Thoughts on the Honda NT1100....

G

Glenn/RZ500

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...not the DCT version. My supersport days are, being realistic, about done. Never a fan of cruisers or anything that weighs 800lbs. Wings or Road Glides...just take the car. Adventure bikes.. nope, no standing on a milk crate to climb aboard, and forget a 30 grand,500lb bike off road. I`m currently on my Z900, great bike, the NT looks far more comfortable, still with respectable performance and versatility. Maybe in the Spring, let`s see what shows up this Fall for new releases.
 
I really, really wanted one last winter. Then they brought the only the DCT version in, so I was a little disappointed. Then I saw it at the February bike show....It was a bit taller than I expected and A LOT wider than I wanted. I lost interest after seeing it in person. It wasn't enough of an upgrade on my 2018 KTM 1090R.

I've also lost interest in the technology race, and don't ascribe any value to the plethora of riding aids or safety stuff beyond the utility of ABS and cruise control. Beyond those 2 features none of the others add anything to my enjoyment so I'm just not interested in paying extra for it.

I recognize that means I won't be buying a brand new bike anymore as they all come loaded up with tech and that it's just me who doesn't want it.
 
xrljoel said:
I really, really wanted one last winter. Then they brought the only the DCT version in, so I was a little disappointed. Then I saw it at the February bike show....It was a bit taller than I expected and A LOT wider than I wanted. I lost interest after seeing it in person. It wasn't enough of an upgrade on my 2018 KTM 1090R.

I've also lost interest in the technology race, and don't ascribe any value to the plethora of riding aids or safety stuff beyond the utility of ABS and cruise control. Beyond those 2 features none of the others add anything to my enjoyment so I'm just not interested in paying extra for it.

I recognize that means I won't be buying a brand new bike anymore as they all come loaded up with tech and that it's just me who doesn't want it.
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Strange how that works out. When Harley introduced the XR 1200 I wanted one real bad, things soured when I saw one. I still think it`s a beautiful bike but some of the parts and construction looked almost....agricultural. Toss in failing relays and other gremlins and a plastic fuel tank that swelled enough, ethanol related, you couldn`t get the tank cover back on. I saw one for sale recently, like a borderline personality woman, it still puts the hook in me. :devilish:
 
Is Honda still doing the boring-motors-are-us thing? That's always my chief concern when considering a Honda...

Come to think of it that's also my only concern when buying a Honda.
 
Malks said:
Boring motors is not a bad thing. My Honda just clicked over 200K km. All original.
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Some of them were concerning. The half civic motor was a hateful thing. I couldn't wait for the test ride to be over. As soon as it started to make any power you hit the limiter. 6500 rpm redline on a 700cc motor. Boo. Bike motors under 1L need to rev close to 10K imo. Higher is better but 10k is acceptable.
 
Glenn/RZ500 said:
Strange how that works out. When Harley introduced the XR 1200 I wanted one real bad, things soured when I saw one. I still think it`s a beautiful bike but some of the parts and construction looked almost....agricultural. Toss in failing relays and other gremlins and a plastic fuel tank that swelled enough, ethanol related, you couldn`t get the tank cover back on. I saw one for sale recently, like a borderline personality woman, it still puts the hook in me. :devilish:
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I had the same attraction to that bike, then the same sort of letdown. I was hoping for a modern XLCR, but it sure wasn't that.
 
xrljoel said:
I had the same attraction to that bike, then the same sort of letdown. I was hoping for a modern XLCR, but it sure wasn't that.
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Did you ever see the XR 1200 race class that ran in support with CSBK? Down the backstraight at Mosport, sounded like B-17`s taking off, I had a flight in the nose of one a while ago, that`s the same kinda` visceral noise. I was lucky enough to see XR 750`s in action too, road race and flat track versions. What an intoxicating sound. I`m looking at Robinsons in Wheatley, I think I saw one listed there, they deliver too. :p
 
Malks said:
Boring motors is not a bad thing. My Honda just clicked over 200K km. All original.
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* Boring motors is not a bad thing, if you like boring motors.

