[Warranted]

Not to worry, your shifting days can be behind you without a wait! You're going to give up some displacement, power,comfort and most everything else compared to the GW but in the end you'll have the pleasure and excitement of being truly "shiftless" (a term my ex wife uses to describe me to this very day). So save yourself some of those rapidly deflating greenbacks, drop this guy an offer of a couple grand, pick up this beauty and leave that lever behind! After all, self shifting is so "70's"

Honda : CB Honda CB750A in Clayton, OK

 

[zelthian]

Just thinkin, can ya hang a fake clutch lever on a DCT?
When ya consider it, how much of your ride time is actually spent using the clutch lever? On a one-hour ride, maybe about 15 seconds of that time?

Well, you CAN get a FUNCTIONAL foot shifter for the DCT....

DCT foot shifter

For the DCT model you can add the foot shifter. For the foot shifter is it like normal 1 down 5 up with a neutral in there or ?? I'm unclear how that works for DCT, never had it before... :shrug:

www.gl1800riders.com

 

[gkarasik]

I never knew shifting was a problem until Honda came out with the DCT. The Goldwing in its manual configuration requires minimal shifting because of it power band, ive crossed multiple states without shifting a gear. It gets a little boring sometimes. I personally feel that shifting is part of the experience of why I ride a motorcycle, but there have been many valid arguments as to the benefits of the DCT. Buy what makes you happy, not what anyone else think you should get, I don't really subscribe to the idea of buying a motorcycle for the next owner, you will not enjoy it if it is not what you want, and you are going to lose money on it at resale regardless.

There have been a few posts by riders who have implied that a DCT isn't "real" riding, that only manual shifters were real motorcyclists, but I'm not aware of anyone implying that shifting with a manual clutch was a problem. Both those positions would be wrong. I and others have said that we were surprised to discover how much mental bandwitch was freed up by the DCT and by how much we used in manual shifting, something that, because it rapidly becomes second-nature, we didn't really notice until we no longer needed to do it, but that's not the same as saying there's a problem with having to do it, just that it's different and allows a different kind of pleasure.

 

[William Anzik]

There have been a few posts by riders who have implied that a DCT isn't "real" riding, that only manual shifters were real motorcyclists, but I'm not aware of anyone implying that shifting was a problem. Both those positions would be wrong. I and others have said that we were surprised by how much concentration was required by shifting, something that, because it rapidly becomes second-nature, we didn't really notice until we no longer needed to do it, but that's not the same as saying there's a problem with having to do it, just that it's different and allows a different kind of pleasure.

If not having to shift frees up ones mind to concentrate on the ride, that's definitely implying a problem that the automatic solves. I have to wonder if those same people yak on the phone while driving and mock those against it while claiming they can walk and chew gum at the same time. 😆

BTW, I wasn't implying anything... I though it was straight out with it. 😉

 

[WVMANDINGO]

There have been a few posts by riders who have implied that a DCT isn't "real" riding, that only manual shifters were real motorcyclists, but I'm not aware of anyone implying that shifting was a problem. Both those positions would be wrong. I and others have said that we were surprised by how much concentration was required by shifting, something that, because it rapidly becomes second-nature, we didn't really notice until we no longer needed to do it, but that's not the same as saying there's a problem with having to do it, just that it's different and allows a different kind of pleasure.

Problem may not have been the correct word to use, I just don't know what the correct one should be, I simply didn't know it was an issue. But since that time many here has explained the benefits of the DCT to them, and I get it. Most of my riding is rural, so I don't have to deal with the day to day traffic some do. Others have disclosed that it has kept them in the game with certain health issues that wouldn't be possible with a clutch.

I had a awakening about a year and a half ago during the height of the Covid pandemic. Local car clubs organized neighborhood cruises instead of car shows. I participated in a few, but as they grew there was much more stop and go traffic. All of my classic cars are MT, it was brutal and I couldn't imagine doing it everyday if that was my circumstance, but it's not. I would forsake the comfort, protection and ease of my daily drivers everyday for the opportunity to ride one of my classic cars or motorcycles, they just speak to me, I don't have to ride them, I want to ride them.

 

[FL_RedWing]

If not having to shift frees up ones mind to concentrate on the ride, that's definitely implying a problem that the automatic solves. I have to wonder if those same people yak on the phone while driving and mock those against it while claiming they can walk and chew gum at the same time. 😆

BTW, I wasn't implying anything... I though it was straight out with it. 😉

Oh yeah. According to Dai Arai, Honda's DCT Chief Engineer, "The biggest thing for me is how much brain ‘bandwidth’ it [DCT] frees up to use on what is most enjoyable about riding – cornering, looking for the right lines, timing your braking and acceleration."

