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Honda DCT (NC 700 X) Review
By Ren Withnell
There are full reviews of the manual NC 700 X and S elsewhere on this website. This review is about the DCT transmission on the NC 700 X, not about the NC 700 X as a whole. I am a fan of the NC range of Honda motorcycles and I keep on coming back to this bike time and again, I think it's under my skin. As such I had to try out the DCT version.
DCT...Dual Clutch Transmission. The idea is that power is fed through the first clutch to the gearbox and first gear. While in first gear second gear is also selected, at the same time. Normally selecting 2 gears at the same time would cause a catastrophic grinding of gears and the gearbox would explode. However the second gear is not getting any power as that is fed from the second clutch and that is open. When the computer, or rider, selects second gear the first clutch is opened and the second clutch is closed. No gears are changed at that instant, just swapping clutches.
After swapping clutches the computer selects third gear, ready for the next change. When third is selected the clutches are swapped again, then fourth is selected, and so on. The advantage of this is simple. By having the next gear selected the gear change can be fast and smooth. To change you simply swap clutches, not gear. The gears are swapped "outside" the normal gearchange moment, by the computer. If you are mechanically minded there are lots of impressive diagrams and videos to be found online.
Climbing on the NC 700 X DCT is just as I'd expect. Then, without thought, my hand reaches for the clutch that is not there. After so long with gears it is a surreal and unnerving sensation. There is no gearshift, in fact there is nothing for my left leg to do at all. From the very first fraction of movement on the throttle the bike calmly applies power to the rear wheel. I take a few moments around the car park to try and adjust to this new sensation.
With a slight rise in revs and my blood pressure we are out onto the open road, then traffic lights. Every part of my left side is screaming to change gear, find neutral, feather the clutch and maintain a smooth ride. Nothing. Just release the throttle and it slows to a calm, well mannered halt. I can't blip the throttle as to do so would propel me into the rear of the car in front. I could select neutral on the right hand switchgear, but there is no need. The motor pulses below me happily.
There are 2 options, drive and sport. I am in drive. This is the "regular" setting with economy and ease of use in mind. I notice that the computer has noticed I'm driving carefully and is selecting to change up at a mere 2,000 revs, and only change down again at 1,500. Typically on a high revving sporty motorcycle this would have the engine jumping around in the frame and complaining for being laboured. The NC is half a car motor though, it is designed to run slowly and even at what is less than tickover for most bikes the motor seems fine. The problem is myself, not the motor.
Even in drive if I open the throttle sharply the computer will drop me a gear, possibly 2 if needed, to get me going. There'll be no redlining though, not even at the 6,500 lowly redline of the NC. The brains shift me up at just under 4k. Don't despair, this will see me far ahead of the cars from the lights. There's only 47 BHP available but the torque is massive. If however you're up against another bike you may wish to select sport mode.
You don't need to stop or slow down to change to sport mode, just a button press and the digital speedo changes from "D" to "S". Now the NC shifts gear at higher revs and drops a cog or two much more readily. This is no sports bike but it sure ain't boring. It takes a while to adjust to the low revving motor which SOUNDS slow but the rapidly rising numbers on the clock tell another story. I spend a while toggling between "D" and "S". Sport mode is perhaps smoother as the revs are higher, this will be more familiar to experienced motorcyclists. But drive is just fine and calm.
There is a final option, manual. This allows the rider to choose which gear is required with 2 switches easily accessed on the left hand bar. Index finger for up, thumb for down. You still do not need a clutch and the computer won't allow you to mess it all up. I tried slowing right down in 5th gear, all that happens as the revs drop and drop is the engine shifts down without my asking. Initially I thought "I want control!" but to be fair it will only shift down, and presumably up, when absolutely necessary. For example to avoid the rev limiter or a stall.
There's no doubt it is a good system. I imagine it will prove perfect for disabled riders who have lost the use of one leg, maybe even more. I doubt a good engineer would have little trouble moving the rear brake or throttle controls if required. I also believe it will favour those riders who never really managed the clutch and gears thing. But what of a "typical" rider, who'd want to buy an automatic motorcycle?
Anyone who spends a lot of time in traffic. Despatch riders, motorcycle instructors and commuters can all stop dicking around doing the dance of the gearbox demon around town. Imagine, no feathering overheating clutches, no stalls, no up up up down down up up down up down up down up down down all day long. Some touring types may approve too. Just ride, enjoy the scenery and the sensations without constantly fighting the gearbox. Let the computer do the work, relax, enjoy yourself!
For me? Hmmmmm. There are many times when I tire of the gearbox. That clunk into first, missing second, aching fingers from holding the clutch and sheer bloody laziness. Yet, when weighed against the involvement of riding with gears, of choosing my own revs and how long to hold them for I'd miss that at times. The manual aspect provides this though, but not QUITE in the same way. My final concern is that it's new. DCT has been fitted to many performance cars for years, but this is still a relatively new thing for bikes. Is it reliable, does it need a lot of looking after, does the computer behave?
DCT is becoming more common is cars, it's the future. I reckon in a few years time it may be the future for bikes. That does not bother me at all, I quite like the idea. My left foot and left hand look forward to the rest.
