Honda developing DCT gearbox for sportsbike

Two-wheeler manufacturers are focussing their attention on technology to be a step ahead of their rivals. Kawasaki upped the ante by bringing supercharger technology to production bikes with the H2. According to reports, Honda is now planning to offer DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) technology for sports bikes. Honda currently offers the DCT tech on the NC750X, Africa Twin and VFR1200F motorcycles. But its flagship offering, the Honda CBR1000RR doesn’t get the above tech.

Honda DCT engineer Kosaku Takahashi has though said that the Japanese two-wheeler giant will most likely offer DCT in the next generation CBR 1000RR and CBR600RR which are long overdue. Among the main reasons for Honda skipping DCT until now has been the added weight of the system. The DCT gearbox in its current form is almost 10kg heavier than a standard manual transmission and in the world of performance motorcycles weight is the biggest enemy. Honda is focussing its attention on reducing the weight of the DCT system given the benefits it has on offer. The dual clutch system eliminates loss of drive during gear changes which results in faster lap times. Though a lighter DCT system is still under development and it isn’t uncertain whether the next generation Honda CBR1000RR will be offered with the same or a later edition will get it.