Although I've been a member of the A/T forum for over 8 months now, I just got to this video. I want to thank you very much for taking the time to do it. It was very informing. I knew, within about 2 city blocks of a test ride on a DCT that, without a doubt, the DCT is for me. There isn't ANYTHING I don't like about it. I'm not a Ricky Racer on the street nor am I a pro moto-cross rider off road. I've been riding now for close to 50 years and just have fun at it. Your points that you emphasized about how to control slow speed manuvering are well explained. I've been a Goldwinger for 35 of those 50 years and, the A/T is like a go kart compared to the Wing. And the DCT is nothing but pure pleasure. I thank you again. Well done.
I love this DCT content of yours. It's really hard to find really good tips for riding this bike. These are life savers :-). And the quality of the content matters more than top-notch lighting ;-)!
best tip is "don't do it" get the manual. Honda is just bring new things to see if they can attract more buyers. people star getting these bikes and next thing you star seeing the same thing that happened in cars where the manual is virtually dead. and driving a sportscar is as fun and engaging as watching paint dry, nowadays.
@@albertoj.mollinedo4116 no. The DCT is better, period. I've had mine 3 years and I'd never go back to manual. In fact I'm picking up my new bike on 16th October and I didn't even countenance the manual. And it's not even an Africa Twin. So in a couple of weeks I'll have 2x DCTs.
Geez the whole thing was fine. I’m not looking for a Hollywood production. In fact I have unsubscribed to many who went total Hollywood and added 20 minutes of fluff. Thanks for keeping it real.
Absolutely, I've been sharing his videos in some groups I'm in where people are asking whether the DCT Rebel is a good option and people with no idea and no experience with a DCT bike make unsubstantiated assertions about its low speed capabilities. The DCT is plenty capable, the rider just needs to practice the skill.
I like that you made good comments about the DCT model, many people ride the bike for a couple of hours and make bad reviews about it. You took the time to ride it, to explore the pros and cons, and most important tell the tips to the DCT owners. Regarding the shots with the GoPro, for me, quality and sound are excellent, I guess I am more focused on content than cinematographic quality. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PERSON THAT LEND YOU THE Africa Twin.
Excellent advise, thank you so much. I enjoy my DCT , on-road and off-road. I'm used to put engine in mode 3 automatic, TC off , ABS off, and I'm good to go off-road. I would certainly use the manual mode for really technical terrain, but this more difficult terrain needs also better shape than mine. I did appreciate the other video on setting the handle bar, I don't use risers, I just set the bar forward to have shoulders above bar, as you suggest in this video for better control of power and acceleration. This Africa Twin is really awesome off-road. I'm 63 years old and can still take care of those 260kg thanks to excellent balance of the chassis. Another advise, in case of mud , you really need to level up the front wheel fender to avoid blockage of front wheel .
Owned my AT Adventure DCT for a couple years now. Learned more watching this video than I have in 2 years of riding my bike. Now to apply what I've learned. Thanks sooo very much!!
Zero risk on Bret’s videos of hitting a thumbs up immediately after hitting play! Never disappointed. Really appreciate all your content. After a steady diet of T700 videos, I forgot how big the Africa Twin really is! The bike actually looks big with Bret on it.
I just bought my dream bike. A 2021 Africa twin. Your videos are incredible and very helpful. I'm not a very experienced rider. Your videos are helping me improve. Thank you
It's about content not picture/voice quality (that's just a bonus) for me, oh and as my mother always told me "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything!". Keep it up and thanks Bret.
Thnx! From DCT community of Russia))) Long waited DCT series - great. Picking up bike from left side on the slope - hand brake(parking brake) really worked well) And you’d be very welcome here in mother Russia)
Wow! Great to hear! I have a 2020 ATASes and put 9000 kms on it this year. Becoming more and more comfortable on it. I'm starting to think for this bike's use I agree, and wouldn't want a clutch bike again. It's a different style to learn, but I'm adapting very easily. Bret's tips will definitely help me out! I hope 2021 is an even better year of riding for us all, with great weather. Cheers, Bill 🇨🇦
@@peeticek1624 Not a slight bit of issue yet, but only 9000 km on bike. I've seen guys with 50 000 km and no issues either. That is a great question though. Perhaps if someone has had troubles they could share what transpired? I rode dirt bikes on and off most of my life. I can tell you, no clutch is very very strange, but you adapt, then you enjoy very very much. For this style of riding it fits for me.
This is very advanced knowledge you're imparting to us, Bret, and surely of interest to Honda. The additional hydraulic rear brake control on the handlebar is such an easy thing to achieve, send Honda your video section on that for discussion, they may wish to give it a try. .
Thanks for this. I ride an NC750S DCT, and although I don't take it offroad, the video is a reminder that power could be controlled using the rear brake instead of just relying on a smooth throttle hand
This explanation is spot on with my experience using the AT DCT. The rear brake is like a clutch, putting pressure on removes power from the wheel to the ground. The biggest difference is as you noted - the power still loads up at the wheel. Excellent explanation!
Your bike does have slope sensing built in to better manage shifting on hills, but it is far from perfect. The older DCT versions without that input were noticably less intuitive in that way. And the lastest models with full IMU spectrum inputs and improved traction control, are another step better. Keep rolling that DCT. They really grow on you. Hoping for lighter ADV bike with the DCT some day.
