I voted manual, but I'd like to test ride both and then decide....I just can't imagine not feeling in control of shifting, and maybe that's the magic? Maybe the DCT still makes you feel in control when necessary?
x2, as mentioned before in another thread i want something a bit more easy going for when I need it to be and the DCT helps to contribute to that, although manual is tempting!Because my left wrist suffers less in traffic jams and mountain roads!
Ditto! The Borg implant on the side of the crankcase of the DCT may well enhance the ride, but I for one prefer to be in complete control. I just love the oneness I feel with the bike when the gear slips in effortlessly on a clutchless upchange.My story is a unique one. I originally ordered the DCT as I read heaps on the forums and reviews and thought this would be the way to go. As soon as I left the shop I regretted the decision and thankfully the dealer was happy to change my order back to a manual the next day. Why the sudden change?
1. Reliability - in the middle of nowhere I didn't like the thought of a computer operating the clutches so my bike can change gears. If this failed, could you imagine someone being able to help you.
Buttons to engage the DCT? Buttons on my remote and other technology fail all the time. Does this mean a simple thing as a bad connection from dust moisture etc is going to bring me to a halt? I intend to ride this bike through deserts in Australia, and it is a little unnerving to take this technology into such a remote area where mechanical assistance is nonexistent. At least if you snap a clutch cable or lever the bike can still operate. The additional buttons and triggers on the handle bars to operate this system was becoming unnerving.
2. There is almost something hypnotic that occurs between a rider and a machine as you blip the throttle and use the clutch and gears to negotiate the tight and twisty trails. DCT loyalist will argue that you can use the paddles, however it just isn't quite the same and I base this on owning a VW with a DSG box. Yes they operate well, but it isn't a stick shift and some of the joy of driving is lost.
I appreciate there is a market for this style of transmission, and many AT owners are opting for this. For me however, I still enjoy the raw connection between rider and machine which I believe is lost once all the computer gadgets take over.
Keep the shiny side up!
Wadeo
Wasn't my thoughts on the reliability of DCT prophetic, especially where I question buttons that might fail. I had made these comments well before the much publicised issues that have been well covered on this forum.My story is a unique one. I originally ordered the DCT as I read heaps on the forums and reviews and thought this would be the way to go. As soon as I left the shop I regretted the decision and thankfully the dealer was happy to change my order back to a manual the next day. Why the sudden change?
1. Reliability - in the middle of nowhere I didn't like the thought of a computer operating the clutches so my bike can change gears. If this failed, could you imagine someone being able to help you.
Buttons to engage the DCT? Buttons on my remote and other technology fail all the time. Does this mean a simple thing as a bad connection from dust moisture etc is going to bring me to a halt? I intend to ride this bike through deserts in Australia, and it is a little unnerving to take this technology into such a remote area where mechanical assistance is nonexistent. At least if you snap a clutch cable or lever the bike can still operate. The additional buttons and triggers on the handle bars to operate this system was becoming unnerving.
2. There is almost something hypnotic that occurs between a rider and a machine as you blip the throttle and use the clutch and gears to negotiate the tight and twisty trails. DCT loyalist will argue that you can use the paddles, however it just isn't quite the same and I base this on owning a VW with a DSG box. Yes they operate well, but it isn't a stick shift and some of the joy of driving is lost.
I appreciate there is a market for this style of transmission, and many AT owners are opting for this. For me however, I still enjoy the raw connection between rider and machine which I believe is lost once all the computer gadgets take over.
Keep the shiny side up!
Wadeo
I ordered the manual for the exact same reasons. I'm skeptical about electronic gadget reliability when I'm far from home and I like the physical connection between me and the bike. In fact, part of the reason I love riding a bike is the physical simplicity of it all. I'm not even really sold on the ABS but it comes standard on the AT here in the USA.My story is a unique one. I originally ordered the DCT as I read heaps on the forums and reviews and thought this would be the way to go. As soon as I left the shop I regretted the decision and thankfully the dealer was happy to change my order back to a manual the next day. Why the sudden change?
1. Reliability - in the middle of nowhere I didn't like the thought of a computer operating the clutches so my bike can change gears. If this failed, could you imagine someone being able to help you.
Buttons to engage the DCT? Buttons on my remote and other technology fail all the time. Does this mean a simple thing as a bad connection from dust moisture etc is going to bring me to a halt? I intend to ride this bike through deserts in Australia, and it is a little unnerving to take this technology into such a remote area where mechanical assistance is nonexistent. At least if you snap a clutch cable or lever the bike can still operate. The additional buttons and triggers on the handle bars to operate this system was becoming unnerving.
2. There is almost something hypnotic that occurs between a rider and a machine as you blip the throttle and use the clutch and gears to negotiate the tight and twisty trails. DCT loyalist will argue that you can use the paddles, however it just isn't quite the same and I base this on owning a VW with a DSG box. Yes they operate well, but it isn't a stick shift and some of the joy of driving is lost.
I appreciate there is a market for this style of transmission, and many AT owners are opting for this. For me however, I still enjoy the raw connection between rider and machine which I believe is lost once all the computer gadgets take over.
Keep the shiny side up!
Wadeo
...and that is the exact bike I ended up with.... in Canada it looked like the only other choice I had left was grey DCT but who mand an old man dentist bike.