We’re smack-dab in the middle of another motorcycle launch season; so far, a couple of interesting Honda models are missing from the 2024 lineup. One is the new CB750 Hornet naked bike; the other is the NT1100 sport tourer.
It’s particularly puzzling that we’ve had no CB750 Hornet announcement yet. The Transalp, which uses the same engine, was just confirmed for the States. Passing the emissions test should be easy-peasy, if they share the same emissions profile
Honda currently has no proper, full-sized naked bike in its US lineup, so why not bring the CB750 Hornet in? We are guessing that it will indeed arrive in the US, but we’ve seen no hint at pricing or timeline for that event.
With the Transalp here, you’d think we’d also be getting the Hornet, but that’s not been the case so far. Photo: Honda
Where’s the Honda NT1100?
The other missing bike is the NT1100 tourer. The absence of this bike is a little less surprising, as Honda has often sold touring bikes in Europe that never make it to North America. But still, it is somewhat disappointing.
When Honda announced the NT1100 for the EU in 2021, it came with five-way adjustable windshield, lots of bodywork to protect the rider from the elements, integrated panniers, heated grips, cruise control, a centerstand and USB and ACC charging points. It was a buy-it-off-the-showroom-floor touring bike, and it was powered by the same engine as the Africa Twin.
With that in mind, the NT1100 would also have been an easy import to North America, with the CRF1100L paving the way in the emissions testing. Unfortunately, Honda does not apparently believe it makes financial sense to bring this sport tourer to the States, despite BMW selling many similar models,. Competitors Yamaha and Suzuki also introduced new sport tourers over the past couple of years.
Perhaps Big Red is worried about stealing sales away from the Gold Wing… or perhaps the NT1100 will finally come across the Atlantic as a 2024 release. If so, it won’t replace the Africa Twin, not by a long shot, as the NT is a street machine. But for a lot of Africa Twin riders, the NT’s combination of practicality and fun would be a welcome change in the Honda lineup. Honda hasn’t had a proper sport tourer here in many years.
Given the cross-over between ADV and sport-touring markets (a constant theme of the Road Warriors sub-forum), would you be interested in the NT1100 if it came here—and why, or why not?
