What Is Honda's DCT Like To Ride? Goldwing Tour Automatic Motorcycle 

Hi. I've got DCT on my car. One trick is to put it in neutral if stopped for any time. It stops the clutch plates slipping and wearing and also reduces wear on the clutch release bearings. Also, carefully follow the maintenance schedule. It can change up faster that you ever can with a manual gearbox and fuel efficiency is better. Downshifts can occasionally take time to register. BobUK.

I have 13K on my '18 DCT Wing. For tight turns put it into Econ mode, you were in Sport mode and the throttle is just too twitchy there for low speed maneuvers. :)

Does the U.S. version have the handlebars on the other side ?

Been riding for fifty years, love to shift. That said, I kept an open mind and tried the DCT for two hours on the Africa Twin and hated it. A year later, I tried the new version for a full day. Loved it!

DCT is so underrated. many applications benefit from it such as off-roading, commuting. it takes away those stall-the-bike feelings or make you focus on something else. I love it on my X-ADV.

Nice video, thanks for the walkthrough!

Great review Bob. Learned so much. My DCT Tour should have been delivered LAST Saturday. The shot closed because of the virus. Delivery now 14/15/16th April hopefully. Never been so excited waiting for a new bike/car, and trust me being 70 and having had lot's of new stuff over the years that's saying something.

Rain mode is useful for doing tight parking lot maneuvers because it softens the attack in each gear.

I own an Africa Twin DCT I think it’s brilliant, absolutely love it! I would love to try the gold wing version too! Good overview!

Amazing !! Liked the engine sound.

The paddle buttons can be used anytime, in any mode. This is important to remember because a lot of reviews imply that a mode change is required before the paddle shifters can be used. The system learns your shift patterns in an eerie sense that somebody is watching you ride.

Had a DCT NC750x and now a DCT Africa Twin. The AT is better as it has more power but the NC was surprisingly good. Typically ride my AT in Sport 1 or manual mode. Gear shifts are seamless, never have to worry about stalling it and it changes gear faster than I ever could and never gets tired - gear changes are just as smooth at the beginning of the ride as at the end. Never really tried it but by all accounts dct works great off road too - the fact that you cannot stall it.

I’m hunting a 2018 white DCT tour, hubby has the 18 manual...we will have the best of both worlds. Great video.

Nice one, I know Richy Vida has just done a 3-4 day tour of Scotland on the DCT Africa twin and did some off roading with no issues....

EVERY bike north of 180kgs should have a walking mode!

The DCT is incredibly smooth. What I’ve noticed when approaching a roundabout but without having to stop is the selected gear is higher than I would selected. Ie I may of been in 2nd and the DCT is in 4th which works and is smoother all round.

Just px’d my 18 model manual for the 19 model DCT and I love it. Faster, sharper and so enjoyable. I have the quick shifter on my Ducati V4R and it won’t be long when sports bike get this. It’s the future it really is. The GW I also an amazing bike

You'll never go back to clutch shift again. Paddle shift rocks !!!

I must be tired. For a minute I was like oh no, he's entering the traffic circle the wrong direction. lol

Awesome finailly automatic honda gold wing love it...

Absolute Touring WEAPON !!!!! Someday when i have the time to go places!! Definitely a Honda Gold-Wing !!!!! Moto-Bob is the best !!

Wish there would be a review of this riding hard through mountain swisties. Would like to see how it handles it.

A great review. Thanks

Imagine touring all of Europe on this in the month of May !!! I need a vacation!!!

I have a 2019 DCT. I really like this bike. Something else to keep in mind... this bike remembers your driving habits. In time it will begin to shift that best matches your driving mode. I also have a 2017 H.D. Road Glide, Ultra. I prefer the H.D. for long hauls and the Honda for sporty, country rides.

Big fan of DCT and over time it definitely improved. Had a 2010 Honda VFR 1200 DCT and wife has a 2012 Honda VFR 1200 DCT. Her bike was a definite improvement through the first three gears as there was hesitation on mine until we had the ECU reflashed. I traded in my 2010 for a 2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT and have no qualms about its ability on the tarmac or off-road. The 4 part Richy Vida video on his journey through the Scottish Highlands will give you a good sense of the capability. If the dealer is willing to let you try the Africa Twin in the manual you should see if you can jump on the DCT version as well and use them both on the same course.

How does the dct do when practicing slow parking manoeuvres like weaves, figure 8’s, intersection drills etc?

very nice video thanks alot

Lucky you I am still waiting for mine

DCT is pretty good when its working, bit fidgety in stop stat traffic! But its such a complicated system it's a nightmare if it shits the bed! Very expensive to repair or replace, I wouldn't have one, but I see why some will especially on this bike, My car is a full Automatic, in modern day traffic , Manual is a pain in the butt, Butt changing gear on a motorcycle is all part of the experience for me, Nice work as ever young man 👍

I can tell by the comments that folks define this as an automatic. It is DCT, like Porsche, Lambo, Corvette has paddle shifters. Paddle shifters work so much better than hand clutch + foot shift. Oh, you can also tell it to run the actuators itself if you’re in traffic. No manual transmission can clutch or shift better than DCT technology.

