2018 Honda Gold Wing Unveiled today

[Checkswrecks]

errrr - Sad day?
It's been 41 years since the 1976 Hondamatic 750 was introduced.

 

[snakebitten]

I had a chocolate brown 1971 almost identical, but no, not automatic. (I was 15 years old with my 100cc license. Mom didn't know what a cubic centimeter was)

Forgot about that automatic! Honda was awesome back then. Did crazy stuff.

 

[RonH]

I hope the DCT is just as popular as the 750 Hondamatic was. Back in 1976 most people still had the common sense to buy manual in motorcycles. Today common sense is no longer a factor in purchasing anything. I remember the CB750 running quarter mile times in the low 13s bracket, and the CB750 automatic in the low 17s bracket. Loads of fun. :-[

 

[Dogdaze]

Imagine a world whereby choice is not available, then I also wonder how loud those same voices would be if that was the case. Isn't wonderful that we live in society's (most of us) where we are able to make a choice?......................
Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, so is innovation, don't wish it away!

 

[magic]

Back in the mid 70's, I was buying a new 750 Honda almost every year. The new ones sold for about $1800 and I would trade in last years and get a new one for about $400 to boot. Anyhow, I was spending a lot of time and money at the local Honda dealer. I knew the owner and went to school with his kids. The Hondamatic 750 came out and we all laughed at it. The owner offered to let me take one home for the weekend. Sure, it wasn't fast, but I really enjoyed riding it. It was great for riding 2 up, no helmet banging. I never considered buying one then, but if that bike was available today, I just might. I am surprised at the number of these bikes that are still around and running. I have seen several recently on Craigslist with lots of miles on and still running. IMHO, Honda has always been a leader in innovation. I think they make some bikes just to show the world that they can do it...1969 CB750K0, CBX, NR750, CX650, are a few that come to mind. I'm sure this new Gold Wing has some of that same innovative thinking behind it.

 

[fredz43]

When I first test rode a first generation Dual Clutch Transmission Honda on the VFR1200 I was amazed at how smoothly, quietly and quickly it shifted. However , I found that I preferred the manual mode of the DCT where I could manually shift gears with my left thumb and forefinger. With each generation upgrade, Honda improved the DCT, offering it on several models, even the Africa Twin adventure bike, that has even mode modes available than on earlier models. All the while, I thought that if they offered that on the Gold Wing, it would be very popular. They have now done that and it is a 4th generation DCT with a 7 speed transmission and it appears that the majority of buyers of the new model will choose it. Although I am not ready for another Wing (tried a 2004 model), I beleive that if and when I am in the market for one, it will be DCT. As mentioned, it is good to have choices.

As far as acceleration times, the DCT has no relation to earlier modes of automatic. I am sure that the DCT can shift faster and smoother than anybody can on a manual transmission bike. It already has the gears engaged, all it has to do is electrically select which clutch is energized.

 

[WJBertrand]

A good way to think about a DC transmission is that it’s an automated manual. No torque converter and attendant slippage/efficiency issues like a conventional automatic transmission.

If you’ve ever watched F1, those cars are
DCT, and their shifts are lightening fast.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[RonH]

I'm all for choice. That's why the DCT worries me. Give 100 people choice of lazy/ non lazy, 95% choose lazy, so offer the lazy mode, soon the other mode is no longer offered. It has already ruined trucks. I can see the goldwing going the same way DCT being standard. To get manual buy the CB125 or whatever is what could very well happen.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Anything that makes it easier for more people to get onto motorcycles is good in my book. Our number are falling as the younger generation is less interested in bikes than us "old timers" were. Fewer riders is bad for the industry, bad for our political power as riders, and very bad for the future costs motorcycles.

If Honda is able to attract more riders because they offer bikes that have transmissions similar to the ones that overwhelmingly dominate the auto industry, I think that seems pretty smart. How many 20-somethings, even 30-somethings do you know that can drive a stick shift? I have no problem becoming the old guy who still likes to ride those manual shift bikes. But for my buddy who's back surgery left him unable to shift a bike with his left foot, the auto transmission is a fantastic option to keep riding.

Best of luck to Honda with the DCT. Hope they sell them in huge numbers and pull in lots of people who would otherwise have no interest in riding a motorcycle. Our long term future needs all the help it can get.

 

[rem]

Well said, Dirty Daddy. ::014:: ::008::

 

[Cycledude]

I drove 18 wheelers for 20 years and over 2 million miles, have over 700,000 miles on motorcycles and never have any trouble shifting anything I’ve tried. But after talking to plenty of folks that have driven DCT I’m very seriously looking forward to actually owning one someday . Next spring hopefully I will get The chance to take both the standard 6 speed and the DCT for a nice test ride.

