DCT Ride Report Hi all. Just took my new DCT for its first few runs. Overall I’m very pleased with my investment; can’t spend those kinda $’s on a bike and call it just a purchase!!! I’m just gonna touch on a couple of points, as most of what I’d say echos everyone else who’s ridden and commented on the new Viffer. One echo I must share is the fit and finish is almost beyond reproach. I don’t particularly like the weld down the centre of the frame, but assume it’s a necessary “feature” on all bike chassis (?). When I first saw pics and videos late last year, I was a fence sitter on its asthetics, but this sexy Cylon (Caprica 6) grows on me day by day. My DCT has the same slightly clunky shifting between 1st and 2nd that the manual demo did. The rest of the gear transitions are VERY “tidy” and often imperceptible. I LOVE this part of the DCT design. To be totally honest, I DO miss my clutch when maneuvering at very slow speed. The throttle is a bit twitchy and you don’t have the fine range of control that the clutch affords. Extra caution is warranted when at walking speed. The only other negative is that in “D”rive mode, the computer shifts in the 2-3k range on the tach and Caprica chugs a bit under 4k. “S”port mode is the other extreme. She shifts very high. Sometimes this suits my riding mood, other times not so much. My favorite is manual shifting with the left forefinger and thumb triggers. I shift when my (and Caprica’s) mood dictates, and get the seamless shifts the DCT affords...best of both worlds. Rearview is a fair bit better on the VFR than on my B-King, with my big shoulders not blocking so much of the view. Oh yeah, forgot the evil growl this new engine emits after 6k on the tach...awesome! Brakes are fantastic…authoritative without being “grabby”. The console is one of the nicest looking I’ve seen on any bike. LOVE the “mirrored” LCD’s bookending the tach. Stock windshield protects my chest, but allows airflow to the full of my helmet…good or bad depending on temp, precip, and insects. Strangely, I’ve adjusted to the transposed horn and signal switches quickly. Having the signals lower does seem more intuitive relative to the thumb position on the grip, but I’ve missed the horn several times when trying to test it “eyes-up”. Another great feature that both versions of the new Viffer share is the integrated pannier rack…or lack thereof. It’s great to undress Caprica and drive her naked without a metal-frame girdle hanging off her hips. Gotta jet…she’s calling my name and it 20 C, blue skies and sunshine. Chow for now, Saint
