Is the USA nt1100 is a Frankenbike?

billo

billo

Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
237
Location
san diego, ca
Bike
'07 ST1300
I discovered a few things that the site and reviewers don't say.
The only actual photo of the U. S. model is on the profile page of the touring bike range (website), and the same photo later when you click on nt1100. All promotional photos are the Euro model. Honda does tell us what we get. Honda doesn't show us what we get and, other than suspension, they don't tell us we are not getting the bike showcased in all of the 2025 Euro nt reviews.
The Euro bike has new sleeker bodywork, integrated turn signals instead of eyestalks, larger panniers (our specs call out the new larger size, not available), active suspension (ok, they told us) a top box with color matched panel (color panel not available). No mention of the new imu. No mention of the improved DCT. We did get the new windscreen. Did we get the new motor? Hard to say. No mention of an increase in torque at a lower rpm, however our motor spec does call out the new 10.5 compression ratio.
Imo our edition is a fantastic bike and well worth the money. Just go in eyes open. I bought one last week and no regrets. :)
 
Only complaint: it should be sold with the panniers (not as part of an options list), otherwise, what’s the point? But Honda has done that with other bikes like the NC750X. Maybe they did it that way to make the bike look less expensive. Billo, did you buy the panniers?
 
Here's the one my buddy picked up last Friday. Has the optional bags. He put a soft expandable tail pack on it. I think the t/s are integrated and not on stalks. He's impressed with it. although I think Honda has really messed over us by not bringing in the Euro spec'd bike.

DxC8cz9.jpg
 
Erdoc48 said:
Only complaint: it should be sold with the panniers (not as part of an options list), otherwise, what’s the point?
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Some people have different needs/preferences for luggage. Good to have the choice.

Some people may also already have luggage left over from a previous bike or share it between bikes.

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Erdoc48’
I did order the panniers. My digging into the facts began when they came up the older capacity.

Ferret,
That’s a Euro model right? Sure is pretty.
 
Wow, that’s b.s. Mine was built 2/25 and looks like a 2024. Even says 2025 on the headset. Wait, isn’t that a turn signal on the side of your friends, end on? The integrateds are within the headlight perimeter, not the sides. Was depressed for minute there!
IMG_0211.jpeg

Euro:
IMG_0160.jpeg
 
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I guess it could be. I thought it was awfully low to be a turn signal and with the clear lens I thought that was some kind of running light, but I can see on yours, it's indeed a turn signal. I've not seen it in person.

My dealer called me yesterday and said the one he ordered should be in soon, so hopefully I will at least get to examine one in the flesh soon.

Honest to God, I've had my NC 750X going on 4 years next month, and just went out to the garage and looked and saw the front turn signal lenses are clear lol. I always thought they were orange in the US. Duh! I'll be darned, just went back out and the rear ts lenses are clear too. Who knew? lol. And I looked at my CB 1100 while out there and they ARE orange front and rear.
 
the Ferret said:
I guess it could be. I thought it was awfully low to be a turn signal and with the clear lens I thought that was some kind of running light, but I can see on yours, it's indeed a turn signal. I've not seen it in person.

My dealer called me yesterday and said the one he ordered should be in soon, so hopefully I will at least get to examine one in the flesh soon.

Honest to God, I've had my NC 750X going on 4 years next month, and just went out to the garage and looked and saw the front turn signal lenses are clear lol. I always thought they were orange in the US. Duh! I'll be darned, just went back out and the rear ts lenses are clear too. Who knew? lol. And I looked at my CB 1100 while out there and they ARE orange front and rear.
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Ferret, are you buying one also?
 
MidLife said:
Some people have different needs/preferences for luggage. Good to have the choice.

Some people may also have luggage left over from a previous bike or share it between bikes.
Click to expand...
A suggestion...SHAD has some luggage that expands. Which means you have the capability of ginormous capacity...but don't have to live with it all the time.

I have SHAD 38X side cases. That gives me 76 liters of storage if I need it, but they also have a smaller configuration that I use most of the time that gets them down in the range of about 25 liters. Trim for everyday use...much larger when I need it. The top case has three configurations. The smallest configuration is about 46 liters...but it expands to @52 liters...and then to 58 liters. It's absolutely huge when you need it...but svelte when you don't need it.

Fixed sized luggage can never do that. Whatever size you have, is what you have. You're either carrying around nothing...but have this huge barn door sticking out into the wind ruining the lines of your bike...or you don't have enough storage for when you need it putting you into a bind.

Honda's side cases are made by someone. I've heard BMW's are made by SHAD, just a different model case than the one's I'm referring to. The advantage to adding luggage after the sale is you can take them with you to another bike.

Chris
 
Erdoc48 said:
I went ahead and looked up the 38X bags- those are VERY nice. I see points made above. The Honda bags may not be to everyone’s liking, so other choices are good.
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And some manufacturers offer a variety of bags to fit their racks. Some riders choose smaller soft luggage for around town and switch to larger boxes for touring.
 
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