[Captain Scarlet]

I went manual for the fact I'm not that old yet!....... And my dealer ship said all they could get me was a black manual and in Canada it looked like the only other choice I had left was grey DCT but who mand an old man dentist bike. All the rally reds seemed to be spoken for.

That's one way of looking it... or that you're too old to accept cutting edge change!
:wink2:
The black looks pretty cool and I struggle to find anything passionate to say about the silver hue. So glad I placed an early order (if it ever arrives!) for the Dakar Rally red.



"Given the choice I would have gone with a manual, but the colour is me No 2 choice behind the HRC."
... the color really matters I feel, and I'm gutted America won't be getting the HRC colors - what on earth were Honda America's head honcho's thinking? The R/W/B with gold rims shouts "Weekend Sahara Dunes Warrior". The silver, more "Wet Wednesday in Albuquerque". Just IMHO. It probably won't show the dirt as well, but who wants that?
>

 

[Yromulus]

I spent the last two afternoons riding all sorts of roads (and the gravel road to and from my house) and I am really enjoying DCT. I'm still running in so haven't been spanking it too much but it still gets you up to reasonable speeds with as much drama as you want. Very occasionally I'll miss a clutch - when I want to blip the throttle for no real reason other than to hear the exhaust or on the approach to bends but then I also remember all the times I wished my manual was an automatic...

Having said all that I'm still a little surprised the poll is coming out in favour of DCT. I would imagine Honda are too.

 

[JasonWD]

I'm into the industrial silver look...

And I'm considering doing this to it...

 

[True Ad Venture]

I spent the last two afternoons riding all sorts of roads (and the gravel road to and from my house) and I am really enjoying DCT. I'm still running in so haven't been spanking it too much but it still gets you up to reasonable speeds with as much drama as you want. Very occasionally I'll miss a clutch - when I want to blip the throttle for no real reason other than to hear the exhaust or on the approach to bends but then I also remember all the times I wished my manual was an automatic...

Having said all that I'm still a little surprised the poll is coming out in favour of DCT. I would imagine Honda are too.

You mean you haven't heard?

Spanking it is part of the run-in process. Use the entire RPM range, avoid long runs at constant revs, employ lots of engine braking and you'll end up with an engine that uses no oil and makes maximum power.

Been using this method since I got my VFR800 in 1999.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

[Yromulus]

You mean you haven't heard?

Spanking it is part of the run-in process. Use the entire RPM range, avoid long runs at constant revs, employ lots of engine braking and you'll end up with an engine that uses no oil and makes maximum power.

Been using this method since I got my VFR800 in 1999.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

There's a thread mostly dedicated to this topic somewhere on here. Lots of opinions, rumours, small statistical samples, etc etc. I do what I've always done and it seems to work ok.

Back in the late 70's I was at school and a friend and I bought CB250N Honda Super Dreams. He thrashed his to within an inch of its life from day one. I ride mine normally for 1000 miles and then started thrashing it. Guess who's blew up? Hint - it wasn't mine. But that's just one isolated case and I wouldn't criticise anyone for not doing what I do. Sadly he was killed by a drunk driver not long after he got a new engine - fond but very sad memories.

 

[JasonWD]

As this is the DCT thread I'll push the rudder in that direction with the big 'run in' debate.

I think people don't look at the bike as a whole when this comes up. People get very obsessed about pressure of rings against hone marks etc but you have to look at the bike as a whole. There are the brakes, tyres, headrace brarings, bottom end bearings and, of course, the DCT/gearbox.

There is such a myriad of tiny things, seals, mating surfaces, sensors that I would feel uncomfortable thrashing the crap out of it from the get go.

An MX bike with a rebore on the night before a race, yeah why not; give it the beans and pour some brasso down there too whilst you're at it.

I'll go with a karmic philosophy that if you're nice to something it'll be nice back to you.

 

[Captain Scarlet]

"Back in the late 70's I was at school and a friend and I bought CB250N Honda Super Dreams. He thrashed his to within an inch of its life from day one. I ride mine normally for 1000 miles and then started thrashing it. Guess who's blew up?"
... to be fair though, materials, technology and manufacturing some 40-50 years ago, are certainly not what they are today. I've bought vehicles which have literally said in the owners manual "Do not run in this vehicle - drive it normally" from day one. Each to their own re: gentle, normal or hard running in technique, as you say.

