Aston Martin isn’t having a great run of it right now. In fact, last I checked, the most successful division of that company was the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. However, that wasn’t always the case. Or maybe it’s the rose-tinted glasses. Now, if you’ve got the money, you can have what will either complete you or break you spiritually and physically: A 2009 Aston Martin DBS of questionable reliability. With a manual transmission!
How many manual Aston Martin DBS’ were made?
The 2009 Aston Martin DBS is one of the most stunning cars ever made | National Motor Museum via Getty Images
First, let’s justify that ridiculous $150,000 price tag that a used 2009 Aston Martin DBS commands with yet more numbers. Obviously, not a whole lot of these were made. After all, it is a luxury sports car with a six-figure MSRP. Even fewer were made with the coveted manual transmission. According to Sports Car Market, only 984 U.S. legal units were made with a manual transmission.
And that’s really what this car is about, above all else. The 2009 Aston Martin DBS is for people to live their James or Jane Bond Aston Martin fantasy in. Go get an Omega Seamaster and a Walther while you’re at it. You may as well. Frankly, this is absolutely a dream car of mine. It’s the hero car in the first James Bond movie I saw in theaters, and something inextricably linked with the suave coolness of the world’s greatest spy.
That’s the case for a lot of people who were kids in 2006. At nine years old I knew I had to have one, and still have one hanging on my wall today. Moreover, that may be what causes values to climb. The children of the early 2000s want their dream cars, and this is certainly one. However, the ownership may break you financially and spiritually.
The coolest Aston is a not-so-long-forgotten relic
There’s just not a lot of manual transmission, V12 supercars left | National Motor Museum via Getty Images
Obviously, the ownership costs are crippling. After driving his 2009 Aston Matin DBS for around a year, Freddy “Tavarish” Hernandez was quoted a $7,000 repair bill for routine maintenance like spark plugs and new fluids. And that’s perhaps the biggest issue with the 2009 Aston Martin DBS. It’s an old exotic car, and we all know how expensive those can be. At the end of the day, there’s only two questions you need ask. Can I afford this car, and is my childhood worth $150,000?
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1175902909-1024x683-1.jpg6831024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-09-12 21:00:002021-09-12 21:26:07A Used 2009 Aston Martin DBS Will Make or Break Your Life for $150,000
Even some of the best beginner bikes leave new riders with a major hurdle: mastering the clutch lever. Admittedly, that’s part of motorcycles’ appeal, but it can make getting into riding difficult. However, over the last few years, more manufacturers have started offering automatic motorcycles, with Honda giving several of its bikes dual-clutch transmissions. Among that number is the range-topping version of the Rebel cruiser, the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT. And after riding it at the 2021 International Motorcycle Show in Chicago, it’s clear that DCTs could be a beginner-bike breakthrough.
The 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT gives the starter cruiser more power and an automatic option
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT front 3/4 view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
With low seats and centers of gravity as well as modest power, it’s no surprise that Honda Rebels are popular beginner bikes. Especially the Rebel 500, with its 471cc parallel-twin. However, these qualities also mean they’re often seen as stepping stones to larger-capacity machines. So, to retain more experienced riders, Honda decided to put the Africa Twin’s engine into its cruiser. The result is the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100.
More power isn’t the only thing the 2021 Rebel 1100 gets from the Africa Twin, though, Cycle World says. The cruiser also comes with adjustable traction control and multiple riding modes that also adjust engine braking and power output. And like the Rebel 500 and 300, the Honda Rebel 1100 has LED lighting and a digital gauge. Unlike the other Rebel models, though, the Rebel 1100 has standard ABS and cruise control.
But arguably just as significant as getting the Africa Twin’s engine is the other transmission the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 offers. Instead of a manual, buyers can get Honda’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is also available on the Gold Wing. While the DCT doesn’t get a slipper clutch, it is linked to the Rebel 1100’s riding modes, CW says. And it features both automatic and manual modes, along with ersatz shift paddles (which are more like buttons).
