HONDA NT 1100 DCT 2025 and another adventure
POSTED: 20/05/2025
We’re delighted to share this fantastic customer review from Stuart and Susan Bullock, who recently took the time to write about their experience with the new Honda NT1100 DCT 2025. In their own words, they reflect on their motorcycling journey, their long-standing relationship with Bridge Motorcycles, and their latest adventures aboard the NT1100. The thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely their own, offering an honest and personal perspective on the model — including both its strengths and areas for improvement. We thank Stuart and Susan for allowing us to share their story.
I’ve ridden all sorts of motorcycles over the years, visiting many countries around the world on a motorcycle, accompanied by my wife and best friend ever. I’m also a Honda fan, starting out in 1970 with an SS90 for commuting, followed by a CD175, CB250F, VT250F, VTR1000Firestorm, and VF1000FF. Much later, I rode lots of ST1100’s in my job with Honda and my track bike was a 1999 VFR 800 F.
Pondering on what to buy next, the Bike Show near Birmingham in 2024 provided a route to be investigated. Because I used to work for Honda UK, we had the opportunity to have a long close look at the Honda NT1100. Upgraded for 2025, apparently making the bike more powerful in the right part of the rev band. It was worth a closer look, and so we found ourselves in the hands of Mat, at Bridge Motorcycles.
My history with Bridge started when Barry Anthony sold me a Honda VF1000FF in the mid 80’s. That started us on our love for touring. Not just a trip to Wales, or Cornwall, but most of France and Spain. In 1995 I bought a Honda ST1100 Pan European from Earl, a salesman at Bridge, my second of that wonderful sports tourer. We then set out on a tour of Eastern Europe, as far east as Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Venice and back through France.
So, the NT1100. First try of a demo bike, I wanted to try the DCT. I’ve driven automatic cars since the 1970’s right up to now. They work efficiently, create less wear than a manual, and well, stirring a stick about when you don’t have to?? Really?
We rode about 80 miles in mostly wet weather. For about half an hour my left hand and foot were twitching, but then my brain sorted it out and we relaxed and enjoyed the rather ‘magic carpet’ like ride. Not long after, we went out again, another 80 miles trip but this time in better weather. The result was that we ordered a new NT1100DCT, with the tour pack, sticker pack and hugger.
We collected it from Bridge Motorcycles on 3 March (2025) and promptly took it to north Wales for the ‘run in’ period. First impressions were that this could be a real winner. Two up, luggage, varied roads and really, it seemed all too easy. One or two short runs followed, then the first service, 25 March. Following that, a couple more trips in the UK, but by now a plan had become a reality, and an adventure was beckoning.
So, the NT1100. First try of a demo bike, I wanted to try the DCT. I’ve driven automatic cars since the 1970’s right up to now. They work efficiently, create less wear than a manual, and well, stirring a stick about when you don’t have to?? Really?
We rode about 80 miles in mostly wet weather. For about half an hour my left hand and foot were twitching, but then my brain sorted it out and we relaxed and enjoyed the rather ‘magic carpet’ like ride. Not long after, we went out again, another 80 miles trip but this time in better weather. The result was that we ordered a new NT1100DCT, with the tour pack, sticker pack and hugger.
We collected it from Bridge Motorcycles on 3 March (2025) and promptly took it to north Wales for the ‘run in’ period. First impressions were that this could be a real winner. Two up, luggage, varied roads and really, it seemed all too easy. One or two short runs followed, then the first service, 25 March. Following that, a couple more trips in the UK, but by now a plan had become a reality, and an adventure was beckoning.
With around 900 miles on the clock, I added a Hepco and Becker top box rack. As H&B make the boxes, I felt it was sure to fit, as indeed it did. Not only useful for those ‘immediate essentials’ but also a good hand hold for a pillion when getting on and off.
15 April (2025) saw us loaded and heading up to Folkestone and Le Shuttle. We rode through France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria into Greece. There we met up with many Greek friends and working colleagues before making the return journey. This time we rode from Greece, through North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, France and back to Somerset. We covered 4.400 miles in 25 days on all types of roads, in varied weather, stayed in some impressive towns and cities, met some fabulous people and generally had a darned good time.
The bike was perfect. Comfort beyond expectations. Panniers and top box adequate, a slightly larger tank bag required, plus a can of Wurth ‘none fling’ O ring chain lube. Fast roads, some countries have a higher speed limit than the UK on motorways, around 81mph. I could easily ride with my visor open at those speeds, the bike being so stable as well.
