Honda UK wins hat-trick of awards with the NT1100, ADV350 and CB500X at the 2022 MCN Awards
Honda UK is delighted to have won a hat-trick of awards at the 2022 MCN Awards with the NT1100 claiming the Best Touring Bike, the ADV350 winning The Best Urban Petrol and the CB500X, for the fourth consecutive year, winning the Best A2 Bike.
The brand new NT1100 only arrived on UK soil at the start of the year but has already proven to be hugely popular, amassing over 500 sales so far with a large forward order list for the remainder of the year. Commenting on the Best Tourer award, Jon Urry said:
“The backbone of Honda’s range consists of bikes that appeal to those who want simple, hassle-free, biking delivered with a keen eye on the price tag. And for 2022 Honda added a new member to this family, the NT1100.
Based around the Africa Twin’s parallel twin motor and naturally sold with the option of Honda’s journey-easing DCT gearbox, the NT1100 is bang on the money in more ways than one and has proven itself to be exactly what its target audience are after. It is unfair to label it ‘the new Deauville’? Not at all, because the NT does everything Honda’s discontinued and sadly missed unassuming and incredibly popular workhorse did so well – just with an increased capacity, better tech and even more comfort and practicality. And all for a price tag that remains impressive value when you look at its spec.
“The NT1100 comes with everything a practically-minded rider could wish for. Panniers are standard fitment alongside a rear carrier, heated grips, cruise control, USB port, a five-way adjustable screen and even a centre stand. Want some tech? Ok, the electronics lack lean angle-sensitivity but you still get five rider modes, ABS, anti-wheelie and traction control. You also get a touch screen TFT dash that can link to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay to add SatNav and connectivity options to media systems for music or your phone for calls. Did we mention a 20-litre tank with a 200-mile plus range and a sumptuous seat that allows you to easily explore its full limit in one hit? Have Honda missed anything? We are struggling to think of any areas that the NT is left wanting and the ride backs up all its potential, which is why it has won this award.”
Complimenting an already extensive scooter range, the ADV350 mixes the tough adventure style of its X-ADV sibling with a rugged chassis specification that includes tubular steel frame, 37mm USD forks and remote reservoir rear shocks. The screen is height adjustable, there’s room for two full-face helmets under the seat and a USB Type-C socket in the glovebox. An LCD dash integrates the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, while Smart Key operation adds day-to-day riding convenience. On the Best Urban Petrol award for the ADV350, Michael Neeves stated:
“Everything from the way the ADV350 is built to how it rides belies its affordable price tag, especially if you go down the PCP route. Bold styling gives it massive road presence and like the best maxi scooters the Honda is more than just a practical commuter. Sure, it’s smooth, comfortable, convenient and returns a fuel-sipping 83mpg, but it also thrives on life outside the confines of the city. It’ll happily flow with fast motorway traffic and acceleration is never sluggish. It won’t crash and bang over bumps like a cheap scoot either. It has a lightweight tubular steel chassis and proper motorcycle forks, too, making it agile, stable and fun through corners. Top notch Metzeler Karoo Street dual purpose rubber grips tarmac nicely, but will also handle some light off-road, if you need to ride across a field on your way to work.
“Honda haven’t been stingy with standard equipment, either. It has Showa upside down forks, twin piggyback shocks, a Nissin front brake caliper, a useful four-way adjustable screen, hand guards, wide bars, LED lights, keyless ignition, two USB chargers, ABS and two-stage torque control and aluminium cross-spoke wheels. All this for less than other funky mid-range maxi scooters, like the Kymco XCITING S 400, Suzuki Burgman 400 and Yamaha XMAX 300. It’s a chunk cheaper than a big cube maxi scooter, like the new Yamaha TMAX or Honda’s own X-ADV, too and unless you do lots of out-of-town work, it’s every bit as capable on the daily grind.”
The Honda CB500X was again named the Best A2 bike for the fourth consecutive year, with the junior adventurer continuing to earn plaudits for its all-round ability. Dan Sutherland provided plenty of evidence as to why the CB500X finished top of the pile in the category:
“I won’t sugar coat it, the Honda CB500X is bloody brilliant. Some will criticise the fact that it only makes 47bhp, has no fancy rider aids, and hasn’t had a proper big-time overhaul since 2019, but I reckon the X is one of the best adventure bikes on sale today.
“My last run-in with the CB500X was on Scotland’s sublime North Coast 500. Tackling the route in the Autumn of 2021, we endured cutting cross winds, Baltic rainstorms, and glorious sunshine – all in three days across some of the most stunning, prehistoric landscape on offer in the United Kingdom.
“Armed with a rucksack on my back and a smile on my face, the reasonably-priced X demolished the journey in frugal comfort and was capable of a surprising turn of pace when the drying roads allowed.
“It might be the tallest of the 500 twins in Honda’s A2-friendly arsenal, but it remains so easy to manage for a 5ft 6in shorty like me. Rumbling away and popping on the overrun, it may have a larger 19in front wheel, but it also turns, stops, and steers the best of Honda’s 500 bunch too. It’s not just good for an A2 bike, it’s good full stop.
“And if you don’t believe me, ask the countless experienced riders I’ve spoken to that have taken their 500Xs through countless salty winters of abuse, tackled tours across Europe, and covered the UK. There’s a reason it’s won this award four times in a row.”
Reflecting on the awards, Neil Fletcher, Head of Motorcycles at Honda UK said, “Motor Cycle News is a leading authority on motorcycles, so winning these prestigious awards is a huge accolade. We’re immensely proud of these models, along with all the others across our extensive and diverse range, and are delighted that just these three models alone account for over 1,000 sales in the UK so far for 2022. Both the NT1100 and ADV350 are new to the market this year and have proved to be instant successes in their respective areas with a fantastic combination of all round practicality and value for money. With MCN giving the Best A2 Bike award to the CB500X, winning for the fourth consecutive year, there’s not much more to be said! It’s a great bike for both new and existing riders and we’re hoping the CB500X will be able to win yet again next year too!”
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