Mission accomplished, no doubt about it.

Honda DCT Explained | Honda Engine Room

 

[gkarasik]

If not having to shift frees up ones mind to concentrate on the ride, that's definitely implying a problem that the automatic solves. I have to wonder if those same people yak on the phone while driving and mock those against it while claiming they can walk and chew gum at the same time. 😆

BTW, I wasn't implying anything... I though it was straight out with it. 😉

Sorry, but with the respect I hope you know I feel, that's wrong. Saying "I have more time for this because I no longer have to do that" is a statement of fact. My wife has always done the cooking in our house. She enjoys it. I cook too, but I prefer talking with our company. Not being in the kitchen frees up time for me to be with our guests. Do you hear me implying something negative about cooking?

 

[William Anzik]

Oh yeah. According to Dai Arai, Honda's DCT Chief Engineer, "The biggest thing for me is how much brain ‘bandwidth’ it [DCT] frees up to use on what is most enjoyable about riding – cornering, looking for the right lines, timing your braking and acceleration."

Mission accomplished, no doubt about it.

Honda DCT Explained | Honda Engine Room

Great salesman speech. 😆

 

[gkarasik]

Problem may not have been the correct word to use, I just don't know what the correct one should be, I simply didn't know it was an issue. But since that time many here has explained the benefits of the DCT to them, and I get it. Most of my riding is rural, so I don't have to deal with the day to day traffic some do. Others have disclosed that it has kept them in the game with certain health issues that wouldn't be possible with a clutch.

I had a awakening about a year and a half ago during the height of the Covid pandemic. Local car clubs organized neighborhood cruises instead of car shows. I participated in a few, but as they grew there was much more stop and go traffic. All of my classic cars are MT, it was brutal and I couldn't imagine doing it everyday if that was my circumstance, but it's not. I would forsake the comfort, protection and ease of my daily drivers everyday for the opportunity to ride one of my classic cars or motorcycles, they just speak to me, I don't have to ride them, I want to ride them.

MTs are great. So are DCTs.

 

[rayjoe]

Yes there is a friction zone. You just have to practice a little more. I also have a yamaha majesty scooter and can play with the engagement (friction) of the belt drive. It is a little more subtle but you can do it.



Rayjoe

 

[T-88]

The pros and cons of dct vs Mt have been discussed at length.

Here's a different way to decide, based on your personality:

You want dct if:

• You're open minded and receptive to new but proven technology
• You anticipate ageing and know your reflexes and possibly physical condition (clutch hand and left ankle) are deteriorating, and you want to keep the bike into your ageing years
• You enjoy flexibility - cruise (sit back and enjoy the ride) or be actively involved (shift gears)
• You are flexible and can easily and comfortably adapt to new ways of doing things

You want mt if:

• You're a traditionalist; you prefer less tech and value mechanical simplicity
• You enjoy the art of motorcycling (clutching, blipping the throttle between downshifts and perfecting smooth, seamless shifting)
• You enjoy and absolutely feel you MUST be in complete control of every aspect of operating a motorcycle

Regardless of whether you choose DCT or MT, the 6th generation of Gold Wing is a brilliant example of engineering and technology.

Good luck.

Tim ('19 DCT Tour)

 

[lobsterbake]

I'm not quite near 64, but I'm no spring chicken. My nickel's worth of free advice would be this: Find a dealership near you with a DCT on the floor that will let you test ride it.

I just bought my DCT 2 weeks ago. I insisted on test riding it before I bought it, and I'm fortunate that the dealership readily agreed.

You WILL instinctively grab for that clutch lever the moment you get on it. It will take some getting used to. You'll have to re-approach slow-speed maneuvers now that you don't have a friction zone to leverage.

That said, you'll find quickly that other things present themselves. Engine braking and throttle control (and rear brake) replace the friction zone. You no longer have to worry about being in the right gear as you decelerate or stop at a light. It is impossible to stall the engine (though, I bet, at some point I'll discover a way).

Having the DCT means you have one less thing to manage as you ride. I think this fact gets overlooked in the arguments about having to relearn things.

And don't get me started on the "real bike" bullcrap. I've heard this crap about every other advancement in motorcycles (ABS, linked brakes, rear disc brakes, EFI, rear suspension, gear-driven engine to transmission linkage instead of chain); it gets to be a bit ridiculous. What someone considers "a real bike", as you might imagine, tends to be biased towards when one started riding and the influences they've had from others. Sad, really. I love my DCT. My passenger loves the DCT. Anything that enhances the overall riding experience and lets me spend less time managing the bike and more time enjoying the road and the scenery (my personal preference, granted) is a good thing in my opinion.

