Honda Goldwing DCT / Automatic Motorcycles: My Thoughts & Riding Tips

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I get a lot of questions about DCT motorcycles—especially since I used to own a 2018 Honda Goldwing DCT. With so much curiosity out there, I figured it’s time to share my experience, and whether I’d buy another one.

Another common question I hear is about the difference in riding technique between a DCT and a standard transmission motorcycle.

So, let's dig into that—and more—in this week’s video.

What I Liked About the Goldwing DCT

Overall, I enjoyed the DCT on the Goldwing, though it wasn’t without its downsides. Here's what stood out:

✅ Relaxed Riding

City traffic and long trips: The DCT really shines here. It makes the ride less mentally demanding.
Focus when tired: After a long day of riding, or in heavy traffic, not having to think about shifting gives your brain a break.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to appreciate that as much as I did. Shifting has become second nature to me over the years, but I was surprised at the mental relief the DCT provided.

✅ Plenty of Power

The Goldwing DCT never felt underpowered, even in Standard mode. That’s the setting I stuck with most of the time.

Rain mode felt too soft.
Sport mode was too aggressive, especially on downshifts.
On the 2018 model, each mode had very distinct characteristics—more so than many other motorcycles I’ve ridden.

When I wanted a more spirited ride, I preferred switching to Manual mode rather than Sport mode. That gave me full control of the shifting using either the paddle shifters or the optional foot shifter.

Pro Tip: If you're moving from a standard motorcycle to a DCT, I highly recommend the foot shifter option. It feels much more natural than using the paddles.

Where the DCT Shines

For touring, the DCT is excellent. The Goldwing is built for long trips—often with a passenger or full luggage—and the DCT makes those rides smoother.

In city traffic, the automatic shifting is a huge benefit. You can just focus on the road and surroundings, which enhances motorcycle safety in high-risk environments.

Where the DCT Struggles

❌ Cornering and Twisties

In curves, I usually switched to manual mode. Here’s why:

I didn’t like the bike downshifting mid-corner—especially in Sport mode.
Even though the shifts are quick, a mid-corner downshift can throw off your line.
Sport mode’s engine braking made this issue even more noticeable.

❌ Low-Speed Maneuvers

This is where I found the DCT most limiting:

While it’s easier for street riding…
It’s harder for slow-speed control—like U-turns, tight maneuvers, and practice drills.

Riding Tips for DCT Motorcycles

Through my experience, I picked up a few techniques that helped me adapt to the DCT:

Use Engine Braking Strategically

Be aware of how each mode handles engine braking and adjust your approach accordingly.

Use Manual Downshifting in Corners

Avoid letting the bike auto-downshift mid-lean—switch to manual mode and downshift before entering the corner.

Understand Slow-Speed Limitations

It takes extra finesse to ride a DCT well at slow speeds. You lose the fine control of a traditional clutch, which affects balance and timing.

So… Would I Buy Another DCT?

Knowing what I know now?

Probably not.

I do a fair amount of slow-speed riding for training and video work. Not having a clutch for that kind of control was a big negative for me.

That’s not to say it can’t be done. There are riders who handle a DCT beautifully in closed-course environments—but it does have a learning curve.

Another factor: wear and tear.

Just because you’re not operating the clutch manually doesn’t mean there’s no clutch. The DCT still uses a clutch—you’re just not the one managing the friction zone.

I’ve heard from riders who burned up their DCT clutch doing slow-speed practice. And if that happens? It’s a lot more expensive to repair.

Final Thoughts

The DCT is:

✅ Great for touring
✅ Great for city riding
❌ Not ideal for slow-speed control

If precision handling and low-speed riding are important to you—whether for training, police-style courses, or personal practice—I believe a manual transmission motorcycle is a better fit.