The new VFR1200 with DTC

I just watched a video about the new HONDA vfr 1200 with DTC ( direct control transmission) which seems silly because there is no direct control. There is no shift lever and there is no clutch lever. The person making the video( british accent) standing in front of a Honda factory , said that after driving it for several hours one afternoon he still was not used to it and had to really focus and listen to the engine sounds to remember what gear the bike was in. There is an indicator too. It said if you ride a bike with clutch lever and "clunky" shift lever you might not like this bike. But if you were a new rider that had not ridden before it would seem ok to you. My impression is that although there is buttons on the left and buttons on the right switch housing there is 3 modes ,AUTO,SPORT, then press another button on the right switch that the two switches on the left handlebar switch (paddle shifters) become activated. Cheeeessshhhh!!!! I was confused just watching and listening. What is wrong with one shift lever and one clutch lever ??? They seem to want to make the bike into a car. smooth exterior almost NO engine parts visable and everything is push button. Even the muffler looks like a space ship with a foot mount built into it. NO aftermarket ANYTHING. I like motorcycles and I like to see the engine ,all of it. I like levers ,hoses,clamps and all mechanical parts. I never want a motorcycle that looks like a transformer plastic toy.

 

You are absolutley right Donnie Brasco. I just don't don't understand the appeal of an "automatic" motorcycle. I don't even like automatic sport/muscle cars. As one of our members stated he has a handicap which nescesitates the need for the DTC but other than that,i mean, c'mon shiftin is half the fun and provides a much higher level of overall control IMHO. As far as seeing the engine,to each his own, I personally am a fairing guy, but can appreciate a nice clean engine especially a v twin.

 

The 1200 is definately a bike made for a specific market, and an acquired taste. The fact that its design incorporates concealing the engine and an abnoxious looking exhaust, although making it fairly more aerodynamic, just doesn't make much sense when compared to most of the other sport touring bikes offered on the market. But that was the intention, making it NOT like the other sport touring bikes available.

The DCT takes a lot of getting used to, especially for an old crusty rider whos goal is to power house through the gears and have 'full control' of the transmission during operation. However, the shifting - once you get used to the controls - is more efficient and offers more direct and smooth acceleration than any manual transmission out there. That's why they linked it up to the 1200, the amount of power and torque this thing has inside it would throw most riders off the seat if they slammed the gas with a traditional throttle.

I think they were designed more with safety in mind in most aspects of operation, and they are VERY tuned down from what I've heard so far. It's kind of like the newer Ford Mustangs... off the floor they were dominant in their own right, but with a few tweaks here and there with the ECU and a bit more fuel allowed into the system they became intimidating beasts that were at times hard to control.

But the bottom line is pretty much this, the VFR1200 is not an Interceptor by any shape or form, and it never will be. They've taken the best of the VFR line and infused new technology that's side by side with the GL1800's to make the fastest and most powerful touring bike ever produced by Honda in the North American market. To some its a joke, and to others a God-sent.

Me personally... I don't think I'd be able to handle it, but it'd be fun as hell trying to hold on!