A few of my buddies have been pining over the DCT since they first heard about it. I was late to the party. I still have fun shifting and I wasn't really a believer until I rode one. But I warned the guys that muscle memory is real. Especially the one in your head. After you've been shifting for 20 years, you just don't forget about the clutch over night. Well, it happened. One of my buddies who already has a deposit down and is waiting for his bike, decided to stop by the shop and get in a free test ride, AGAIN!! One of my other buddies went with him. The salesman put one on the DCT and the other on that new Yamaha Venture. The salesman was on a 2018 manual Tourer. So, they head out and hit the highway. My buddy puts the DCT in sport mode and said he really enjoyed it. Now the problem comes because as they come off the highway and pull up behind the cars at the light, he's still in Sport mode. Shouldn't be an issue, right? He said the salesman was well ahead of him at the stop, so he goes to inch the bike up a bit, but gives it just a bit too much throttle. He panics, and starts reaching for the clutch and the brake, only there ain't no clutch and the brakes didn't stop her right away. He runs right into the back of the Salesman. So now, he's got two demo bikes his insurance has to repair plus he hurt his knee and ankle to boot. Seems like a stupid thing, but it could happen to anybody. And yes, he still wants the DCT when his bike comes in. Can't say I blame him for that. I'm still a believer too!
Every test ride I've ever guided, or ridden as a potential customer has had me nervous for just that reason. Murphy's Law is very real. It also goes to show that there is a learning curve on that DCT model, and it can be very steep depending on the situation. Fossil found that out in Texas too. This ain't yer Grampa's Goldwing.
Oh boy. I know you can't make a decision without riding a bike but I've seen too many instances where the test ride goes bad. I was selling my pristine 74 Yamaha to a friend and watched him climb the curb at the bottom of a hill and end up in someone's lawn. He bought the bike anyway so it saved me from having it repaired. LOL
Had a neighbor go to a dealer and buys a new bike his first. Gives it too much gas trying to come to a stop before entering the road and ends up out in the road and is broadsided by a car doing 60. Killed instantly. His Mom and I watch from inside the car behind him.
Another guy wearing tank top, jeans and tennis shoes and no helmet comes to pick up his friends Triumph Triple that was in for its first 600 mile service. A half mile from the shop he is doing over 60 in a 30mph curve and heads straight into the cement wall killed instantly. His friend said he thought he knew how to ride.
If I had any say, I would be taking these bikes to a safe place and see for sure if the guys can really ride them. But working at the dealership, we don't have that luxury to keep people safe from themselves.
I looking at a DCT. I have a 06 now and from what I have read there is a learning curve on the DCT. I'm planning a trip to Bryce Canyon from Parkersburg WV in July and was wandering if I should take the 06 and then when I get back get the DCT. Any advice would be appreciated.
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