Short answer: this Honda NT1100 DCT review finds a genuine half-price alternative to a full-dress tourer — a 1,084cc sport-tourer with an automatic dual-clutch gearbox, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and a full electronics suite, priced at $11,999 plus $775 destination for 2026. The NT1100 reached America only in May 2025 after three Europe-only years, and it arrives as Honda’s most complete touring value: comfortable for two, easy in traffic thanks to the DCT, and far lighter and cheaper than a Gold Wing. This Honda NT1100 DCT review covers the price, the specs, the riding experience, and the two small conflicts in the paperwork, with every figure labelled by year and source.
One framing fact belongs up front in this Honda NT1100 DCT review: the American bike is DCT-only. Honda offers no manual NT1100 at retail in the United States, and any listing or article claiming a retail manual is wrong — the manual NT1100 exists only as a police fleet machine, which this Honda NT1100 DCT review treats separately. The bike covered here is the 2025–2026 US model, not the European versions with their extra trims and electronic-suspension option.
Honda NT1100 DCT Overview and Model-Year Updates
The overview for this Honda NT1100 DCT review is simple: Honda took the Africa Twin’s proven parallel twin, put it in a road-biased chassis with 17-inch wheels, added a tall fairing and a touring seat, and priced the result well under its rivals. It is a sport-tourer in the classic sense — comfortable enough for a long weekend, sharp enough for a back road, and practical enough for a daily commute.
Europe-Only 2022 to 2024, Then a US Launch in May 2025
Europe-only from 2022 to 2024, then a US launch in May 2025 — that timeline matters for this Honda NT1100 DCT review because it explains why the bike felt so finished on arrival. Honda introduced the NT1100 in Europe as a 2022 model, and by the time it reached America it had already sold more than 12,000 units there, becoming Europe’s most popular sport-tourer in 2023 according to Honda’s own news release. American buyers therefore got a debugged motorcycle, not a first-year gamble, and this Honda NT1100 DCT review treats the European running start as a real advantage: three years of owner feedback went into the 2025 bike before a single US customer rode one.
Latest US Year 2026: No 2027 NT1100 for America
Latest US year 2026: no 2027 NT1100 for America — that is the position as of November 2026, and this Honda NT1100 DCT review states it carefully rather than as a permanent fact. Honda’s US site shows the 2026 NT1100 DCT as the current model, with no 2027 page announced, so shoppers in late 2026 are choosing between a leftover 2025 and a new 2026. The difference between those two years, as far as Honda’s own pages show, is colour and price only, which keeps the buying decision simple and is covered in full in our buying guide.
Honda NT1100 DCT Engine and Specifications
The engine and specifications section of this Honda NT1100 DCT review starts with the number that defines the bike: 1,084cc, shared in architecture with the Africa Twin but retuned for road touring. The result is a twin that pulls cleanly from low revs, cruises without strain, and asks little of its rider — exactly what a sport-tourer should do.
1084cc Unicam Twin at 10.5:1 Shared With the Africa Twin
The 1084cc Unicam twin at 10.5:1 shared with the Africa Twin is the heart of this Honda NT1100 DCT review, and the sharing needs its label: same engine family, different tune and different mission. The NT1100’s twin uses a 270-degree crankshaft for its distinctive throb, a Unicam single-overhead-cam head with four valves per cylinder, and programmed fuel injection through 46mm throttle bodies on the 2026 spec sheet. Honda USA publishes no horsepower or torque figure for the NT1100, so this Honda NT1100 DCT review quotes only the European claim — 100.5 hp at 7,500 rpm and 82.6 lb-ft, as reported in RevZilla’s first ride — and labels it as such, never as an American rating. For the adventure-biased sibling, see our Africa Twin review.
