To DCT or not to DCT, that is the question
Discussion
Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” off course, he totally mentioned Dual Clutch Transmission, pretty sure that’s what it was all about.
Anyway
- am looking to replace my current lemon (bought thinking it would be a long termer, unfortunately not the case due to reliability issues…)
- used mostly for commuting into East London (Canary Wharf) from West of England via the M4, so you can imagine what a bag of laughs that trip is in peak ducking traffic
- but I also use my bike for general riding and a big ish log weekend trip here or there
- but commuting all year round is the bread & butter of it. Countryside dirty roads, clean motorways and very heavy city traffic is the mix
- on way in my body is fine. But after a long day at work then that’s the issue, the 1st 2nd gear London insanity starts to take its toll
Thoughts on replacement (feedback welcome):
- I’m getting a little tired of the insane traffic but only want to use the train when I really have to… as I like to leave work at a certain time and actually arrive home when expected, which unfortunately is not the case with a lot of my trains nowadays
- Honda DCT is current thinking… Africa Twin as I can then also do light trails near me but the preference at the moment is everyone’s favourite - NC750x (around 2018 to 2020) as that is a nice low ish price while the Africa T is nearly double the price…
- Yamaha Niken was also considered but its city slicing ability is hindered by the two front wheels. However the winter grip would be great
- big scooters were not considered, as I am not quite ready to give up just yet 🤣
Any experience with DCT welcome to hop in. I have indeed read lots of reviews, watched a fair few YouTube videos but was still interested in what PH reps may have to say
By the way, I’m well aware of NC750X limitations, but right now the idea of no clutch is too tempting with the insane traffic
Anyway
- am looking to replace my current lemon (bought thinking it would be a long termer, unfortunately not the case due to reliability issues…)
- used mostly for commuting into East London (Canary Wharf) from West of England via the M4, so you can imagine what a bag of laughs that trip is in peak ducking traffic
- but I also use my bike for general riding and a big ish log weekend trip here or there
- but commuting all year round is the bread & butter of it. Countryside dirty roads, clean motorways and very heavy city traffic is the mix
- on way in my body is fine. But after a long day at work then that’s the issue, the 1st 2nd gear London insanity starts to take its toll
Thoughts on replacement (feedback welcome):
- I’m getting a little tired of the insane traffic but only want to use the train when I really have to… as I like to leave work at a certain time and actually arrive home when expected, which unfortunately is not the case with a lot of my trains nowadays
- Honda DCT is current thinking… Africa Twin as I can then also do light trails near me but the preference at the moment is everyone’s favourite - NC750x (around 2018 to 2020) as that is a nice low ish price while the Africa T is nearly double the price…
- Yamaha Niken was also considered but its city slicing ability is hindered by the two front wheels. However the winter grip would be great
- big scooters were not considered, as I am not quite ready to give up just yet 🤣
Any experience with DCT welcome to hop in. I have indeed read lots of reviews, watched a fair few YouTube videos but was still interested in what PH reps may have to say
By the way, I’m well aware of NC750X limitations, but right now the idea of no clutch is too tempting with the insane traffic
Had a 2018 africa twin adventure sport with the DCT.
The DCT system was good, didn't take anything away from the riding experience and you can manually overide its selection if you want and even get a foot pedal to change if you really wanted.
The build quality of the bike was shocking though, absolutely appalling, but the DCT system worked great.
The DCT system was good, didn't take anything away from the riding experience and you can manually overide its selection if you want and even get a foot pedal to change if you really wanted.
The build quality of the bike was shocking though, absolutely appalling, but the DCT system worked great.
I had a AT (when there was the crazy cheap PCP deal). DCT suited the bike perfectly, i only ever used mine on the road & found it really good to use. The most relaxed mode had it swapping cogs far too early & chugging along at 1500rpm just about everywhere. Any of the sportier modes properly livened it up. Paddles/trigger thingies were good to use for overtakes etc. I liked it so a definite thumbs up.
Killboy said:
Pfft. You wont have it long enough anyways. NC750 will bore you to tears, and you'll be left behind by the Harleys in the group. 
AT DCT gets my vote.
Not sure where you are getting the DCT NC750 being left behind ? I’ve got an NC700 DCT and I can get that thing singing ok . Never been left behind , in fact normally waiting on others catching up. AT DCT gets my vote.
Mind you I will say the seat on it is chronic. You need an arse transplant after about 2 hours in the saddle.
From what you describe you need a second bike, and it needs to be both a Honda and a big scooter.
Sorry, I know you said you said you didn't one, but it is the perfect tool for the job. It will keep you dry, reasonably warm, cost peanuts to buy and run, won't break down and hopefully look so awful even the most smacked up of scrotes wouldn't be seen dead on it. The fact it will be entertaining to ride is just a bonus.