 

[True Ad Venture]

There's a thread mostly dedicated to this topic somewhere on here. Lots of opinions, rumours, small statistical samples, etc etc. I do what I've always done and it seems to work ok.

Back in the late 70's I was at school and a friend and I bought CB250N Honda Super Dreams. He thrashed his to within an inch of its life from day one. I ride mine normally for 1000 miles and then started thrashing it. Guess who's blew up? Hint - it wasn't mine. But that's just one isolated case and I wouldn't criticise anyone for not doing what I do. Sadly he was killed by a drunk driver not long after he got a new engine - fond but very sad memories.

Back in those days the gentle break-in procedures were necessary to avoid scoring the cylinders. These days nikasil cylinder coatings are so tough that the rings won't seat properly if you're too gentle and you end up with an engine that uses oil and never reaches its maximum power potential.

 

[Yromulus]

Yes - I've heard that. But in my defence none of my modern bikes - the most recent being a 2004 R1 - have used any oil and I've never noticed a significant power difference compared with friends' similar bikes. And these days, on this sort of bike, I don't really mind if it has +/- 2 BHP.

But everyone ploughs their own furrow - you pay your money and you do what you think is right! I'm sure I'll still love if it's a gutless guzzler after the first service!

 

[tiger]

Just my 2 cents opinion...


I am lucky to get hold of a DCT model in Singapore. Having clocked only a few hundred km, I have fallen in love with it simply because it offers more DIFFERENCE. AT in manual would be fine too but then there are so many similarities with many other ADV.

In an urban jungle, the ease of DCT make it less tiring and soooooo much more enjoyable. It's like ok having a scooter convenience on a big bike. And when you feel like it, it can 'transform' into a monster.

I have heard so many comments against and for the DCT. The funny thing is most of these ppl have never ridden one. The stupid mantra that a DCT rider is a lesser rider irks me to the max. Of course, the day when my DCT bike breaks down, everyone is going to say "see I tell you' but I don't give a ****. Many ppl I know actually like the DCT but because of peer pressure etc, opted for the 'safer' version.

The fact that we have seen less innovation from manufacturers over the years is IMO a result of the community's reluctance to try new things. W/O breaking our banks and spending too much $, I think it's time we be a little more adventurous in embracing new tech.

 

[deckitout]

I had no choice to go with a manual due to short supply issues, I would have to ride both back to back to make a fair choice. DCT does have some appeal for my commute to work, however hooning around the lanes I want total control of how my engine/gears are behaving.

 

[stephenat]

DCT for me. Test rode the mt around town and motorway and was very nice but i wanted to try the dct so ordered that.
Commuting 100 miles each was is a pleasure especially with heavy traffic.
However its off road (muddy lanes and byways in wiltshire) the dct is the biz. Never have to worry about gears or stalling up hills. You can just get in with the job. Slow speed turning off road requires relearning to use the back brake technique but gives good confidence. And this on trail max tyres .... cant wait to get the tkc80s early next week.
Cleaning the thing is a ******* though

 

[EZStreet]

Well let's see.....First of all you shouldn't be out in the middle of nowhere with a manual or a DCT without a buddy. Forget breaking the transmission, what if you break your leg....hmmm. Total control....hmmm....The DCT gives you a manual mode so you can choose whatever gear you want, whenever you want. The benefits of the DCT far out weight
any possible negatives. Much easier to ride off road, todays DCT are faster than manual
transmission bike, you just can't shift as quickly and the DCT won't miss a shift. Off road it's always in gear and it won't stall on a hill. It gives you more the ability to concentrate more on steering and navigating the course off road. On the road put it in sport mode and have some fun pretending you're in Moto GP. I read something once that if you were racing Valentino Rossi and he was riding a manual and you had a quick shifter, you would gain 10 feet on him with every shift. Imagine how much easier it is to shift the DCT when you're standing on the pegs.....I also have a CBR1000RR and I wish it had a DCT like the
Moto GP bikes have. Mainly because the acceleration is scary and I'd much rather be able
to concentrate on riding the rocket without using that brain power to clutchless shift.
Food for thought......my AT's on order and it's definitely a DCT


EZ

 

[JasonWD]

Well let's see.....First of all you shouldn't be out in the middle of nowhere with a manual or a DCT without a buddy.

