Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission

Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission cutaway
A cutaway of the Honda VFR1200F’s engine is color-coded to show the 1-3-5 gears, clutch pack and solenoid valves in red and the corresponding setup for gears 2-4-6 in blue. Dual clutches allow rapid-fire, nearly seamless gear changes. (Tech images/illustrations courtesy of American Honda)

The age of the Dual Clutch Transmission is not approaching, it’s already here. If you happen to be comparison shopping Ferraris, Lamborghinis, or McLarens to fill out your garage, you won’t find a stick shift in the bunch, just DCTs. But for now, Honda is the sole motorcycle manufacturer offering this option.

First introduced for 2010 on the VFR1200F, Honda’s 2021 lineup offers seven distinct models with an optional DCT: three versions of the Gold Wing, two versions of the Africa Twin, the NC750X, and the new Rebel 1100. For the 2019 and 2020 model years, across Gold Wing, Africa Twin, and NC750X models, half the units sold were equipped with DCTs. And when you include Fourtrax ATVs and Pioneer and Talon side-by-sides, Honda obviously has a whole lotta DCT goin’ on.

Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission 2010 VFR1200F
Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission debuted as an option on the 2010 VFR1200F. (Photo by Kevin Wing)

In our road tests we’ve discussed the benefits of having a DCT along for the ride. Even if you absolutely insist on manual shift for your own machines, you gotta admit an automatic transmission opens the door to many new riders — and that’s always a good thing for our sport. Without clutch and shift levers, there are fewer controls to operate, allowing beginning riders to stay focused on throttle control, braking, leaning and staying out of harm’s way. They can also avoid the frustration of stalling or not finding neutral. Grizzled riders may scoff that such are the dues one must pay to learn to ride a motorcycle, but the fewer barriers to entry the better.

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Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission
Illustration shows the shaft-in-shaft configuration of the dual clutches, as well as the odd (1-3-5) gears and clutch in red and even (2-4-6) gears and clutch in blue.

Since we’re only gonna find more DCT options down the pike, let’s learn more about how it works. First, understand that this system does indeed use two clutches rather than just one hanging off the end of the transmission input shaft. Honda’s DCT setup positions a pair of clutches in a shaft-in-shaft configuration: a hollow outer shaft and a second one that runs inside it (see illustration 1). One clutch carries odd-numbered gears (1, 3, 5, plus 7 on Gold Wing models) while the other carries even-numbered gears (2, 4, 6).

Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission illustration
On the Gold Wing models, the DCT adds a 7th gear as well as a reverse chain and gear.

In the accompanying color illustrations and cutaway VFR1200 engine image, the red parts are the 1-3-5 clutch pack and gears, while the blue parts are the 2-4-6 clutch pack and gears. This allows two gears to be engaged at the same time, so while one gear is busy supplying power to the rear wheel, the DCT preselects the next gear and it stays ready for immediate engagement when the clutches pass the baton. This is accomplished through the use of linear solenoid valves that send hydraulic pressure to actuate the clutches as directed by the ECU.

Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission Rebel 1100 left grip
On the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT’s left handlebar are the manual downshift (-) and upshift (+, on front of switchgear) buttons and emergency brake. Note absence of clutch lever. (Photo by Drew Ruiz)

In practice, a DCT-equipped motorcycle with the ignition off or at idle will be in neutral, so all DCT bikes feature a parking brake (above). Once the bike has been started, to engage first gear the rider presses the “D” (Drive) button on the right switchgear (below). The “A/M” button switches between automatic and manual modes, and the “N” button shifts the transmission into neutral (this happens automatically when you come to a stop regardless of mode). When Drive has been engaged, to pull away from a stop all the rider has to do is roll on the throttle, just like the twist-and-go convenience of a scooter.

Honda DCT Dual Clutch Transmission Rebel 1100 right grip
Right handlebar has the DCT mode buttons. (Photo by Drew Ruiz)

The default mode is Automatic, with shift points electronically programmed. For fuel economy, the DCT typically shifts into higher gears quickly, to keep engine speed low. On the Rebel 1100 tested in this issue, DCT shift points vary based on the riding mode: Standard mode has a middle-of-the-road shift schedule, Rain mode shifts earlier to keep revs low, and Sport mode shifts later to allow high revs. When the throttle is rolled on abruptly, such as to make a quick pass, the DCT quickly downshifts a gear or two so the engine can deliver power as needed. At any time, a rider can use the down (-) or up (+) buttons on the left switchgear to change gears as desired.

