . Peak power figures are claimed at 100hp ( 75kW ) @ 7250rpm and 104Nm @ 6250rpm peak torque . The engine ’ s compression ratio is identical to the Africa Twin at 10.1:1 while the NT also shares the 270 ° phased crankshaft and uneven firing interval . The steel semi-double cradle frame employs a relatively short wheelbase and sharp steering geometry while the suspension is a 43mm Showa cartridge-type inverted front fork and single-tube rear shock . Wheel travel is noted as 150mm front and rear .
Pulling the bike to a stop is a set of dual 310mm front discs paired with four-piston radial-mount calipers ; tyres are sized 120 / 70-17 front and 180 / 55-17 rear . Being a tourer first and foremost , fuel range and comfort are priorities . Fuel range is claimed to be around the 400km mark , thanks to a 20.4-litre fuel tank , while comfort is sorted thanks to a five-way adjustable windscreen and range of wind deflectors to keep the elements off the rider . The seat is also sorted with “ thick seat ” material which Honda claims offers a “ luxurious expanse ”, while height is set at 820mm . Comfort is aided by the option of Honda ’ s sixspeed DCT transmission in lieu of the standard six-speed gearbox . While DCT is still a low selling option here in NZ , Honda has made sure the cockpit isn ’ t without the latest in musthave rider technology either . Like the Africa Twin , the NT1100 gets a large TFT display with a secondary LCD speedometer below . The TFT
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