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?
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?
