Gearbox · 25 October 2026

Dual-clutch transmission on a motorcycle: design, shifting, modes

A dual-clutch transmission changes gear without a noticeable pause and without a clutch lever. Honda introduced the technology on motorcycles in 2010 and has since sold over 330,000 motorcycles with it in Europe. How the transmission is built, how it changes gear and what the riding modes do.

Dual-clutch transmission on a motorcycle: Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, available with DCT

Design: two clutches share the gears

In a dual-clutch transmission, two clutches sit in one unit. One is responsible for pulling away and for 1st, 3rd and 5th gear, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th gear. The two main shafts sit one inside the other – which keeps the transmission compact. A shift motor turns the shift shaft, and the shift drum and shift forks move the gears as in a manual gearbox.

The gear change: the next gear is already waiting

While you are riding in 3rd gear, 4th gear is already engaged on the free clutch. When changing gear, one clutch opens and the other closes – each via its own electro-hydraulic circuit. The drive to the rear wheel is interrupted only minimally, and shift shock and pitching are reduced. In automatic mode, the system decides according to road speed, engine speed and throttle position.

Riding modes and additional functions

MT: manual, using buttons on the left end of the handlebar.
D: automatic for town and motorway, tuned for low consumption.
S: sportier, with higher shift revs and earlier downshifts; on the Honda Africa Twin in three levels.
G switch: on the Africa Twin and Honda X-ADV, less clutch slip when changing gear, for more feel for traction off-road.
Gradient and corner detection: The Africa Twin adapts the shift points to uphill and downhill gradients; since 2020, an IMU has been measuring the lean angle and preventing unsuitable upshifts in corners.

Even in automatic mode, you can intervene at any time at the push of a button; the transmission then returns to automatic mode by itself.

From the first dual-clutch transmission to today

The first motorcycle with a dual-clutch transmission was the VFR1200F, on sale since 2010. In 2012, the NC700 series followed with a more compact design with fewer parts, and in 2016 the Africa Twin with an off-road set-up. Since 2018, the Honda Gold Wing has been the only model with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a manoeuvring aid forwards and backwards.

Figures from Honda Motor Europe show how popular the technology is: in 2019, 45 per cent of buyers of an Africa Twin chose the DCT, as did 52 per cent for the Honda NC750X and 67 per cent for the Gold Wing; for the Africa Twin Adventure Sports, the figure was as high as 68 per cent in 2025.

Weight, licence and models

The second clutch pack adds weight: the Africa Twin weighs 242 kg with DCT and 231 kg with a manual gearbox (model year 2024). No special licence is required – in Switzerland, the motorcycle categories are based on output and weight, not on the transmission.

Models available with DCT today include the Africa Twin, the Honda NT1100, the NC750X, the X-ADV and the Gold Wing. Function, models and vehicles in stock are explained on the Honda DCT page of Honda Motorrad Zürich; if you only want to hand over the clutch operation, you will find the alternative in the post Electronic Clutch Motorcycle.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the dual-clutch transmission on motorcycles

How does a dual-clutch transmission work on a motorcycle?

Two clutches share the gears: one for 1st, 3rd and 5th, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th gear. The next gear is already engaged; when changing gear, only the clutch changes over.

Which motorcycles have a dual-clutch transmission?

At Honda, these include the Africa Twin, NT1100, NC750X, X-ADV and Gold Wing. The overview with vehicles in stock is on the Honda DCT page.

Can you change gear yourself with a dual-clutch transmission?

Yes. In MT mode you change gear using buttons on the left end of the handlebar, and you can intervene at any time in automatic mode too.

Does a dual-clutch transmission have a gear lever?

Not as standard. For the Africa Twin with DCT, the Rally pack includes a gear lever that operates the same shift shaft.

Do I need a special licence for a motorcycle with a dual-clutch transmission?

No, there is no separate licence for this: in Switzerland, the motorcycle categories are based on output and weight. Whether the practical test can be taken on a motorcycle with DCT should be clarified in advance with the road traffic office.

Further links