On four of our days we covered at least 380 miles each day, mostly motorways. The NT took it all in its stride and we were so comfortable, even after long days like those. On three of our days, we travelled in changing weather conditions, from light rain to, on one day, a 30-minute full-blown downpour, creating spray that cut visibility and speeds well down. Although at reduced speed, we stayed remarkably dry.
Then other days were very warm indeed, but the Honda had an answer for it all, it coped very well indeed with no sign of the temperature gauge moving more than half way. As fast, stable, predictable and comfortable as the NT is on the open plains of France, Germany, Serbia and Bulgaria, the countryside through Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Greece, is another story. With many mountain ranges separating this area from eastern Europe, road quality remained similar, but now became steep inclines and descents, sweeping bends, tightening bends, roads through tunnels which often contained the same sweeping bends. Switzerland has the longest tunnel, The St Gotthard Road Tunnel on the A6. 10.5 miles long, varying levels of light, or gloom, wet or dry road surfaces, two lanes of unseparated traffic and a 50mph speed limit. The NT met all of these changes with sure footed ease, meeting changes of angle, speed, inclines and descents without feeling it was ever out of its depth.
So, after three days back home, what are our main thoughts? Make no mistake, our journey was a road-trip. Long distance touring is not a race. It’s about being prepared for any eventuality, concentrating for long periods, and having a bike you can trust. My thoughts are, the ease of riding the bike. High or low speeds don’t cause any problems. I found the riding modes OK, once sorting out the techy left switch cluster. In town I found RAIN MODE and SPEED II best. Obviously, the need to not ‘blip’ the throttle is essential, especially coming to a halt. Feet up U turns I found fairly easy by having the throttle almost closed, using light pressure on the rear brake, kept the bike from ‘wandering’ wide. Takes a bit of practice, but is mostly what you would do on a none auto bike, but slipping the clutch is obviously not possible.
The bike is fairly tall, add the wide rear seat grab rails and a bit of practise is needed to ‘get your leg over’!! My wife, being ‘compact’, found some difficulty getting on and off, but as ever, practise is key and, there is usually a kerb handy.
Fuel consumption is ridiculous. An average of 52mpg over the whole of our trip. Most days saw 190 miles possible on a tank. Now I have a problem, in that if I get into reserve, I get ‘the yips’, so I ‘top up’ each time we stop/pause for food/rest break. I was able to compare fuel stats for my bike with a 2023 BMW GS Trophy and as you might expect, about the same.
Using the gears ‘manually’ is still possible. On A type roads, making overtakes is easy, the bike will change down in response to throttle settings, but drop one gear down manually gives a real ‘rocket launch’ boost to speed. On slower roads, say 30 to 50mph, I found having SPORT II set provided the boost needed to accelerate and give added engine braking for slowing. At constantly variable speeds, I usually want 5th for 50mph, 4th for 40, 3rd for 30mph and so on. TOUR MODE and SPORT II provides just that. It is then a mere press of a button to take SPORT II MODE off, when constant and higher speeds demand. Absolutely no sign of losing grip, the tyres fitted as standard worked very well, wet/dry/cornering/ motorway. So really, the bike can do exactly what I would want and the real bonus is the smoothness of the 1100 twin engine. Power comes in just right, no engine clattering, just a smooth increase in power. It’s really worth getting in some practise with the lower speed acceleration, as it is remarkable strong. On faster roads, increasing speed from 60mph gives a real push, even two up and luggage.
Having given the bike a good clean, I found no signs of wear or damage. The chain needed a little tweak for tension, not unexpected. Do I find that a problem after three bikes with shaft drive? No. Two of those had shaft seal’s break. Nothing is perfect and I’ve had lots of chain driven bikes so have been brought up to manage.
Screen adjustment is good. Just one 100 miles stretch of motorway into a strong headwind caused a bit of buffeting, but on the whole, it compares fairly well to other touring screens and, as I have mentioned, keeps the wet stuff away very well indeed.
The connection with Honda history is strong in this motorcycle. Honda value is amazing. Honda quality is obvious to see. Honda history? We have said to each other on more than one occasion, this bike reminds us very much of the ST1100 Pan European, not only for the outstanding comfort, but its ability to carry two people and luggage across Europe at speed, and for its balance and excellent handling in varied conditions.
Of course, everyone will have an opinion. This is our opinion based on several short trips of 50 to 300 miles, and the 4.400 miles road trip to Greece. Nothing will be perfect but this is a great touring bike and well worth a look at if you are in this market. Auto gearbox? Nothing to it. Just ride like you normally ride, just don’t ‘blip’ the throttle.
So, thanks to Honda, but also to Bridge for the family values that drive Bridge Motorcycles. Last but very much not least, Mat and his wisdom, IT skills and humour.
Stuart and Susan Bullock. May 2025.
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