If I was touring I'd probably like a boring motor, but, for every day use I'd liken it to marrying the girl who only does it missionary position. Sure, for some people, that'll be enough to scratch the itch for some temporary relief, I guess... but, life is so short, I don't want to settle for missionary, I want bendy girls, fun girls, weird girls, and freaky girls.

"It's not about the destination, it's about the ride."
- Confucius (probably)


G-and-Adrian-Kiss.jpg.webp
 
adri said:
* Boring motors is not a bad thing, if you like boring motors.

If I was touring I'd probably like a boring motor, but, for every day use I'd liken it to marrying the girl who only does it missionary position. Sure, for some people, that'll be enough to scratch the itch for some temporary relief, I guess... but, life is so short, I don't want to settle for missionary, I want bendy girls, fun girls, weird girls, and freaky girls.

"It's not about the destination, it's about the ride."
- Confucius (probably)


G-and-Adrian-Kiss.jpg.webp
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Confucius also say.....D) Hookers. ;)
 
Glenn/RZ500 said:
Did you ever see the XR 1200 race class that ran in support with CSBK? Down the backstraight at Mosport, sounded like B-17`s taking off, I had a flight in the nose of one a while ago, that`s the same kinda` visceral noise. I was lucky enough to see XR 750`s in action too, road race and flat track versions. What an intoxicating sound. I`m looking at Robinsons in Wheatley, I think I saw one listed there, they deliver too. :p
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I have heard them at full flight and agree entirely. The XR750 is the coolest thing ever made. Purposeful, simple, muscular but refined. Absolutely brilliant.

I have lusted after the Storz XR conversions since the 90's. It's a sh#t-ton of money to build one, and then you have a bike that you can't really go for much of a ride on but holy cow would it ever be cool.

STORZ PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES

Motorcycle performance and racing products manufacturer and retailer for Harley Davidson, Buell, Ducati, Japanese sport bikes
www.storzperf.com
 
adri said:
Is Honda still doing the boring-motors-are-us thing? That's always my chief concern when considering a Honda...

Come to think of it that's also my only concern when buying a Honda.
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I see your point, but my 1st. street bike was an 81 Honda CB400T that mimicked the appearance of the CBF's of the day. The little 3 valve per cylinder twin was unquestionably boring in it's own right, but I rode the wheels off it, and beat the HELL out of it trying to keep up with a buddy on his RD400. It was year round transportation and teenage freedom all at the same time.
 
xrljoel said:
I have heard them at full flight and agree entirely. The XR750 is the coolest thing ever made. Purposeful, simple, muscular but refined. Absolutely brilliant.

I have lusted after the Storz XR conversions since the 90's. It's a sh#t-ton of money to build one, and then you have a bike that you can't really go for much of a ride on but holy cow would it ever be cool.

STORZ PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES

Motorcycle performance and racing products manufacturer and retailer for Harley Davidson, Buell, Ducati, Japanese sport bikes
www.storzperf.com
Click to expand...
Look up the XR streetbikes that Mert Lawwill built, former AMA #1 plate holder. He road raced and flat tracked XR 750`s and was one of the 3 primary stars of " On any Sunday ", with Steve McQueen and Malcolm Smith, whom I talked to at his shop in Riverside, long ago,... " I`m not worthy". Pretty much Holy Grail material. OAS should be mandatory viewing for all motorcyclists.
 
xrljoel said:
I had the same attraction to that bike, then the same sort of letdown. I was hoping for a modern XLCR, but it sure wasn't that.
Click to expand...
I remember Cycle World West had the XLCR on the floor for at least 2 years with no bites. They also has a Rickman Honda CR complete rolling chassis that my friend bought and put his big bore, MTC Engineering 1080cc( seriously, you could almost see daylight between the liners), Weber carb`d CB750 engine into. Absolute rocket that handled and stopped, used a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Do you recall the Harley XR1000, high piped iron head Sporty I believe? I saw a new one at a H-D dealer in Saskatoon that they couldn`t sell, they gave me a killer price and of course I let it slide. WTF...oh well.
 
