How is the DCT off road?

[drdubb]

The report on Rideapart https://rideapart.com/articles/rideapart-review-honda-nc700x was complementary of the NC off road. Of course it doesn't have the ground clearance and suspension nor light weight to go tearing around single track, but they almost compare it to a trials back in some respects. I like my DR650 b/c of its tractor like engine and the lighter weight as compared to a street bike, so I'm hoping the NC will give me some of that.

The NC I looked at yesterday was back in the shop having the speedo/dash recall done. I wish I could move on it now, but I've got to clear out the garage first.

 

[drdubb]

"Auto clutch pretty much sucks at low speeds. You have no control over the engagement point and basically have to ride the rear brake to keep the power up. Most people assume CVT scooters are easy to ride but, at walking speeds, they're actually harder."

Anybody want to reply to this comment?

 

[670cc]

"Auto clutch pretty much sucks at low speeds. You have no control over the engagement point and basically have to ride the rear brake to keep the power up. Most people assume CVT scooters are easy to ride but, at walking speeds, they're actually harder."

Anybody want to reply to this comment?

The NC700 DCT is not a CVT. I don't know the origin of that comment, but the comment does not apply here. They are different animals.

CVT uses a mechanically actuated centrifugal clutch that requires some given RPM before it engages. When slowing, it also disengages at that point causing the vehicle to suddenly freewheel.

The Honda DCT clutches are controlled electronically and engage immediately and seamlessly. Riding the DCT in a slow speed maneuver at 1 mph is entirely possible, but it could not be done easily with a CVT centrifugal clutch.

 

[goodvibes]

The NC-DCT does as well as my Vstrom-650, or any other dual-sport on gravel/dirt. I'm not talking about doing the Dakar with it, but you aren't either. The automatic makes no difference at all on what kind of riding you are doing--none. Just put on the knobbies and go for it!

 

[drdubb]

Thanks for the clarification. The comment was from a reader on the article I.posted.

 

[HONDABIKEPRO]

Well i was going to pas on the topic BUT.
1. people with winches need them because they are always getting stuck?? give me a brake. did you do 50.000 miles on bikes last, was 15.000 of that off road did you do the Washington and Colorado and Arizona back country routes, and camp, and go up into Canada off road last year?? Well were i ride there are times even you, may need a winch unless you are at the mall.
2. The nc can be rode off road with a few mods, and work well for the average rider. If you want to ride it really hard, then suspension mods are a must, and full knobby tires like tkc.
3. On all my rides i normally have to lead the group. I set the pace, the pace is faster then most rides are willing to ride.
i have own Gs1200a BMW and 1150 gsa Bmw both bikes, in one year had more then 40.000 put on them. I am not saying that the nc700 is better or faster then a gs model or ktm 1150 but, can be rode every where the other bikes can, and be more cost effective.
4. The new abs systems are very good, the nc700dct has abs and linked braking, when stopping fast on gravel roads the linked system, does not pick up a speed difference between the front and back, when the rear brake is on hard, there for the abs does not come in, unless you are truly over braking. The object in braking is not to get the abs to come in to begin with. I have had dirt rode, braking contest with with dozens of bikes at 60 mph no one has even comes close to the stopping of the nc700dct with abs on. Even coming into corners, because of the linked braking is very controllable. The new 1190 ktm has angle sensors in it abs, and will work when leaned over, what a cool system. You can easily wire in a switch to turn off the abs on the nc if you like. The disconnect on the abs system is about 6 mph, mud, snow, ice most likely you would be going very slow, my abs on this bike is always on.
5. dct of road, it works very good, i always run in manual mode, i want to control all shifting. If you get in over your head, your can always just down shift, it may slide the tire, but is still very controllable. There has been a few times that i wished i could rev the motor up to carry the front wheel over something.
6. I am out of time, heading for California tomorrow to the off road meet, KING OF THE HAMMERS Dale

 

[HONDABIKEPRO]

"Auto clutch pretty much sucks at low speeds. You have no control over the engagement point and basically have to ride the rear brake to keep the power up. Most people assume CVT scooters are easy to ride but, at walking speeds, they're actually harder."

Anybody want to reply to this comment?

You have full forward control with the dct clutch. With a manual clutch you have to control throttle, clutch, and rear brake to make a 3mph hard circle. The difference on the dct 700, you only have to hold the throttle steady, and use the rear brake to control forward movement. In a slow race the dct is easier to balance and ride. All drill teams, and police departments are instructed to hold the throttle, and modulate the clutch against the rear brake for slow speed turns. You do the same thing with the dct, but it is easier to control because the clutch is controlled by the throttle. Dale

 

[drdubb]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I've made up my mind....actually before this, but I was curious. Now I just have to get rid of the old bikes.

 

[Wingrider]

Some guy I think from the Netherlands i believe had a youtube great video I will try and post it he does some great video editing, that show him as four different people.

he changed tires they are still street tires but he said they are much better on dirt roads and Gravel roads than the Oem Metzeler Roadtec Z8 tires that come with the bike.