Awesome review. I currently have a Harley electra glide but the new goldwings have recently gotten my attention. The older ones just didn't appeal to me because of the squared off shape of the rear but the new design makes for a very good looking bike. Is the windshield adjustable. I don't really like looking through one unless I am riding at higher speeds to block the wind and bugs.

I wanna try it

Great video! But i still cannot get my head around the fact that the Integra (NC700D) is considered a scooter when a Goldwing is a fully fledged motorbike, even with DCT. I ride a 2012 Integra and the DCT is just awesome!

Great video thank you! Can you ride this on an automatic only bike license in the UK? I haven't found the answer to this on the web - would be grateful if you know.

Keep in mind, its an automatic trans. So if you come up behind someone at a light, don't give the throttle a quick snap to make a bunch of noise, you'll run right into the back of the car!!

My first impression is that it's brilliant. It will occasionally make a gear change in mid corner, at low speeds, but the ratios are so close and the change so quick you hardly notice. Use ECON mode for puttering around in city traffic. It'll leave the box in higher gears and avoid shifting. Use the grunt, like you're driving a diesel. For crazy fun do SPORT + MANUAL. Jesus. Unbelievable.

I might be the only Herbert who asks this, but whereabouts is this filmed? Is it anywhere near the coast? Just curious. Thanks

April 2020 Ordered new in Los Angeles. I chose a White in color. ETA for delivery end of April. Depends on virus at the moment. Per dealership chat. 👍🇺🇸

I have the NC750DCT and I cannot rate it highly enough. I test rode a Honda VFR1200 DCT and I couldn't give it back quickly enough. DCT isn't for everyone, and it's also not for every bike. While I haven't tried it on a Goldwing I suspect it suits it perfectly. It's my guess that DCT is more suited to bikes (and riders) where out and out performance is not the primary aim.

Maybe its just me but I like to ride my bike and DCT might feel like driving the bike, sort of a car experience. I prefer the fun, joy and contol of clutch and swifting gears. Cheers.

Good explanation Motobob, I found the least refined dct that I’ve ridden was on the NC750X, clunky at low speed. My Africa twin dct was a great improvement but could catch you out with mid corner change downs, again at low speed. I also didn’t feel totally confident with the lack of clutch control on tight right hand road junction manoeuvres on the AT. I sold the bike after 11 months and bought my T120, which I love to bits but do really regret ever selling my Blackbird, my all time favourite bike. Still, as I approach my 70th birthday maybe I should be taking things easier!

I had a test ride of the NC750x DCT, it was quite impressive, if somewhat weird at first. I wasn't keen on it changing gear mid bend. Plus all that effort it took to learn clutch control would have been wasted ! ( kangarooing down the road on a 125 back just over a year ago )

DCT is a great system.

How is it in stop and go traffic

I'm not sure about the DCT for me. I nearly lost the use of my left arm a few years ago. The therapy of using the clutch, exercising those muscles brought back my left arm. Working at a desk destroyed my left arm. It had nothing to do. As I age, I'm liking things that make me work, even riding the bike.

My favorite feature of this Automatic Gold Wing is that I don't have to own one, I'm a fan of about every year of Gold Wings with 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions.

I can't help but notice the big "air bag" sign. I'm having an issue thinking how useful it would really be. Airbag jackets like they have in moto gp yes, they look really good. Air bag on a machine that you aren't strapped into (i.e. like a car ) then what sort of accident is it going to help with ? Worst still, these things might accidentally go off and cause an accident.

What an awesome machine! My dream bike. Just waiting for the lottery to hit . . .

I have the Forza 750 DCT brilliant

Yeah, I'd have DCT. Looks smooth. And I've got (some would say always have been) lazy in my old age. Kind of like a petrol electric bike, if you see what I mean.

The problem here at least in St. Louis is that Honda dealerships will not let you test drive their motorbikes funny because I just got done test riding a $40,000 CVO Harley Davidson, just can’t figure that one out.

How does the DCT affect engine braking? I use that a lot when I am riding. I can put the bike in fourth and ride most roads with sweepers without getting near the brake.

Great vid Blackheath looking good. Wonder if the cafe back up after being hit.

I'd like to know what it is like to ride a huge lump of a machine like a GoldWing. Maybe I'm missing something, but they look a bit unwieldy to handle. Although the pillions look like they should be comfortable :)

Slow speed riding and u turns are easy on this bike, Rev to 1500-2000 and control speed with footbrake it won’t stall, it’s so easy to ride, far easier than my last bike a R1200GS

What's the seat height of the bike?

