Thoughts on the 1200 DCT model????

Whats going Viffers! So....I just bought the new VFR 1200 F, but it was the DCT version. I was a little skeptical at first and the model I bought was a 2010 model which was hard to find at a decent price here in my area (York, Pa). What do people think of the whole automatic version? I'm sure I'm going to get some smart comments, but I am curious to hear the thoughts of everyone. To let everyone know I was looking for a manual version, but had no luck getting a 2010 for a decent price.

 

Brave question deserves a brave answer.
I went to the dealership to trade a VStrom 1000 for an FZ1, my only concern was to enjoy the FZ's engine you'd need to be on a track or related to the Chief of Police. The salesman suggested the VFR 1200 which I'd never considered because of price. Next thing you know, price change, demo, great trade-in price, the deal was too good to not even try it. I took out he manual, I wasn't even going to consider the auto, it handled as well as the FZ, and a similar top end explosion but it also had the torque of my VStrom. I was sold, the salesman then talked me in to trying he DCT version so I did it more to be polite then anything else and maybe mixed with a little curiosity. Well, surprisingly I liked it, felt a little freer, traffic was less of a pain and had ski-doo like acceleration in sport. I was stumped, I grew up with bikes and changing gears was part of it, but my smile was bigger when I got off the DCT. It took me 3 more visits to the dealership taking them out one after another before I could admit to myself that it had to be the DCT. Since bringing it home I have about 1000 KM's on it and am more excited about my decision every time I've taken it out.
Congats, you made a great decision.

 

I have not ridden a DCT one, but people who are against it start liking it after riding one. So I guess that is positive

 

I'm on my DCT for 2 years now. Loved it from the first kilometre. Still love it 26,000km later. Mainly I use manual mode, but in city traffic, at around freezing temperatures, or after work it's great to completely leave the shifting to my trusty bike and focus on road conditions and traffic.

 

I did test ride a '10 DCT, and I liked it a lot. If my commute route has a lot more stop and go, I would seriously consider it. I don't think it really takes away from the enjoyment of the Viffer's excellent riding dynamics. You do give up some measure of control but it makes low speed riding a lot more fun. The way Honda calibrated the VFR's TBW makes crawling in traffic with my manual version rougher than my other bikes, like the SV and C14.

If only Honda implemented cruise control into the VFR, it would compliment the DCT and make the package even more user friendly. I don't understand why left out CC. With TBW, all the hardware is already there, so adding CC would just be a software exercise.

 

Loved my DCT. When I replace it it will be another DCT. You will argue forever that its not an automatic. The fact it comes from Gran Prix racing is astounding. The fact that its illegal in motoGP tells some more of the story. It makes the bike so much fun. Anyone who is against progress like the DCT or abs or Traction Control or even the new electronic suspension stuff, is welcome to go to any Harley dealership and revel in the tradition of the oldest technology available to a rider. But before you ride it take away those modern disc brakes and throw on some drum brakes. Also the electronic ignition. Some points or a magneto. You will be kidded by some. They will laughingly call it a motor scooter. My friend with a Concours didn't laugh after our short ride together. Some get it, some don't. I learned to not defend it. I just rode it and some admired it after I rode with them.

 

Amen. Even the FJR gets it as standard now. And again, for the price....................

 

LOVE my DCT. I use all modes at some point during most rides. Warmup in Drive mode is lovely, but I am 1/4 mile on dirt, right to 55mph double yeller. Drive mode sucks once I get a few miles up the road and the limit decreases to 30mph, I am manually down to 4th or 3rd to get through there gently, back to Drive mode for the highway. Manual mode is the only way around traffic in town. Sport mode is for short bursts, should be labeled Play mode, GREAT for twisties, but manual mode is tough to beat there too. Figured out a couple of things on my 2010 - Shifting is smoothest with power on or off. Shifting with no load can be quite clunky, like when just keeping speed. In any "mode", it's a blast to nail it and take the heck off. In Sport Mode it will lift the front wheel in 1st gear and not shift (DCT will not shift in any mode if the wheels aren't at the same speed) until the rev limiter has brought the wheel down - rather poor form and hard on the running gear. You won't nail it from a stop in Sport mode more than once. Helibars were the biggest improvement IMO.