 

[snakebitten]

I do miss the choice of standard transmission in a pickup truck. But I also gotta admit that new 10-speed hooked to the HO eco 3.5 makes for a performance package that could only be dreamed of when I was riding in grandpa's manual clutch Chevy.
Motorcycles will inevitably progress. Hybrid technology is kind of interesting for a highway cruiser?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I remember my favorite motocross weapon was trashed by many due to it's automatic transmission (and shaft drive...and heavy weight). But my automatic ATV was the most fun I ever had on a track. It was always in the right gear. No matter what speed, or what conditions I was in, a blip of the throttle always, 100% of the time, resulted in the rear tires instantly spinning up and rocketing the beast forward. After a lifetime of shifting I'm pretty good at it, but I could never claim a success rate of 100% of the time being in the perfect gear for every situation. If DCT can provide that kind of performance, personally I would celebrate it, not fear it.

 

[RonH]

I would have to see any automatic that works better than manual first hand to finally accept it. Every truck I owned was manual up til 89 when I got an automatic. What utter garbage. I did 2000 miles and traded it in on a manual which worked fantastic, then time for a new truck finally comes and I go look for a manual and they tell me all manuals are very hard to get and no way to even order one, so against my better judgement opt for the auto. What a piece of junk. Then like 3 weeks later I see the same basic truck I bought, 4 door 4wd powerstroke diesel Ford F350 at a dealer with a manual, and just to convince myself I wasn't the dumbest dipfrick in history for buying junk, I test drive. Well I was the dumbest. I bought the auto. I still have that truck, and every day passes I feel like a stupid dip for buying it. Aint ever going to happen on another vehical, mostly not a motorcycle.

 

[Nikolajsen]

My riding companion have a Honda NC 750X DCT, and the DCT works VERY well.

 

[Sierra1]

I've always been a "manual" fan. But, the latest automatics are "not your father's automatics". Computers, and better materials have made a huge difference. That being said, I'm sticking with manuals.

 

[Dogdaze]

Thank goodness F1 cars have paddleshift DCT transmissions otherwise they would be called NASCAR ::025::
FYI, F1 cars shift gears 50 x faster than a blink of the human eye. So while I enjoy a manual car, I would never buy one today, DCT, CVT are so much better and efficient than stick, why would anyone do that to themselves? Even way back in the 60's-70's, Honda C70/90 Cubs did not have clutch levers, just a gear lever.
Manual transmissions have never really evolved much since first design, whereas auto's have changed so much with various manifestations, maybe I'm just not old enough to be stuck in my ways, maybe I like technology, like a phone, PC, indoor plumbing...... ::017::

 

[snakebitten]

My New Holland tractor has a standard transmission and the bell housing is vented. So Hurricane Harvey soaked my clutch plate and it welded itself to the flywheel.

$3000.00 to break a tractor in half to repair that clutch plate and bearing.

I wonder.........if it were an automatic with a sealed enclosure? Might have just needed fluids changed? Everything else on the tractor checked out perfectly with only fluid changes needed.

Keep in mind I do NOT mind changing gears. On almost anything. I like to participate in the whole thing. But todays advancements in so many areas are rewriting the rules.

 

[Defekticon]

Thank goodness F1 cars have paddleshift DCT transmissions otherwise they would be called NASCAR ::025::
FYI, F1 cars shift gears 50 x faster than a blink of the human eye. So while I enjoy a manual car, I would never buy one today, DCT, CVT are so much better and efficient than stick, why would anyone do that to themselves? Even way back in the 60's-70's, Honda C70/90 Cubs did not have clutch levers, just a gear lever.
Manual transmissions have never really evolved much since first design, whereas auto's have changed so much with various manifestations, maybe I'm just not old enough to be stuck in my ways, maybe I like technology, like a phone, PC, indoor plumbing...... ::017::

Agreed, with the exception of the CVT. Ford and Nissan (off the top of my head) are feeling the pain of poorly implemented and designed CVT's. Lawsuits and recalls are not making it better. I'd also argue that having driven several cars with CVT's (I travel for work, and for some reason all rentals I end up with under a full-size have this nightmare), I'd rather have a stick than a CVT. Such an unnatural feeling of acceleration, as if the car were in a constant state of slipping gears. Always seemingly right underneath peak torque.

I'm a huge fan of the new Goldwing, and I believe I will be in the market for this over the Venture for a two up touring machine for me and my wife. DCT looks awesome, has had great reviews/feedback from others and if I test drive it and like it, I'll put the money down on it.

 

[WJBertrand]

Agree CVTs suck. They remove all the enjoyment of driving in the ones I’ve tried.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro