Two weeks ago I sold a bike.... so I could purchase a bike. Out was the BMW Sertao and in the stable was a 2017 Honda Africa Twin with the "auto" Dual Clutch Transmission.
Note.... I have never owned... never even ridden a DCT. Only my time with a Recluse Clutch on my WR426 years ago was something similar.
The bike has 6,500 miles.
Ugh... Man, I didn't like my first couple of rides. The temps have been cold, so my rides have been short, but the DCT was jumpy, clunky and abrupt.
Today the temps were warm and nice, so after 5 hours in the home office, I bailed for the garage, warmed up the bike, dumped the old oil, replaced the filters and poured in some new "slippery juice" and went for a spin.
Oh my goodness. It was like I had a new transmission installed. It was completely different and completely exceptional.
What magic juice did I use????
Yep, my home blend of 50% Rotella T4 15w40 Conventional and 50% Rotella T6 5w40 Synthetic. I have found that every bike I have owned, loves semi-synthetic Rotella that has the JASO clutch certs.
I was nervous if the DCT would like it or not, because Honda specs a 10w30 for this application..... but the Jury is unanimous on their decision.... it LOVES IT!
And I love this bike. It is far better than both my KTM 950 ADV-S's that I owned for over 10 years and it blows away the BMW Sertao.
Note.... I have never owned... never even ridden a DCT. Only my time with a Recluse Clutch on my WR426 years ago was something similar.
The bike has 6,500 miles.
Ugh... Man, I didn't like my first couple of rides. The temps have been cold, so my rides have been short, but the DCT was jumpy, clunky and abrupt.
Today the temps were warm and nice, so after 5 hours in the home office, I bailed for the garage, warmed up the bike, dumped the old oil, replaced the filters and poured in some new "slippery juice" and went for a spin.
Oh my goodness. It was like I had a new transmission installed. It was completely different and completely exceptional.
What magic juice did I use????
Yep, my home blend of 50% Rotella T4 15w40 Conventional and 50% Rotella T6 5w40 Synthetic. I have found that every bike I have owned, loves semi-synthetic Rotella that has the JASO clutch certs.
I was nervous if the DCT would like it or not, because Honda specs a 10w30 for this application..... but the Jury is unanimous on their decision.... it LOVES IT!
And I love this bike. It is far better than both my KTM 950 ADV-S's that I owned for over 10 years and it blows away the BMW Sertao.