Curb Weight 547 lb, Seat 32.3 Inches and Tank 5.4 Gallons
Curb weight 547 lb, seat 32.3 inches and tank 5.4 gallons — those three numbers explain why this Honda NT1100 DCT review calls the bike accessible. At 547 lb with a full tank, the NT1100 is roughly 260 lb lighter than a Gold Wing Tour, and the 32.3-inch seat (with a 32.6-inch accessory seat available) suits a wide range of riders. The 5.4-gallon tank pairs with a frugal twin for genuine touring range, and the 60.4-inch wheelbase keeps the bike stable at highway speed. Honda’s 2026 NT1100 DCT page confirms the weight, seat height, tank, and wheelbase figures used in this Honda NT1100 DCT review.
| Specification | 2026 NT1100 DCT (Honda USA) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,084cc liquid-cooled Unicam parallel twin | 92.0 x 81.5 mm, 10.5:1, 270-degree crank |
| Power / torque (US) | Honda USA publishes none | EU claim only: 100.5 hp / 82.6 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic DCT, paddle shifters | D, S and manual modes; no retail manual |
| Curb weight | 547 lb (full tank) | About 260 lb under a Gold Wing Tour |
| Seat height / tank | 32.3 in / 5.4 gal | 32.6-in accessory seat available |
| Suspension / brakes | 43mm Showa SFF-BP, 5.9 in travel; dual 310mm front discs | Preload only; 256mm rear disc; #525 chain |
| Summary | Sport-tourer, not adventure bike | 17-in wheels, road-biased chassis |
Honda NT1100 DCT Price and Market Availability
Price and market availability are where this Honda NT1100 DCT review gets most persuasive: the NT1100 undercuts its closest rival by $600 before destination, and it does so while including the DCT gearbox and the electronics suite as standard. For a new touring motorcycle in 2026, that is a rare combination.
Honda NT1100 DCT Price in the USA: $11,899, Then $11,999
Honda NT1100 DCT price in the USA: $11,899, then $11,999 — the two-year story in one line for this Honda NT1100 DCT review. The 2025 launch bike cost $11,899, and the 2026 bike costs $11,999 plus $775 destination, a $100 rise for a new colour and nothing else changed. That restraint matters: buyers are not paying a model-year premium for a different motorcycle, and leftover 2025 bikes, where they remain, are genuine bargains rather than outdated stock. This Honda NT1100 DCT review treats the $11,999 figure as the anchor for every comparison that follows.
Pearl Hawkeye Blue for 2025 and Gray Metallic for 2026
Pearl Hawkeye Blue for 2025 and Gray Metallic for 2026 — one colour per year, no options, no confusion, and this Honda NT1100 DCT review likes the simplicity. The 2025 blue is a bright, distinctive launch colour; the 2026 Gray Metallic is quieter and, in this Honda NT1100 DCT review’s judgement, the better long-term choice for a bike that will spend its life on the road rather than in a showroom. Colour is genuinely the only difference between the two US years on Honda’s own pages, so a leftover blue 2025 at a discount is the same motorcycle as a gray 2026 in everything that matters.
Honda NT1100 DCT Design, Features and Technology
Design, features and technology are where this Honda NT1100 DCT review finds the bike punching above its price. A 6.5-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-axis IMU, cruise control, and heated grips are all standard — equipment that costs extra or does not exist on several more expensive rivals.
Six-Axis IMU With Lean-Sensitive ABS and HSTC for the US
Six-axis IMU with lean-sensitive ABS and HSTC for the US — confirmed, not assumed, in this Honda NT1100 DCT review. Honda’s own 2025 US features release describes a six-axis inertial measurement unit measuring roll, pitch and yaw, feeding Honda Selectable Torque Control with three levels plus off, wheelie mitigation, rear lift control, and cornering ABS that manages braking pressure using lean angle and wheel-speed data. Five riding modes — Tour, Urban, Rain and two user-customizable settings — adjust power, engine braking and HSTC together. Honda’s US features release is the source for the electronics claims in this Honda NT1100 DCT review, and it also confirms cruise control and heated grips as standard.