As an alternative have you considered the new BMW GS1300 prototype? With huge boxes and all the extras? Sure it will break down, develop an entirely new suite of faults, get stuck in traffic, drain your wallet and get nicked. But think of the style factor
Sorry, I know you said you said you didn't one, but it is the perfect tool for the job. It will keep you dry, reasonably warm, cost peanuts to buy and run, won't break down and hopefully look so awful even the most smacked up of scrotes wouldn't be seen dead on it. The fact it will be entertaining to ride is just a bonus.
As an alternative have you considered the new BMW GS1300 prototype? With huge boxes and all the extras? Sure it will break down, develop an entirely new suite of faults, get stuck in traffic, drain your wallet and get nicked. But think of the style factor
Steve_H80 said:
From what you describe you need a second bike, and it needs to be both a Honda and a big scooter.
Sorry, I know you said you said you didn't one, but it is the perfect tool for the job. It will keep you dry, reasonably warm, cost peanuts to buy and run, won't break down and hopefully look so awful even the most smacked up of scrotes wouldn't be seen dead on it. The fact it will be entertaining to ride is just a bonus.
As an alternative have you considered the new BMW GS1300 prototype? With huge boxes and all the extras? Sure it will break down, develop an entirely new suite of faults, get stuck in traffic, drain your wallet and get nicked. But think of the style factor
Sorry, I know you said you said you didn't one, but it is the perfect tool for the job. It will keep you dry, reasonably warm, cost peanuts to buy and run, won't break down and hopefully look so awful even the most smacked up of scrotes wouldn't be seen dead on it. The fact it will be entertaining to ride is just a bonus.
As an alternative have you considered the new BMW GS1300 prototype? With huge boxes and all the extras? Sure it will break down, develop an entirely new suite of faults, get stuck in traffic, drain your wallet and get nicked. But think of the style factor
Ahhhh, good to see some opinions which match my motorbike group thinking… LOL
The BMW 1300 will likely indeed be a bike I own, but in a few years time when they have depreciated massively thanks to the BMW 1400 coming out… or perhaps they will jump straight to the BMW 1500 who knows.
I’m personally looking forward to the BMW 3000 as I will then have a bike engine bigger than most cars, with twin cylinders on either side of the bike meaning my legs will always be nice and warm in the winter.
I would recommend dct wholeheartedly Honda have really got the system nailed and it is a joy to ride a dct bike in commuter traffic.
I have a VFR 1200 with dct in fact it's my second one and I've done over 70,000 miles across the two bikes both with dct. This has included a lot of commuting through Central London and even though the vfr1200 is a heavy bike the dct makes life so easy.
I did look at buying an NC 750 with dct as well so I had a lighter bike for commuting but in the end decided sticking with the bigger bike was better because I have a bit of a long haul on dual carriageway before getting to London.
The 750 looks like a great bike for London commuting.
I know quite a few on this thread are recommending the Africa twin and whilst I don't have any experience of that bike I would think carefully about the high and wide handlebars. On my commute I often get stuck when filtering behind people on Adventure bikes because their handlebars and mirrors are just the right height and width for catching van and car mirrors but particularly vans and there are lots of those in London. My VFR is great for filtering because the mirrors fold in and the handlebars go underneath van door mirrors.
Anyway good luck with your search but take it from me dct is an absolute blessing when filtering through heavy traffic and the stop start at traffic lights and junctions.
I have a VFR 1200 with dct in fact it's my second one and I've done over 70,000 miles across the two bikes both with dct. This has included a lot of commuting through Central London and even though the vfr1200 is a heavy bike the dct makes life so easy.
I did look at buying an NC 750 with dct as well so I had a lighter bike for commuting but in the end decided sticking with the bigger bike was better because I have a bit of a long haul on dual carriageway before getting to London.
The 750 looks like a great bike for London commuting.
I know quite a few on this thread are recommending the Africa twin and whilst I don't have any experience of that bike I would think carefully about the high and wide handlebars. On my commute I often get stuck when filtering behind people on Adventure bikes because their handlebars and mirrors are just the right height and width for catching van and car mirrors but particularly vans and there are lots of those in London. My VFR is great for filtering because the mirrors fold in and the handlebars go underneath van door mirrors.
Anyway good luck with your search but take it from me dct is an absolute blessing when filtering through heavy traffic and the stop start at traffic lights and junctions.
Edited by A993LAD on Sunday 31st December 08:56
I had no interest in Scooters until a friend sold me her Vespa 300 cheap in 2015.
Having ridden in London since the late 70s, most of the 80s as a dispatch rider, I was suddenly wondering why I'd never had tried a twist and go before. So much easier.
OK the 300 might not work so well on your motorway section, it can get quite tiring and nerve wracking at 70mph, but there are bigger Scoots available.
