Review: 2025 Honda NT1100 DCT
The Automatic Tall-Tourer
There is something quietly seductive about the Honda NT1100 DCT. In Europe, it’s become one of the best-selling sport-tourers in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The NT1100 trades flash for functionality and often wins on real-world merit.
Honda has claimed a consistent 70/30 DCT-to-manual sales split in the U.S., which explains why only the DCT version is coming stateside.
From a design standpoint, Honda is clearly playing the long game. The NT1100 won’t be mistaken for a hyperbike, but it carries a sense of maturity and restraint. The styling hints at the old Silver Wing scooter from certain angles, but the overall impression is purposeful, not flashy.
Engine and Performance
At the heart of the NT1100 is Honda’s 1084cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft. The powerplant delivers a broad, usable torque curve. Honda claims 101 hp at 7,500 rpm and about 86 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. In practice, the engine never felt stressed. It’s not built for the track, but for touring and commuting, it offers smooth, dependable power with plenty of reserve.
The real headline, of course, is the DCT. Over the years, Honda’s dual-clutch system has matured into something impressively refined. On the NT1100, it’s smooth, deliberate, and far less jerky than in its earlier iterations or other manufacturers’ automatic systems. Pairing the DCT with a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) makes it smarter too; it’s less prone to shifting mid-corner, which boosts confidence in twisty terrain.
Push it hard, though, and you’ll quickly find the DCT’s limitations. In automatic mode, the bike tended to freewheel into corners. There was virtually no engine braking unless I provoked a downshift, which forced me to lean more on the brakes. That’s not ideal for spirited riding.
Switching to manual (paddle shifter) mode changed the story. I regained full control and engine braking, and the shifts were instantaneous and buttery smooth—better than many quickshifters I’ve tested. The transmission is genuinely satisfying to use.