DCT is great. Similar to Bret I tend to see it more as an automated clutch than as a fully automated gearbox. For my taste, too, the shifts mostly don't happen when I want them to. I have another flaw though: bikes with 17 inch front wheel (NC750, X-ADV) can't go as fast as the AT on very difficult terrain. Thus, when I needed to go downhill carefully and slowly through a very steep field of 4 to 5 inch boulders I realized I cannot rely on dragging 1st gear because the DCT suddenly disengages the clutch below a speed of around 8 kph/5 mph. Also there, downhill, you have to work with the engine pulling against the rear brake, or with the brakes only, both resulting in smoking brakes at the bottom end of the slope.
I think on road covering large distances is where it would work well for me. Especially toward the end of the day. Just roll on, roll off and let the bike do all the work. Definitely a serious consideration for the all day everyday rider, I think. Certainly opened my eyes to real possibilities for this. Happy travels
The clear and concise reasoning behind the “no risers on the AF/DCT” suggestion (4:03) is golden, but the esoteric, highly skilled, rigorously practiced and almost imperceptible lightening fast lid-transition maneuver @ 3:32 is absolutely brilliant.
Bret you are obviously an incredible character. At least, in a motorcyclist eyes. I have seen many of your videos, and still am in awe how you rip around on these huge motorcycles in trails. You are inspiring many, no doubt. Thank you.
Thank you, I took an advanced motorcycle skills course in a heavy downpour with my NC750X DCT expecting to learn a fraction of what you just demonstrated. I would love to come to the Northwest corner of the GREAT U.S. of A. to meet you. I work with someone that claims he used to ride with you. Be Safe!
Awesome content, even though I don't own a DCT, it's still a lot of beneficial information here. Thank you Bret and Christina for the amazing filming, the quality of the video and audio is more than fine to get what is happening!
Riding an 2018 ATAS DCT & not really into the off road stuff, love the bike it’s technology used at its best in my opinion however I really do enjoy watching your videos & please keep them coming ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank You for shearing Important knowledge for a DCT owner 👌 but one finger on the front brake can also make miracles on slow maneuvers. We fully agree about missing the left handle hydraulic back brake for more control we had that on our 2017 XADV 750 and it was quite nice actually 👍 a left handle manual mode “Clutch by Wire“ should also be nice, and it might be something for the Honda developers in the future❓ it could be sold as an extra combined with a smart electro hydraulic parking brake.
Thank you so much for DCT content! Great tips! I have DCT version since 2016 and i would say it helped me a lot to ride better than i actually could when i had very little offroad experience. And now i feel like its limiting me when i'm trying to ride more technical tracks. But now you're saying quite the opposite thing! haha I think I'd better go and practice more on my DCT. I also struggled a lot in sand with DCT. rear wheel starts so soft and i kept digging holes when other guys kick 2nd and lunch themselves from sand without so much problems. And get stalled on uphills and downhills is such a pain as AT immediately goes in neutral and hand brake is so week and cannot always hold the wheel (even after adjusting the cable). But i love my DCT anyway. Zero major problems with bike. It's funny though. I ride mostly with GS guys and in the beginning when i fail and fall they kept saying my bike is crap and I'd better to change to GS. Now when i succeed where they cannot they say something like: "of course, its DCT, its easier".
Thank you for the information on the dct transmission they are very miss understood technology I have one in the nc700x platform and the more I ride the more I like it thanks again for the installation.
Great video. I have a DCT 2020 and it’s great in the city. Now with your series of videos I want to take off road. Thanks so much. The quality’s of videos it’s ok, the content it’s the important. Saludos from CHILE 🇨🇱
Interesting series, you answered a lot of my questions and I enjoyed watching it. Video and sound quality was just fine. No easy task trying to chase you down using a GoPro.
Hello Bret. Happy that you have a new project. All the best for it. I have a Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2018. I think that most of the things you mentioned about the shifting points were fixed on the 2018/2019 throttle by wire. There are some kind of sensors that read better the throttle. For me 95% of the time it shifts when it should on Sport 1 and 2 the modes that I ride most. For the other occasions the paddle shifts are there. I use manual with gravel mode On and traction control off when going out of tarmac. I wish some day you have the chance to try the throttle by wire versions and see the differences. I will for sure practice the advices you gave. Who knows if some day I will be able to throw around a bike that weights around 250 Kgs. For all of those that are on fence of choosing manual or DCT, give a try on it. Bare in mind that a 10 minute test ride will not be enough to understand. Best regards and rides for all. P. S. : I wouldn't mind lending you my bike to see the differences between the DCT versions, but we are far from each other. I live on the beautiful Madeira Island Portugal that for the 6th time won the prize of Word's Best Island of the World. You can see, on my just launched channel, some of my weekend rides with friends.
Loved it Bret, even though I ride a manual AT. Thanks for taking the time to figure it all out. I hope the DCT guys in the forum see this one. I am especially thankful that you mentioned the noise in the microphones. I thought that my $7000 hearing aids were going bad in my right ear, there was a crackling coming thru the Bluetooth from the iPad, that I now realize was rain!
I was selling my 2014' R1200GS LC which I had for 5 seasons this year and was pondering between 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT with electronic suspension versus slightly used R1200GS ADV. I am more of a touring rider with some basic enduro experience, I did a bit of offroad on my GS from time to time though. Test-rode Africa and seriously disliked the way transmission engages plus I couldn't find a way to easily lift front-end for riding over obstacles. Local Honda didn't let me do any off-road yet I loved the way Bret does those powerslides and turn-arounds on a spot. Wish I had seen this earlier :) Also, i am pretty lightweight and not that tall and I've felt that Adventure Sports is even more difficult to manage than a GS ADV due to the higher center of mass. Great video like always, yet there were some sound issues in the middle.