xrljoel said:
I see your point, but my 1st. street bike was an 81 Honda CB400T that mimicked the appearance of the CBF's of the day. The little 3 valve per cylinder twin was unquestionably boring in it's own right, but I rode the wheels off it, and beat the HELL out of it trying to keep up with a buddy on his RD400. It was year round transportation and teenage freedom all at the same time.
Click to expand...
Those little 400`s were a blast to flog around, same as the GS400s with the little quarter fairing.
 
xrljoel said:
I see your point, but my 1st. street bike was an 81 Honda CB400T that mimicked the appearance of the CBF's of the day. The little 3 valve per cylinder twin was unquestionably boring in it's own right, but I rode the wheels off it, and beat the HELL out of it trying to keep up with a buddy on his RD400. It was year round transportation and teenage freedom all at the same time.
Click to expand...

When I was a teenager I was happy for whatever I could get too! haha
 
I went through a similar move away from sportbikes last year, though I was looking at bikes that weren't cruisers (corner clearance!) but had some cruiser vibe around being okay to ride slow. Looked at MT-01's, did briefly consider an XR1200, came very close to a BMW R nineT, and also looked at the Z900. Ended up on a Griso as my best compromise/blend of design, cornering capability, torque, and vibes (both literally and figuratively).

I also didn't want anything ADV, and also thought long and hard about something sport-toury with the emphasis on sport. Have you looked at the Ninja 1000, GSX-S1000 or Tracer 9 GT, or even S1000XR? If you're a sportbike refugee, you may prefer the lighter weight and significant bump in power over the slightly bland NT. Even my Griso, with air-cooling, pushrods and shaft drive, makes marginally more power and torque, with far more character.

There's the R1250RT if like your vibes parallel and your excessive service charges billed in Euros, but if it was my money, I'd be shopping for a Guzzi V100 Mandello. More power, more character, better looks, lighter weight. A friend in California has one, and he's owned literally dozens of bikes over the decades, everything from a CBX to a 1290 Adventure. He says the V100 is his favourite bike of them all.

None of which covers the NT except by comparison. I don't think I've ever even seen one in person, so am only biased from the road tests and podcast discussions I've listened to, none of which are overly flattering. Consensus seems to be the motor is dull and a bit lumpy (a much better fit in the Africa Twin and Rebel), the screen adjustment is awful on the first gen and slightly better on the recent refresh, it's comfy and has decent tank range, but its main raison d'etre is the DCT.
 
Glenn/RZ500 said:
I remember Cycle World West had the XLCR on the floor for at least 2 years with no bites. They also has a Rickman Honda CR complete rolling chassis that my friend bought and put his big bore, MTC Engineering 1080cc( seriously, you could almost see daylight between the liners), Weber carb`d CB750 engine into. Absolute rocket that handled and stopped, used a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Do you recall the Harley XR1000, high piped iron head Sporty I believe? I saw a new one at a H-D dealer in Saskatoon that they couldn`t sell, they gave me a killer price and of course I let it slide. WTF...oh well.
Click to expand...
I do remember the XR1000. It had actual XR type heads with the exhaust ports both coming out in front. Harley f'd that up by putting it in their cheapest sportster package, the XLX61 which was an ironhead but set the style for the upcoming 883.

I remember the XR not selling at all too, but both it and the XLX were the best looking HD's after the XLCR for me. Too bad they've all become "collectible".
 
Priller said:
I went through a similar move away from sportbikes last year, though I was looking at bikes that weren't cruisers (corner clearance!) but had some cruiser vibe around being okay to ride slow. Looked at MT-01's, did briefly consider an XR1200, came very close to a BMW R nineT, and also looked at the Z900. Ended up on a Griso as my best compromise/blend of design, cornering capability, torque, and vibes (both literally and figuratively).

I also didn't want anything ADV, and also thought long and hard about something sport-toury with the emphasis on sport. Have you looked at the Ninja 1000, GSX-S1000 or Tracer 9 GT, or even S1000XR? If you're a sportbike refugee, you may prefer the lighter weight and significant bump in power over the slightly bland NT. Even my Griso, with air-cooling, pushrods and shaft drive, makes marginally more power and torque, with far more character.

