Honda announce new dual clutch system

DSG for bikes? Why? are we really that lazy? IMHO I would rather not to have a motorbike that drives like a scooter.

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 10:28

does anyone use the clutch that much anyway

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 10:47

A-I-S wrote (see)

does anyone use the clutch that much anyway

not much on race stylee bikes going up through gears but always going down.

On distance tourer style bikes like my BMW its used every gear shift and I think its these style of bikes that would be the target for these sort of gizmo's

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 10:54

More stuff to go wrong with the bike.

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 12:25

upshifts rarely

downshifts allways

if i was into mile munching, this would probably be a good addition to the motorcycle, agree with speedy in a way though, the more technology the more can go wrong, and the more expensive its gonna be

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 13:29

I think it's to do with the new push button system they're putting on the next VFR. As I understand it the new VFR will have buttons on the handle-bar controls to switch up and down, very much like a bike version of a racing car's 'flappy-paddle gearbox'.

 Coupled with this dual clutch system it's easy to recognise how this could provide faster gearshifts. There are cars that can change gear in 0.02 seconds, far faster than any human can. If Honda can get this technology to work well on bikes I think it's hard to argue that it wouldn't make for faster lap times.

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 17:58

Speedy's right, more weight, more complexity, more things to go wrong . This is the perfect answer to a question none of us asked...

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 19:56

Erm...Does anyone know why they've bothered with this? I use the clutch from first to second and second to first as it's a fucking bitch otherwise on this ZX7R I've got, but other than that, clutchless shifts. Doesn't translogic quickshift basically do the same thing? I'm asking, never had them

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 20:03

The Honda system sounds similar to that used on the Yamaha FJR1300, but both lag way behind Aprilia on this. I had the use of an Aprilia 850 (V-Twin) Mana recently which has an Automatic gear box as described here, and until you ride one of these, you cannot appriciate how good they are. I did about 1,000 miles on back roads, motorways, and city roads and it was good on each of them

Select the one gear "scooter" mode and it will go from 0 mph to 130 mph (indicated) in one gear. Or put it in Sport Manual mode and have the full use of 7 gears operated by foot or finger (or a combination of both).

No shutting off on up OR down shifts, totally seemless changes, quicker than any manual bike, and even in "scooter" mode, a touch of the foot or finger lever changes down so that you can hammer it through a bend in the right gear.  On a roundabout when the bike is right over on the left peg and your foot cannot get under the gear change, you can change up with a flick of the finger.

And it does NOT change up for you in Sport "Manual" mode-you can hold it on the rev limiter in every gear. I cannot think of a single disadvantage over a standard manual except the weight-why would it be less reliable than an "ordinary" box? Don't knock it until you try it. It will be on most big tourers soon, you mark my words.

DFG boxes work on cars brilliantly-VW's and Audi's are used bysome of the car instructors at the Nurgburgring and they love them. 

Posted: 22/12/2008 at 20:31

Ditto to the above, i had been looking at the Mana but wanted something made by Honda, with less weight and less of an agricultural feel to it. I look forward to advances in technology and would most certainly look at a DSG boxed bike for my daily commute in and out of the city. It would save my bloody wrist with the constant changing up and down.

Posted: 23/12/2008 at 11:27

I have only ridden the YCCS system on the FJR and it produces lightening fast accurate ( never a missed shift again) smooth shifts everytime up or down , + it wont let you lock up the rear wheel with a compression lock up.

 I know the FJR is just an electronic shift sytem coupled to a conventional gear box unlike the Honda /Aprillia so it shouldnt  go to worng.

The more complicated Honda and Aprilia system I am not so sure about , as they are more of a CVT auto system that takes away the riders shift point etc. Definately more complicated than the YCCS and possible trouble down the track.

 Every one seems to think the clutchless system is great for inner city , I reckon it would stink, inner ciity riding with no clutch would sh.t me no end, city ridin would sh.t me any day so ... Bigger heavy bike with no clutch in the city is NOT good , I ride one out in the country where it belongs .

 Lightweight CVT 50cc scooters belong inner city.

Posted: 27/12/2008 at 21:21

Honda just started to use this on utility ATVs, the TRX420. they also have hydrostatic and torque converter ATV models so they can't make up their mind obviously. I would not call the FJR the smoothest shift at lower speeds but is and impressive system and very good the way it starts to slip at very slow speeds for manouvering.

Posted: 04/01/2009 at 22:15