NT1100 vs...

Daboo

Daboo

Joined
Apr 10, 2018
Messages
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Location
Martha Lake
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F900 XR
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This is an honest question. Not meant to stir the pot, just to understand what happened.

Ever since the NT1100 came out, many on this forum have gone nutso over the NT1100. It's like it is the greatest bike ever made, no one makes anything like this and the "I gotta have it" feeling comes through loud and clear. Why?

It isn't like there were no other choices to fill that niche. I'm more than a little partial to the BMW F900XR I have. It's been out since 2020? The Yamaha FJ09/Tracer, etc has been out for almost a decade. Suzuki has their GSX-S1000GT+. Kawasaki has the VERSYS® 1100 SE. And Ducati has the Multistrada V2. All seem to be trying to fill that same niche and except for the last two, are in the same ballpark price. All are twins with the exception of the Suzuki and Kawasaki. All designed to eat miles up and then hit the corners with ease.

Two of them, the F900XR and the Yamaha Tracer are less than 500 lbs wet. The others, including the NT1100 are over 500 lbs.

If it is reliability, I think the last comparison I saw on reliability had Yamahas at the top and BMW at the bottom. But I would venture to say they all are about equal now. I heard the electronics on the BMWs were the cause of their higher repairs back then...but all have about the same electronics now. And going by the BMW F800GT's history with me, I would say BMWs are not prone to breaking down any more than any other bike.

I buy my bikes based on their ability to check the boxes on my list of "must haves". The manufacturer's name means little to nothing to me. Well, unless it is Yugo. I might draw the line there. :D

Chris
 
I will just say that I'm not overly impressed with the decision to make nearly all the new multi-cylinder motors on the parallel twin platform.
Sure, I've heard all the arguments defending P-2's, but since when has cost become the #1 priority, usurping all other possible design options?
Gonna be a good long while before I'm in the market for another bike, anyway... at least a new one. Another Blackbird, or KTM950, might slip in instead. Even a nice old CBR600. That was a fun bike.
Lots of cool bikes already made, on my wish list. And none of them happen to be a parallel twin.
 
Sadlsor said:
Lots of cool bikes already made, on my wish list. And none of them happen to be a parallel twin.
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See, I've lived a deprived childhood. I've only had thumpers or parallel twins. So I haven't experienced the sublime feeling of an inline 4. :D Or a triple. Or a six. But!...I have driven a Saab three cylinder two-stroke car before!


As much as I see your point, it doesn't answer my question. What triggered those who want an NT1100 over all those other offerings that were already on the market? Was it just because it was made by Honda? Yet some of the buyers already own bikes from other manufacturers.

If the NT1100 was the first offering on the market in this niche and the others were a couple years out still...I could see it. I looked at the bike early on, but since it was priced in unobtainium for these shores till now, it went off the short list. But it is actually the last of those in that niche to come to market.

Chris
 
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I still enjoy riding my ST 1100 after all the years. Especially on the I'state for high speeds and distance. My "light" bike is the V85TT by Guzzi. I looked at Honda's offerings and was not impressed. I had a BMW F 650 GS and was not impressed by anything other than the motor and then I found it wasn't BMW but Rotax (??). I wanted to meld with that bike but just couldn't.

I think the NT1100 is the latest flash in the pan. Not saying it's bad or good. Just something new.
 
Daboo said:
This is an honest question. Not meant to stir the pot, just to understand what happened.

Ever since the NT1100 came out, many on this forum have gone nutso over the NT1100. It's like it is the greatest bike ever made, no one makes anything like this and the "I gotta have it" feeling comes through loud and clear. Why?
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Let me add a bit of criteria on this. Please limit the responses to those who already bought an NT1100 or are planning to. I do not intend for this to be a bashing of the NT1100 at all. I just want to understand why the sudden rush to buy this bike when there were other bikes already out there.

Anyone who buys a new bike deserves to enjoy that new bike feeling of pride of ownership. And you've paid your money for whatever bike it is, feeling like it was the best choice out there. So let's not take that away from them. Please.

Chris
 
I believe most of us that got or thinking about the NT1100 are just happy that Honda is putting their toes back into the Sport / Touring segment again. I speak for my self as I bought mine because I am getting older and wanted to try out something new IE; the DCT. (probably the last new bike I will ever buy) The NT should last me until I am in my 80's. The NT1100 is the only bike that I liked the look, the styling and the fact is was considered a sport touring bike by US standards. I still have my FJR and my V-Strom for a bit of variety. In my opinion the FJR is the best Sport- Touring bike out there (though mine gets heaver each year), but it is no longer produced as of this year. (Emission standards) I am still too young for a Gold Wing :biggrin: and the seating on the Wing does not fit my body posture. Don't for get I had a Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE. Another great bike but it is a bit tall and more of a Pavement only Adventure Touring bike. So far I am happy with my NT, I just need to get used to the P-Twin vibs. Again I am speaking for myself.
 