There's the R1250RT if like your vibes parallel and your excessive service charges billed in Euros, but if it was my money, I'd be shopping for a Guzzi V100 Mandello. More power, more character, better looks, lighter weight. A friend in California has one, and he's owned literally dozens of bikes over the decades, everything from a CBX to a 1290 Adventure. He says the V100 is his favourite bike of them all.

None of which covers the NT except by comparison. I don't think I've ever even seen one in person, so am only biased from the road tests and podcast discussions I've listened to, none of which are overly flattering. Consensus seems to be the motor is dull and a bit lumpy (a much better fit in the Africa Twin and Rebel), the screen adjustment is awful on the first gen and slightly better on the recent refresh, it's comfy and has decent tank range, but its main raison d'etre is the DCT.
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You mention the Guzzi Mandello. A while ago Gene/Lightcycle?.. mentioned Studio Cycle for a solid experience there. I looked at the Guzzi lineup there... .beautiful. No personal interest in Aprilia or Husky, I`d take a look at them if they weren`t buried in the bowels of city hell. I don`t think they`re located far from where McBrides was. My Italian bike experience is limited, an old 850 Lemans, a Paso 907ie and a 900 Ducati Supersport, which got killed by my RZ500 at the time. I always had the dreaded inkling that Italian bikes are like the Italian woman I dated for a year in my `20s. Take you from the height of ecstasy to homicidal rage in thirty seconds flat, (jk)... sorta`. I like rocketship acceleration, get a Hayabusa, risers and soft bags and call it a day.
 
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Glenn/RZ500 said:
You mention the Guzzi Mandello. A while ago Gene/Lightcycle?.. mentioned Studio Cycle for a solid experience there. I looked at the Guzzi lineup there. .beautiful. No personal interest in Aprilia or Husky, I`d take a look at them if they weren`t buried in the bowels of city hell. I don`t think they`re located far from where McBrides was. My Italian bike experience is limited, an old 850 Lemans, a Paso 907ie and a 900 Ducati Supersport, which got killed by my RZ500 at the time. I always had the dreaded inkling that Italian bikes are like the Italian woman I dated for a year in my `20s. Take you from the height of ecstasy to homicidal rage in thirty seconds flat, (jk)... sorta`. I like rocketship acceleration, get a Hayabusa, risers and soft bags and call it a day.
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Studio Cycle is a great shop, but as you say, not ideal if you'd rather flatten your balls with a rubber mallet than drive anywhere near downtown Toronto. My Guzzi is simple enough that I do all my own maintenance, but if I needed work done, I'd go to Moto Motori:

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Edit: better link, I think? Moto Motori · 100 Turbine Dr Unit 2, North York, ON M9L 2S2

As for Italian fussiness, I think the bikes are actually pretty on par with most Japanese rides these days. I didn't have any issues with my Aprilia, but I had issues with both my Kawasakis before that. Nothing massive, but my ZX-10R burnt out its stator and left me stranded fairly early in its life, and my ZX-14 had a mystery malady that meant it would puke all its coolant at random times. I disliked that bike so much that I never bothered fixing it and just traded it straight in. The Guzzi to date has been bulletproof, and owners groups seem to indicate they stay that way for hundreds of thousands of kms as long as you don't slack on a few regular maintenance items like shaft drive oil and alignment checks, and valve clearances. Granted, its a level of complexity down from a V100, no IMU, no TFT, no ABS, etc.

Where I do find a difference is in getting replacement parts, and it is much less predictable than the Japanese bikes I've owned. Sometimes a part comes right away, sometimes... not. I've had to get creative with Aprilia, consumable things like oil drain bolt crush washers got replaced with 'close enough' items from elsewhere, for example.

As for a Hayabusa with soft bags, if that's what floats your boat, go for it. I will say I tried exactly that approach with a ZX-14, and I did not like it. Long wheelbase, heavy, slow steering, not as comfortable after a few hours as I hoped, all of it added up to a pile of negatives that the power couldn't make up for, especially once the novelty wore off. On top of that, the speed was so effortless that anything up to about 180 km/h (allegedly) felt kind of... boring? It meant that to really get a thrill out of the bike, you were treading some seriously risky ground, either to your license or your health.
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