It's about choice, my friends. People like different things and it is great that we have so many choices. As far as DCT, I have ridden every generation on several models that Honda offers and in my previous rides, I preferred the manual transmission. When I rode the VFR1200 with an early generation DCT, before my test ride was over, I had it in manual mode. With the Africa Twin DCT, I found it a bit confusing on the adventure backroad route that I took it on, as it had several modes of operation of DCT and, not being used to it, I wasn't sure which was best for each type of rough pavement or terrain, so I preferred the manual shift version. Having said that, a friend bought the first year AT with manual transmission and last year when he was helping me lead adventure demo rides on Niehaus Cycles' adv type bikes, he rode the DCT version of the AT and liked it so much that he ordered the second year AT with the DCT option. With the new Wing, it felt to me that they finally found the right model bike to utilize the DCT, as it seemed to fit the performance and personality of that bike. I rode the standard model right after the DCT and thought that this was the first Honda model that I would definitely order the DCT rather than standard. I must not be alone, as our dealer has presold 5 new models and they all are DCT.
BTW, this is not the auto transmission like we had in trucks or cars in the good old days. There is no slippage as the 2 clutches electrically switch from one to the other, selecting pre-engaged gears and it is difficult to even feel the gear change. If one prefers to operate the gears manually, that can easily be done with a thumb or forefinger button on the left switch housing. They even offer a foot shift lever in case you would prefer to activate the electrical manual mode with your left foot. I find that amazingly useless but it is offered in case somebody wants that.
I found ST-Venture's comments especially interesting and useful, as he rode the new Venture, new Wing, and the K1600B and decided that of those 3, he would prefer the Wing Tour DCT. During our dealer's Yamaha demo rides in Oct. when the Yamaha truck was here, two of my friends rode the new Venture and their feedback to me was that it was a bit top heavy and one said that he felt engine heat. Since then, one has bought the K1600B and the other has ordered a new Wing Tour DCT. The latter is the friend who has the Africa Twin DCT also, which he will be keeping.
I sometimes fill in as a salesman at Niehaus Cycle Sales, when the full-time salesmen take a vacation, etc and one thing that I appreciate about that dealership is their willingness to let customers demo bikes. That is useful to both the customer and salesman, in that we all prefer different things. They sell all models of Yamaha and Honda bikes and when a person asks me which model or make is the better, for instance when comparing a FJR to a ST1300, I tell them to take them both for a ride, as their preferences may be different than mine and after riding them, they can make their own choice. I may not agree with their preference, but it is their money, so they should buy what they prefer.
So, again, it is choice, my friends. If you don't care for one choice, make another. To let another's choice make you violent is, ah, interesting, at best. Buy what you prefer, vote as you prefer, and then live and let live, is my opinion. Life is too short to let others' choice upset you so.
In my case, I chose the ES version of the S10, even though others prefer the manual suspension and that is their choice. I'll be keeping it, along with my DR650, DR350, and 4 Bultaco dirt bikes and enjoying each one. At the same time, I'll say that I have ridden many bikes and many miles in 52 years of riding and the 2018 Gold Wing Tour DCT is the most impressive bike I have ever ridden.