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I wanted one ....

I think if you look at the offerings out there in this category and compare features and prices, it's a very attractive offering from Honda. In the US not as attractive as what is offered in Europe, but the US gets nothing but scraps these days, years after the rest of the world it seems. We make do.

Is it " the greatest" ? Depends on your perspective I guess. It doesnt have shaft drive ( few do anymore) . It only has 2 cylinders ( most do these days). It doesn't have a ton of horsepower (but plenty in reality). It doesn't hold a ton of gas (enough I suppose) . It doesnt have an electronically adjustable windshield.(but you can adjust it manually)

Its pretty light for a liter class touring bike. It has plenty of usable up to date tech like cruise, a TFT screen, led lights, 6 axis IMU. Self cancelling turn signals. It has factory available luggage. It has good ergos, and a decent power curve. And ..... it retails for less than $12k or less than 1/2 the price of a Wing or BMW RT or Harley, and less than a 900GT Yamaha or 1000 GT Suzuki or Kawasaki 1000. A lot less than a Moto Guzzi Mandello or KTM or Ducati.... and the only bike with a DCT trans.

All in all a very decent offering at an excellent price point
 
Thanks @bdalameda. A comparison review is always fun. I was kind of wondering why everyone jumped on the NT1100 immediately when it hit the dealerships. There's what?...4 or 5 of the members here who bought one and in some cases, it was sight unseen. That just seems unusual. Was it something in the water??? UFOs?

I can see riders downsizing as they get older. The two ST models are out of production. Still great bikes, but it is not like you can go buy a 2025 ST1300 at your local Honda dealer. And I for one, love the lighter weight of my own ride. But in the case of those three bikes in the review, the Versys has been in the USA for years. It's got quite a following and it is a nice bike. Why didn't someone buy one of those? The Suzuki has also been around a short time and its a very nice bike. But the "I gotta have one" feeling doesn't seem to be there on those.

Or maybe it is simply that when we buy a non-Honda for a second, third or fourth bike, we just don't say much about it here. But to buy a new Honda...we want everyone to know since Honda has ignored its followers in the sport-touring market for so long.

Just curious.

Chris
 
As one of the "chosen" the NT is a good bike. It's not the end all, be all, no bike is but it's a god bike. Seems to have the right amount of tech without being overburden with it. Even though it's based on an Adventure touring bike it's morphed into a real tourer. More protection than an Adv bike less than an RT. Lower too with 17" wheels. I loved my NC750X but wanted a little more for the time I spend on the slab. GoldWing while awesome is too much of a good thing, for me. NT slotted right in the middle. As for the Parallel Twin engine I like them. More specifically I like the ones with a 270 degree crank. Think of it as a V twin with a V angle of zero. Since we've gone from points to ECU controlled ignitions firing order and piston configuration are not dependent on each other. Take for example Yamaha's cross plane four. As for the competition if I liked it better I would own it. No need to list my reasons I don't own them. Oh wait I do own a Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello. Great bike, I really like it. Went in the shop for a shifting issue and has never been seen again. I like the Mandello but I don't have much faith in Piaggio customer service at the moment otherwise I would have got a second Guzzi. Maybe if I had owned a GoldWing with a bad primary gear bolt I'd be saying the same thing about Honda? Timing is everything. So Daboo I think there are lots of good bikes to choose from. The NT just works well for what I'm doing, at this point in time.
 
Daboo said:
Thanks @bdalameda. A comparison review is always fun. I was kind of wondering why everyone jumped on the NT1100 immediately when it hit the dealerships. There's what?...4 or 5 of the members here who bought one and in some cases, it was sight unseen. That just seems unusual. Was it something in the water??? UFOs?

I can see riders downsizing as they get older. The two ST models are out of production. Still great bikes, but it is not like you can go buy a 2025 ST1300 at your local Honda dealer. And I for one, love the lighter weight of my own ride. But in the case of those three bikes in the review, the Versys has been in the USA for years. It's got quite a following and it is a nice bike. Why didn't someone buy one of those? The Suzuki has also been around a short time and its a very nice bike. But the "I gotta have one" feeling doesn't seem to be there on those.