And that is my opinion, for what it's worth.

Well said. I agree with you - some are just afraid of change and cling onto the past instead of moving forward. The only constant is change and instead of seeing that as a positive many belittle others as they are too scared to take a risk. Just my opinion - I could be right.

 

[Roadie]

Great salesman speech. 😆

Thats about all it is...shifting your own gears on a motorcycle is like breathing...you don't think about it....you just do it in a eyes blink...do you ever think about breathing...it's just plain silly to say shifting gears takes any brain width away while riding...heck this bikes torque range is so flat you hardly need to shift anyways.

 

[ShanghaiDan]

I did give it some thought when I decided to jump off the Harley band wagon.
It was a struggle until I realized nobody really cares except for the brief few seconds of their life when they see that I'm riding a clutchless motorcycle. Then it occurred to me, geez-O-criminy I'm not picking up any women because of my bike. I can still ride down any highway or road in America and I still have my place amongst my friends, so DCT it is.

Heck, with the DCT, when you pick up those women you won't embarrass yourself by stalling it because you were distracted!

 

[WVMANDINGO]

Well said. I agree with you - some are just afraid of change and cling onto the past instead of moving forward. The only constant is change and instead of seeing that as a positive many belittle others as they are too scared to take a risk. Just my opinion - I could be right.

Quite some assumptions there. Do you not see that statements like clinging to the past, and afraid of moving forward as belittling to some because they like what they like? ( thats the same thing you are accusing others of doing) Most of us have no other reason to ride a motorcycle except that we like the experience we get from it. Why should that be required to change because something different came along? Most of us can jump in our car or truck and drive across the country, never shift a gear, never get wet, and have the protection of air bags and a cage. But for some reason we choose to ride a motorcycle.

 

[ShanghaiDan]

The pros and cons of dct vs Mt have been discussed at length.

Here's a different way to decide, based on your personality:

You want dct if:

• You're open minded and receptive to new but proven technology
• You anticipate ageing and know your reflexes and possibly physical condition (clutch hand and left ankle) are deteriorating
• You enjoy flexibility - cruise (sit back and enjoy the ride) or be active (shift gears)
• You use your bike as a commuter and spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic

You want mt if:

• You're a traditionalist and prefer less technology and fewer 'gadgets' on motorcycles
• You like to feel in total control of all aspects of operating a motorcycle
• You enjoy the 'art' of shifting and clutching

I chose the dct. Riding for 45 years and will be 70 too soon.

Tim

Added in a reason above. Unless you like clutching and shifting 200 times a mile (LA street traffic), the DCT is the absolute best choice.

 

[Brian_Fenner]

Stop it, this thread is turning into a full time job keeping up with the posts........and I retired 2-years ago. 🙃

 

[gdb069]

A point of view: A friend was giving up riding (Harley guy) due to losing muscle in his left hand making it slightly painful to use clutch, slows his reaction a bit and his hand is slightly cupped so not quite a full release. DCT is his saviour. I looked at DCT first but decided MT. I will go DCT if/when I need it.

We have ridden quite a lot and swap bikes. I am still happier with MT. He is amazed that he can ride my MT with no problem due to ease of assist and slipper clutch.

The idea that using a clutch is so distracting that you cannot enjoy a motorcycle is BS. As is the idea that if you bought a DCT you are somehow "open minded" and "flexible". If you need more "brain bandwidth" than you currently have to ride an MT, then this may be time to quit. I would also quit if: I cannot use brakes properly, I cannot see properly, I tire from using clutch, I cannot mount/dismount without hurting myself.

 

[Roadie]

Quite some assumptions there. Do you not see statements like clinging to the past, and afraid of moving forward as belittling to some because the like what they like? Most of us have no other reason to ride a motorcycle except that we like the experience we get from it. Why should that be required to change because something different came along?

Well said and how I feel exactly. I simply love the feeling of shifting gears on my motorcycles...I like the slow speed control that a clutch lever gives you....and factor in just how smooth and refined shifting this 6-speed transmission is and how light and silky smooth the clutch action is...its such a joy.... why is that so hard for some to understand I wonder

 

[gkarasik]

Thats about all it is...shifting your own gears on a motorcycle is like breathing...you don't think about it....you just do it in a eyes blink...do you ever think about breathing...it's just plain silly to say shifting gears takes any brain width away while riding...heck this bikes torque range is so flat you hardly need to shift anyways.

Not having tried it, you can say definitively that what we're saying happens doesn't happen?