Nice review, you'll have to get your hands on a few MV Agustas to try

I want one and what I want to know is : when it's new tyres time, will it cost $1,000 and 8 hours to get the rear wheel off ¿????

Go to Adventure Rider Radio’s podcast featuring Warren Milner discussing how a DCT Africa Twin functions in dirt road and off road conditions.

Does it's feel like riding a scooter??

Is it possible to launch in India

Do any of the the other Hondas have a set up or is it reserved for the Goldwing alone? I thought there was a 700cc tourer but I could be mistaken. Thanks, very interesting.

Been riding a DCT Crosstourer for a couple of years, long hikes, never use the manual mode and rarely sport mode. Could do with a rear walking gear.

It is a cracking machine, wayyy betta than an an Africa twin.. stick with the Cadillac :_) good vid, thanks!

DCT is great. Never jerky, never bad. It is where motorcycle are heading.

Come on now....Not just any DCT. This is the Airbag model. The only motorcycle with Airbag system. This bike is an absolute Technological wonder. For many years performance and reliability in it’s history. The 2020 has transmission and some other small details of refinement. There’s nothing crude about this bike you bloke. This bike is a proverbial Lexus of motorcycles which jettisons off the line. On my 3rd Gold Wing since 1984 I’m waiting on my 2020 DCT Airbag model. Life’s short, just buy the bike.

If ever they put this engine in a muscle bike like the new rocket 3 i would buy it in a heartbeat. After owning an F6C (too much in the cruiser camp for me) i can safely say that when you're rolling on and off the throttle ready for the next overtake,the sound of that six cylinder engine revving it's nuts off is like nothing else. Honda obviously realise this too because they've even added a sound clip to their website. Such a shame they axed the Evo 6 concept bike.

How long before they finally put a roof & doors on it?

I like but plenty of peeps feel like Honda is ruining Touring.

Is the area Blackheath London.

I think, if I could afford it, I'd have a Goldwing if I lived in a country where you're not allowed to filter. But, as I live in the UK, where we can filter, I can't really see the point of owning one. One of the main reasons, I think, to have a road bike is so that you can filter and, I think, this bike would restrict that too much.

Brilliant vid but would have loved to hear that motor?

Boy that bike gotta ride like a daisy! What's it like on long trips, any back pain afterwards?

Why is the left grip so skinny? Looks strange and would probably feel strange.

One day I may give in and trade my ST1300 Pan European for a new GL1800 GoldWing. But the price is eye watering...

2:37 Wait...the black area below the function buttons on the tank is an airbag??

Sorry but wish you could be quiet for a few moments to hear the sound of the engine and automatic shifting gears

I think biking is an experience and shifting is part of that experience.

It seems everyone is afraid of increased mpg except Volkswagen that have cars that can travel 200-300 miles per gallon,and that kind of altitude slows electric & solar progress .

Having ridden the Goldwing Tour with DCT and own an Africa Twin without DCT, I can say it REALLY works for the Goldwing but still prefer the manual controls for the AT.

It's greatest bike

I would probably fall down if I didn’t have to shift!

Half the fun of road-riding is gear selection and shifting. Also, in my opinion, the clutch is one of the most important connections to the machine. I ride off-road\enduro just as much(if not more) as I do on-road and could not even conceive of not having a manual transmission\clutch there. I'm going to dig my heels in here and state; "NEVER will I EVER ride an automatic motorcycle."

What's the test bike in your video a 2018, 2019 or 2020 goldwing?

No, it wont upshift on manual no matter the rpm, so don't over rev it. It WILL downshift on deceleration on manual.

Enough buttons to keep a F16 pilot happy O_0

I would never buy one, not my thing but looks like a bit of fun actually.. 👍

honestly been saving for this bike for almost 2 yrs now gonna upgrade from my old TMAX i wonder should i use some elevated boots?? im 5'6ft tall HONDA BIGBIKE SHOWROOM in my country forbids sitting on the goldwing

Honda have come such a long way from the super cub.... What a machine..

Nope it won’t shift upward in manual mode without using the paddle shifter. It will shift down automatically

Try the x adv.

I actually wanted to buy a bike and the only thing that stopped me from buying it was that it was automatic. What’s the point you’re already choosing a prehistoric way of transportation and putting electronics just defeats the purpose

Tiptronic? Tiptronic is a trademark from Porsche and i doubt this bike's transmission was built by Porsche.

Air bag??? What we need is an ejector seat with a parachute!!!

Theres just too many problems with automatic transmission in my opinion I'll stick to a manual

Whenever I have to drive a car it just puts me to sleep....I have a feeling this would have the same effect on me...these bikes look like a Prius on 2 wheels....ugh.

Great bike, but expensive!!

Automatic transmission? What is the fun in that. Never for me.

I've been riding since I was 6yo. I welcomed ABS and better suspension technology,etc. but do NOT want an Automatic Bike. I like the feel and control you you have w/clutching. Call me old fashioned I don't care and how ya gonna pop a wheelie?