Bret, you are an awesome instructor. Very luck that you ve been hanging around with the AT DCT. Not many good lessons about this bike. Thanks and please keep it coming.. Best!
I loved the DCT when I rode the Africa Twin. Honda did a fantastic job with it. Great video as usual Bret. How would the six axis IMU in the new model make a difference when going up and down hills?
This is exactly the way that I ride with my rekluse. Control the forward momentum in slow technical terrain with the brakes. Lhrb's are a massive advantage for a lot of situations.
Excellent video, you prove that you need to know your bike to ride it efficiently. There are guys that buy big bikes, then complains about it size, weight, about DCT and so on.
Thank for the series Bret you justified the things I have learned about making my DCT work and you taught me a few extra way to get better. I set up a left hand rear brake and it made things a lot more functional for me.
Thanks guys, thought the production was top notch. DCT specific tips and tricks are great to learn from. Took me a year to learn some of them you mentioned, wish you had one out 13 months ago👍. I love my DCT ATAS and it good to hear a balanced take of the bikes pros and cons from a unbiased skilled rider instead of the usual motorcycle press DCT haters out there. Keep up the great content.
Great vid on the DCT, and spot on. I’m on my 5th DCT bike and have become very proficient in using the genius clutch modification. I’m unable to use a manual clutch due to childhood accident so my neighbor taught me how to quick shift at the age of 12, when I got my first motorcycle, a Yamaha min-enduro 60. Was off a bike for 33 years but when I got back on one, it was a DCT. I’m so great full for its invention and truly was a Godsend! Subscribed. Ride safe…
I have no clue how many years of practice and what high extent of dedication from your end has gone in to master these big bikes, but you make it all look so so easy and that inspires a lot confidence in new riders to implement all these tricks, one bit at a time. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I added ADV training to my school in 2006 and have been a trainer since 1996. For 2022 I have dropped all the other training I did (instructors and street riders) and now focus only on ADV riders. This year I will be on the road about 208 days training or traveling.
I have watched many of your videos and I really love how your narrative matches the set out objective in a rather tight way. You also address the what ifs around the topic which makes it complete, thanks for such great videos
Outstanding. Thanks so much for doing this! If you get an opportunity to try a 2020+ model, you may find the IMU connection to DCT makes technical riding in auto quite a bit nicer. I've ridden a 2016 and on my 2020 it's a whole other creature. Also, for anyone else just getting into this, if you need power for a particular obstacle and you know it's coming, you can still use the paddles in auto mode to force it down a gear or two. It will try to shift back based on your shift mode (I use Sport II) but the delay may not matter, as you might be past the obstacle at that point. And of course on a 2020+ the IMU will prevent the shift if the bike is climbing, descending or leaned over.
Well, I asked for DCT help and you certainly hit the mark. You have given me the confidence to try it again on the road, as you suggest using the rear brake on slow turns.
Have a 2017 dct...love it...use her to commute and then weekend warrior dirt, trail rides....She's a big, comfy, super capable bike and I totally agree on how handy a left hand brake would be! Really enjoy the content! Thanks and happy thanksgiving!
Finally the answer to my big question, should I install the rear brake lever of a X-ADV on my Africa Twin DCT. Bret thank you for answering to that. I was thinking of doing that because it felt more logic in a DCT, the left hand was doing near to nothing, I had a Honda Integra before the Twin and it was very good zipping trough traffic thanks to the rear brake on the left hand (yes I know it is like a scooter, scooters are cool ok), so now I have a winter project, remove the rear brake pedal. Bret thanks for all the knowledge you share, stay safe.
Thanks for video Bret. It's amazing to watch your experienced riding skills and learn from it. Keep up doing it. It's great content. Greetings from Slovakia.
Awesome vid Bret, spot on for us DCT riders from an instructor that knows/understands off road. Quality of content is way more important than cinematography, great job. Also looks like fun place to ride. Can't imagine why anyone would give this a thumbs down....Thanks!!
here on youtube one guy has done this mod on both 2016 and 2020 model this mod, works like a charm! will try to find thevTrueAdventure Forum thread to check how they dealt with TÜV after mod
Great video. Been riding my DCT for about 1 1/2 years off road and on. Still nice to learn. I find the sports modes delay the shifting but still find the manual mode best in technical and downhills. Thanks
Awesome content! I appreciate a professional rider who looks to the community for content ideas like Bret does I’m in an Africa twin group and noticed him asking us what kind of things we wanted to see in this video!! Thanks Bret
Thanks for the DCT tips. I am in my 60's and will never ride an area like you are in but will try some fire roads. I have the ATAS so more top heavy than the standard. I think your tip's are helpful for some on road issues too such as slow tight turns. Mine is a 2018 and I have put thousands of dollars into tons of aftermarket stuff so I would loose a lot if I tried to sell it but if that was not the case I would probably go with a much smaller and lighter bike for off road use.
Thank you very much Bret..!! Always very clear tips explanations..!! Easy to understand the potential of DCT, more difficult to put in practice for those whom we are not Pros 👍
Hi Bret. I would love to see you do a video on the NC750X. Ideas on the capabilities of the bike from an expert. I bought one for affordable city commuting and some adventure riding. But I’m a complete novice, so knowing the limits of the bike will help gauge how far I need to develop my skills. Thanks so much for your awesome videos.
