Automatic Motorcycle! First Ride on a DCT Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L with Dual Clutch Transmission 

Thunder Marmot Amazing machine for sure!

I just bought the ATAS DCT because I figure why not?? Ferrari and Porche all use it and then I dont have to worry about getting sore hands riding the clutch in heavy traffic-which I get in my travels. Why buy a new bike with only 50% of the new technology!?

Thats why im here Nerve damage ,clutch side I ride an FZ8 and a WR 250x I busted my wrist 3 months ago Mad burning, numbness,weak grip Haven't ridden since Ugh,anyway, good luck Hopefully we heal up

I am a senior rider and have developed a tremor in my left hand. I am concerned about being able to control the clutch if I get caught in stop-and-crawl traffic. I have to wait until October to see a neurologist to be evaluated as to what might be the prognosis for this problem. I have been riding an R1200GS but might switch to an Africa Twin DCT version, depending on what medical advice I get.

Ed J.L I rode it for over 5k miles and it was a fantastic bike! I’d recommend it for sure!

Just basically said the same comment here.

I fully agree with you, I prefer manual but for people who love to give bikes a try, this technology would be amazing. I can see the appeal for it.

me too. Tricolor. Also love mine! I mainly use D and S2. D for cruising in urban areas and S2 for everything else. Would never ever go back to a manual.

Markus Friedl yes! I’m loving the dct. I’ve got a 2019 goldwing dct also. Will never go back to manual.

I ran sport mode 3 traction control 1 most of the time. What a freaking fun motorcycle!!!

Good news! • Did you know that there is someone who died for you on a cross so that you could achieve eternal life? • Did you know that you only have two paths after death? The Bible tells us in the book of Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." and in Ecclesiastes 7:20 it says "Certainly there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." This tells us that all human beings are sinners (we all break God's law), therefore, we deserve God's punishment for going against his word, but the good news is that through his son Jesus Christ we can obtain forgiveness of sins: John 3:16 [16] For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. Romans 5: 8 [8] But God shows his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God died on a cross for all humanity more than 2000 years ago, rising on the third day and paying a high price for our sins, since in the Bible it tells us that there is a heaven after death but also There is a hell and the kingdom of heaven can only be reached through Jesus Christ through the forgiveness of sins, it is not through any virgin or any saint, or by any other means, there is only one mediator between God and men, so if you want to go to heaven you have to repent of your sins (fornication, lies, etc.) and follow Jesus (obey biblical commandments). Christ is coming soon! Judgments come to earth (asteroids, earthquakes, etc.), seek God who has great things for your life. God bless you. Prayer: Prayer: dear Lord Jesus forgive my sins, I know that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness, enter my heart and guide me towards eternal life, thank you. Amen

Yes! Sport Mode 3 Traction Control 1 is The TICKET! Thanks for watching! - Kyle

Ha! Ha! Me too... 45 this month. A DCT would work perfect for your first bike. I really like them!

Sometimes you just want a bike that gets you from point a to point b without worrying about changing gears

It’s such a fun bike! Thanks for watching. When the time comes, You will love it!

Glad it was helpful!

I totally agree Jason. I'd love to see an 800 or 850 Africa Twin... or what I RELLY LOVE to see is a 500cc Rally Bike... just like the Dakar bikes. That'd be the best! 350 lbs... 75 to 100 hp... YES PLEASE!

@@manybikes good idea

Great feedback! I too have ridden the 2018 DCT model for about 12k miles and have to say it is a blast! This video was my FIRST encounter... but it got better and better over time. Learning to wheelie it was super fun too! I have now ridden it in the Goldwing, Rebel 1100, Honda Talon, and the Pioneer... I like the function best on the Africa Twin and the Talon. Those two applications seemed to allow more "aggressive" shifting then the other vehicles. Good stuff Honda. Good stuff!

Jan B The DCT was super fun! This was my 1st ride on it... before putting 4k miles on it! I had it from May to August. Amazing machine for sure.

