Trying Out My Cousin's Africa Twin and a Quick Update on the KLR650 

I took a long hard look at the V-Strom before settling on the KLR. The V-Strom was a close contender. But the AT is just dead sexy. I agree that the color scheme on my cousin’s bike is awesome. And it was really cool to get a chance to ride it a bit.

@@SuburbanPathfinder any bike is good as long as it suits you. Getting out and exploring and just being outdoors on a motorcycle is what it's all about anyway. That color way on the AT is my favorite.

Good eye! And very close. Mine’s a G2310R-1. I believe my cousin was, in fact, wearing a straight-up DW5600. He may wish to chime in on that, perhaps. I noticed that too but we didn’t plan it.

Close: that's actually a GWM5610-1. I know... it's not a real 5600, but I just couldn't resist having at least one watch that syncs to the NIST atomic clock. Or maybe I just enjoy unnecessary complications. Like riding a DCT motorcycle, I suppose...

Honda doesn’t like to call it an automatic. They call it a dual clutch transmission (DCT) but yes; it’s an automatic.

It's an automatic transmission, without a slushbox, and with a manual shift option (either through the hand controls, or an optional electronic shift lever). Basically it has two clutches, one which engages the even gears, and another for the odd gears. It offers very fast shifts, at the cost of added weight, and more complexity to repair. I honestly don't know if it's an improvement... some people swear by them, some swear at them

Chris’s reply was much more informative than mine.

@@chris.a.1 Thanks Chris. Sounds complicated.

I trust Honda on new technology like the DCT. I have a 2016 Acura with DCT and it’s amazing and reliable. I doubt they would place an untested transmission on their top predator Adventure bike. Failing at it would hurt them globally.