It's doable. Get rid of the tool box and move the start solenoid and others to the left side. Then, drive the sc similar to the Kawasaki H2. Knowing the price for any of the H2 bikes, a supercharged AT has got to be near $20k.

 

If Honda made this bike as we would hope I'd be putty in their hands. I think I'd pay anything they'd ask. I could envisage a price rise of up to $3,000AUD ($2,000USD). Just imagine, a bike with everything we love currently but with even more low-mid range punch and enough power to keep with or outpace the GS1300 and V4 Multistradas at the top end. That would have to be worth the price of entry!

 

1,200 cc AND a Supercharger! Would make it a lot more fun at high altitude.

 

One of the beauties of a supercharger is that you can control the boost completely with software. In that way there's no reason to go much larger than a litre class engine as you can manipulate the boost anywhere from the current 100hp up to, say, 160hp for argument sake. With that you could control when and if the pump is boosting thereby attaining a favourable fuel consumption number unobtainable with a larger swept capacity.

 

Man what ever you’re smoking i want some too haha.

For real, if Honda came out with a forced induction engine platform id Be the first to line up at my local dealer.

 

What does everyone else think? Is there a supercharged AT in your future?

It wouldn't be for me. I find one of the joys of the AT is the fact that they haven't chased the big power figures and for most people, most of the time...c100hp is just fine. ( I read it every day on one forum or another...someone with a 160/175hp bike who really does use all the revs in all the gears....yeah right )

 

You make a valid point, Dave, with the high output and high revs needed for those lofty 175hp goals. As you say, rarely are they used and I would be highly surprised if Honda chased that calibre of output from AT.

I think it much more likely we would see a figure of something like 130hp and a commensurate torque increase. A 30% increase is nothing to be sneezed at and relatively easy to safely achieve with modern supercharger tech. Even with a supercharger, we have to remember the basic engineering of the AT's venerable P-twin is for lower revs than the Multistradas of our world. This is, of course unless Honda is providing a completely new motor in '26 (unlikely).

I would see Honda making it so the high usability and creamy lovliness of power delivery currently enjoyed with AT remains or is enhanced. I would also see the mid-high range significantly upgraded with much more torque for touring with passengers and luggage.

To satisfy everyone the extra power/torque may be delivered via some new on-demand system, again, saving fuel for those all important regulations and standards (new preset or selectable power modes?).

 

Nobody has ever said in the history of motorcycles that more Power is bad. Now you can control power output via mapping and buttons. No need to run full power if you dont need it, but wouldn’t it be nice to have at the touch of a button?

 

More power is bad.

 

I would like to see the NT1100 with the sc'd motor, and available in the US.

 

The NT1100 is a better candidate for a supercharged engine.
Honda should add the E-Clutch to the Africa Twin offerings and be done with it.

 

I agree, the NT would be perfect for the s/c engine. Both NT and AT would be absolutely transformed by an s/c, especially combined with DCT. Given that NT has exactly the same engine as AT it will be 'All for one and one for all' methinks

 

Besides wanting what you're smoking, I for one think that the engine is perfect. I want the square-ish piston, low compression ratio, and both the quickshifter, and the DCT especially are fast enough to provide way more than enough power for overtaking, and let's face it - the torque is quite high anyway, and funnily enough the torque curve matches almost perfectly with 1000cc inline-4's. And somehow I've never heard anyone on an S1000RR or V4S complaining they don't have enough power for overtaking under 70kmph (when you have to shift to 2nd on AT; and ofc sport bikes are lighter etc, but it's an adventure bike for gods sake). And at higher speeds - you're supposed be on knobby tyres with long travel suspension, if you're using anywhere close to 100hp for overtaking it's just not what I'd consider responsible.

I of course won't deny that more power is better, but I in large part chose this bike for it's engine, and no way I'd buy one with forced induction - I want reliability, resale value, and ability to put in shitty fuel from 3rd world countries. And keep in mind that internet is the vocal minority - from what I know AT is the second best selling large-cc adventure bike (after the GS of course), and manufacaturers noticed the shift in what people use the bikes for - 1300 GSA is becoming a sports-tourer, 900GSA also, and 900GS is the de-facto off road bike, 1390SAS - sports-tourer (but there could be real adv options as well), and the 890 is the adv bike, ducati of course makes the Multistradas and the DesertX (rode it - no joke, it's the best ADV bike, better than AT), and last but not least - ATAS '24 got a 19' wheel and lowered suspension, as people who should be buying NT1100 were getting it, and probably were complaining about on-road handling. So - you can see the pattern.