After having ridden this DCT Africa Twin for nearly 8k miles - I really liked it. I wish it had a way to perform "clutching" type activities. Like slipping the clutch for low speed turns or popping up and over a log... Other than that - it was amazing. - Kyle

Congrats on the new bike! You will love the DCT, it is super fun to ride! Thanks for watching!

4CEYLON Thanks for watching! I totally my 2008 R1200GSA in a street accident too... I picked up a 2016 KTM 1190 Adv R. The Africa Twin is amazing. Check out this review: ATAS Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L2 Review and Comparison to KTM 1090 1190 and 1290 Adv Motorcycles ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rz4QaYM3B5I.html

@@manybikes Thank you for the link. My only worry is a lack of power for long rides.

4CEYLON No worries there. The AT has plenty of power and loves to eat the miles!

@@manybikes Thank you for the information

4CEYLON I rode the AT fully loaded (side cases & top case) 2-up from LA to Seattle and back and never felt a need for more lower. What it lacks in HP it totally makes up for in torque.

Totally get it! The AT is about 450 lbs.

Thank you! Will do!

Yes, it is a bit strange. I wish the clutch lever was still there allowing the rider to slip the clutch (slow speed u-turns) or release it quickly to pop over logs and such... that would be amazing. But... after 6 months on this bike the FUN-ness of the quick shifting / the downshift blips did not get old! Super fun bike to ride!

They are fun, you’ll love it!

You will love it! The new Honda Rebel 1100 is a DCT too... and is a 100% street bike. Honda is offering demos of the DCT! You should check it out! powersports.honda.com/dct-demo-event

Go for it! It is so fun to ride!

100% it will be ... ULESS they MAKE us go Electric!

Fair enough! However... after having spent several months on it... the manual shift mode is Super Fun! But... I did miss the clutch and the things a clutch will allow me to do. Like pop logs, etc...

Awesome!!! Let me know before you come, I’d love to meet up & maybe even do a quick ride together! Thanks for watching!

Did you ever make it?

@@manybikes nope. Just stayed in Oregon for the most part. Covid and stuff put a lil kink in my year. Ill be heading down in late June for a family get together. I’ll be driving however with my kids;). My dad has a Harley so maybe I’ll get to putt that around...

Nice! I’ve got a couple bikes and I can take you on a pretty sweet day excursion hitting some killer spots. Just give me some warning.

Thank you for your feedback. That sounds sketchy! I have ridden this one... and the Talon with DCT and the brand new 2021 Rebel 1100 with DCT and they get better and better. The Rebel I rode day before yesterday has the 6th generation of Honda DCT in it... SMOOTH! I'll have a video of that ride LIVE here next week.

Will do my best!

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment & express your feelings. In no way was I intending to speak badly of the bike - but it was really an odd sensation. I put 6k miles on this bike in a 4 month period and loved it! There are two or three situations where I missed the ability to slip the clutch or the ability to “clutch up and over” something. It is a remarkable system - just a bit different on that first ride. - Kyle

The DCT from Honda is the Way to Go! You will love it.

Well said! This bike is so fun to ride. It totally grew on me!

That bike is AWESOME! I really wish they would adventurize it more than they have... it would be PERFECT! Thanks for watching! - Kyle

@@manybikes yeah, I'm hoping so. Haven't ridden one yet. But, all the reviews seem positive😀

I just got a 2019 NC750X DCT - fantastic bike. I put Michelin Road 5 tires on it and what a difference it made! Quieter, easier to turn at low speeds and much more bite in cornering!

Get it... You will LOVE IT!

@@manybikes I strongly apprecite your advice! The only think is that some bikes had to get back to the factory due to some issues...at least in Argentina ( were I live ) and from a vid I watch here in Spain a guy had same problem...🤔. Anyhow I take your advice, and will have great times. Thanks again !!!!!

@@martinhblake the motor and transmissions in these bikes are rock solid. Issues are super rare!

@@manybikes ok, I keep this words and I go on to ride. !!!!! Thanx again!!!!!