Or maybe it is simply that when we buy a non-Honda for a second, third or fourth bike, we just don't say much about it here. But to buy a new Honda...we want everyone to know since Honda has ignored its followers in the sport-touring market for so long.

Just curious.

Chris
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I did buy a 2019 Versys 1000 LT SE 6 and a half years ago, and traded it in for the NT1100 after 27000 miles. The Versys 1000 /1100 SE is a very good bike but a new one now is pushing 20K dollars. For me I wanted to try something different and the DCT tranny is different. I still have my FJR which I think as far as motorcycles go is still the best Sport Touring machine but as with the Honda ST11 /1300 machines, the FJR has been retired and is not produced anymore after last year. Get use to the Parallel Twin motor, all the manufactures are going to the design for various reasons. I believe that the price point for the NT1100 is a large part of the intrigue of the NT. Even without the Electronic Suspension, one is getting a lot of tech on a motorcycle for a somewhat reasonable price.
 
I have one. I've been waiting for a bike that calls to me - reliability, ergonomics, drivability, looks, reputation, economy. Honda. Didn't want a sport bike with bags (FJR, Tracer, Suzuki GT) or UJM (Kawi LE) Versys (just don't like 'em - don't know why) Beemer - $$$ sales and service. I think many, like myself, have been eyeballing, reading, wanting, waiting and hoping for the NT here. Our rush to buy was not a quick "nutso" decision but a desire fulfilled. No regrets. Quite the opposite.
 
Daboo said:
Ever since the NT1100 came out, many on this forum have gone nutso over the NT1100. It's like it is the greatest bike ever made, no one makes anything like this and the "I gotta have it" feeling comes through loud and clear. Why?
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I'm responding only to say that this reads like a false premise based on the response I've seen here — different people liking it for similar or different reasons. I haven't seen any responses that really fit the description above.

We now return you to the normal broadcast program already in progress.
 
ST Gui said:
I'm responding only to say that this reads like a false premise based on the response I've seen here
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I totally get what you're saying. I'll give you a couple fer instance examples. Donk bought a Guzzi. There was lots of excitement about that purchase...but did four or five other people rush out to get one? No. Mellow buys a new bike. (I think he's on an RT now.) Again, lots of members congratulate him on his new purchase, but no one else rushes out to get one.

With the NT though, the news comes out that they are hitting the dealerships, and guys are rushing out to get one...sometimes without even seeing one in person. The feeling I get is like it is the day after Thanksgiving sale.

It's probably just coincidence, but it seemed rather strange.

Chris
 
Daboo said:
I totally get what you're saying. I'll give you a couple fer instance examples. Donk bought a Guzzi. There was lots of excitement about that purchase...but did four or five other people rush out to get one? No. Mellow buys a new bike. (I think he's on an RT now.) Again, lots of members congratulate him on his new purchase, but no one else rushes out to get one.

With the NT though, the news comes out that they are hitting the dealerships, and guys are rushing out to get one...sometimes without even seeing one in person. The feeling I get is like it is the day after Thanksgiving sale.

It's probably just coincidence, but it seemed rather strange.

Chris
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It's a Honda.......
 
Daboo said:
Ever since the NT1100 came out, many on this forum have gone nutso over the NT1100. It's like it is the greatest bike ever made, no one makes anything like this and the "I gotta have it" feeling comes through loud and clear. Why?
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This is a forum mostly based on Honda bikes with a strong bias toward Honda bikes. The members here have been asking for years why Honda didnt produce a replacement for the ST. They have literally been waiting for this bike as Honda fans. The fact that the bike seems to tick all or most of the boxes is a plus. Some people were content with their ST's in the meantime, rather than switch brands. Maybe the scarcity of Litre+ touring bikes kept them apprehensive of the other offerings. The 1000 versys was a close competitor to this NT, but there really isnt much else in litre+ in the price range (that arent sport bikes disguised as touring bikes). Considering the price of a GW or any BMW, the NT looks like a winner on paper. Im not as surprised as you that people have been buying them up. As well as building what we hope is a good reliable bike, Honda seems to have done their marketing homework and designed and priced the bike right where it needs to be. Also, I would bet that if you went to a Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc site, there likely isnt much talk about the NT . In fact, if you go to the BMW sites, people are probably going gaga over the new 1300's, even though it likely makes no sense to Honda fans.
 
Daboo said:
Mellow buys a new bike. (I think he's on an RT now.) Again, lots of members congratulate him on his new purchase, but no one else rushes out to get one.
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Thats not true. After Mellow bought an RT, I rushed out and bought one... just saying

... even named it "little Mellow"... LOL
 
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