He was testing the Dunlop Roadsmart 2 tires on his NC700X, against the OEM Metzeler Roadtec Z8 that come on the NC7X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyqNYsIcdpA

here is the one where he shows him self as 4 different people, it is humorus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZYiAQLH79Y

 

[kpinvt]

Some guy I think from the Netherlands i believe had a youtube great video I will try and post it he does some great video editing, that show him as four different people.

he changed tires they are still street tires but he said they are much better on dirt roads and Gravel roads than the Oem Metzeler Roadtec Z8 tires that come with the bike.

He was testing the Dunlop Roadsmart 2 tires on his NC700X, against the OEM Metzeler Roadtec Z8 that come on the NC7X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyqNYsIcdpA

here is the one where he shows him self as 4 different people, it is humorus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZYiAQLH79Y

That's VIDEO regi whose videos and this one from TECHMOAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTOy5wZWKJQ Really pushed me over the edge in the direction of buying the NC700X DCT.

 

[wildeone]

"Auto clutch pretty much sucks at low speeds. You have no control over the engagement point and basically have to ride the rear brake to keep the power up. Most people assume CVT scooters are easy to ride but, at walking speeds, they're actually harder."

Anybody want to reply to this comment?

this statement is true whether you like it or not.

 

[Fuzzy]

"Auto clutch pretty much sucks at low speeds. You have no control over the engagement point and basically have to ride the rear brake to keep the power up. Most people assume CVT scooters are easy to ride but, at walking speeds, they're actually harder."

Anybody want to reply to this comment?

this statement is true whether you like it or not.

Basically true but just a new skill to learn dragging the rear brake to compensate. Don't expect to just jump on a DCT and be able to nail slow speed turns. It took most of is a while to learn how to use a clutch and in time becomes second nature. Approach this the same way and with practice it will cease to be an issue.

 

[kpinvt]

this statement is true whether you like it or not.

Absolutely true about a bike like the 2003 Honda Silver Wing I used to own. Absolutely NOT TRUE about the NC DCT. Ride one and see.

 

[Konrad]

I've owned 3 scooters and have a DCT now. Also had manual bikes as well. All the bikes have different technique and I have never had a problem with any of them. However, A friend of mine failed his DMV ride test on my scooter for this very reason. So, I suppose it's how well you can adapt to the machine that means how tough it is. Riding slow and balancing is a thing I like to do for fun so maybe I've gotten better over years but I find both types easy, just different.

 

[mike884]

I've taken the DCT just into some dirt woods paths. I have a few observations... the DCT in manual mode is competent, but however you lack any clutch control... which is good and bad. you get high centered pretty easily, and despite the low center of gravity... its just a very large bike for the woods/trails. Wide open spaces and gravel though, no problem.

 

[RinconVTR]

DCT not good off road? Some of you guys are really funny.

Have you forgotten how many centrifugal/auto clutches exist off road? DCT is worlds better...you don't see where this is going?

May be you missed Honda has DCT on their Rubicon ATV and their biggest UTV?

DCT will have a solid spot off road. I believe the other OEM's are simply watching Honda's success with it and trying to catch up as we speak. In short order, I think we'll see many more DCT's off road than we have seen centrifugal in the past.

ABS off road not good...no argument there. But if you're on road more than off, its really a non-issue, or may be you bought the wrong bike.

 

[Old Can Ride]

BTW manual nc700x/nc750x are pretty good off-road because of very low COG and low rev, diesel like engine. Now with new tyres TKC80 it's almost a dirt bike.

Most cruisers have 3.5 inches of shock movement. The NC7 has 5.5 inches of shock movement. Most dirt motorcycles have around 9 inches of shock movement. Ride the NC7 slower than a dirt bike in the dirt, and it will do just fine.

 

[sbh1973]

I don't own an NC700x DCT, but am seriously considering one, not least of all because of it's "off road" capability. There are a number of YouTube videos of guys taking their NC700 DCTs off-road. Sure, they're not climbing over boulders, but the kind of "off-road" riding is probably standard fare for most adventure touring types. This is about as tough a trail as I've seen, and the bike seems to do pretty well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soXcx6iD1wA

Here's another couple:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PenZDU_xYI

Keeping up with R1200GS's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C2FS0lC1aU

Pretty sure this is about as "off-road" as most people will ever get with 500-pound adventure touring bikes. DCT may not be perfect, but seems to do just fine.

 

[drdubb]

I get a kick out of Vman..he really loves his DCT. He also has a crf250 for the knarly stuff.

I think it boils down to what type of "off road" you want to do and how good of a rider you are....I'm not so good, so I stick to easy gravel and I don't go fast. I do plan on upgrading my suspension at some point, but that's for comfort, not capability.

Also remember, she's a lot to pick up.

 

[kpinvt]

I don't own an NC700x DCT, but am seriously considering one, not least of all because of it's "off road" capability. There are a number of YouTube videos of guys taking their NC700 DCTs off-road. Sure, they're not climbing over boulders, but the kind of "off-road" riding is probably standard fare for most adventure touring types. This is about as tough a trail as I've seen, and the bike seems to do pretty well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soXcx6iD1wA

Here's another couple:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PenZDU_xYI

Keeping up with R1200GS's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C2FS0lC1aU

Pretty sure this is about as "off-road" as most people will ever get with 500-pound adventure touring bikes. DCT may not be perfect, but seems to do just fine.

This is the Vman1313 video I was watching when I realized a simple truth about motorcycling, anywhere:

It's not the bike, it's the rider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJdTMudp5k0