2026 Honda NT1100 Review: The Sensible Tourer That Almost Nails It

The 2026 Honda NT1100 review lands in a very interesting corner of the UK touring market. It is not trying to be the loudest, sharpest or most dramatic sports tourer on sale. Instead, Honda has built it around comfort, ease, weather protection and long-distance usefulness.

Tested by Liam Simm, Moto Planet presenter and rider, this UK road test looks at whether the Honda NT1100 DCT Electronic Suspension is the sensible long-term touring partner Honda says it is. Liam rode the bike from Smith’s Honda through town, along dual carriageway stretches and onto UK B-roads to see whether it feels genuinely capable beyond the spec sheet.

Summary

• Engine 1,084cc liquid-cooled parallel twin
• Power 75kW at 7,500rpm
• Torque 112Nm at 5,500rpm
• Weight 249kg plus 12kg panniers
• Fuel Capacity 20.4 litres
• Price £14,299 for DCT Electronic Suspension

Buying Advice: Who is this bike for? Who should skip it?

The 2026 Honda NT1100 is for riders who value comfort, convenience and low-effort touring more than outright excitement. If your ideal bike makes long days easier, carries luggage properly, protects you from UK weather and keeps fatigue down, the NT1100 makes a strong case.

It is especially well suited to mature touring riders, returning riders, commuters who want serious comfort, and anyone who often rides two-up or loaded with panniers. The DCT version also makes a lot of sense if you ride in traffic, cover big mileage, or simply want a bike that removes effort without feeling clumsy.

Who should skip it? Riders who want a sharper, more thrilling sports-tourer may find the Honda a bit too sensible. Liam liked the bike, but he was honest that it would not be his personal pick because he prefers more excitement. That is the key buying point: this is not a bike trying to flatter your ego. It is a bike trying to make riding easier.

If you are considering one, check out our 2026 Honda NT1100 parts and accessories to see bike-specific options for touring, protection and luggage upgrades.

Engine, DCT and real-world performance

The NT1100 uses Honda’s 1,084cc parallel twin, closely related to the Africa Twin engine. On paper, 75kW and 112Nm gives it more than enough shove for UK road riding, overtakes and motorway touring. It is not a frantic engine, but that is not the point. The character is smooth, torquey and easy to use.

Liam found the power delivery relaxed but strong, with enough punch for real-world riding. The engine has a throaty, meaty sound when worked harder, but it remains civilised when cruising. That suits the bike’s brief nicely: it is capable without feeling like it is constantly asking to be ridden harder.

The DCT is the standout feature. Honda’s updated Dual Clutch Transmission now uses IMU cornering detection, which helps prevent unwanted gear changes mid-corner. On the UK B-roads Liam rode, the system held gears naturally while leaned over, then shifted once the bike straightened up. That matters because earlier automatic systems can feel intrusive when they change at the wrong moment.

Compared with Yamaha’s Y-AMT system, Liam felt Honda’s DCT was smoother, more natural and better suited to this kind of bike. For the NT1100 in particular, the automatic gearbox is not a gimmick. It is arguably the version that makes the most sense.

Comfort, riding position and touring practicality

Comfort is where the Honda NT1100 does its best work. Liam repeatedly came back to how relaxed the bike felt on UK roads. The riding position is upright, open and roomy, with wide handlebars and a comfortable lower-body position. Despite the bike’s physical size, it does not feel intimidating once moving.

The 820mm seat height is manageable, helped by the bike’s relatively narrow profile and low-feeling weight distribution. Liam could get both feet flat on the ground and felt confident that shorter riders may still find it approachable, especially compared with taller adventure-style tourers.

Honda has clearly designed this bike around distance work. Standard panniers, a rear rack, centre stand, cruise control, heated grips, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB-A and 12V sockets all help make it feel properly ready for touring straight out of the box. If you regularly carry a pillion or luggage, the electronic suspension version adds useful adjustability for load changes.

For additional touring storage, explore our motorcycle top boxes, motorcycle panniers and motorcycle tank bags.

Screen, weather protection and daily usability

Honda has improved the NT1100’s adjustable screen, and it can now be moved with one hand. Liam found the adjustment slightly awkward, but usable once you get the hang of it. The fairing, side deflectors and lower leg protection all help keep road spray and weather off the rider, which is exactly what you want from a UK touring bike.

However, the screen was also Liam’s biggest complaint. At his height, he experienced buffeting around the top of his helmet, especially at higher speeds. That will not affect every rider in the same way, but it is worth testing before buying. A taller touring screen or spoiler may be one of the first upgrades for taller riders.

Around town, the NT1100 feels easier than its size suggests. The DCT takes the faff out of traffic, the riding position gives good visibility, and the torque means there is no need to work the bike hard. For commuting, touring and mixed UK riding, it is a very usable package.

