[PanzerRider]

So far the biggest question for the CTX 1300 is whther it will carry over the DCT tranny similar to the one equipped on the CTX 700.

How many of you guys enjoyed it? Because I sure did. I can live without it by any means but it would be a nice treat on the CTX 1300 if it ends up coming out with one.

 

[SoCalRyder]

IMO a DCT in the CTX1300 will complement it, im bet a lot will suggest Honda should do this.

Sadly, my findings bring me to this:

At least in its initial incarnation, the CTX1300 will not feature Honda’s Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Instead it gets a manual five-speed transmission that features taller gearing for touring. Honda says torque has also been improved and all the power of the CTX1300 gets to the pavement via a wide 200-series rear tire.

 

[scott]

I test rode the 700 with the DCT and really did like it, although I agree it's not a deal killer. However I'm actually a little concerned that if I were to buy either the CTX1300, the new Valkyrie, or even the F6B in the spring of 2014, Honda will announce the availablility of DCT for whiever one I decide on for the next model year and I'd be kicking myself for not waiting.

 

[Gizmo]

I agree ... I would seriously consider a "large" bike with DCT for my next purchase. I don't see the 6FB or the Valkyrie having it because it would take away from their "images" of being "haulers" BUT the CTX 1300, which looks like a "grown-up" CTX 700, would definitely work. It would make it a whole lot easier to choose between the 3, at least for me or those who are clutch/shift challenged. (Still love the Honda V-4 for power and smoothness) I am a cruiser person, one of the reasons why I shied away from the ST 1300, too much sport bike!

 

[cheeken]

A DCT would be a nice feature

I can see the 1300 having a DCT.

 

[rosy thorn]

Anyone know if the CTX1300 will feature a quick shift feature? It would really help make up for lack of DCT...

 

[SoCalRyder]

I test rode the 700 with the DCT and really did like it, although I agree it's not a deal killer. However I'm actually a little concerned that if I were to buy either the CTX1300, the new Valkyrie, or even the F6B in the spring of 2014, Honda will announce the availablility of DCT for whiever one I decide on for the next model year and I'd be kicking myself for not waiting.

yeah it's best to wait, if you don't mind waiting then it will be worth it. i rather wait another year or how ever long it will be till they release the DCT, thats if they do.

 

[TennesseeSmith]

I bought the CTX700 with DCT because I wanted the ABS.

I have really enjoyed the DCT and it will be a consideration when I decide if I should trade up to the 1300. The only negative on the DCT for me is the way some of the downshifts are a bit harsh. I think the extra mass of the 1300 would smooth that out a bit.

It can't be cheap to design, test, and produce a new transmission. I think Honda will add DCT to more of the smaller bikes before we get one on the CTX1300. I think Honda is deploying DCT to models that have more appeal to beginning riders.

The one big bike I'd expect to get DCT is the Gold Wing. Many of the older Gold Wing owners have been asking for it for years. The trikers would benefit greatly. I felt like my Gold Wing already had an automatic transmission because it didn't have to be shifted much once it got going.

 

[cheeken]

I wonder what the decision process is for not putting a CVT in the CTX1300

Wonder if its because the transmission cant handle the power?

 

[TennesseeSmith]

I've seen 500 HP cars on Top Gear with DCT. It's not a power limitation.

It's money. The V4 1300 has been around for a decade and it's always been attached to a manual transmission. It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to design, test, and deploy a DCT. Honda doesn't like to sell crap, so they'd end up with a million dollars in the project. Honda would have to sell a lot of bikes to make that money back.

The parallel twin 700 in the CTX was designed from the ground up to have a DCT. They helped keep the budget down by using technology from the Honda cars.

 

[cheeken]

Well those are full sized CVTs

A CVT as small as one in a motorcycle might be more limiting in terms of power capacity

Are there any other 1000cc+ motorcycles that are DCT?

 

[scott]

Well those are full sized CVTs

A CVT as small as one in a motorcycle might be more limiting in terms of power capacity

Are there any other 1000cc+ motorcycles that are DCT?

I believe the last VFR1200 had a DCT option

 

[Firenzen007]

Apparently DCT won't fit, at least not in the current footprint necessary to handle the power from the CTX 1300 Engine, space for shaft drive, low gas for CG bogie, etc

 

[rosy thorn]

hold on...

DCTs are NOT CVTs....

I don;t know where that mixup occured but DCT and CVT are two completely differnt styles of transmission. DCT is a sequential gear box pioneered in your friendly neighborhood formula one car, while a DCT is a mushy box of fluid that cant decide which ratio you're in...

 

[sleepngbear]

yeah it's best to wait, if you don't mind waiting then it will be worth it. i rather wait another year or how ever long it will be till they release the DCT, thats if they do.

I think you might be disappointed if you wait. In all of my recollection, I don't ever recall Honda re-engineering significant aspects of any model unless it's a whole new generation. I.e., the VFR1200 was born with a DCT; but the ST, which had been around for over 10 years in its last state never got it. The DN-01 was born with a sledge-o-matic and never saw anything else.

