Honda Technology: Clutch By Wire ...

[GoldOxide_imp]

[url=https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/honda-developing-clutch-by-wire-for-motorcycles/?utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=flipboard]Honda Developing Clutch by Wire for Motorcycles

A question might be:

Because we can, should we?

[the Ferret]

Could be brilliant, but I like the last comment , that it will all be for naught when they get the bugs out of electric motorcycles. The guy had a point.

Whether we like it or not, the writing is on the wall, and ice vehicles, both cars and motorcycles have a finite life in a modern world. Modern tree huggers and the govts they seemingly control will see to that.

Wont be before I quit riding, but it will be before my son is ready to quit. He has about another 30 years.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Sounds about right.

Ah well, just as well consider acquiring a Honda DCT. Hey, wait ...

[Obleo]

Personally I like it. Less missed shifts and probably less wear on the clutch itself. If it helps get another generation of riders on motorcycles Iam for it.

[Haggard Rider_imp]

I ride my bike purely for pleasure, not because I have to. And for me, changing gear (with any associated cock-ups) is part of that pleasure.

I've had an NC750 DCT but I ended up just using it in manual - I was getting no pleasure from using the DCT box. I'm in no way denying its capability or usefulness just that for me it detracts from the pleasure of riding at motorbike.

Slip and assist clutches (I still down blip, because it adds to my enjoyment), low RPM assist clutches are the limit of the assistance I would want.

We'll get enough electrickery on the forthcoming EVs 2 and 4 wheeled. I'll stick with what I've got thanks.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Personally I like it. Less missed shifts and probably less wear on the clutch itself. If it helps get another generation of riders on motorcycles Iam for it.

How does one be assured that the rider clutch transition requests don't get transposed through some algorithm to apply the friction plates in its own optimal way? If so, then a servo-driven "manual clutch" is redundant. Might as well automate the actuation - which Honda already does successfully on models having the servo-driven DCT option. Remember: The DCT option has rider manual override which still does all the friction plate duties.

That said, maybe a clutch-by-wire offering might have modes. Maybe something like:

* Direct Mode (allow for stalling)
* Slipper Mode
* Assisted Mode
* Lazy Mode (never stall)

[the Ferret]

Well most of us are riding with a new fangled "hydraulic clutch" now anyway. Another commenter said this

"Just another complicated piece of technology no one asked for. My concern with this stuff is always how long will it last? 10 years from now, will you still be able to get a replacement? I know I can get a clutch cable. Heck, I once was able to use a front brake cable from my cousins bike when my clutch cable snapped. Lets see, replacing a $20 cable with a several hundred $ system. No thank you"

Does anyone here riding a bike with a hydraulic clutch really lament not having (or breaking) a clutch cable?

[Tev62]

With modern quickshifters what is the point of a non cabled clutch? I can ride for hours without using the clutch on my Triumph. Take off from standstill would be the only impact, seems rather pointless. Now I can understand DCT, that is offering something unique.

[redbirds_imp]

I ride my bike purely for pleasure, not because I have to. And for me, changing gear (with any associated cock-ups) is part of that pleasure.

I've had an NC750 DCT but I ended up just using it in manual - I was getting no pleasure from using the DCT box. I'm in no way denying its capability or usefulness just that for me it detracts from the pleasure of riding at motorbike.

Slip and assist clutches (I still down blip, because it adds to my enjoyment), low RPM assist clutches are the limit of the assistance I would want.

We'll get enough electrickery on the forthcoming EVs 2 and 4 wheeled. I'll stick with what I've got thanks.

My sentiments also. I have two P/U trucks for transportation but our bikes are strictly for pleasure. I still rate the 1973 BMW the most satisfying motorcycle I've owned. Manual everything down to a kick start if the battery failed. It was so basic and easy to maintain. I'm glad that age will prevent seeing the changes that are coming.

[the Ferret]

I ride my bike purely for pleasure, not because I have to. And for me, changing gear (with any associated cock-ups) is part of that pleasure.

I've had an NC750 DCT but I ended up just using it in manual - I was getting no pleasure from using the DCT box. I'm in no way denying its capability or usefulness just that for me it detracts from the pleasure of riding at motorbike.

Slip and assist clutches (I still down blip, because it adds to my enjoyment), low RPM assist clutches are the limit of the assistance I would want.

We'll get enough electrickery on the forthcoming EVs 2 and 4 wheeled. I'll stick with what I've got thanks.

I understand that sentiment, although I also ride my bike purely for pleasure. After 56 continuous years of nearly daily riding, shifting no longer thrills me like it used to, hence my purchase of an NC750X DCT.

Every once in awhile I enjoy the perfectly timed up or down shift, but most of the time shifting is just needless work, particularly in traffic or coming up to or leaving stop lights and stop signs. Once going on freeways or back roads there is actually very little shifting involved anyway., an upshift here, a down shift there. For me a motorcycle is mostly an automatic anyway, except for the aforementioned stops which require lots of shifting when stopping and taking off. On one great 38 mile country curvy loops I ride, there are 6 stop signs, which require 10 shifts each (going from 1st to 6th then back to 1st each time) so 60 shifts, and 4 ninety degree turns following long runs that require 6 shifts (going from 6th to 3rd and back to 6th) each or 24 more shifts, for a total of 84 shifts. None of which are particularly thrilling. Besides those shifts, I doubt if I shift 10 times in the rest of the 38 miles.

Will be interesting to see if the DCT actually adds to or detracts from my motorcycle enjoyment.

At any rate I still have my CB 1100 if I feel like physically shifting.