This is the sort of review I’ve been looking for on the DCT. Everyone else rides on road and gives that perspective and the tries to extrapolate about how it would work off-road, or worse just goes out on a gravel road or dirt road and assumes that would good enough. To be honest, I burry the rear on my R1250GSA I just push it over, fill the hole and ground handle the bike onto better ground. I don’t really mess with trying to ride it out. I test ride an AT with DTC recently but I kept reaching for the clutch that wasn’t there. I told myself it was a sign. LoL 😂
Just curious, would you think of changing from the 1250GAS to the ATDCT and how you'd rate them road vs. off-road if you've tried that too? I have the standard 1250 Rallye and love it for the road, but yet to venture off road. Did a lot offroad on in my youth but on light 2-strokes and would really like to get back into it, but loathed to start dropping such an expensive and heavy bike. If I want to take such a big girl offroad I want to take the easiest one to manage. Interest these days is the kind of thing Bret does here. Cheers.
Great video Bret! I just bought my AT DCT yesterday from South Bound Honda. I told the manager that I watched this video and it sounds like he knows you!
I enjoyed watching your vid, thanks Bret. I'm more often riding in mode sport 2, TC off or in mode off (onroad). For offroad use, usually same setting but as time goes by I prefer Manual Mode. I keep the ABS ON, even on steep downhill, with gravel and riding fast (I mean really fast). I'am able to work well with the break, I can feel when the ABS is working, and this hard to describe but I know when it's gonna work, so I need to anticipate the breaking and play with the front+rear levers. I have experienced some issues after falling down on a tricky corner on steep slope. The DCT gearbox kept the neutral position a few minutes, impossible to shift the 1st gear. I still don't know the exact reasons: heavy shock on DCT, perhaps gearbox lubrification (old oil, or wrong grade selected by the previous owner) or maybe low batterie voltage. This couple of events ruined my confidence for a while. Since I have change the batterie, oil and filters, it didn't happened again. I have participated to several events in EU without any issues (hard Defitour, Vercingetorx, TET Italy and France). Overall I am I'm very satisfied with this DCT (model 2016), but I wish this would weight less... Thanks to your tips (and experiencing on the playground), this make the life easier ;-) Cheers
I loved the video. I am a beginner rider and I was wondering if a DCT will fit for me, now I know considering my skill I have to keep in a MT for a while! Thanks for this video!
Awesome series! I'm a big fan of the Africa Twin and DCT. I've been hunting for a 2018 DCT AT for a while but prices are still a bit higher than I would like in the used market.
Hello and thanks for the great video. I didn't understand everything because of my rusty English but what I understood was very helpful. By the way, in the description it says that the AT detects whether it is going uphill or downhill and adapts to it, which does not work for me in the mountains either and therefore I drive you there in M mode (manual). See you then and all the best from Germany.
If you want text notification for new videos, text "Tkacs" to 888-306-7782 (now say that 5 times fast... "text Tkacs to"
3:30 Helmet to Hat transition might be a world record. Smooth as the AT DCT power delivery!
Hahahaha had exactly the same feeling. No loose hair was harmed.
You don't believe it, I replayed it twice to see what has happened.
Don't wanna dazzle the camera with that shiny baldy heed! ;)
If you can take a flip up helmet off like that, its to big. But i already knew that before that clip
Think he's scared to embrace his baldness or doesn't want will smith to slap anyone.
Screw the noise and lighting, these videos are gold!!! Best africa twin videos by a continent.
For Sale: Africa Twin. Never been dropped or ridden off road. Mature rider.
🤣
Shout out to Christina for running around after you with a GoPro and making the best of it.
Although I've been a member of the A/T forum for over 8 months now, I just got to this video. I want to thank you very much for taking the time to do it. It was very informing. I knew, within about 2 city blocks of a test ride on a DCT that, without a doubt, the DCT is for me. There isn't ANYTHING I don't like about it. I'm not a Ricky Racer on the street nor am I a pro moto-cross rider off road. I've been riding now for close to 50 years and just have fun at it. Your points that you emphasized about how to control slow speed manuvering are well explained. I've been a Goldwinger for 35 of those 50 years and, the A/T is like a go kart compared to the Wing. And the DCT is nothing but pure pleasure. I thank you again. Well done.
I had the same feeling when I drove the DCT AT, there is nothing like it.
I love this DCT content of yours. It's really hard to find really good tips for riding this bike. These are life savers :-). And the quality of the content matters more than top-notch lighting ;-)!
best tip is "don't do it" get the manual. Honda is just bring new things to see if they can attract more buyers. people star getting these bikes and next thing you star seeing the same thing that happened in cars where the manual is virtually dead. and driving a sportscar is as fun and engaging as watching paint dry, nowadays.
@@albertoj.mollinedo4116 yeah, honestly. any rider can ride a dct, it does all the work for you, but if you never learn to use a clutch yourself...
@@albertoj.mollinedo4116 no. The DCT is better, period. I've had mine 3 years and I'd never go back to manual. In fact I'm picking up my new bike on 16th October and I didn't even countenance the manual. And it's not even an Africa Twin. So in a couple of weeks I'll have 2x DCTs.
@@johnmoylan7202 thank you for this. I am considering changing over
@@ericswild update. My SO just got a new bike.... NC750S. Did I mention its a DCT as well .? 😀
I’ve spoken to a few very experienced riders who bought the DCT model and they all were extremely positive about it.
Geez the whole thing was fine. I’m not looking for a Hollywood production. In fact I have unsubscribed to many who went total Hollywood and added 20 minutes of fluff. Thanks for keeping it real.
Honda needs to send Bret Tkacs a new model AT every year, OK, they can send him the Rebel 1100 DCT also. That would keep him busy; us happy.
