the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
I have no issue transitioning from my NC to my CB 1100 manual shift bike and back.
Clutch vs. No Clutch
- Thread starter ChucksKLRST
- Start date
I do not understand this statement.
Honda's DCT is about 95% manual transmission with the addition of electromechanical systems to shift gears automatically or manually. It is a constant mesh sequential shift design just like a manual transmission. A set of multi-disk clutches engage or disengage the engine from the transmission just like a manual transmission's clutch does. Because the DCT clutch packs act just the same as a manual transmission's there exists the same direct drive connection from throttle to rear wheel contact patch when the clutch pack is engaged - this is no different from a manual transmission. I have owned both DCT and manual bikes side by side for over 10 years and use the same techniques as you mention for cornering as you do for both types. DCT gives the advantage of being able to shift gears during cornering because the gear shift (the break in drive to the rear wheel) does not affect the suspension like it does with a manual. My CVT bikes don't have the same direct mechanical connection and are chalk and cheese compared to manual and DCT handling. I think you leave the impression that DCT feels like CVT does when it absolutely does not.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
This was very true a long time ago but has not been the case for many years. In the real world under conditions that people actually drive in and the way that they drive, as opposed to on a test track, automatic transmissions deliver better fuel economy than manual transmissions do. Even most of the trucking companies here in North America have been transitioning their fleets of tractors to automatic transmissions because they return better fuel economy. I haven't seen anything about this with regards to DCT motorcycles but I would be curious to know how their fuel efficiency compares to the same motorcycle with a manual transmission.
I guess that depends on the definition of performance in play but I will whole-heartedly agree that in the case of a daily driver automobile there is, in my opinion, a much greater fun factor driving one that has a manual transmission. However, we can't make that judgement using the same criteria that we use to judge motorcycle enjoyment. Unlike the people who are on this forum the main reason that most people drive is just to get somewhere, so they don't care about this. For them automatic transmissions suit their purpose better and I suspect that they will continue to increase in market share world-wide as a result.
The poster is driving a ~100 hp/100 ft/lb 30 something year old 2,600 lb Toyota wagon if he sprung for the deluxe model. Otherwise about 75 hp. Mundane automatics of decades ago are not far off the bar he set.
Donk
Site Supporter
MotoGP banned DCT transmissions years ago, I think around 2015 when Honda was going to use one. Honda/Marquez/DCT = seeya
Me vs me on a DCT or a manual with quick shifter; me with the DCT is going to leave me with the manual behind.
Usually it's not the DCT that is jerky at low speeds it's the fueling and the bike's throttle. Drag the rear brake works the same as slipping the clutch to smooth everything out.
Me vs me on a DCT or a manual with quick shifter; me with the DCT is going to leave me with the manual behind.
Usually it's not the DCT that is jerky at low speeds it's the fueling and the bike's throttle. Drag the rear brake works the same as slipping the clutch to smooth everything out.
Since I have ridden an Africa Twin DCT for quite a few years, the topic of the low speed hesitation or throttling has come up with the Africa Twin owners, especially on the 2020 and up bikes. The throttle response feels a lot like a loose throttle cable on a bike with throttle cables. Honda equipped the 2018 and newer Africa Twins with throttle by wire just as the NT1100 has. My 2019 AT had wonderful low speed throttle response. One owner found out that there was play between the throttle and the throttle position sensor that was causing this low speed hesitation much like a loose throttle cable. He was able to make a small plastic spacer to take up the play in the throttle connection and it eliminated the quirky throttle response. I wonder if this is the same issue with the NT1100?
Dan
Dan
Donk
Site Supporter
There is a company Ducati Spacers that makes that little spacer or space filler for Ducatis, Triumphs and KTMs. I've installed them on Ducatis, Ducati race bikes and my own KTMs and the difference is amazing. Eliminates the delay between the twist and the go.
I thoroughly enjoy my CTX700 DCT. It’s a real pleasure to ride. The low CG is quite a pleasant change from my ST1300 days.
Put it in Drive mode and it up shifts real early to squeeze mpg out of the engine. In Sport mode, the upshift point are delayed, so it shifts at rpms more like with a manual transmission. I find myself using S mode on local streets and when riding on hills. D mode is suited for freeway riding or where the terrain is relatively flat.
Put it in Drive mode and it up shifts real early to squeeze mpg out of the engine. In Sport mode, the upshift point are delayed, so it shifts at rpms more like with a manual transmission. I find myself using S mode on local streets and when riding on hills. D mode is suited for freeway riding or where the terrain is relatively flat.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2024
- Messages
- 422
- Location
- Cumming, Georgia USA
- Bike
- ST-1300, VT-1100c
- 2026 Miles
- 003500
i’ve never been on a bike other than a little 50 cc scooter that had an automatic transmission or a clutchless shifting system. However I used to drive big trucks back in the day when they all had 12 to 15 gears and manual transmissions with a stick shift, a range splitter, and you had to double-clutch them.
And I was GOOD, really good, at shifting and choosing the right gear for the right circumstance.
I laughed with derision when I heard about big trucks with automatic transmissions, 20 years ago!!! I thought “what a sad state of affairs that they’re not bothering to train young people how to drive manual stick shifts anymore.”
Well now I’m driving those big trucks that all have automatics. And I like it!
I’d say in 8 out of 10 scenarios they are equal or superior ; there are only a few special circumstances where I wish I had a manual gearshift with a clutch.
And I was GOOD, really good, at shifting and choosing the right gear for the right circumstance.
I laughed with derision when I heard about big trucks with automatic transmissions, 20 years ago!!! I thought “what a sad state of affairs that they’re not bothering to train young people how to drive manual stick shifts anymore.”
Well now I’m driving those big trucks that all have automatics. And I like it!
I’d say in 8 out of 10 scenarios they are equal or superior ; there are only a few special circumstances where I wish I had a manual gearshift with a clutch.