So, the new Honda Africa Twin is now on sale in India. And at Rs 12.9 lakh ex-Delhi, it is the cheapest full fat ADV or adventure bike one can buy in the country. That the white version with gold fork covers and gold wheel rims isn’t on sale is a dampener (at least for me). But, the bigger issue seems to be the DCT only option the bike comes with. And this seems to have put a lot of prospect buyers on the back foot. The question is, is this doubt well founded or is it just the fear of the unknown?
DCT and me
I for one am not put off by the DCT only option. I have ridden the VFR1200F extensively in the city, as well as in the hills and on a racetrack. And that bike, like the Africa Twin, was also only sold in DCT form. Okay, the shifts weren’t perfectly aligned with my riding needs in D mode on the VFR, but in S mode, it did come very close to picking the gear I wanted both while entering and exiting corners.
Plus, it had paddle shifters for added gear control, which incidentally I didn’t feel the need for after a few hundred kilometres of riding the bike. And on a flat open road, it was just brilliant - easy, relaxed and convenient. The only catch was getting used to riding a bike without a clutch and having better control over the gears. It felt alien and uncomfortable at first, but the more miles I put on it, the more I began trusting the gearbox and its functioning. But yes, if you consider your skill levels are terrific, a DCT or any other form of an automatic gearbox on a motorcycle won’t do it for you.
DCT and trail riding
And that conveniently brings us to the Africa Twin’s main purpose. Adventure riding. Now, adventure riding is as much about taking on dirt roads and forest trails as it is about touring on the road. And this particular genre is just taking off in India. So, for those who have been rallying motorcycles or competing in dirt riding events, the DCT might seem boring.
But, for the rest of the majority, including me, I think the DCT will be a great help off the road. For starters, there will be one less thing to worry about, like picking the right gear to tackle a climb or to negotiate slush with. Plus, the fact that you won’t end up stalling the bike on an incline or while going over rocks, will not only offer better control but it will add to the rider’s confidence too.
Moreover, the DCT ‘box will work better with the electronics to keep the average rider the right way up. The Africa Twin comes with Honda Selective Torque Control, which essentially manages the torque going to the rear wheel to limit the slip ratio between the front and rear wheel. This ratio is a little more liberal in off-road mode to aid power steering out of corners. Crucially, the DCT also comes with hill climb and descent technology operated via the ‘G’ switch. This again should prove to be a boon for less experienced off road riders like me when going up or coming down a steep, slippery and challenging incline.
DCT and Honda
But, it is the level of involvement and commitment that Honda Motorcycles shows in educating the public at large about DCT in relation to the Africa Twin that will make or break the new adventure tourer in India. It’s clear, not many know how the DCT will function off road in the real world. And lesser still have ever ridden or experienced a DCT equipped bike. And it’s this fear of the unknown that’s one of the main reasons most prospect buyers are currently on the back foot even though the bike’s pricing is so tempting.
So, here’s what we think Honda should do. Put out short films about the DCT equipped Africa Twin including technical videos. Film an off-road rider of repute thrashing this adventure bike around trails to show its capability while pointing out some clever cheats that you and I, the average off-road rider, can use. And of course, do one that showcases its touring and luggage carrying ability.
But, the one that would matter the most, would be on-ground events. And it doesn’t have to be limited to Africa Twin buyers. Instead Honda should target existing big bike owners, influencers in riding clubs and of course those with Tigers and Enduros. This is the only way to get the fence sitters to take the plunge and adopt the new technology.
Finally then, will the DCT only move ruin the Africa Twin party in India? I don’t think so. More so, if Honda doesn’t sit still. But, even if it does, slowly but surely the word is bound to get around that DCT will – if nothing else – make it easier to exploit the Africa Twin’s overall ability.
