10-26-2019, 12:22 PM
(10-26-2019, 11:41 AM)mtneers_imp Wrote:(10-25-2019, 01:23 PM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote: Rboe: Your statistics are sensible. I have spoken to multiple Honda dealerships and the ratios of DCT to manual gearboxes sold is about 4 or 5 : 1.
It is not uncommon for a seasoned manual gearbox GW owner to buy a new manual gearbox GW, but test drive the DCT anyway. While the rider is gone for the test ride, the dealer fills out the purchase order for the DCT model.
The Honda dealership where I have my CB and Goldwing serviced said the same as what GoldOxide stated...DCT’s outselling manuals 4:1. Seems like taking the shifting function away would take part of the “thrill and skill” away from riding. Razor rode his DCT to the rally. He raved about his.
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The buyer would definitely have to take the "thrill and skill" into consideration, and I am sure buyers are. It would seem an obvious thing to do since it is different, and buyers are paying a premium for that difference.
Maybe buyers have other standards in their stable and adding a DCT GW expands the riding choice spectrum. Or maybe the buyer can no longer manage a clutch for physical limitation reasons. The other real consideration is simply the DCT allows the rider to focus on one less thing to enjoy the journey. Maybe all of the above and more.
If the owner does not use a fully automatic mode of the DCT, then they would use the manual shifter which requires them to feel the optimal shift point, similar to a traditional gearbox. Afterall, it is still clutch plates coming together.
Compared to the CB1100, the "thrill and skill" don't necessary go away. In my opinion, they move elsewhere in the case of manual shift override mode. I find more attention is spent on the situation surrounding you, and you can still make crappy and smooth shifts. In other cases, there is simply less mental fatigue, which can come useful from time-to-time.