VOLUME 58 ISSUE 9 MARCH 2, 2021 P77
would hold gears for way too long and
I would constantly need to shift via the
paddles on the left handlebar. It was
a similar situation in level two but in
reverse, as the DCT would sometimes
not shift fast enough for the given situ-
ation. If I then got a little throttle happy,
it would kick back down the gears,
rev right out and then revert to holding
gears for too long.
About the only time I was truly happy
with the DCT system in auto mode was
in level one, where the Rebel hits sixth
gear quickly and the ride is smooth and
serene. As mentioned, you can override
the DCT at any point by using the paddle
shifters on the left handlebar, and when
you're really going for it, shifting with
your hands is great fun. But in some
ways, it kind of defeats the purpose
of having an auto gearbox—the saving
grace here being that when you're just
cruising and in no hurry in level one, the
system works brilliantly.
(Above) The
neutral riding
position means
big days aren't
an issue on the
Rebel. (Left) The
pipe isn't exactly
the prettiest
thing out there.