 

Love my DCT. The option to just cruise along saving gas in D mode, run around the canyons in S mode or take it to full manual and make her scream up to the rev limiter is cool. My buddy who is a Die Hard Ducati rider rode mine today and some of his comments were"Seamless", "smooth", "easy".

I installed a BrakeAway throttle lock and it works great.

 

Got mine from a friend who was changing for a Crosstourer, and at the beginning, I must confess I was very skeptical, but after riding her, I knew I had found the one! Main problem...the lack of the clutch lever, for I'm always trying to squeeze something. As for the riding I find her suitable for the use I give her, sometimes to commute, dealing with traffic, get some fun S roads or eating the highway in D mode. So far the only thing that pisses me of a bit is the "looseness" of the motor, in D mode, at low speeds (traffic); but thats one thing you can pass easily by turning the manual mode on. I have to say also that, being 55 years old, its much more comfortable than the non-DCT surely would (I'm paying now for all those falls in years of dirt riding!).

 

i'm surprised that they haven't put the DCT on the Gold Wing.....i have a single clutch VFR12 but would definitely buy it on a Wing or the new F6B

 

Love my DCT i was sold after the test ride, i use the manual mode for the twisties auto most other places

 

Just got PCV mounted and I must admit it was the most well spent money in the bike, ever! No more whiplash at low speeds, better drivability in slow curves, better response overall, etc, etc! Installing Auto Tune and decat will be the next move. Here's some pics. Ride safe!

 

Quick question; did you install the Helibars, and if so, were there any gotchas to be aware of? Any other advice would be helpful if you have any comments or suggestions. Thank you.

 

I stood by while Heli installed the bars, then I had to tweak the banjo fitting on the master cylinder to get the lever oriented perfectly once home. It isn't a difficult installation, very little tolerance for error though. Once they're mounted, they can only go on in one position that allows clearance at the stops. Tolerance is so close that my hazard light button kisses the inside of Honda's optional wind deflector's hardware, but shouldn't we all engage our hazards at right lock anyway . . .

 

" Tolerance is so close that my hazard light button kisses the inside of Honda's optional wind deflector's hardware, but shouldn't we all engage our hazards at right lock anyway . . ."

Mine to and I don't have the faring deflector. I don't want to have it messed with though, things are balanced and positioned equal. Mostly they enged at full lock when backing out or in to a parking place, all you need is the beep-beep-beep.

 

The BrakeAway ... I just rode 2780 miles on my new F model (I have a DCT also,) and even with Helibars, my throttle hand feels like a bear chewed on it. I looked on the BrakeAway site, but it didn't list the VFR1200 as one of the models. I'd appreciate any information you can give me.

 

I run the BrakeAway unit for the bandit .

Had to fab my own bracket to clear the throttle cables.

BrakeAway Motorcycle Cruise Control - Application Guide 6CB03

$$$ but for me worth every penny.

Brake lever and button release.

 

I want to jump into this and say that I really want one. I have tried all my life to be a smooth rider but I find, more often than not that I am in the wrong gear. I love my Y2K but I have never been able to get the shifter adjusted to where I can get a toe under it and not have to lift my foot to down shift. (I have some Buell pegs on order and i am hoping to fix this.) I like the idea of always being in the correct cog and having one less thing to worry about. I have been trying to test ride a DCT but it hasn't been in the cards yet. I do have a lot of seat time on an old Guzzi Convert 1000 automatic. These is no comparison to that old 2 speed manual with a slush drive but I truly enjoyed that clutch-less bike. Transmission development has been advancing for years in cars. I don't see why motorcycles shouldn't benefit from the technology.

 

There is no other bike I seek out more information on than the VFR1200- my wife is headed out of town for a few weeks, maybe I'll just buy one and be done with it.