A Goldwing is no ST1800.
This (should) give the ST a lean angle advantage.The ST is wider just under the tank due to the way the V engine sits.
The Wing's 6 cylinders are all down low where the ST is skinnier.
Biggest PITA for me is that I can’t come close to fitting my st1300 saddlebag liners into my 2024 tour bags. They are small!
Also compared to most others, I am not digging the DCT. Convenient yes, fun no.
This (should) give the ST a lean angle advantage.
And yes, I know that the automatic shifts can be overridden, but in my mind pushing buttons to choose a gear is not the kind of shifting that I have grown to love.
Biggest PITA for me is that I can’t come close to fitting my st1300 saddlebag liners into my 2024 tour bags. They are small!
Also compared to most others, I am not digging the DCT. Convenient yes, fun no.
I like the idea of a foot shifter - that would make it more 'natural' to me if I wanted to do manual mode.I bought the optional foot shifter with my DCT. It works just like a manual shifter, other than the fact there's no clutch lever. You can use the foot shifter, and or the toggle shifters on the bars, in either manual or automatic mode. If in auto mode, it will eventually override and shift up or down if required.
I like the idea of a foot shifter - that would make it more 'natural' to me if I wanted to do manual mode.
‘In our minds’ not liking is not a good substitute for trying and still not liking. There’s all sorts of stories where riders were pretty sure they didn’t want to like DCT and end up with one after a ride. Not for everyone of course.Sorry to hear you're not digging the DCT, but it also reenforces my preference for the manual transmission version. That is, when I (most likely) eventually get a Goldwing.
That preference gave me pause when most everyone who has the DCT has reported that they love it. I can understand that, especially considering that it's so touring-oriented. Even so, I'm pretty sure I want to be in control regardless how smart the automatic transmission is.
And yes, I know that the automatic shifts can be overridden, but in my mind pushing buttons to choose a gear is not the kind of shifting that I have grown to love.
‘In our minds’ not liking is not a good substitute for trying and still not liking. There’s all sorts of stories where riders were pretty sure they didn’t want to like DCT and end up with one after a ride. Not for everyone of course.
If I’m lucky I’ll pick up smaller bike (vstrom 650?) to enjoy a manual again. DCT isn’t enough to make me sell the wing.First time on a DCT was when I rode my new Wing home about 150km from the dealer. I hated it. Thought I'd made the biggest waste of money ever. I couldn't wait to get off the bike. It wasn't until the next day when the Mrs. wanted to go for a ride on it, and we spent about 4-5 hours on it that I realized just how much it actually was a convenient feature, and only a small part of the overall Wing experience.
It's not really fair to compare a DCT to a manual, as they are different.
I figured out what I was doing: comparing the manual I was used to to a new way of doing something. Neither is wrong, just different. A DCT will never be like just like a manual without a clutch. It can't.
For those that love the DCT right out the gate, that's great; but not everybody does or will. Some may come to love it like I did, and some may never like it. It's just another feature about the bike you have to accept, regardless of loving or hating it.
If I’m lucky I’ll pick up smaller bike (vstrom 650?) to enjoy a manual again. DCT isn’t enough to make me sell the wing.
F4 larger windshield also made a huge improvement to me for enjoying the bike.