‘Why we went semi-automatic’

RIDE readers reveal why they bought a DCT bike — and what it’s really like to live with

‘I struggled with gears’

“I came to biking late in life and I struggled with clutch and gears. I trained and passed my test on a scooter, so my licence is for automatic bikes only. After an Aprilia Mana GT I stepped up to a Honda Crosstourer DCT, which I loved, and then in 2017 I got an Africa Twin DCT. I love DCT: it’s so easy to ride with, and I think Honda is definitely right to plough on with it. It opens up bikes to many people who would struggle with geared bikes through disability or laziness.” ROGER FITZGERALD

‘I got an unbelievable PCP deal’

“A crazy finance offer — no deposit and £86 a month on PCP — made me try the DCT version of the Africa Twin. D mode is a waste of time as it’s in top gear at 35mph. The three S modes are more like it, and I’ve found S2 to be more to my liking. The only thing I strongly dislike about the bike is the original Dunlop tyres — I managed about 700 miles before switching. But other than that, the Africa Twin is an amazingly comfortable and well-designed machine.” WARREN BEADLE

‘I wouldn’t buy DCT again’

“I bought my Africa Twin DCT in 2017 — the dealer was having a ridiculous deal on DCT models. The Honda is very easy to ride and good for long-distance work: I live in Devon and have used it to pop up to London for work a few times, even in sleet and snow. But I’m not convinced about DCT — it doesn’t do what you want most of the time. I leave it in

S2 mode and use the manual paddles when going on anything but motorways. I like to use the revs to hold it going into corners, but sometimes the DCT just changes up. Lowspeed is on/off and slow filtering is hard, especially two-up. I’m happy but I wouldn’t want DCT again — no matter how much I ride it I can’t gel with it.” ANDY BOWERN

‘Within 10 miles I knew it was the bike for me’

“I owned an original Africa Twin, so I was keen on the new one. I took the DCT model out for a test ride, went straight back and bought one. I can’t praise the gearbox highly enough — it just works so well at any speed, whether solo or two-up. I run mine in S3 setting, which suits my riding style. I love the way you can push a button to downshift on the way into bends to lose some speed, and as soon as you accelerate, the DCT takes over again. It always puts a grin on my face.” TONY PREECE

‘I believe it’s the future’

“I rode a Crosstourer with DCT July last year, and was immediately sold on it. The gearbox has perfectly matched ratios, and in the automatic Sport mode, the gears change at the point I would if it were a manual — mostly. My only disappointment is that it doesn’t change up to sixth by 60mph to allow more economical riding; it’s still hanging on to fifth at almost 70mph. In manual mode with the optional foot-change pedal, it feels just like a normal bike with a superb quickshifter. Drive mode doesn’t work for me — it changes too rapidly through the gears, reaching sixth at a little over 30mph.” MARTIN DIXON