EZ

Try telling Nick Sanders or Ted Simon!!

I just like having the option to push start the thing, though I'm going to try and get one of those Li-Po tiny jumper battery things for my TAT. I have major 'will it start' anxiety; probably from growing up in Africa with shitty vehicles. My default parking preference has always been on a hill!

I am doing the harder part of the TAT with a friend on his DRZ though!

 

[Niterunnr]

Try telling Nick Sanders or Ted Simon!!

I just like having the option to push start the thing, though I'm going to try and get one of those Li-Po tiny jumper battery things for my TAT. I have major 'will it start' anxiety; probably from growing up in Africa with shitty vehicles. My default parking preference has always been on a hill!

I am doing the harder part of the TAT with a friend on his DRZ though!

I've been told it may not be possible to push start the AT, anyone tried?

 

[JasonWD]

You can push the manual but the DCT is impossible because the computer puts the transmission in Neutral when you turn the bike on. Anyway, even if there was power to do that there is no way to bump the clutch that I can think of

 

[Niterunnr]

You can push the manual but the DCT is impossible because the computer puts the transmission in Neutral when you turn the bike on. Anyway, even if there was power to do that there is no way to bump the clutch that I can think of

I was more wondering if anyone has tried on the manual or if the slipper clutch would prevent it?

 

[james.mc]

You can push the manual but the DCT is impossible because the computer puts the transmission in Neutral when you turn the bike on. Anyway, even if there was power to do that there is no way to bump the clutch that I can think of

I agree. With the DCT I'm reasonably sure the DCT clutches need pressure to engage, possible spring disengage although I don't know enough about the box to validate that. Impossible to get pressure without spinning the engine, but you can't spin the engine with no clutch engaged. Catch 22 situation it seems. I'm going to look into this further to see if there is a possible work around, although I do like the option of a 'get out of jail' second battery as first port of call.

 

[mcrag]

Hmmm, it seems like those who have the Manual love it, and those that have the DCT also love theirs. Anyone get the DCT and NOT like it?
I'm thinking about moving from a Vstrom 1k to the AT, but can't decide which version. Like most, I've ridden bikes with a clutch all my life and wonder if i'd regret the auto.

 

[james.mc]

Hmmm, it seems like those who have the Manual love it, and those that have the DCT also love theirs. Anyone get the DCT and NOT like it?
I'm thinking about moving from a Vstrom 1k to the AT, but can't decide which version. Like most, I've ridden bikes with a clutch all my life and wonder if i'd regret the auto.

I had to consider a similar scenario. Honda Varadero XL1000V for years followed by a Triumph Tiger 1050.
In the end I decided whats to regret? I'm aware that on the DCT, when letting the DCT brain do all the thinking and gear changing, there are various drive modes to select, ranging from it languishing in D (should have called it P for passive mode) up to the most aggressive S (Fun) mode.
Or, if you wish, select manual mode and use your own brain to choose whatever gear you want via the gear selector switches on the left side of the handle bars. The only traditional things missing, with the latter option, is no clutch lever and no gear change lever to operate with your foot. Honda even thought of that to a degree by offering an optional(=more $cash$ to fork out) foot operated gear selector (it's electronically wired though and not mechanically connected to the gear box). That just leaves the clutch lever missing.

So the most you, or I, might regret is not having a clutch lever to play with. I'm sure that I'll forget all about it after a few months of fun with the DCT

Oh yeah, and to state the obvious! If you own a DCT and fancy manual mode, where you select the gear of choice, its just a switch away.
If you are on a Manual AT and fancy DCT mode you need to sell your bike and buy a DCT! There is a slight difference in options there

So, I ordered the DCT a couple of weeks back.