Tired of shifting? Many motorcyclists, especially those of us with pain in our hands and wrists from many years on the road, secretly long for an effective automatic transmission. One that won't take away from the excitement and response of riding a sportbike. So when rumors were heard about the new Honda VFR1200 being equipped with an automatic, excitement mounted.
Now it's official. Honda released details about the new "dual clutch" transmission in the upcoming VFR model. The fully-automatic design uses a six-speed gearbox connected to twin computer-controlled clutches. One clutch works the odd-numbered gears, the other the even-numbered ones. The hydraulically-actuated clutches work in tandem, smoothing out transitions between the gears. The lack of a CVT mechanism or hydraulic pumps like those found in the DN-01's Foreman ATV-derived transmission means a lightweight, relatively simple design that functions much like a manual transmission. In fact, Honda promises "fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission."
There are three different shift modes, selected with a button on the right hand grip. There's a regular Drive mode for economical operation, a Sport mode for faster acceleration, and a six-speed manual mode. The manual mode utilizes paddle-style shifters on the left grip, familiar to anybody who's ridden a Yamaha FJR13000AE or Aprilia Mana.
I don't really understand all that engineering mumbo-jumbo, and Honda's Tokyo subway map-like diagrams don't help much either. But a video demonstration -- showing a silhouetted VFR1200 on a dynamometer as a rider demonstrates the function of the new transmission-cleared things up for me, as well as showing how smooth shifting can be with the new system. Imagine how much easier completing that perfect lap or perfect corner could be with an electronic assistant doing the shifting for you, with the chassis steady and the balls of your feet up on the pegs. It could possibly give a racer a second or two a lap. Or it could just let a sportbike rider enjoy the ride more, helping him be smoother and safer.
I've ridden other automatic motorcycles and found they were good, but still not as satisfying to ride as a light, powerful, simple sportbike with a traditional gearbox. If this system, which has over 100 patents, is as smooth, flawless and easy-to-maintain (and by inference, inexpensive) as Honda claims, it could revolutionize motorcycling, benefitting racers, tourers, sportbikers and cruiser riders alike.
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MD Readers Respond:
Honda has been designing complex motorcycle systems for complexity's sake
for many years. It's like some corporate muscle-flexing gesture. Remember
HMAS suspension? TRAC traction control? V-TEC valve train? Linked brakes?
All the way back to those legendary 6-cylinder 250cc racers, Honda has used
unnecessarily complex designs as a corporate identity. The problem? Over
half of Honda's motorcycle dealers don't have the service staff that can
understand (much less repair) these items.
Between the DN-01 and this double-clutch VFR, Honda has done it again.
Imagine a problem with your new 1200VFR transmission outside of Evanston,
Wyoming. Or in the hills of Tennessee. Think the small-town Honda lawn
mower/motorcycle dealer is going to be able to diagnose and repair that
transmission? Not likely.
A perfect example of Honda's obsession with excessive technology is the
ST1300 sport-touring motorcycle. It's alternator is buried in the front of
the engine under the intake manifold. That manifold contains the fuel
injection system, air box and is under the pressurized fuel tank. The
alternator's front-mounted gear-drive assembly must also be removed to
access the unit. Sound complex? You bet!
Alternators are replaced every day in autos, trucks and other gas-powered
products. Honda's 750 VFR was legendary for overheating stators. They needed
replacement by Honda service technicians. How does Honda respond now? By
placing a similar device in an even more difficult-to-access location.
That's not in the customer's interest. It's indicative of Honda's attitude
that their products are bulletproof. They are not.
Ask the owner of a GL1800 with a frame re-welded under warranty. Or the
owner of a Honda Accord with defective air bags (that have just been
recalled). I owned a Honda Shadow Tourer that was delivered with a defective
wire harness. It caused the bike to overheat on my vacation in the middle of
Yellowstone National Park. Was there a Honda dealer nearby with the repair
skills? Not on your life. I was told by a local dealer to ride it back home
to San Diego and seek repairs there. I rode the motorcycle homebound over a
thousand miles with the engine temperature light on and the plastic radiator
shroud melting. The defective wire harness and shroud were replaced under
warranty but the internal damage to the engine was ignored. I was told it
was "fine". Over 1000 miles running in summer heat and urban traffic with an
overheated engine spewing coolant is "fine"? No Honda. Your obsession with
high-tech has gone beyond your ability to service it.
We have entered an era where repairing devices we use every day is a thing
of the past. DVD players, Blackberry devices, video games, televisions. All
are routinely replaced instead of repaired. Maybe Honda sees their 2-wheel
products as disposable. I certainly don't. Not at Honda's prices. Frank
This DSG (direct shift gearbox) technology has been sold by VW for several years. It shifts faster & is better overall than the BMW/Ferrari type SMG (sequential manual gearbox) which I've sampled. Both shift faster (DSG is quickest) than any human can shift a regular clutch, meaning performance is improved across the board (surprise, even fuel economy). Plus you can shift it just like a manual but w/o a clutch (this is NOT an old-style hydraulic auto tranny w/ manual shift thingys).
Same as at least one of your readers, car fanatics fond of shifting & afraid of or against change, complain about DSG/SMG & state a preference for clutching.
People complaining about stuff breaking out of warranty are whiners IMO. If you prefer carbs, outdated technology, old soft overheated ancient warped oil-burning air-cooled motors, fine. Stop whining about progress though. jimbo
Oh joy! more complexity and weight. Honda, building motorcycles for
people who don't like motorcycles. yeesh, Doug
Just wait till you need to have it repaired out of warranty. Jim
The new clutch sounds neat. But here's the real question - does that cutaway show gear driven cams? That would sound really neat! Mark