Technology, controls and build quality

The NT1100 is well equipped, but Liam did find the switchgear busy. There are buttons for DCT modes, manual/automatic operation, cruise control, favourites, phone and menu navigation. Owners will likely adapt over time, but first impressions can feel cluttered.

The small secondary LCD below the 6.5-inch TFT was one of Liam’s favourite details. It gives simple, useful information such as speed, gear and mileage without burying everything in the touchscreen. On a touring bike, that kind of clarity matters.

Build quality is generally what you would expect from Honda: solid, neat and dependable. Liam did note that the seat felt loose on the test bike and the panniers felt slightly clumsy, so those are worth checking when viewing or collecting one. Otherwise, the overall impression was reassuringly Honda.

Design and road presence

The 2026 Honda NT1100 has a smoother, sleeker front end thanks to integrated indicators within the DRLs. It gives the bike a cleaner look than older designs with traditional indicator stalks. Liam also liked how the metallic paint looked in the sun, especially with the bike cleaned and polished.

It is not an aggressive-looking sports-tourer in the way the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT or Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX are. It looks more elegant, practical and aerodynamic. Liam even noted a resemblance to the Honda ADV350 scooter, which may divide opinion, but it suits the bike’s comfort-first brief.

The little side wings may not be the prettiest detail, but they serve a purpose by adding weather protection. That sums up the NT1100 quite neatly: function comes first, and styling follows.

Ownership, Running Costs & Reliability

Honda UK lists the NT1100 DCT Electronic Suspension at £14,299 and claims fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km, which converts to roughly 56.5mpg. With the 20.4-litre tank, that gives a theoretical range of around 250 miles in ideal conditions. Liam’s realistic estimate of 45–60mpg is sensible for mixed UK riding, depending on speed, load, luggage, pillion use and road type.

Honda’s digital owner information lists maintenance points at 600 miles, then 8,000-mile intervals, with annual checks also part of the schedule. Honda UK also offers service plans covering the first three services, including the 600-mile service, which may help owners manage early running costs. Actual service pricing will vary by dealer, so it is worth confirming costs with your local Honda dealership before buying.

Warranty support is a strong Honda ownership point. Honda UK states that motorcycles come with a standard two-year warranty, with cover extendable up to six years when the required servicing conditions are met through authorised Honda servicing. That adds useful reassurance for riders planning to keep the bike long term.

Reliability reputation is another reason the NT1100 will appeal to sensible touring buyers. Honda tourers tend to hold strong trust with UK riders, and Liam’s real-world feedback backed that up. He did not frame the bike as thrilling, but he did frame it as balanced, comfortable, smooth and confidence-inspiring.

For ownership practicality, the NT1100 is one of the stronger bikes in this category. It comes ready for luggage, works well two-up, has proper weather protection, and feels built around reducing fatigue. If you are preparing for long tours, weekend trips or year-round practical riding, the NT1100 makes a lot of sense.

You can verify official technical details through Honda UK’s NT1100 specifications, Honda UK warranty information and Honda’s online owner manual resources.

How the Honda NT1100 compares to its rivals?

Against the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, the Honda feels calmer, smoother and more convenience-led. The Yamaha is the sportier all-rounder, especially for riders who want a bit more energy on weekend rides. But Liam felt Honda’s DCT was more natural than Yamaha’s Y-AMT, and the NT1100 feels better suited to riders chasing low-fatigue touring rather than playful handling.

Compared with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT, the Honda is less performance-focused but easier to live with. The Suzuki has a much sportier engine character and sharper visual identity, while the NT1100 counters with better standard touring practicality, DCT convenience and a more relaxed riding position. The Suzuki is likely to appeal more to riders who still want a proper sports-bike feel in their tourer.

The Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX is another strong sports-tourer rival, especially for riders who want a faster, more dynamic road bike with touring ability layered on top. The Honda takes the opposite approach: touring comfort first, sportiness second. If you want excitement, the Kawasaki may speak louder. If you want easy miles, luggage practicality and reduced fatigue, the Honda makes the stronger argument.

Verdict

The 2026 Honda NT1100 is not perfect, but it is very easy to understand. It is a comfort-first, convenience-led touring bike that feels built for real UK riders who cover distance, carry luggage and want a machine that simply gets on with the job.

Liam Simm’s UK road test showed a bike that is smooth, comfortable, practical and surprisingly capable on B-roads. The DCT system is the star feature and genuinely suits the NT1100’s character. The screen buffeting may be an issue for taller riders, and some will find the overall experience a little too sensible, but that is partly the point.

If you want drama, look elsewhere. If you want a dependable Honda tourer that is comfortable, well equipped, luggage-ready and genuinely easy to ride, the 2026 NT1100 DCT Electronic Suspension deserves a proper test ride.