Panniers Are a $1,196 Accessory in the US, Not Standard Kit
Panniers are a $1,196 accessory in the US, not standard kit — and this Honda NT1100 DCT review carries that figure with a label, because it comes from the doc rather than a verified Honda accessories price in this pass. What is verified is the effect: Rider Magazine’s 2025 test bike, fitted with panniers and mounting hardware, priced out at $13,095, so buyers should budget roughly $1,200 over the base price for a fully luggage-ready bike. The panniers matter because the NT1100’s low-slung exhaust is deliberately positioned to maximize their volume, and a center stand is standard for loading and maintenance. For the full ownership maths, see our buying guide.
Honda NT1100 DCT Riding Experience and Comfort
Riding experience and comfort are the heart of any Honda NT1100 DCT review, and this bike’s case rests on one idea: the DCT removes the chore from touring without removing the rider from the ride. Twist, go, and let the gearbox think about traffic while you think about the road.
Riding Position, Handling and Low-Speed Maneuverability
Riding position, handling and low-speed maneuverability are where this Honda NT1100 DCT review finds the bike most convincing. The upright position, wide bars, and 32.3-inch seat put most riders flat-footed at stops, and the DCT shines exactly where a heavy tourer usually struggles: walking-speed traffic, parking lots, and stop-and-go commuting, where there is no clutch to feather and no missed shift to catch. The 43mm Showa fork offers preload adjustment only — no electronic suspension on the US bike, unlike the European ES version — but the 5.9 inches of travel front and rear soak up broken pavement well. Rider Magazine’s 2025 review praises the same easy low-speed manners in its two-day test, and this Honda NT1100 DCT review agrees with that judgement.
Highway Comfort, Passenger Use and Everyday Practicality
Highway comfort, passenger use and everyday practicality complete the riding case in this Honda NT1100 DCT review. The five-stage adjustable windscreen moves through 6.5 inches of height and angle by hand while seated, upper and lower deflectors shield arms and legs, and the wide, thickly padded seat with its large passenger grabrail makes two-up touring genuinely comfortable rather than merely possible. Cruise control is standard for long highway stretches, and the 5.4-gallon tank gives the twin a long stride between stops. The video below in this Honda NT1100 DCT review is Rider Magazine’s own video review of the 2025 bike — a real US-model test, not a European overview.
Everyday practicality deserves a line of its own in this Honda NT1100 DCT review: the NT1100 commutes like a midsize bike, parks like one, and sips fuel like one, yet carries a passenger and luggage like a tourer. That dual character is the whole point of the sport-touring class, and it is why this Honda NT1100 DCT review rates the bike as a one-bike solution for riders who cannot justify both a commuter and a tourer.
Honda NT1100 DCT Review: Pros, Cons and Verdict
The verdict section of this Honda NT1100 DCT review weighs a short list of strengths against an equally short list of limitations. The strengths are long; the limitations are honest, and none of them is a deal-breaker for the bike’s intended buyer.
Main Advantages and Limitations of the Honda NT1100 DCT
Main advantages and limitations of the Honda NT1100 DCT, stated plainly for this Honda NT1100 DCT review. Advantages: the $11,999 price undercuts the Yamaha Tracer 9 by $600; the DCT is standard, not a cost option; the electronics suite — IMU, cornering ABS, HSTC, five ride modes, cruise, heated grips, CarPlay and Android Auto — is standard; the bike is light, low, and easy at low speed; and the Africa Twin-derived twin is proven over three European years. Limitations: panniers cost extra; suspension adjusts for preload only; Honda USA publishes no power figure, so buyers must trust the European claim; the chain needs the care a shaft drive would not; and the dealer network for this new-to-America model is still building used stock. Compared with Honda’s own commuter-tourer, see our NC750X review, and for the adventure alternative, our Transalp review.
