Captain Jim
Shiftless
I see there is a thread here for the Honda NC750X DCT, but thought I'd start this thread for those who have any DCT model and for those who are "DCT curious." I was intrigued by the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT when that bike was released last year. I tried one (test sit only) at a dealer, and it wasn't a good fit for my old bones. I tried the NC750X DCT, and it was too tall. That led me to search out a CTX700 DCT, no longer being made, but there are some good used offerings out there. I found a pristine model with the fairing and other nice accessories. For my 30" inseam and titanium hip, the CTX is easy to toss a leg over, and (more importantly) is a comfortable ride for me. I have the OEM seat, a Corbin low seat, and added floorboards. That rider "triangle" is a good fit for me.
On to the Dual Clutch Transmission: this is something I was interested to try, after 9 happy years of riding scooters (a Honda PCX and 2 Vespa GTSs). The scoots taught me (after decades of riding motorcycles) that I am just fine with the riding experience, without the need to manually shift. What I didn't expect from the DCT: how efficient it is. Truly, so much more than "an automatic" motorcycle. Drive mode is a bit sedate, but I use it when just tooling around. Sport mode shifts similar to how I would ride a manual transmission. And, of course, there is full Manual mode, where you change gears with paddle shifters on the left grip. You can also use those paddles to up or down shift at any time in Drive or Sport modes. It shifts faster than I can, never misses a shift, never stalls, downshifts as you come to a stop. You feel the shifts, and can change the amount of engine braking by your choice of Drive or Sport.
Less than 4 weeks with the CTX, and I am completely sold on the DCT. Is it "the future" of motorcycling? Probably not. Is it MY future of motorcycling? Absolutely. Riding in traffic - no need to constantly be working your left hand and foot. Ride it like a big scooter. Want to eat up miles on the highway? You're in top gear anyway so it doesn't matter whether you shift manually or via DCT. Tearing through the twisties - put it in Manual mode and the rider selects the gear, just like any manual transmission. Or put it in Sport mode and you can still up or down shift via the paddle shifters as you see a tight curve coming up.
The newer models with DCT (Rebel 1100, Africa Twin, NC750X, Goldwing) have even more modes and refinements. In the meantime, this CTX with DCT is doing all I ask of it. For me, it has been the best parts of riding a motorcycle AND a scooter. Well, if it had more native storage like most scoots, but a top case takes care of that.
On to the Dual Clutch Transmission: this is something I was interested to try, after 9 happy years of riding scooters (a Honda PCX and 2 Vespa GTSs). The scoots taught me (after decades of riding motorcycles) that I am just fine with the riding experience, without the need to manually shift. What I didn't expect from the DCT: how efficient it is. Truly, so much more than "an automatic" motorcycle. Drive mode is a bit sedate, but I use it when just tooling around. Sport mode shifts similar to how I would ride a manual transmission. And, of course, there is full Manual mode, where you change gears with paddle shifters on the left grip. You can also use those paddles to up or down shift at any time in Drive or Sport modes. It shifts faster than I can, never misses a shift, never stalls, downshifts as you come to a stop. You feel the shifts, and can change the amount of engine braking by your choice of Drive or Sport.
Less than 4 weeks with the CTX, and I am completely sold on the DCT. Is it "the future" of motorcycling? Probably not. Is it MY future of motorcycling? Absolutely. Riding in traffic - no need to constantly be working your left hand and foot. Ride it like a big scooter. Want to eat up miles on the highway? You're in top gear anyway so it doesn't matter whether you shift manually or via DCT. Tearing through the twisties - put it in Manual mode and the rider selects the gear, just like any manual transmission. Or put it in Sport mode and you can still up or down shift via the paddle shifters as you see a tight curve coming up.
The newer models with DCT (Rebel 1100, Africa Twin, NC750X, Goldwing) have even more modes and refinements. In the meantime, this CTX with DCT is doing all I ask of it. For me, it has been the best parts of riding a motorcycle AND a scooter. Well, if it had more native storage like most scoots, but a top case takes care of that.
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