Apoligies for the chaotic rant, have fun with it, but looking back I would not be suprised if ATAS diverted even further from the AT - wheels, DCT only, lowered suspension are telling signs that Honda wants an even bigger piece of that want-an-adv-bike-for-touring market, and that they're willing to go there, and raising the HP is undoubtably a good way to do so, I'd be surprised if it was with a supercharger tho - but then, they were crazy enough to put a DCT in a motorcycle, so who knows.

 

Good words Radar, you make some great points. I'd just add that I think Honda, for people with similar needs to yours, would continue to offer the base AT with 21" front wheel and standard motor. IF, and it is still an IF, they offer the supercharged model it would likely be just on the ATAS with the road going stuff. That's more than likely the segment that would embrace the model and, frankly, an s/c makes ultimate sense on the road rather then the trail.

Lastly, being the engineering led company it is, Honda would not release such an animal like a supercharged AT/NT unless it was convinced and satisfied it was completely reliable. Hence the fact they've had this patent for 5 years now and it hasn't seen the light of day yet. 2016 could be the year I reckon. They have a history on this point with which I, for one, am entirely trusting and comfortable. The software would deal with shitty fuel in 3rd world nations by taming back the power in low octane mixes. That classic Honda 'protection' would never sleep. Yeah, I think it could be a real goer for them in their chosen market segment and would solve more issues than it creates.

 

Ok, so my application is a little different...

My 2021 ATAS DCT lugs around a 300lb+ sidecar rig. When off-road, I would rarely wish for more power. However, when cruising blacktop through 13,000ft mountain passes, I find myself with the throttle pinned for long stretches at 80 mph.

An SC would be most welcome to stuff a little more of that thin air into the engine in the mountains.

Wouldn't hurt my feelings much, while passing trucks on the interstate, either.

 

It would go in the Talon side by side first. Then the NT1100 or Rebel, maybe. The AT will never see it.

 

It would go in the Talon side by side first. Then the NT1100 or Rebel, maybe. The AT will never ee it.

All of the Honda parents for the superchared motor submitted ro the Japanese parents office show it is based on the AT, clear as day. BTW, what is the "Talon"?

 

Africa frame is weak , and the whole structure is not suitable for more power .

 

I'd be interested to reason why you say that. I think, if it was true, Honda would see that as a no-brainer to beef up the frame for more power. They are an engineering led company after all.

 

Well, from my experience, the bracket that supports the heavy instrument pod is way under-designed. Broke mine at 9,000 miles.

Here is the saga on fixing and re-enforcing it, so that it does not happen again. Link

Rest of the frame has held up to significant abuse, though, bouncing a 300+ lb hack out and around the Arizona deserts. I don't think it is a weak frame, other than that stupid bracket. That was just plain sad.

 

Well, from my experience, the bracket that supports the heavy instrument pod is way under-designed. Broke mine at 9,000 miles.

View attachment 91335

Here is the saga on fixing and re-enforcing it, so that it does not happen again. Link

Rest of the frame has held up to significant abuse, though, bouncing a 300+ lb hack out and around the Arizona deserts. I don't think it is a weak frame, other than that stupid bracket. That was just plain sad.

Very interesting Beowulf, thanks for this. You say you pound around the desert so great to hear no major issues. Is this issue widely reported or not so common?

 

Well, I suppose some may consider my title as clickbait but I would say I've offered it up to you all as something to simply warm your heart with some anticipatory good reading Please, bear with me and I'll explain my bold prognostication on that title . . .

I've been seriously considering an ATAS DCT since I rode a new 2023 model about this time last year. I'm coming from a Ducati Multistrada 1200 I've had since new in 2014. It has been woefully unreliable, intractable down low (agricultural even) and I'm always worrying the low build quality will let me down at the worst time. So, with the intro of the '24 model and significantly lower seat heights (19" wheel + low seat) the time looked right to get back to my first love - Honda.