Absolutely, I've been sharing his videos in some groups I'm in where people are asking whether the DCT Rebel is a good option and people with no idea and no experience with a DCT bike make unsubstantiated assertions about its low speed capabilities. The DCT is plenty capable, the rider just needs to practice the skill.
I like that you made good comments about the DCT model, many people ride the bike for a couple of hours and make bad reviews about it. You took the time to ride it, to explore the pros and cons, and most important tell the tips to the DCT owners.
Regarding the shots with the GoPro, for me, quality and sound are excellent, I guess I am more focused on content than cinematographic quality.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PERSON THAT LEND YOU THE Africa Twin.
Excellent advise, thank you so much. I enjoy my DCT , on-road and off-road. I'm used to put engine in mode 3 automatic, TC off , ABS off, and I'm good to go off-road. I would certainly use the manual mode for really technical terrain, but this more difficult terrain needs also better shape than mine. I did appreciate the other video on setting the handle bar, I don't use risers, I just set the bar forward to have shoulders above bar, as you suggest in this video for better control of power and acceleration. This Africa Twin is really awesome off-road. I'm 63 years old and can still take care of those 260kg thanks to excellent balance of the chassis. Another advise, in case of mud , you really need to level up the front wheel fender to avoid blockage of front wheel .
Owned my AT Adventure DCT for a couple years now. Learned more watching this video than I have in 2 years of riding my bike. Now to apply what I've learned. Thanks sooo very much!!
I am planning on another DCT special after I get back from Nepal this winter
We really appreciate the video. Thanks for trusting that we'll like the content. We really do!!
Zero risk on Bret’s videos of hitting a thumbs up immediately after hitting play! Never disappointed. Really appreciate all your content.
After a steady diet of T700 videos, I forgot how big the Africa Twin really is! The bike actually looks big with Bret on it.
I always hit 👍 then play 😉
I just bought my dream bike. A 2021 Africa twin. Your videos are incredible and very helpful. I'm not a very experienced rider. Your videos are helping me improve. Thank you
It's about content not picture/voice quality (that's just a bonus) for me, oh and as my mother always told me "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything!". Keep it up and thanks Bret.
Bret you are truly brilliant! I don't have a DCT and probably never will, just fascinated by your instructional videos!
I am glad you like them 😁👍
Thnx! From DCT community of Russia))) Long waited DCT series - great. Picking up bike from left side on the slope - hand brake(parking brake) really worked well) And you’d be very welcome here in mother Russia)
Feels like the great Bret Tkacs listened to my request to handle this topic. Feels great ! Thanks a lot.
great video, I have 120k miles on two DCT's. I have done 3 BDR's, many 1000 mile days. It would be very hard to go back to clutched bike.
Wow! Great to hear! I have a 2020 ATASes and put 9000 kms on it this year. Becoming more and more comfortable on it. I'm starting to think for this bike's use I agree, and wouldn't want a clutch bike again. It's a different style to learn, but I'm adapting very easily. Bret's tips will definitely help me out! I hope 2021 is an even better year of riding for us all, with great weather. Cheers, Bill 🇨🇦
any problems with dct? what about durability?
@@peeticek1624 Not a slight bit of issue yet, but only 9000 km on bike. I've seen guys with 50 000 km and no issues either. That is a great question though. Perhaps if someone has had troubles they could share what transpired? I rode dirt bikes on and off most of my life. I can tell you, no clutch is very very strange, but you adapt, then you enjoy very very much. For this style of riding it fits for me.
@@peeticek1624 only one with the 2016 twin with 72k miles. I can’t keep my rear end off my motorcycle 😂
No worries on the equipment Bret! We care only the content which is always awesome! Thanks
Spot on!
This is very advanced knowledge you're imparting to us, Bret, and surely of interest to Honda.
The additional hydraulic rear brake control on the handlebar is such an easy thing to achieve, send Honda your video section on that for discussion, they may wish to give it a try.
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After 20,000kms of DCT and over a thousand off road, this video teaches more and more. Thanks Bret and looking forward to meeting you in Kenya
I have been on the fence on getting the DCT model and couldn't find a lot of real world reviews on it. This is awesome, thanks for the vid!
I wouldn't buy a standard Africa Twin 😉
Thanks for this. I ride an NC750S DCT, and although I don't take it offroad, the video is a reminder that power could be controlled using the rear brake instead of just relying on a smooth throttle hand
This explanation is spot on with my experience using the AT DCT. The rear brake is like a clutch, putting pressure on removes power from the wheel to the ground. The biggest difference is as you noted - the power still loads up at the wheel. Excellent explanation!
Your bike does have slope sensing built in to better manage shifting on hills, but it is far from perfect. The older DCT versions without that input were noticably less intuitive in that way. And the lastest models with full IMU spectrum inputs and improved traction control, are another step better. Keep rolling that DCT. They really grow on you. Hoping for lighter ADV bike with the DCT some day.
DCT is great. Similar to Bret I tend to see it more as an automated clutch than as a fully automated gearbox. For my taste, too, the shifts mostly don't happen when I want them to.
I have another flaw though: bikes with 17 inch front wheel (NC750, X-ADV) can't go as fast as the AT on very difficult terrain.
Thus, when I needed to go downhill carefully and slowly through a very steep field of 4 to 5 inch boulders I realized I cannot rely on dragging 1st gear because the DCT suddenly disengages the clutch below a speed of around 8 kph/5 mph.
