Honda NT1100 | 7,000 mile long term review - KNOX

Honda NT1100 | 7,000 mile long term review - KNOX

A few weeks ago, we were pleased to welcome Knox contributor, Chris Moss (Mossy) back to KNOX HQ and some of the most scenic roads in the English Lake District to share his thoughts on his latest long term motorcycle, the Honda NT1100 DCT.

But did it live up to the exacting standards of Chris Moss? Watch and find out!

In this video, Mossy was wearing:

Knox Urbane Pro Utility MK3 -
Knox Urbane Pro Trousers -
Knox Dual Pro Jacket -
Knox Orsa OR3 textile gloves -
Knox Dual Active Base Layers -

In this video, we quoted a Devitt Insurance price. These were based on the below.
*Devitt Insurance Quote is based on Mr Average.

Hope you enjoyed this video, please like comment and subscribe, we'll see you next time!

KNOX

[baar_nii]

Our man, the legend himself! Mossy, we are always glad to see you and your real world reviews.

[yewtreeknives]

I own the NT1100 dct version for a year, my 2 previous bikes where the Honda ST1100 Pan European, fantastic bike's! I am 6 foot 3 so the size and weight of the NT is perfect for me. Your negatifs are spot on, altough i never change the setting of my windscreen, highest position is perfect for me. The front fender is too short, in the rain you get a lot of spray inside the space of the frontfork behind the windscreen, so i put a fender extender and it was fixed, same for the rear, there i put a tire hugger because of the spray on the back of the legs and also fixed! I must say it is NOT a Pan European but i like it a lot, the DCT is brilliant for my old worn 60+ year hands 😀 the drivingcomfort is top, same as al your pro's, great bike, love it. Greetz from Belgium .

[vinniebabarino]

Hey Mossy,

Thanks for the review.
I've been rolling with Hondas since I first picked up an XL250 in 1980.
I rode that bike from Sydney to Stuart town every week to attend Uni back in the day.
When the traffic wasn't crap out of the city it took about 5 hours each way, only 400k.
I've ridden a few Honda bikes over time and recently picked up an NT1100 DCT the bike is a weapon.
Once you work out the riding program and adjust it to suit your needs, the bike is unbelievable.
The top box is expensive and the price in Australia is Horse Shite.
It's a beast, I love it, and everyone who rides it has the same experience, hypercritical people need to get their heads read.
The Honda haters are in force everywhere.

Cheers

Jim

[motorhead]

Exactly my impression about these 2 amazing bikes. I own a NC750X DCT and i really like the NT1100, but the NC is just too good to trade it for the bigger sister. A "NC950X DCT" would be great, more power, with a little bit more wind protection and cruise control. Now that would be a motorcycle i would love to own.

[TimmyTookaLook]

Nice review as usual.
I've put 6, 000 miles on my manual version now, i moved the screen down once after a few miles didn't like the wind and noise so put it back and never moved it since.
Took about 20 minutes to read about and play with left switch gear now have no problems flickicking from Planet Rock to google maps or just plain display.
I regularly get high 50's low 60's when out with boys and can keep my feet up OK at juntions.
Told it sounds Looovley when getting some.
Suit's you Sir 😮
Each to their Own, it's all the bike I'll ever need.
Keep up the good work.

[MHDarlington]

I’m not really in the market for NT or NC but I’d watch a Mossy review on bathroom cleaning fluids so always a joy to hear his thoughts. What I AM in the market for is a new bike but it may well be a Niken GT and I blame Mr Moss for persuading me to pay attention to the beast. Would love to hear his thoughts on the 2023 model

[Paul-]

A good honest real world review, a great follow up to the NC750 review. Well done mr Moss.

[SCOOPER]

Chris Moss is the best, real world tester out there.
Brilliant review of this bike.

[verynormalman]

Thinking of an NT. Own a NC700S. It's great to hear some praise for this forgotten motorcycle. I know DRs love them, but I thought I was the only one who cared. It's just so well thought out. And the under tank storage is just brilliant.