The bike is FULLY Automatic and you don't have to touch anything but the throttle to GO and the brake to STOP. The bike does all the rest of the work. Pretty amazing! There is a small "trigger" type button with a "+" symbol in the front of the control box that allows for up shifting (if you want to be in a different gear) and on the front of the control housing there is a "-" button for a downshift. It's pretty sweet!

It is a fantastic machine!

@@manybikes does it shift its self

This is not like a scooter... the DCT is an actual 6 speed transmission that is pretty exciting to ride. Yes, more like a sports car... but when all you have ever in your life done... (nearly 1 million miles) is clutch and shift... it FEELS Strange!

Stefano Iotti I tested all modes but I Loved Sport Mode 3 Traction Control 1 - so sweet!

For sure!!!

Welcome to motorcycling! I have been doing it since I could walk... but there is never a wrong time to learn. Yes, the automatic shifts by it self as you roll on the throttle and downshifts as you brake. It is AMAZING! Honda has killed it with the DCT transmission. We will see it in so many new bikes ... Just you watch! - Kyle

The DCT is different and is fun. I prefer the manual transmission for off raod... but on-road the DCT is KING. Shifts better than any human can without assists.

Yes, it’s FULLY automatic but you can if you want to use the paddle shifters to change the gear.

You can ride it in TOTALLY automatic or you can shift if you want to.

@@manybikes tanks bro

No, not at all!

So strange!

So easy with the DCT!

Because it's fun

Ha! Ha! Ha!

It feels great… You can cruise at 100 110 all day long. I’ve had it up to 130 but that was at its very very top limit

Kyle Bradshaw MPH or KPH?

Georgi Vanev MPH for sure.

Kyle Bradshaw Amazing, thanks!

I have only seen a couple fail since they were released. The tech replaced internal parts under warranty on one... and replaced the DCT on the other. Failure is rare on these transmissions.

@@manybikes thanks . I planning to buy 1100 rebel DCT How is it . greetings to you from S.A

Mostly in Sport Mode 3 once I got used to it... sounds like the shifts of an Indy Car... So fun!

No way! It has a slipper clutch that will not allow the rear end to slip. the motor just revs up and it adjusts the gears accordingly. Pretty amazing set-up!

@@manybikes ok, thank you!

@@aenesidemus_schulze it a really really neat set-up. Super FUN to ride!

There is a front brake up on the handlebar and the rear brake is down at the right footpeg. There is also a "parking brake lever" where the clutch lever used to be... but is a bit farther out of the way.

Yes, we have two of them at the moment.

I have the 17 DCT model AT.I was pulling out of a gas station one day while a cop car was coming in and stopped next to me. I thought oh crap! He rolled down the window and yelled out, how do you like that bike? :D Probably with a mild nervousness on my face I said " It is awesome" I love it. I think they'd enjoy this bike just like the other cops in some cities enjoy the electric bikes. I've already ridden the Zero SR. Very cool, quiet little rockets. The 2020 models look even better and they're stronger too. I do keep my Yamaha MT09 to stay in shape with the clutch hand and I have no problem alternating between the two bikes. Very easy to get used to.

Must have been focusing my attention elsewhere ;)

Well... you really can't rev bomb in the tunnel with this bike... unless you just pin it and back off a bunch of times. You might wheelie... but the sound will be there ;) N happens when the throttle is cut off and the gears automatically shift down from 2 to 1 to N. Unlike a manual shift... Neutral is at the bottom. Now... sitting at a light the bike is actually in 1st, not N. You can even (in manual mode) change it to 2nd or 3rd and the bike will remain stationary until you Twist the throttle to make it go. It is "strange" for a bit but you get used to it easily.

Yes, I was on the DCT model for nearly 7k miles and tested 15 different ADV tires on that bike. I really really like it ... but there are two unique situations where I prefer a manual transmission - or better said the Clutch that allows the engine to REV while slipping the clutch to keep the bike upright and power "ready to be released." Or... for popping the clutch to lift the front wheel up and over objects. Other than that... the DCT is KING! Love it! I've got about 12 videos to come with the DCT and a full on review at the end. Thanks for watching! - Kyle

@@manybikes superb, can't wait.