Throttle Body Conflict: 44mm on 2025 Sheets, 46mm on 2026
Throttle body conflict: 44mm on 2025 sheets, 46mm on 2026 — this Honda NT1100 DCT review must correct the first half of that heading, because Honda’s own documents say otherwise. The 2026 Honda spec page lists a 46mm throttle body, and Honda’s 2025 US features release also states 46mm throttle bodies, so the 44mm figure appears only in the doc and could not be verified against any Honda source in this pass. The honest statement is that both US years use 46mm throttle bodies on Honda’s own paperwork, and the 44mm figure should be treated as an unverified doc claim. This Honda NT1100 DCT review flags the conflict rather than silently repeating it, and the same care applies to the warranty wording, which the companion reliability guide examines in full.
Verdict: this Honda NT1100 DCT review recommends the NT1100 DCT without hesitation to any rider who wants a comfortable, automatic, genuinely capable touring motorcycle for under $12,000 plus destination. It is not the fastest, the flashiest, or the most luxurious tourer Honda sells — the Gold Wing keeps those titles — but it is the smartest touring buy in Honda’s 2026 American lineup, and the easiest one to live with every day.
Honda NT1100 DCT Review FAQs
Direct answers to the questions buyers ask most in this Honda NT1100 DCT review, with every price and specification labelled by year and source.
How much does the Honda NT1100 DCT cost in the USA?
$11,999 plus $775 destination for 2026, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review; the 2025 launch bike was $11,899. Panniers and mounting hardware are extra, pushing a luggage-ready bike toward $13,100.
Is the NT1100 DCT available with a manual gearbox in the USA?
No, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: American Honda offers the NT1100 with DCT only at retail. The manual NT1100 is a police fleet machine only, not a retail model.
What engine does the NT1100 DCT have?
A 1,084cc liquid-cooled Unicam parallel twin, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review, shared in architecture with the Africa Twin but retuned for sport touring, with a 270-degree crankshaft and 10.5:1 compression.
How much horsepower does the NT1100 DCT make?
Honda USA publishes no figure, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review. The European claim is 100.5 hp at 7,500 rpm with 82.6 lb-ft of torque, and no US dyno test exists to confirm a rear-wheel number.
How heavy is the NT1100 DCT and how tall is the seat?
547 lb at the curb with a full tank, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review, with a 32.3-inch seat height and a 32.6-inch accessory seat available.
How big is the fuel tank?
5.4 gallons, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review, feeding a frugal twin for genuine touring range between stops.
Does the NT1100 DCT have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: both are standard through the 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen, along with Bluetooth, cruise control, and heated grips.
What rider aids does the NT1100 DCT include?
A six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, Honda Selectable Torque Control with three levels, wheelie mitigation, rear lift control, and five riding modes, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review — all standard on the US bike.
Are panniers standard on the US NT1100 DCT?
No, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: panniers are a US accessory, not standard kit, and buyers should budget roughly $1,200 for bags and mounting hardware.
What colours does the NT1100 DCT come in?
Pearl Hawkeye Blue for 2025 and Gray Metallic for 2026, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review — one colour per US model year.
Is there a 2027 NT1100 DCT for America?
Not announced as of November 2026, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: Honda’s US site shows the 2026 as the current model, so late-2026 shoppers choose between a leftover 2025 and a new 2026.
Is the NT1100 DCT a good Gold Wing alternative?
Yes, for riders who do not need the Gold Wing’s size or luxury, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: the NT1100 is roughly 260 lb lighter and less than half the price of a new Gold Wing Tour, with the same DCT ease in traffic.
Does the NT1100 DCT have a chain or a shaft drive?
A chain, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review: a #525 chain with 16-tooth front and 40-tooth rear sprockets, so chain care belongs in the regular maintenance routine.
What warranty does the NT1100 DCT carry?
A two-year transferable limited warranty on the 2026 bike, says this Honda NT1100 DCT review, with HondaCare extended coverage available.