[timsteventon]

I love your reviews Mossy, and it's all personal taste as biking should be. I have both the NC750x dct and the NT1100 dct, swapped from a GS 1250 so took some getting used to. Both of these bikes are different animals and personally I don't think it's fair to compare the two to each other. I use the NC for commuting and Sunday blasts in the Yorkshire Dales, it's light and nimble, not many toys and let's you get back to basics motorcycling, 80mpgs puts a smile on my mug too. It's a real fun bike.
The NT serves a different purpose, it's a tourer, get the panniers on, topbox, sit the wife on the back and head off into the sunset. It chews up long distances, thats its usp. It has the toys, the phone connections and the comfort. You are right about the niggles though especially the screen adjustment, but in my case I tend to leave it in a middle adjustment position. Tight manoeuvres in Dct can be tricky, I leave it in manual for u turns etc. Those indicators sticking out like that are a design flaw, it drops they break, and maybe the panel too, and at present Honda do not sell crash bars.
Overall though both bikes do different things and they are both excellent value for money and never cease to bring joy to your days.

[damienpeckham]

Such a good video. Great, honest, review of the NT and very nicely edited. I actually owned an NC700 X with the DCT for about 3 years, and can imagine how good the 750 is.

I find myself going back to the NT1100 frequently as a potential replacement for the Blackbird.

Thanks to Knox and Mossy for this 👍

[Skiamakhos]

8:59 - this is just a matter of retraining your muscle memory though, you make a big thing of it but it's the same when you change cars. A lot of switches are in different positions. Just put in the miles & get used to it, it'll be fine in the end.

[Mike_Dmn]

I have this bike and the negative points what I heard is very unfair. This bike has a lot super positive points and very good quality. Lot of power and stable on road even on very high speeds.

[SuperchargedLlama]

Thank you! Thank you for making this and the NC video, it's been brilliant. I've test ridden both fairly extensively (which is all relative of course) and I thought I was weird for coming away from it thinking the NC was better. I'm 6ft2 so I fit the NT perfectly...but something wasn't right.

But I do have a knackered right shoulder so I really need the cruise over long distance - shame it's not an option for the NC!

[lestersmyth]

Thanks for a thorough honest review which highlights the many shortcomings hence the reason I didn’t buy one which is a shame as it is a nice bike. In the end I spent similar money on a approved used BMW R1250 RT and have never looked back 👍

[SethJayson]

Mossy's review of the NC750x helped convince me to grab that. Sounds to me like he'd rather stick with that than the step up! What's funny is it's only 45 pounds heavier than the NC, but the NC carries the weight so much lower it feels lighter than it is at moderate speeds. They don't sell this one in the US, but looks to be about 2x the price of the NC. Interesting to see how much he likes the DCT. As a returning geezer, I love mine, and I have to say I think it makes for safer riding. In a situation where you need to concentrate on progressive braking or swerving safely, it's nice not to have to add downshifting to the workload.

[trailingarm]

I have an electronic screen on my RT: I adjusted it once as I left the showroom and have never touched it since. I don't know why you're obsessing about the manual function. Just set it and forget it. Likewise, accept the fact that you could be Snow White's assistant. A bike which needs to fit everyone up to, say, 6ft 6ins is going to feel a bit tall for you at times. Get a scooter if you don't like it. The NT's main problem is its chain drive. Had Honda put shaft drive on the bike it would be a great, cheaper alternative to the RT. Many mature riders (including me) just can't be bothered with chains any more and will disregard the NT for this reason.

[VladGur]

Needs to make a petition to Honda marketing requesting NC900X DCT for 2025 models line :)
Thanks for the great review !

[straightup]

Had a honda pan european st1300 remeber mossy on that years ago how does this compare? As loved the pan but
bit of a heavy pig does this feel lighter more easy to live with thanks great review 👍

[sunrisejak]

I think the intention of the screen being inconveniently adjustable is misunderstood. I suspect its adjustable to fit various "buyers". Such it allows a level of height that suits a variety of people and with a "fixed screen" approach it doesn't eliminate buyers. Not necessarily to be moved about once its set for overall use by the "same" rider. Why? No need. I keep the screen at position 4 and that suits fine for my riding and stature and I have no need (or desire) to change it as its simply unnecessary. So for me its like having a "fixed screen" set precisely for my height. Works fine. I had BMWs that had electronically adjustable screens and the vast majority of the time I set it where I liked it most and didn't move it. The NT1100 is a competent machine and wonderfully capable.