Also there, downhill, you have to work with the engine pulling against the rear brake, or with the brakes only, both resulting in smoking brakes at the bottom end of the slope.
I think on road covering large distances is where it would work well for me. Especially toward the end of the day. Just roll on, roll off and let the bike do all the work. Definitely a serious consideration for the all day everyday rider, I think.
Certainly opened my eyes to real possibilities for this.
Happy travels
The clear and concise reasoning behind the “no risers on the AF/DCT” suggestion (4:03) is golden, but the esoteric, highly skilled, rigorously practiced and almost imperceptible lightening fast lid-transition maneuver @ 3:32 is absolutely brilliant.
Bret you are obviously an incredible character. At least, in a motorcyclist eyes. I have seen many of your videos, and still am in awe how you rip around on these huge motorcycles in trails. You are inspiring many, no doubt. Thank you.
I love these DCT tips. Keep 'em coming
I have a DCT Crosstourer and I was looking for left hand brake option. Honda please take note.
Also love these videos. Thanks Bret!
Not so sure about that. Muscle memory is difficult to completely irradiate. I think there’d be a safety issue in confusing the two.
Love brets riding videos especially now he’s on a Africa Twin 👍
Thank you, I took an advanced motorcycle skills course in a heavy downpour with my NC750X DCT expecting to learn a fraction of what you just demonstrated. I would love to come to the Northwest corner of the GREAT U.S. of A. to meet you. I work with someone that claims he used to ride with you. Be Safe!
Who?
@@BretTkacs Robert (Bob) Regal
Awesome content, even though I don't own a DCT, it's still a lot of beneficial information here. Thank you Bret and Christina for the amazing filming, the quality of the video and audio is more than fine to get what is happening!
Riding an 2018 ATAS DCT & not really into the off road stuff, love the bike it’s technology used at its best in my opinion however I really do enjoy watching your videos & please keep them coming ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank You for shearing
Important knowledge for a DCT owner 👌
but one finger on the front brake can also make miracles on slow maneuvers.
We fully agree about missing the left handle hydraulic back brake for more control
we had that on our 2017 XADV 750 and it was quite nice actually 👍
a left handle manual mode “Clutch by Wire“ should also be nice,
and it might be something for the Honda developers in the future❓
it could be sold as an extra combined with a smart electro hydraulic parking brake.
I have the same one with same colour dct, and ı want to ride like you! Now watching you and after some lessons I will try and share 😂👍🏻 good job 👏👏👏
Thank you so much for DCT content! Great tips!
I have DCT version since 2016 and i would say it helped me a lot to ride better than i actually could when i had very little offroad experience. And now i feel like its limiting me when i'm trying to ride more technical tracks. But now you're saying quite the opposite thing! haha I think I'd better go and practice more on my DCT.
I also struggled a lot in sand with DCT. rear wheel starts so soft and i kept digging holes when other guys kick 2nd and lunch themselves from sand without so much problems.
And get stalled on uphills and downhills is such a pain as AT immediately goes in neutral and hand brake is so week and cannot always hold the wheel (even after adjusting the cable). But i love my DCT anyway. Zero major problems with bike.
It's funny though. I ride mostly with GS guys and in the beginning when i fail and fall they kept saying my bike is crap and I'd better to change to GS. Now when i succeed where they cannot they say something like: "of course, its DCT, its easier".
Thank you for the information on the dct transmission they are very miss understood technology I have one in the nc700x platform and the more I ride the more I like it thanks again for the installation.
Thanks again, Brett!
You could film this on a potato and I'd still watch.
🤣
Great video. I have a DCT 2020 and it’s great in the city. Now with your series of videos I want to take off road. Thanks so much. The quality’s of videos it’s ok, the content it’s the important. Saludos from
CHILE 🇨🇱
Interesting series, you answered a lot of my questions and I enjoyed watching it. Video and sound quality was just fine. No easy task trying to chase you down using a GoPro.
DCT Rider myself. Awesome stuff. Keep it coming.
Hello Bret. Happy that you have a new project. All the best for it.
I have a Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT 2018. I think that most of the things you mentioned about the shifting points were fixed on the 2018/2019 throttle by wire. There are some kind of sensors that read better the throttle. For me 95% of the time it shifts when it should on Sport 1 and 2 the modes that I ride most. For the other occasions the paddle shifts are there. I use manual with gravel mode On and traction control off when going out of tarmac.
I wish some day you have the chance to try the throttle by wire versions and see the differences.
I will for sure practice the advices you gave. Who knows if some day I will be able to throw around a bike that weights around 250 Kgs.
For all of those that are on fence of choosing manual or DCT, give a try on it. Bare in mind that a 10 minute test ride will not be enough to understand.
Best regards and rides for all.
P. S. : I wouldn't mind lending you my bike to see the differences between the DCT versions, but we are far from each other. I live on the beautiful Madeira Island Portugal that for the 6th time won the prize of Word's Best Island of the World.
You can see, on my just launched channel, some of my weekend rides with friends.
Loved it Bret, even though I ride a manual AT. Thanks for taking the time to figure it all out. I hope the DCT guys in the forum see this one. I am especially thankful that you mentioned the noise in the microphones. I thought that my $7000 hearing aids were going bad in my right ear, there was a crackling coming thru the Bluetooth from the iPad, that I now realize was rain!
Love your videos Bret, especially this one having owned a DCT for 3 years and being about 10% as good as you off road. Thank you!
I'm on my 3rd DCT bike. NC750X, XADV, and now NT1100. It's wonderful addition to my riding enjoyment. A now dedicated DCT disciple.
