[TinBC]

The year before last I had the opportunity to test ride a 2021 DCT bagger...

Right out of the gate I loved the bike. It felt nimble due to the low center of gravity and new front end, had that Honda smoothness yet was a beast when sport mode was selected. After a 100 mile test ride I knew that this was the bike for me but upon returning to the dealership I discovered a problem, getting one. The '21's were sold out and I was told that I'd have to wait for a '22, so I did. 2022 rolled around and as winter began to fade up here in the Great White North I called the dealership once again looking to buy...no luck, they only had one coming and it was already spoken for. Yes, there were a few other dealers with one but typically they were Tour models or manual shift models and I wanted to support local business. I wasn't about to wait another year so last week I called and placed my order...#1 on the new order list so I am nearly 100% positive that I'll have a new ride this spring. Glad to be moving from wannabe to actual owner and if it's anything like my '02 VTX 1800C when it comes to reliability and performance, I'll be one happy rider.

Only one more problem; containing myself for 60-90 days that it's going to take to get it here.

 

[trike lady]

Congrats.

 

[AZgl1800]

Congrats.


just one caution....
do NOT slow ride it, forcing it to slip the clutch all the time.....

I just a couple days ago, read a sour comment from an owner who was one of those guys who never gets above 18 mph, and a clutch burned up in the DCT.... ( 18 mph is my Tongue in Cheek for how badly he impedes traffic )

Honda refused to warranty it, because he Ignored the Owners Guide as how to ride it.

I suspicion this will NOT be a problem for you?

yet was a beast when sport mode was selected.

 

[RandyinPA]

I have a '21 DCT and I agree with your comments, especially Sport mode!

You may have to wait but it will be well worth it, my friend!

 

[claydbal_1590]

based

The year before last I had the opportunity to test ride a 2021 DCT bagger...
View attachment 331406
Right out of the gate I loved the bike. It felt nimble due to the low center of gravity and new front end, had that Honda smoothness yet was a beast when sport mode was selected. After a 100 mile test ride I knew that this was the bike for me but upon returning to the dealership I discovered a problem, getting one. The '21's were sold out and I was told that I'd have to wait for a '22, so I did. 2022 rolled around and as winter began to fade up here in the Great White North I called the dealership once again looking to buy...no luck, they only had one coming and it was already spoken for. Yes, there were a few other dealers with one but typically they were Tour models or manual shift models and I wanted to support local business. I wasn't about to wait another year so last week I called and placed my order...#1 on the new order list so I am nearly 100% positive that I'll have a new ride this spring. Glad to be moving from wannabe to actual owner and if it's anything like my '02 VTX 1800C when it comes to reliability and performance, I'll be one happy rider.
View attachment 331407
Only one more problem; containing myself for 60-90 days that it's going to take to get it here.

on location, that wont be a problem.
question: does the bike not come with selectable performance modes? if i buy a 2023 goldwing , do i have to chose one that has sport mode vs another that has cruise mode, etc? just curious

 

[RandyinPA]

Stock, from the factory, it has 4 modes, selectable from the handle bars. I think you have to be stopped to change modes. Touring. Sport. Rain. Economy. I ride tour almost exclusively. It's got all I need. Econ feels like someone pulled 2 plug wires. Sport? Sit down, shut up, hold on! I mean HOLD ON! Rain mode is sort of econ but it changes the traction control, shifting points, etc. If I ever really hit rain, I might use it, but I try to keep my riding fair weather.

All I can say is that this bike is a blast to ride. It rides like a sport bike but has all of the amenities of a touring bike. One caveat! The stock seat sux putty balls! Plan to spent some money for a replacement seat or to have yours reworked. I had mine reworked and I am very satisfied with it. Before that, I needed to get off every hour. Ditto for my wife.

 

[claydbal_1590]

Stock, from the factory, it has 4 modes, selectable from the handle bars. I think you have to be stopped to change modes. Touring. Sport. Rain. Economy. I ride tour almost exclusively. It's got all I need. Econ feels like someone pulled 2 plug wires. Sport? Sit down, shut up, hold on! I mean HOLD ON! Rain mode is sort of econ but it changes the traction control, shifting points, etc. If I ever really hit rain, I might use it, but I try to keep my riding fair weather.

All I can say is that this bike is a blast to ride. It rides like a sport bike but has all of the amenities of a touring bike. One caveat! The stock seat sux putty balls! Plan to spent some money for a replacement seat or to have yours reworked. I had mine reworked and I am very satisfied with it. Before that, I needed to get off every hour. Ditto for my wife.

thanks for that ! seems all goldwing riders have the same problem.......the seat suxxs! peace, have a great 2023.
long live corbin!

 

[TinBC]

Stock, from the factory, it has 4 modes, selectable from the handle bars. I think you have to be stopped to change modes. Touring. Sport. Rain. Economy. I ride tour almost exclusively. It's got all I need. Econ feels like someone pulled 2 plug wires. Sport? Sit down, shut up, hold on! I mean HOLD ON! Rain mode is sort of econ but it changes the traction control, shifting points, etc. If I ever really hit rain, I might use it, but I try to keep my riding fair weather.

All I can say is that this bike is a blast to ride. It rides like a sport bike but has all of the amenities of a touring bike. One caveat! The stock seat sux putty balls! Plan to spent some money for a replacement seat or to have yours reworked. I had mine reworked and I am very satisfied with it. Before that, I needed to get off every hour. Ditto for my wife.

Thanks Randy for your input. The '21 model that I test rode displayed all of the characteristics that you wrote about. You do have to be stopped to change modes and I never used the rain mode as it was sunny and dry the day I was out. The acceleration and 1/4 mile times are nearly identical to my current ride, a '02 VTX 1800C. The wing reaches the line 0.4 seconds and 7 mph faster (this was a tour model so I'm guessing that the bagger might be a hair faster due to less weight and drag due to the trunk). I'll definitely pay close attention to the seat as I'm planning a ride across Canada this summer.

 

[RandyinPA]

Oh, man, be sure to take a 2-hour ride configured (same seat weight, 1 up or 2 up, stuff in baggage areas) the same as your cross country, before you even consider the cross country. Be sure to leave enough time to get seat reworked before the big ride.

Had we planned a big ride before learning of the seat issues, my bride of nearly 40 years might not be my bride anymore! That's how bad it was for the both of us...front seat and rear. It's all better now!

 

[RandyinPA]

I should have added this: we never had the seat issue in the 2003, so we would not have expected it in the '21. Thanks to the folks on this forum, we were forewarned.

 

[jcmeerts]

What do people do for the seat. I have a 2021 tour dtc and yes, my but hurts after an hour or so.