MichaelJohn
New Member
Yesterday I took an hour-long test ride on a BMW S1000XR which I posted about in the Non NC700 section. It's a 160 horsepower monster that I have been lusting after for several months. Aside from the obvious power difference it rode a lot like the NC with similar size, weight and geometry. It was, of course, a manual shift bike though it had a quick shifter which worked in both directions. It was fun being on a manual bike again as the old reflexes came back quickly. So much so that today on the NC I found myself reaching for the clutch a few times and I even had a brief moment of panic when coming to a stop thinking that the bike was going to stall. The quick shifter was cool and they are becoming available on more bikes as most riders seem to love them. However I must say that compared to a DCT it seemed unrefined. Maybe I would have gotten better at it with more use but it was kind of harsh and clunky. It made me really appreciate the smoothness of a twin clutch. In fact, though I enjoyed shifting the XR, the DCT is more fun, at least for me. I have become completely spoiled by finger shifting, or not shifting at all depending on my mood. I often think about how effortless it is to take off at a traffic light. Some would say that finessiing a clutch is part of the joy of motorcycling and I get that but I also enjoy not finessing a clutch. Lord knows I've paid my dues with hundreds of thousands of manual shift miles on both cars and bikes. I just wish that there were more choices for DCT bikes. Maybe if quick shifters get more popular (and I'm sure that they will as manufacturers all scramble to keep up with each other) we'll see more acceptance for DCTs since that seems like a logical progression. As it is I will certainly be test riding the Africa Twin when it arrives since Honda is the only DCT game in town right now. I may never own another manual bike, I like the DCT that much.
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