There are also nuances in demographics to consider. The old advertising adage "if you're seeing it, its for you" Perhaps italy has a higher concentration of purists? Not sure, Honda Italy would know the specific DCT take rates (should this actually be the case)It's hard to tell whether the tri-color bike has DCT or not, but on one overhead profile view (I freeze framed) it looked a clutch lever between the hand guard and the rider's hand. The red one definitely has a conventional transmission/clutch and I expect they would have said something if one were DCT equipped.
Strange that Honda wouldn't use a DCT model in the promotional video. The question of whether the DCT is useful off road is a big one they could have shed some light on (if not answered). Or maybe, by not not using one, they did answer the question.
been trying to see if they ran a Dakar or Baja bike with DCT in the past... but can't seem to find anything conrete... although it is offered on an ATV or two...Or considering both these guys are already team Honda and aren't the target audience for the DCT, they may have just given them the tools they are used to for comparison. I'm very much interested in hearing from someone not affiliated with Honda about the DCT in the dirt but it's not going to push me one way or another.