Short Time
New Member
Turned 1500 miles this weekend and thought I'd toss out a few thoughts on my decision to go DCT on my latest motorcycle acquisition. Been riding for the better part of five decades and never thought I would go the automatic route. But the technology really intrigued me and the more I studied up on it the more I thought I might like to experience it - at least once. Heck, I could always flip it and go back to a manual if it didn't live up to expectations. My reservations concerned low speed maneuvering and general flexibility of the ride modes.
Spoiler alert: you couldn't get me to switch back to a manual shift for love nor money. This thing just knocks me out. I do NOT miss the shifting - not even a little bit.
And while this thing does everything smoothly, efficiently, and without drama, it provides plenty of challenge and keeps my mind in the game as I learn to finesse and make the most of what the different driving modes can do. Low speed maneuvers? Pfft, a non-issue. Flexibility? Loads of it. And if moving within the auto modes doesn't scratch whatever itch I'm trying to scratch at the moment, like racing some idiot who's trying to cut me off at a lane merger in heavy traffic, just a twitch of a finger and the manual mode will launch me right out in front every time. I can putter around all I want to or get as aggressive as I want - in the blink of an eye. Even though I watched the video of how this thing holds the rpm as it shifts compared to a traditional shift bike, you have to experience it to really believe it. At each shift there just isn't ANY lag in acceleration. It just goes faster with each imperceptible click. And if I'm feeling mean in manual mode I just roll that throttle and keep pulling the trigger. And it responds right up to as fast as I feel comfortable going! And takes me there as quickly as I want.
Honestly, there is more challenge playing with the "automatic" than there is using a traditional shift. I try something different and learn a little more about the capabilities of this bike each time I ride it.
Among the less obvious benefits to the DCT are that I can easily "cover" the horn button without having to worry about breaking my grip to grab the clutch in a panic situation. I can also wear whatever footwear I like - from my ankle length riding boots to my calf-high winter boots without having to consider whether or not the toe will fit under a shift lever or the ankle has enough flex in it.
I'm very pleased with the performance of this bike and delighted to be on the latest greatest technology in the wonderful world of motorcycling. Knowing how I tried to read everything I could possibly find when I was contemplating my purchase, I hope this helps the next guy or gal out there who might be doing the same.
Spoiler alert: you couldn't get me to switch back to a manual shift for love nor money. This thing just knocks me out. I do NOT miss the shifting - not even a little bit.
And while this thing does everything smoothly, efficiently, and without drama, it provides plenty of challenge and keeps my mind in the game as I learn to finesse and make the most of what the different driving modes can do. Low speed maneuvers? Pfft, a non-issue. Flexibility? Loads of it. And if moving within the auto modes doesn't scratch whatever itch I'm trying to scratch at the moment, like racing some idiot who's trying to cut me off at a lane merger in heavy traffic, just a twitch of a finger and the manual mode will launch me right out in front every time. I can putter around all I want to or get as aggressive as I want - in the blink of an eye. Even though I watched the video of how this thing holds the rpm as it shifts compared to a traditional shift bike, you have to experience it to really believe it. At each shift there just isn't ANY lag in acceleration. It just goes faster with each imperceptible click. And if I'm feeling mean in manual mode I just roll that throttle and keep pulling the trigger. And it responds right up to as fast as I feel comfortable going! And takes me there as quickly as I want.
Honestly, there is more challenge playing with the "automatic" than there is using a traditional shift. I try something different and learn a little more about the capabilities of this bike each time I ride it.
Among the less obvious benefits to the DCT are that I can easily "cover" the horn button without having to worry about breaking my grip to grab the clutch in a panic situation. I can also wear whatever footwear I like - from my ankle length riding boots to my calf-high winter boots without having to consider whether or not the toe will fit under a shift lever or the ankle has enough flex in it.
I'm very pleased with the performance of this bike and delighted to be on the latest greatest technology in the wonderful world of motorcycling. Knowing how I tried to read everything I could possibly find when I was contemplating my purchase, I hope this helps the next guy or gal out there who might be doing the same.
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