Was I wrong about the DCT Goldwing?

In the past, I've rated the DCT Goldwing as the most difficult motorcycle to master for low speed handling. In this video I'll show you a rider who has mastered low speeds on his DCT Wing and I'll have him explain how he did it.

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[josephewing]

Big respect for Jerry here. He didn't have to post this video, but did.

[bkdbudk]

Good for him. Glad he pointed out that he dropped the bike 10 times because you rarely hear that aspect of it, and that is what it takes.

[thomasborger]

Man, that DCT gent has done quite well in a short time.

[got_to_roll]

Huge respect for this guys skill level in just a few months riding. Better bike handling than many iron butt, Sturgis 3 times, whatever, riders. I understand the time he spent practicing, the literal sweat he worked up, and the drops that happened. I've done it. Great job "Newb"! 👏🏆

[MrK-vz]

That's me in the blue long sleeve shirt (background and not the focus of the video)! What a great day, fantastic class, and awesome teacher. Thank you, Jerry!

[jimmyt]

Jerry, not sure if another comment is necessary, but here goes. Like a lot of guys/gals, I grew up on bikes then paused to raise a family (20+years). So when going back to riding I already had some idea of do and don’t, friction zone, rear brake dragging. The best thing was getting YOUR video. Combined with my previous skills, and your slower speed drills, I admit I have improved. As an Indian Scout owner that traded up to a 2022 Honda Goldwing DCT I say that your advice and drills dramatically improved my overall skills. I’m nowhere near perfect or ready to compete in slow speed cone course, but already impressing my Goldwing peers. Considerable differences in clutch friction zone and drag rear brake technique. I have dailed in U turns, and leaving from parked perpendicular to the right of way. The point is people need master 2wheels before getting injured of killed! That’s the whole point of surviving the mean streets. At 140lbs., you can’t THROW around an 880# machine. You must become one with the balance of the geometry the bike has. You are maybe the best instructor on this. I recommend it for anyone I come across. I have already put 22, 000 miles since June of 2022, and counting. One last thing, a guy told me in a driver’s meeting at The Amazing Challenge in West Virginia, “Ride in 80% of your skill level on these fantastic roads, leaving 20% for unsuspecting things that can pop up.” I think I enjoyed the challenge more listening to him rather than fall off the mountain! Peace to you and yours! JT on a DCT ✌️

[LawrenceBroussard]

Wow, this gentleman really control his Motorcycle like a old pro!

[ronmason]

Anyone who owns a wing, and ends up on an intercity freeway during rush hour, will not be worrying about the strain on the throttle. Been through LA a few times, but the last trip to Long Beach at peak rush hour and about 100 degrees, in crawling stop and start was enough to make my clutch hand almost seize up. No I'm not in favour of lane splitting especially on a bike that is wider than most. No wonder I have changed my mind on the DCT. It's too bad that I will never be able to afford to get one of these before I take the great dirt nap. Been riding wings for 49 years now and the thrill has never gone away.

[dalerice]

I have the Goldwing 2023 dct airbag. I have been riding motorcycles since I was sixteen and was a motor officer for a number of years as well. 

It's just about practice. The Goldwing can do what ever the big Harley's can do. Not better, just different.

[RobertMacCready]

Guy with the DCT bike did great. And I'm glad you posted the video.

[fatbudgiekillen]

And there's the owner and Jerry moving it around with the ease of a child's toy! Just practice 😊

[dogsnmotorcycles]

A friend loaned me his DCT Gold Wing for a few months last year and slow speed riding took a lot more practice. It was awesome around town and on the highway. I never dropped it or got really good at the low speed, but I really liked the bike.

[MCrider]

Great control for a rider with not a lot of time on a motorcycle.
It just shows it is not the years or miles that matter the most but the dedication and practice to get better.

[hermanbrown]

Motorman, I have a 2021 DCT and the name of the game when doing slow speed maneuvering is not to give the bike any throttle. The computer is design for all situations but don’t fight the DCT computer and you will be ok.

[UncleWally]

Been riding for over fifty years, took me over a year to learn how to use the “automatic” DCT properly on my Africa Twin. Huge buyer’s remorse at first; loved the bike, hated the DCT. Now, I absolutely love it. All that said, I’m still not sure if I only had one bike, if it would be DCT.

[markhutchins]

I took your Arizona class riding my K1600 GTL and it was a challenge pushing an 800lb top heavy bike around those cones, especially later in the day when fatigue set in. Now I ride a DCT Tour and I have practiced slow speed drills on my own, but haven’t taken a police training class yet. I find the Goldwing’s handling effortless compared to the K, even though it’s heavier. The DCT rider showed a lot of skill, and that gives me hope.

[stephenbabin]

Great discussion. It does require more practice. I had to change my philosophy to master low speed maneuvering. The fundamental of the head direction alone is huge. Thanks for bringing that up Jerry and congratulations to your student. At the end of the day, the GW DCT is a great bike. But not for most new riders. Take care and happy riding

[madogblue]

I took the Ride like a Pro course on a Harley Ultra Limited full dresser. It was fun and confidence inspiring. That bike was a top heavy beast. I now own a 2019 DCT Goldwing. Have owned a month now. Its much easier to ride with a passenger. Weight is much better distributed. The DCT is a whole new challenge and that is one reason I like it. It unfortunately has poor factory crash guards. Not great for low speed practice. I absolutely love the bike. Fast, quiet, comfortable, walk mode in forward and reverse for parking. Low speed is still a work in progress but no big deal after a few weeks of regular riding. Another great video. Thanks

[wflentge]

Jerry, disagreement is not hate, it's all option that some still don't want to hear. I took a local PD Motor Division course (Chandler, AZ) a few months ago on my '19 DCT Tour. I maimed a few cones the first 20 minutes in the course but was good after that. I never dropped the bike despite some very sharp low speed maneuvers. I tried at the very first to run the course in Rain mode but that was not a good idea, so back to Tour mode. The lack of a clutch resulted in a lot of rear brake and focused throttle control. I have been riding this bike for almost 5 years after about 25 yrs of 3 previous Goldwings. I will not take another course as I took as the learning points are with me constantly and I do do some parking lot slow speed maneuvers about once a month. Point being, just like any bike, especially large bikes, practice and patience is required to be skilled at riding. Thanks for the video.

[jham]

I have a 20022 Honda African Twin with the DCT. After a year on it I had the Honda foot shift kit installed. Now I have the best of both worlds. Great being able to go from one to the other depending on the circumstance