Excellent video Bret , i have a DCT so found these videos very helpful . Thanks very much
I was selling my 2014' R1200GS LC which I had for 5 seasons this year and was pondering between 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT with electronic suspension versus slightly used R1200GS ADV. I am more of a touring rider with some basic enduro experience, I did a bit of offroad on my GS from time to time though.
Test-rode Africa and seriously disliked the way transmission engages plus I couldn't find a way to easily lift front-end for riding over obstacles. Local Honda didn't let me do any off-road yet I loved the way Bret does those powerslides and turn-arounds on a spot. Wish I had seen this earlier :)
Also, i am pretty lightweight and not that tall and I've felt that Adventure Sports is even more difficult to manage than a GS ADV due to the higher center of mass.
Great video like always, yet there were some sound issues in the middle.
Excellent video my friend. 70000 on my 2016 in Chile touring SA. You are spot on with your video. Wish I were younger. 74 now and stiff
Bret, you are an awesome instructor. Very luck that you ve been hanging around with the AT DCT. Not many good lessons about this bike.
Thanks and please keep it coming..
Best!
I loved the DCT when I rode the Africa Twin. Honda did a fantastic job with it. Great video as usual Bret. How would the six axis IMU in the new model make a difference when going up and down hills?
This is exactly the way that I ride with my rekluse. Control the forward momentum in slow technical terrain with the brakes.
Lhrb's are a massive advantage for a lot of situations.
I cut my DCT skills in a Rekluse in an F800GS
Excellent documentaries, it is a luxury to contemplate their work and their adventures. A big hug from Catalonia !!!
Excellent video, you prove that you need to know your bike to ride it efficiently. There are guys that buy big bikes, then complains about it size, weight, about DCT and so on.
Thank for the series Bret you justified the things I have learned about making my DCT work and you taught me a few extra way to get better. I set up a left hand rear brake and it made things a lot more functional for me.
Thanks guys, thought the production was top notch. DCT specific tips and tricks are great to learn from. Took me a year to learn some of them you mentioned, wish you had one out 13 months ago👍. I love my DCT ATAS and it good to hear a balanced take of the bikes pros and cons from a unbiased skilled rider instead of the usual motorcycle press DCT haters out there. Keep up the great content.
I have DCT, i totally agree on all points you have mentioned
Great vid on the DCT, and spot on. I’m on my 5th DCT bike and have become very proficient in using the genius clutch modification. I’m unable to use a manual clutch due to childhood accident so my neighbor taught me how to quick shift at the age of 12, when I got my first motorcycle, a Yamaha min-enduro 60. Was off a bike for 33 years but when I got back on one, it was a DCT. I’m so great full for its invention and truly was a Godsend! Subscribed. Ride safe…
Nice to see your editing and filming becomes better every video! Keep up the fantastic work! Thanks!
I have no clue how many years of practice and what high extent of dedication from your end has gone in to master these big bikes, but you make it all look so so easy and that inspires a lot confidence in new riders to implement all these tricks, one bit at a time. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I added ADV training to my school in 2006 and have been a trainer since 1996. For 2022 I have dropped all the other training I did (instructors and street riders) and now focus only on ADV riders. This year I will be on the road about 208 days training or traveling.
I have watched many of your videos and I really love how your narrative matches the set out objective in a rather tight way. You also address the what ifs around the topic which makes it complete, thanks for such great videos
Hey Bret, your video quality was just fine. I think framing is more important than color quality and your operator did a fantastic job!
The walk away on the rear brake segment was awesome.
Outstanding. Thanks so much for doing this!
If you get an opportunity to try a 2020+ model, you may find the IMU connection to DCT makes technical riding in auto quite a bit nicer. I've ridden a 2016 and on my 2020 it's a whole other creature.
Also, for anyone else just getting into this, if you need power for a particular obstacle and you know it's coming, you can still use the paddles in auto mode to force it down a gear or two. It will try to shift back based on your shift mode (I use Sport II) but the delay may not matter, as you might be past the obstacle at that point. And of course on a 2020+ the IMU will prevent the shift if the bike is climbing, descending or leaned over.
Bret plz upload a behind the scene video, I am curious to understand how someone shoots those follow me videos 😁😁
Sounds like a good video idea
That would be very interesting.
Ohhh bullu bhaii🙏🏻
Well, I asked for DCT help and you certainly hit the mark. You have given me the confidence to try it again on the road, as you suggest using the rear brake on slow turns.
Now THAT was DCT specific😂😂😂😂Cheers, Bret!!!
Have a 2017 dct...love it...use her to commute and then weekend warrior dirt, trail rides....She's a big, comfy, super capable bike and I totally agree on how handy a left hand brake would be! Really enjoy the content! Thanks and happy thanksgiving!
Thank you for doing the DCT series. I am learnings a lot from your videos.
Finally the answer to my big question, should I install the rear brake lever of a X-ADV on my Africa Twin DCT. Bret thank you for answering to that.
I was thinking of doing that because it felt more logic in a DCT, the left hand was doing near to nothing, I had a Honda Integra before the Twin and it was very good zipping trough traffic thanks to the rear brake on the left hand (yes I know it is like a scooter, scooters are cool ok), so now I have a winter project, remove the rear brake pedal.
Bret thanks for all the knowledge you share, stay safe.
Information was ace. Filming was ACE
Thanks for video Bret. It's amazing to watch your experienced riding skills and learn from it. Keep up doing it. It's great content. Greetings from Slovakia.