I'd say, when the scoot's available, if you really want it, get it.

 

[Gizmo]

I think you might be disappointed if you wait. In all of my recollection, I don't ever recall Honda re-engineering significant aspects of any model unless it's a whole new generation. I.e., the VFR1200 was born with a DCT; but the ST, which had been around for over 10 years in its last state never got it. The DN-01 was born with a sledge-o-matic and never saw anything else.

I'd say, when the scoot's available, if you really want it, get it.

Could you please explain "The DN-01 was born with a 'sledge-o-matic'" to me. I had never heard that term before ... do I need to be offended or did I miss something? The only "sledge-o-matic" term I am familiar with dealt with Gallagher and his sledge/mallet and veggies/fruits.

 

[sleepngbear]

Could you please explain "The DN-01 was born with a 'sledge-o-matic'" to me. I had never heard that term before ... do I need to be offended or did I miss something? The only "sledge-o-matic" term I am familiar with dealt with Gallagher and his sledge/mallet and veggies/fruits.

Ha! Please, don't be offended! Sledge-o-matic is just one of my pet terms for an auto transmission, or in this case a CVT. Maybe 'slush-o-matic' would have fit better?

My point was just that the DN-01 came into this world with a CVT, and it left it with a CVT. My observations have been that Honda does not design drive train components to be interchangeable. It seems that once they design an engine, tranny and final drive for any particular model, that's what they stick with for the life of that model. (If someone knows of an exception to that - besides the VFR1200 that came out of the gate with two options - I will happily stand corrected.) Of course I could be wrong; but based on past history, if anyone is thinking of waiting for a CTX1300 with a DCT, they could be waiting for a very long time.

 

[Gizmo]

Ha! Please, don't be offended! Sledge-o-matic is just one of my pet terms for an auto transmission, or in this case a CVT. Maybe 'slush-o-matic' would have fit better?

My point was just that the DN-01 came into this world with a CVT, and it left it with a CVT. My observations have been that Honda does not design drive train components to be interchangeable. It seems that once they design an engine, tranny and final drive for any particular model, that's what they stick with for the life of that model. (If someone knows of an exception to that - besides the VFR1200 that came out of the gate with two options - I will happily stand corrected.) Of course I could be wrong; but based on past history, if anyone is thinking of waiting for a CTX1300 with a DCT, they could be waiting for a very long time.

I have a really hard time classifying the tranny of the DN-01 as a CVT, the works are totally different to those of the "scooter" world's CVTs. Plus, aren't ALL "car" automatics therefore classified as CVTs using your logic? And did not the Yamaha FJR come originally with a "clutch/shifter" combo that was changed a few years later to "electronic" shift on the left handlebar?

 

[sleepngbear]

I have a really hard time classifying the tranny of the DN-01 as a CVT, the works are totally different to those of the "scooter" world's CVTs. Plus, aren't ALL "car" automatics therefore classified as CVTs using your logic? And did not the Yamaha FJR come originally with a "clutch/shifter" combo that was changed a few years later to "electronic" shift on the left handlebar?

All I know about the DN-01 is what I've read about it, and everything I've seen says it has a CVT (hudraulics with no actual gears, though it can be programmed to mimic the sensation of shifting gears), which is not the same as an automatic (multiple physical gears that are automatically shifted), which is not the same as a DCT (manually shifted gears, but no manual clutch).

I'm not familiar with what was offered in the FJR; but I was just talking about my experiences and observations with Honda, and to my knowledge they don't typically do what Yamaha did with the FJR.

Again, please don't take offense -- I'm not trying to diss the DN-01 in any way, and 'sledge-o-matic' was never intended to be derogatory. I thought the DN-01 was a pretty cool idea from Honda when it first came out, just grossly overpriced.

 

[Gizmo]

All I know about the DN-01 is what I've read about it, and everything I've seen says it has a CVT (hudraulics with no actual gears, though it can be programmed to mimic the sensation of shifting gears), which is not the same as an automatic (multiple physical gears that are automatically shifted), which is not the same as a DCT (manually shifted gears, but no manual clutch).

I'm not familiar with what was offered in the FJR; but I was just talking about my experiences and observations with Honda, and to my knowledge they don't typically do what Yamaha did with the FJR.

Again, please don't take offense -- I'm not trying to diss the DN-01 in any way, and 'sledge-o-matic' was never intended to be derogatory. I thought the DN-01 was a pretty cool idea from Honda when it first came out, just grossly overpriced.

Not offended at all! Just rattling your cage "a little." I am well aware of the "shortcomings" of the DN-01 and just what the **** it is OR I should say, what's the **** it's NOT!! I knew what I was getting myself into when I bought one but it does give me something to talk about never the less. Truthfully, there ARE a lot of different motorcycle "automatics" out there that share little in common. If it works for you, then it works for you! Sometimes being different is more fun than being "common," if you know what I mean. (And it sure as **** was overpriced, for what was offered!)