They can, but I don't think they want the extra weight of the DCT on that bike. My thoughts anyway...

Drew from scared20 once you twist the throttle the bike rolls forward shifting itself into gears up and down as appropriate. You can manually override it if you want... but it doesn’t all automatically

Yes. There is a neutral button. I’d imagine it works when riding…

Thanks manybikes. One tried the neutral button and it doesn’t engage while I’m moving. Yes, I can stop the bike, put it in nuetral, and then coast down the hill, but of course I don’t want to have to stop my momentum. As another analogy, I want to mimic “pulling in the clutch” and coasting, while driving.

@@philipbullock5227 got ya! I had long conversations with Honda about that… I wanted clutch lever functionality “when I needed it” but they said it wasn’t necessary. Off road, it’s needed I think.

@@manybikes so maybe the idea is I just let off the throttle and it will “coast” down the hill like it’s in neutral without actually having to put it in neutral. Hmmm. I’ll give that a try next time. Thanks for the responses. Have a great day.

@@philipbullock5227 Yes Sir! My pleasure

Motor swap for sure! The Trans is connected to the motor... and it is pretty big. Good luck! - Kyle

You want to put a Honda 1000cc engine into a TW200🤣😂

@@sunnyvalejedi yup because I have cerebral palsy so doing this motor swap is the only way for me to ride it

Yes, same DCT transmission.

Gotta keep my eye on you!

But by riding on those lines it gives him so much more info about all that is going on, a good example would be 9:26. He can see the car in front of the red vehicle so if that vehicle applies the brakes but the red one is distracted by something and rear-end the other, the bike is already slowing down and looking for an exit path.

You don’t have to shift, it does it all by itself. But it is FUN to paddle shift it!

@@manybikes OK cool gotcha. thanks

That is a feature Honda points out in their literature.

I have a Honda ctx700.

It's tough for sure! I think Honda should add a clutch lever that can be used "optionally" that would allow for use of the friction zone in slow speed corners, or popping up and over logs / curbs, etc... That would be amazing! If a clutch lever was added... I WOULD buy a DCT... But not until then. Kinda like a Recluse set up.

Use your rear brake.

The AT is a great bike and you will love it a lot!

No way! A scooter does not shift like this bike!

I thought I would like the Adventure Sport better... but I ended up liking the standard AT much better. For me.... I'd steer you towards the Standard AT

I’ve got a date to ride the 2020 here in a week... we will see... I’m stoked. If you are considering a DCT, do it! If it doesn’t interest you... go manual. They are both fantastic machines.

Many have!

It’s recommended!

@@manybikes Thanks m8 Sebastian Australia

The Goldwing does, but none of the other bikes.

Never noticed any abrupt suspension or geometry shifts when the bike shifted. It’s super smooth!

@@manybikes realy that smooth

Fair play then

alex bastow Yes, in D mode the bike would shift and I didn’t even know it! Pretty nuts. I rode in Sport 3 most of the time... it was strong - like an auto trans with a shift kit.

Honda is the only fully automatic motorcycle at the moment... other than a CVT model which does not have gears.

Did not know... thanks for sharing!

Only in Neutral! Or... you will wheelie ;)

It’s pretty fun! Took a bit to get used to it… I just wish there was a way to slip the clutch then it’d be AMAZING!

It was a “strange” feeling... sorry. Maybe I should have acted fake and not expresses how it was feeling? No... just should have used more synonyms for that repeated word... sorry!

Thanks for watching!

I stay away from seals and electronics... Is that not good enough? - Kyle

I hear you!

Lo’siento!

Los mejores motoristas somos Españoles.

Just hit the brakes!

Your feeling is a common one!

Totally agree!

Very true on all accounts. Laws are laws. Sins are Sins. And repentance is the only way for us to break the chains.

Yeah, different strokes for different folks. Some do 50 in the fast lane ;)

Thanks for your opinion and thanks for watcing. It was ODD but I got used to it!

I'd suggest a used Africa Twin. They run forever and you will LOVE it!