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Video: Honda VFR1200 DCT review

By Phil West -

First rides & tests

27 July 2007 11:50

Our first full road test of Honda's new DCT-equipped VFR1200F proves - for the second time in 2010 - that motorcycling is entering a all-new, high-tech era.

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lardyboy66 says

If you want it buy it !

If you want this system then buy it - if not take the normal option. Its not so long ago that the so called experts said that the only gear box to have in a car is a normal one - funny how times change, try getting a standard shift Porsche, Ferrari etc any more - chances are you cant and to be honest, the tech will change gear better than you can. Hats off to Honda for putting this into production - if its as good as people are saying then bring it on - A DCT or DSG is still a manual box but the changes are electronic thats all. The system is linked to the fly by wire throttle and wheel speed sensors so when in "auto mode" it changes when its best to so not on trailing throttle through corners etc. It will even change up a cog if the rear spins up ! I for one welcome the tech, not so long ago people said that ABS was stupid and they could break better, not sure thats the case now

14 June 2010 18:01

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lardyboy66says

If you want it buy it !

14 June 2010 18:01

griwiross says

DCT VFR

I was lucky enough to get a shot of the new bike and have to say that it is very impressive. Firstly it is not an automatic. It has a full 6 speed sequential gearbox which has various options on how it is controlled. For us that like to change gear ourself that option is still very firmly there with the exception of not using a clutch or gear lever. If you ride it like you would normally do and like the sound of a blipping throttle the bike will actually do it for you. The thing that I found takes most getting used to is not rolling off the throttle or backing off on up changes. Going up the 'box you can just keep the throttle wide open and just keep hitting the up button. As some have said "do we need it?" the answer would be to buy a manual if you dont want it. The other thing I would highly recommend is that a half hour test is nowhere near long enough, you would need to convince the dealer to give you a half day and stick a couple of hundred miles on it. Overall i think it's great and a huge advance for bikes. Best advice is get out there and try it when it hits your dealer

09 June 2010 23:23

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BUSA666says

i love changing gear manually , auto bike NO

01 June 2010 16:54

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ruxxy says

What problem?

I think Phil hit the nail on the head at the end when he asked the question is there a need for it? I think some companies, not just Honda or biking, seem to think that progress is inventing answers for questions that no one is asking. Personally, what a waste of time. Is there really that many BMW drivers waiting for the invention of an overpriced automatic V4 touring bike before they start biking?

19 May 2010 09:00

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