I did own a Yamaha T Max for a while which handled like a sports bike, but always a great chance of it getting nicked.
I don't think the scrotes like Suzuki Burgmans or Honda Silver Wings though, and they come with bigger engines and wheels, plenty of storage etc.
Having ridden in London since the late 70s, most of the 80s as a dispatch rider, I was suddenly wondering why I'd never had tried a twist and go before. So much easier.
OK the 300 might not work so well on your motorway section, it can get quite tiring and nerve wracking at 70mph, but there are bigger Scoots available.
I did own a Yamaha T Max for a while which handled like a sports bike, but always a great chance of it getting nicked.
I don't think the scrotes like Suzuki Burgmans or Honda Silver Wings though, and they come with bigger engines and wheels, plenty of storage etc.
KTMsm said:
Might not be what you're looking for and only have a limited list of road bike options, but have you looked into rekluse clutches?
I have one on my KTM 450 for off-road use and I love it
Essentially you still have to work the gears but you don't have to use the clutch
I thought the rekluse was just from stopped to 1st? You don't have to use the clutch for the rest of the gears?I have one on my KTM 450 for off-road use and I love it
Essentially you still have to work the gears but you don't have to use the clutch
My father runs an nc750x DCT as a commuting/ everyday bike.
In my limited use on it, I found I really struggled with slow speed control. I would usually slip the clutch if required at slow speed but obviously with the DCT system this isn't possible. Back brake use helps but it's not the same.
For city commuting, I'd go with a big scooter over a bike. Better luggage options and better weather protection.
In my limited use on it, I found I really struggled with slow speed control. I would usually slip the clutch if required at slow speed but obviously with the DCT system this isn't possible. Back brake use helps but it's not the same.
For city commuting, I'd go with a big scooter over a bike. Better luggage options and better weather protection.
mattstr675 said:
My father runs an nc750x DCT as a commuting/ everyday bike.
In my limited use on it, I found I really struggled with slow speed control. I would usually slip the clutch if required at slow speed but obviously with the DCT system this isn't possible. Back brake use helps but it's not the same.
For city commuting, I'd go with a big scooter over a bike. Better luggage options and better weather protection.
Thanks but remember I have motorway miles and also ride outs hence ideally want a do it all…In my limited use on it, I found I really struggled with slow speed control. I would usually slip the clutch if required at slow speed but obviously with the DCT system this isn't possible. Back brake use helps but it's not the same.
For city commuting, I'd go with a big scooter over a bike. Better luggage options and better weather protection.
jjones said:
Had a 2018 africa twin adventure sport with the DCT.
The DCT system was good, didn't take anything away from the riding experience and you can manually overide its selection if you want and even get a foot pedal to change if you really wanted.
The build quality of the bike was shocking though, absolutely appalling, but the DCT system worked great.
Agree about build quality, already had an 2002 africa xrv that ive owned for a considerable amount of time so back in 2018 bought the adventure sport as a stable mate, standing next to the africa xrv I could see this thing disintegrating in front of my eyes , appalling build quality and kept just randomly cutting out, after 10k of riding it I got rid, needless to say I still have the XRVThe DCT system was good, didn't take anything away from the riding experience and you can manually overide its selection if you want and even get a foot pedal to change if you really wanted.
The build quality of the bike was shocking though, absolutely appalling, but the DCT system worked great.
croyde said:
I had no interest in Scooters until a friend sold me her Vespa 300 cheap in 2015.
Having ridden in London since the late 70s, most of the 80s as a dispatch rider, I was suddenly wondering why I'd never had tried a twist and go before. So much easier.
OK the 300 might not work so well on your motorway section, it can get quite tiring and nerve wracking at 70mph, but there are bigger Scoots available.
I did own a Yamaha T Max for a while which handled like a sports bike, but always a great chance of it getting nicked.
I don't think the scrotes like Suzuki Burgmans or Honda Silver Wings though, and they come with bigger engines and wheels, plenty of storage etc.
Borrowed a 350 adv from the boys at gedges honda pevensey, what a blast, 70 mpg 48litres of storage under seat, brilliant machine apart from the awful location of the indicator switch, this has definately altered my thinking of scootersHaving ridden in London since the late 70s, most of the 80s as a dispatch rider, I was suddenly wondering why I'd never had tried a twist and go before. So much easier.
OK the 300 might not work so well on your motorway section, it can get quite tiring and nerve wracking at 70mph, but there are bigger Scoots available.
I did own a Yamaha T Max for a while which handled like a sports bike, but always a great chance of it getting nicked.
I don't think the scrotes like Suzuki Burgmans or Honda Silver Wings though, and they come with bigger engines and wheels, plenty of storage etc.
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