HONDA’S DCT VS. FOOTSHIFT! WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?

[mikebentley]

Jacob: I’m an old man, 70 with wife, who knows her age. Love your video. It tells me what I need to know. Experienced at 50 but not so much at 70. I bought this bike. Happy. You tell it like it is. Thanks.

[neilv]

Im picking up my Foreman 520 foot shift with power steering and solid rear axle next week. I have a Rincon for riding and the Foreman will be the worker. I just wanted my new machine as plainly mechanical as possible. Love Honda.

[gheumann]

Thanks. I'm considering one of these so this was really helpful. Would have liked watching you drive in manual shift mode too. My current quad has CVT which works very well. What I NEED is power steering because I have bad arthritis in my shoulder, which is why I'm considering this machine.

[gdonfreeman]

I'm gonna be getting one soon. Your video just helped me make my choice on what kind of transmission I want. Thanks for uploading this video and keep up with the awesome videos.

[stephanelachance]

Hi Jacob, thanks for the vid. After having a very bad experience with a 1999 polaris 500 magnum ( bought brand new), I decided to go back home to honda. I did enjoy the cvt on the polaris so i decided to compromise with a new 2000 rancher 350 with electric shift. This was a work only atv ...hauling wood and plowing snow. I really liked the electric shift. When i asked the honda salesman if electic shift was long term relaible...like 10 years or more he said of course ...It's a Honda !!
My rancher was relaible up to around 8 years old before having major issues related to the electric shift. I really got pissed off with the "buttons " and the "questionable" honda relaibilty. Up to 2013 I endured theses very costly and irritating issues until i had enough. So now I have a 2013 420 with ps and straight axle. No more electric issues. For me it all comes down to this question...How long do you want to keep your honda atv ? If the answer is around 8 years, then go ahead with the electric shift because they really are fun to operate. But if it's more than that, then i would stay away from them. Anyway thanks for taking the time to make theses videos and hopefully one day you will make a real long term video on a 15 year old electric shift !! haha

[FRBYND]

I've got a 21 dct deluxe and I love it. I use dct mostly. Unless inwanna get aggressive I'll switch to manual. I've got 1500 km on mine in 5 months.

[lar.]

I have a DCT Rancher FA6. Zero issues and a lot more fun than shifting for me. Honda ATVs are really good, always have been.

[MaxHavoc]

My Honda 420 with DCT has been an absolute $hitshow it's literally been in the shop more hours that it has on it. Mine is a 2017 model and it actually broke down the first week I owned it, took them 3 weeks to fix it. Now with 300 miles and 70 hours it's down again, same DCT problem that they can't seem to diagnose.

[dominicvargas]

I know someone with two 2007 ranchers with the ES and they have had no issues what so ever. It seems the ES is very reliable and non problematic, so if anyone was a little bit weary about the ES, don’t be. He beats the shit out of his because he lives in the snow, he uses them like tools, like they are used to be, they do just fine. He swears by his Honda’s. He got a rubicon, 2 ranchers, and a recon.

[erichemmelgarn]

Both are good. Can’t go wrong with either. As someone who owns a foreman 450es and has changed multiple angle sensors, I would still get a brand new es/ dct today

[dunklechuck]

Automatic most reliable. Honda is synonymous with reliable. Just got a 2019 Rubicon 500 with 800 miles on it.. with 3500 lb winch 2 up seat windshield extra led lights custom wheels for 7k. Never thought I’d get Honda.. thrilled

[hondarubi]

I've been running Rotella t4 in my 2018 Rubicon since new. I haven't had one problem and the atv now has 3800 miles and 450 hrs there isn't nothing wrong with using this oil.

[ethanmcleod]

I like how you mentioned CVT. I was thinking the same thing, because I believe Honda actually makes a chain CVT for some of their cars. Why they can't scale that down and put it in their Foreman's, I don't know. They already scaled down an actual auto trans with a torque converter. That's what is in the Rencon.

[Fluterra]

DCT is a complex transmission. It has two clutches. That’s two that can fail. Being new to ATVs it seems really funny to me that these things come with automatic/DCT and power steering!

[Vhiadra]

My rancher sounds loud also, typical honda valve noise is all

[nseric]

The footshift goes 1-2 mph faster, its geared a touch different.
I like the gearing better on the dct, I have a footshift, my brother has a dct and we both have 27 inch tires. In high first and second is taller on the dct which I find better as we go 5-10 mph on rough trails which is great for first in high or second in low on the dct but in between gears on the footshift, im revving in first or lugging in second alot to go the speed I want in rough spots.

[FINRIR]

Don’t put simple green on your tires it’ll draw the oils out of them and will cause them to dry rot

[bryandunn]

Bought mine last August. Been in the shop more than I have rode it. Dct would get stuck in a gear, have to turn it off to reset. Plus from day 1, it would sputter at low rpms. All kinds of codes are showing up. Now they say there is a recall on the program and mine will not except it. I have a case with honda, that they don't seem worried about that I have a new 4 wheeler that I can't ride. I feel like they just need to get me a new one but doubt that will happen. One of my worse decision to go buy a new honda. Now when everything is working right it is a awesome machine.

[merediththomason]

There is a new computer flash update for the 2021 Honda Rubicon DCT's that improves shifting in both auto and manual mode. May be worth looking into. Ask your dealer about it.

[deanbacon]

Recovering from a left foot crush accident the automatic is the way for me