As I researched I read up on AT history, release dates, incremental model improvement details relating to timeline and found the sites with the info about the Japanese patent Honda has for the supercharger on the 1100 twin motor. All this, plus more, started to form a convincing picture that the 2026 model was always going to be something very special. So special, in fact, that the changes to be wrought across the 2026MY would rate right up there with the introduction of the DCT on the AT.

Let's firstly review a number of facts:
1) the current AT platform dates back to 2016
2) in 2016 a major engine change (P-twin introduced) was part of the new platform.
3) the current Africa Twin generally receives great reviews from testers, who report it has ideal power and torque for offroad use. However a common 'complaint' or, at least 'comment' is that it needs more power for road trips with high demands, like with a passenger and luggage. Indeed, it is well behind the competition in this regard.
4) Honda has had fully resolved engineering patents for a supercharged P-twin engine lodged in Japan since 2019. This has afforded Honda 5 years development on the supercharged application .
5) given the last major change to the AT platform and motor was 2016 then it seems inevitable that if Honda is going to introduce a major change soon it would be for the 10 year anniversary in 2026.
6) The 2025MY AT has now been released. it is quite telling, to me at least, that they've spent no money on it except for new colours and stripes. On a flagship it is rare to have this happen 2 or more years consecutively. History would conclude a major change coming the year after as resources are preserved in releasing
such minimal change as the 2025MY.

So, in my estimation, the facts appear to converge on a supercharged AT for the 2026MY. I don't have any inside info, aside from the articles I've seen on the Japanese patents. It does, however, make a hell of a lot of sense for Honda to do this as it is, apparently, developing a quite unique application of their supercharger. we all know a DCT can win a traffic light derby against almost any other bike. up to about 60-80 kph (35-50mph) there isn't much that will stay with a DCT AT due to the no wasted time in gear changes PLUS a motor designed to specifically give its best down low and mid range.

Now, take that inherent strength of an under-stressed P-twin and add a supercharger that is designed to provide power specifically where it currently lacks both power AND torque in comparison to the competition - higher engine and road speeds. A supercharged AT motor would not only provide for extra grunt all the way through the powerband (esp up high) but would allow Honda to pass ever more stringent fuel economy demands into the future. Simply enlarging it to 1200 or 1250cc wouldn't achieve this aim. A supercharger can, theoretically, provide better fuel economy (through software control) AND increase power outputs better than growing the capacity to 1250cc or more.

It is called a supercharger in the patents however looking at the design it has an inconel turbocharger scroll within the housing - some type of hybrid? This could point to a unique 'on demand' supercharger diverging from the traditional concept of 'always on from zero rpm'. This way, like a turbocharger, the boost doesn't occur in meaningful amounts until there's demand. I'd imagine it would be a low boost setup very much UNLIKE the Kawasaki H2 which only delivers boost at quite high rpm for 200hp+.

The true nature of this new hybrid super/turbocharger can only be speculated upon at this stage, of course, but if there's one thing Honda knows how to do well - when they put their mind to it - it is to surprise to the upside regarding engineering. AT is their flagship, so it is critical in many ways to the company. I'd bet they won't be holding the budget back to stay more than competitive with a major platform refresh/redesign including motor for the very important 10 year anniversary of their best on/off road flagship. The fact they've recently updated the top level model to a 19" front wheel speaks volumes. It means they are positioning the bike to be better/more competitive ON road. The supercharger is also a step in this ON road capability course. Off roading doesn't call for any more power than 100hp, that's for sure. With the ON road capability now receiving the lion's share of focus and development, don't be surprised at all to see the word 'Supercharged' proudly brandished around in Honda's 2026 AT bulletins and marketing. We should all know for sure around Sept'25.

What does everyone else think? Is there a supercharged AT in your future?

Another nonsense thread.

 

Sorry to see you're so closed to this. It was meant for some fun, fantasy and imagination. Guess those concepts aren't for everyone. BTW, I wrote that post back late 2024 - BEFORE Honda announced their new SUPERCHARGED V3 motor to the public and stated it will serve duty in a number of Honda models. So, it turned out not to be fantasy or complete nonsense after all.