Honda has also tailored the DCT for different models. For example, Africa Twin DCT models have four automatic modes (Drive and three Sport modes with successively higher shift points), and Gold Wing DCT models have 7-speed transmissions with a reverse gear.

With more than a decade of proven performance in the books, the motorcycling Dual Clutch Transmission is clearly here to stay.

14 COMMENTS

  1. “Honda is the sole motorcycle manufacturer offering this option.”
    Not exactly true – the Can Am Spyder is a motorcycle after all, albeit with an extra wheel… Sorry, I couldn’t resist, since I own one.

    • The Can-Am Spyder offers a semi-automatic transmission with no clutch lever. It will downshift automatically, but upshifts must be done manually via paddle shifts (hence the “semi-” part). BRP’s system does not use a dual clutch transmission, which does upshift automatically (if desired, it can also be put into manual mode).

  2. I disagree with the idea that more new riders is “always” a good thing. Riding remains a risk activity, which requires coordination and judgement. Not everyone “should” ride.

    IMHO, DCT’s are probably not a bad thing. Ideally, concentration freed up from shifting will allow riders to improve their other needed skills more quickly, as well as having attention remaining for traffic and road awareness.

  3. Yje big advantahe of this is for the disabled rider, I lost a leg due to a bike cras and miss riding so much, this would allow me to use a false leg for balance but you cant use a false leg for gear changing, this is problem solved.

  4. This is great, now all of those self important people, who can’t live without their iPhones, can ride and text without worrying about gear shifts and clutches.
    Sometimes more technology is not a good thing.

    • I am really glad I found out about the dct trans. I’m getting older and have bad feet. I have a lot of pain when using the foot lever. Heel toe leavers help but the dct is perfect for me. Over 50 years riding. Don’t want to hear from any bozos about 100% manual of nothing.

    • Concur. I would at least like to have the option for my manual transmission if I’m going to spend over $25,000 on a Goldwing. I never thought I’d buy a Harley, but I guess that’s the only choice I have now.

  5. I’ve test ride both Rebel 1100 and the Africa Twin with the DCT and I liked it way better on the AT. Basically same engine/transmission, but somehow behaving differently… Off-roading with the DCT is another thing at low speed/manoeuver, but I guess you get used to it!

  6. I have a 21 AT DCT and I honestly dont understand why some people say DCT is no good for slow maneuvers or trash the system for pure ignorance or arrogance or a sad combination of both.
    if one knows how to slow maneuver any bike it will feel at home with DCT, for those who doesn’t, do yourself a favor and learn how to properly ride a motorcycle before blame the technology.
    If one doesn’t really understand the technology or never had the chance to ride a DCT motorcycle for good on heavy traffic, on and off road, do yourself a favor, keep your trash thoughts to yourself, it is less pathetic and embarrassing,
    DCT is simply awesome.

    • I agree Ton, DCT is a game changer. I purchased a 2021 Africa DCT ADV. ES 1100CC.
      I have a disability, the DCT levels the playing field for older riders and riders with disabilities.

      I earned my motorcycle license at 54 y/o with disability slowly robbing my leg function plus other fun too.

      To the other comment, DCT allows more time to text if not manually changing gears, cmon man.
      When riding the bike, one is busy riding just like YOU, not texting either, uggh.

  7. I have a rigid 1954 Harley with foot clutch, jockey shift and a Harley Evo rigid with hand clutch foot shift and just bought a fully loaded all options Spyder RT Sea to Sky.
    Semi auto shifting, push a button to upshift, auto downshift. After all these years getting beat to death on my rigids, foot clutching and jockey shifting, it’s such a pleasure on the Spyder, if it upshifted automatically as well would be a treat beyond compare. I’m loving this ride, a pleasure to ride, no work, no pain, a road sofa.
    The DCT is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

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