Reader's Comments
Tom McQ said :-
In 2007 I bought a new FJR1300AS and that comes with an automatic clutch. People often refer to the bike as "automatic", but the gearbox is EXACTLY the same one as fitted to the manual version of the FJR1300 - the only real difference with the "AS" is that the clutch is controlled by a computer. You still have to choose when/if to change up and down gears. You can ride around sedately and smoothly or you can scream around redlining.
I think that Yamaha's approach is probably slightly more appealing to bikers than having no say in the matter. The Yamaha has no clutch lever and gear changes can either be through a flick-switch on the bars or through the normal foot-lever as with any other "normal" bike. A great system!
Honda's way or Yamaha's, they both should be considered instead of being blindly cast aside as gimmicks like so many bikers do. And one more point about the Yamaha (not sure if this is possible on the Honda); if the Yamaha is left in gear when the ignition key is removed, there is no way of moving the bike because you just can't get it out of gear without the ignition on. A low-level, but handy security feature!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Bullitt said :-
@ Tom McQ
Honda offers an optional foot lever to control the DCT if that is your preference. It's rather costly though, and seems a waste just to avoid changing the way you ride, but to each his own...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Bullitt
I think the optional foot operated gear selector is a fantastic idea, especially if you have a disability on the left arm. But as you say if it's that costly for those of us lucky enough to have full use of all limbs it's probably an unnecessary extravagance.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Kamil said :-
I lost my right hand in an accident at 18. Two years ago, at 50, I got a Mert Lawwill prosthetic, specifically made for riding bikes. I bought a 78 Honda CB400A, automatic. I had the throttle and brake mounted on the left.
Saturday morning, I'll be posting picking up my NC700X DCT ABS. I'm stoked.
09/03/2016 02:53:51 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Kamil. Aaaa, the CB400A, the automatic version of the CB400 Dream, forerunner of the Superdream. I know this because I owned a 1978 CB250 Dream, manual. They're a rare bike those old Dreams, even rarer in automatic. It'll be worth a fortune one day.
That said if you're stepping on to the much more modern and powerful NC700X I can totally understand why you'll be stoked! I hope you love it, I'm sure you will.
I'd love to see some pictures and I'd also be interested in the engineering required to move the controls over to the left hand side for you.
09/03/2016 12:55:58 UTC
Kamil said :-
Have you googled the Meet Hand?
10/03/2016 04:37:33 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Kamil. I have googled the Mert Hand now. Strange, not what I expected at all! I was expecting something that looked like a hand but upon reflection I can see the advantages. I'll put a link up for others to see. Fascinating.
www.mertshands.org...
10/03/2016 22:13:44 UTC
RP from The Netherlands said :-
Hi, great review, as many others have written about the NC700/750.
The last 6 years I've been touring with my Yamaha FJR1300A, manual shift. I would have been riding it today, but unfortunately I have been diagnosed recently with acute rheumatoid arthritis. In a matter of two weeks I turned from an always active busy bee to a old man who's mainly sitting on the couch. Weird or what...
Anyway... As my hands/wrists will remain vulnerable in future, I made the decision to swap the FJR for a NC750XD. It's the only affordable motorcycle which rides as a real one, but with such great ease of use, it's sometimes unreal. I love it!
Greetz!
20/05/2016 20:44:15 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hello RP from The Netherlands. Sharon and I will be joining you in that there Netherlands place in a few weeks time. Tell me, does everyone actually speak a little English or do I need to learn some Dutch?
I so glad to hear you're enjoying the X. A friend of mine also has the automatic DCT X and he's very happy with his too. He chose his rather than was forced like yourself with the Arthritis. The DCT seems to be proving both popular and reliable and I can see them becoming more and more commonplace.
I hope the automatic system allows you many more years of motorcycling and if you spot 2 motorcyclists on 125cc machines overladen with camping gear on UK plates be sure to flag us down and say hello!
20/05/2016 22:00:07 UTC
Rob said :-
Thanks for the detailed explanation of the workings of the DCT--this bike doesn't have cruise control does it? I'm sure there is a way to add it.
16/08/2016 16:41:17 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cheers Rob. It doesn't have cruise control as standard that's for sure. I'm not aware of any way of adding it too. It's all digital though so perhaps someone has come up with a mod for it?
16/08/2016 21:02:23 UTC
Kevin said :-
You can buy a kind of cruise control that clips to your throttle grip. It's like a big slim clothes peg which you clip on pointing upwards and when you get up to speed turn it down to rest on your front brake lever, it just holds the throttle in that position and you can drop your arm for a second when you get cramp !
It only grips lightly so you can easily shut off with it in place.
13/09/2016 13:23:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Kevin. I've seen them sort of grips that hold the throttle open. I guess they're OK for as you say giving your wrist and hand a rest for a short while but in this country of hills and corners they won't sustain a constant speed for long.
One clever item I've seen clips onto the twist grip and provides a little leverage to your palm. While this is not cruise control it allows the rider to keep but a light grip on the throttle while keeping it open.
Google Motorcycle palm grip or cramp buster to get the idea.
13/09/2016 13:34:51 UTC
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