Better Late Than Never? Upcoming Honda Could Be The Tourer We’ve Been Waiting For

For years, the liter-class sport-touring segment has been ruled by familiar names. Kawasaki's Versys 1000 (now the Versys 1100) has long been the dependable choice for riders chasing comfort and performance. Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GX added a layer of aggression and tech, while Yamaha’s Tracer 9 GT+, with its mighty CP3 engine, punches well above its 890cc displacement, maybe even close enough to call it a liter bike in spirit.

Then there’s Honda. The brand has the NT1100, a capable touring bike in its own right, but one that leans heavily toward comfort rather than excitement. It’s smooth, practical, and efficient, sure, but it doesn’t deliver that four-cylinder howl or the top-end rush that gives these machines their magic. Honda knows this, and it seems the company is finally ready to fill that void with the upcoming CB1000 GT.

While Honda has yet to confirm the existence of this bike, German motorcycling publication Motorrad recently reported on leaked specifications of the upcoming tourer. And just like all the other bikes in its class, the CB1000 GT is the result of compromise.

Photo by: Motorrad

It’s a crossover between a sport-tourer and road-oriented adventurer. It sits higher than the naked CB1000 Hornet it’s based on, with slightly longer suspension travel (around 150 mm) to soak up rougher roads. It rides on 17-inch cast wheels wrapped in 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tires, the same setup you’d find on a sportbike. 

Power comes from Honda’s familiar 999cc inline-four, which is essentially a detuned version of the 2017 CBR1000RR engine. This mill produces around 150 horsepower at 11,000 rpm. It’s paired with a six-speed transmission and a quickshifter as standard. That combination should make the CB1000 GT a serious highway companion, capable of effortless passing power and the kind of high-rpm soundtrack that’s been missing from Honda’s touring lineup for years.

The CB1000 GT is a big boy, and the numbers don’t lie. According to the report, it tips the scales at around 485 pounds (220 kg) with fuel. Its 20-liter tank, however, gives it real touring range, and the ergonomics appear more upright than sporty, suggesting Honda’s aiming for comfort without dulling the performance edge.

Photo by: Motorrad

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Naturally, modern tech is part of the package. Expect a full-color TFT display with smartphone connectivity, cruise control, and lean-sensitive rider aids. Optional accessories include hard luggage, a center stand, and likely a host of comfort upgrades.

Is Honda late to the party? You bet. But it’s Honda. When the company finally joins a category, it tends to do so with a product that’s refined, reliable, and perfectly balanced. If it wears the CB badge, you can expect it to sell like hotcakes, too. The CB1000 GT could very well rekindle the spirit of the old CB1300 Super Bol d’Or, only this time dressed for the 2020s, with all the tech and precision Honda is known for.

When it hits showrooms in 2026, expect it to go head-to-head with the best from Japan and Europe. But perhaps the biggest question is: will it even come to the US?

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