I'm also a DCT rider and your tips in this video are extremely helpful to me. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for this video ❣️
Holy crap, the first person I've found on an Africa Twin that doesn't have a crazy thick accent I can't understand. Subbed!
🤣
Awesome vid Bret, spot on for us DCT riders from an instructor that knows/understands off road. Quality of content is way more important than cinematography, great job. Also looks like fun place to ride. Can't imagine why anyone would give this a thumbs down....Thanks!!
Great video. The content is king. Cristina did a great job.
The X-ADV has DCT with the hand brake on the left handlebar. Works perfectly in that configuration.
In German Trueadventure Forum someone has it adapted in his CRF. It is possible.
here on youtube one guy has done this mod on both 2016 and 2020 model this mod, works like a charm! will try to find thevTrueAdventure Forum thread to check how they dealt with TÜV after mod
Great video. Been riding my DCT for about 1 1/2 years off road and on. Still nice to learn. I find the sports modes delay the shifting but still find the manual mode best in technical and downhills. Thanks
Awesome content! I appreciate a professional rider who looks to the community for content ideas like Bret does I’m in an Africa twin group and noticed him asking us what kind of things we wanted to see in this video!! Thanks Bret
I am only half way through the video,
But it is amazing! Thanks! Super good DCT specific tips. Can’t wait to try!!!!
Another cool vid! Excited to see this channel progress!
Thanks for the DCT tips. I am in my 60's and will never ride an area like you are in but will try some fire roads. I have the ATAS so more top heavy than the standard. I think your tip's are helpful for some on road issues too such as slow tight turns. Mine is a 2018 and I have put thousands of dollars into tons of aftermarket stuff so I would loose a lot if I tried to sell it but if that was not the case I would probably go with a much smaller and lighter bike for off road use.
Thank you very much Bret..!! Always very clear tips explanations..!! Easy to understand the potential of DCT, more difficult to put in practice for those whom we are not Pros 👍
I really enjoy your videos, so informative and your overall knowledge of riding is next level, and I'm not a trail rider. Great video as always 👍🏽
the way you do the rear brake + throttle to add power to the flywheel is similar to how I launch a scooter up to speed
Thx Bret. Your videos will do a good job when I take mine offroad for the first time. Dont have loose rocks like that around Berlin though...
Watching Bret casually push bikes over is always great.
Christina did a great job with nothing but a GoPro!
Hi Bret. I would love to see you do a video on the NC750X. Ideas on the capabilities of the bike from an expert. I bought one for affordable city commuting and some adventure riding. But I’m a complete novice, so knowing the limits of the bike will help gauge how far I need to develop my skills. Thanks so much for your awesome videos.
This is the sort of review I’ve been looking for on the DCT. Everyone else rides on road and gives that perspective and the tries to extrapolate about how it would work off-road, or worse just goes out on a gravel road or dirt road and assumes that would good enough.
To be honest, I burry the rear on my R1250GSA I just push it over, fill the hole and ground handle the bike onto better ground. I don’t really mess with trying to ride it out.
I test ride an AT with DTC recently but I kept reaching for the clutch that wasn’t there. I told myself it was a sign. LoL 😂
Just curious, would you think of changing from the 1250GAS to the ATDCT and how you'd rate them road vs. off-road if you've tried that too?
I have the standard 1250 Rallye and love it for the road, but yet to venture off road. Did a lot offroad on in my youth but on light 2-strokes and would really like to get back into it, but loathed to start dropping such an expensive and heavy bike. If I want to take such a big girl offroad I want to take the easiest one to manage. Interest these days is the kind of thing Bret does here.
Cheers.
Owned a 2016 DCT for 4 years, today Bret unlocked my issues w riding slow.... ❤️
Great video Bret! I just bought my AT DCT yesterday from South Bound Honda. I told the manager that I watched this video and it sounds like he knows you!
I enjoyed watching your vid, thanks Bret. I'm more often riding in mode sport 2, TC off or in mode off (onroad). For offroad use, usually same setting but as time goes by I prefer Manual Mode. I keep the ABS ON, even on steep downhill, with gravel and riding fast (I mean really fast). I'am able to work well with the break, I can feel when the ABS is working, and this hard to describe but I know when it's gonna work, so I need to anticipate the breaking and play with the front+rear levers.
I have experienced some issues after falling down on a tricky corner on steep slope. The DCT gearbox kept the neutral position a few minutes, impossible to shift the 1st gear. I still don't know the exact reasons: heavy shock on DCT, perhaps gearbox lubrification (old oil, or wrong grade selected by the previous owner) or maybe low batterie voltage. This couple of events ruined my confidence for a while. Since I have change the batterie, oil and filters, it didn't happened again. I have participated to several events in EU without any issues (hard Defitour, Vercingetorx, TET Italy and France).
Overall I am I'm very satisfied with this DCT (model 2016), but I wish this would weight less... Thanks to your tips (and experiencing on the playground), this make the life easier ;-) Cheers
I loved the video. I am a beginner rider and I was wondering if a DCT will fit for me, now I know considering my skill I have to keep in a MT for a while! Thanks for this video!
Awesome series! I'm a big fan of the Africa Twin and DCT. I've been hunting for a 2018 DCT AT for a while but prices are still a bit higher than I would like in the used market.
Hello and thanks for the great video.
I didn't understand everything because of my rusty English but what I understood was very helpful.
By the way, in the description it says that the AT detects whether it is going uphill or downhill and adapts to it, which does not work for me in the mountains either and therefore I drive you there in M mode (manual).
See you then and all the best from Germany.