This is one “fun, easy to ride bike,” RevZilla says
Because a DCT on a motorcycle is still a novel concept, the demo ride at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 also included a quick tech walkthrough. The Honda representative walked us through not just how to shift gears in manual mode, but also how to get the bike going. That last part was necessary because, unlike every other motorcycle I’ve ridden, the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT has an electronic parking brake. It’s mounted on the left handlebar and has to be disengaged before you set off.
Once our demo group set off into the sweeping Illinois countryside, several things became apparent. First, the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 rides on a solid cruiser platform. It never feels heavy or plodding, whether at a set of lights or speed. It’s great fun on sweeping roads, Motorcyclist says, and makes transitioning between turns easy. The mid-mounted controls can make the riding position feel slightly cramped for taller riders, Motorcyclist and RevZilla note. However, they didn’t present any ergonomic issues for my 5’8” frame; neither did the handlebars. And that low seat means you can easily put a stabilizing foot down.
The 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 also rides fairly well. While large-radius bumps use up most of the rear travel, damping is comfortably firm overall. And the disc brakes are more than adequate for the kind of riding you’ll do on this cruiser. Plus, the parallel-twin pulls strongly at low and high RPMs. In short, this cruiser is the complete package when it comes to wide-ranging appeal.
Riding the Rebel 1100 at IMS Outdoors Chicago 2021 showed how DCTs can make more bikes beginner-friendly
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT left handlebar controls and LCD gauge | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT right handlebar controls and LCD gauge | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
A closeup view of a black 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT’s engine, exhaust, seat, and rear suspension | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT left side view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
And that’s all without talking about what truly differentiates the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT from other cruisers. Road & Track fell in love with the Africa Twin’s DCT after riding the bike. After riding the Rebel 100 DCT, I’m left in equal awe.
In the standard Tour Mode, I literally didn’t feel some of the shifts, they were that smooth. And even without using the toggle shifters, the DCT shifts reasonably quickly, especially in Sport Mode. The shift timing is also very intuitive: it never felt like the transmission was bogging or over-revving the engine.
But while automatic shifting is a boon for commuting, the ability to shift gears yourself means you’re never robbed of a key motorcycling thrill. It just means you don’t have to deal with the headache of balancing your clutch or thinking about your RPMs dropping too low. Instead, you can concentrate on your riding line and take in your surroundings, R&T notes.
All of this makes the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT a bike with something to offer newbies and experts alike. It makes the motorcycle more approachable without robbing riding joy.
Is the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT a good beginner bike?
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT left side 3/4 low-angle view | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
So, would I recommend the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT to a new rider? Motorcyclist says ‘sure,’ but with how strongly that 1084cc engine pulls, I’d be nervous giving to a complete beginner. However, Honda definitely nailed its goal of making a Rebel for experienced riders. For someone with a few months of riding experience, this is a solid, inexpensive cruiser. And it’s one of Motorcyclist’s best automatic motorcycles for 2021.
That being said, Honda needs to offer this DCT in more bikes than just the Gold Wing, Africa Twin, and Rebel 1100. A Rebel 500 with this transmission would make a phenomenal beginner bike. And if the Rebel 1100 DCT sells well enough to make that happen, it will truly be a game-changer.
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https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-Honda-Rebel-1100-DCT-front-3_4-view-1024x683-1.jpg6831024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-09-12 20:33:442021-09-12 20:57:19IMS Chicago 2021: Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Could Be a Beginner Bike Game-Changer
EVs will likely dominate the roads of the future, but many folks have misconceptions about them. Some complaints about electric cars are valid, while others aren’t true. Here’s a look at the five things about EVs that people tend to get wrong.
1. EVs are too expensive
2019 Nissan Leaf EV | Robert Hradil/Getty Images
According to The Nature Conservancy, there is some truth to the thought that electric vehicles are too expensive to be practical. Most EVs cost at least $30,000. Even the cheapest new EV on the market right now, the Nissan Leaf, costs just over $27,000. For that price, many families can buy a reliable gas-powered SUV or a luxury sedan.
But the sticker price isn’t the dollar amount that consumers should consider. Many EVs qualify for tax credits that save buyers thousands. For example, a $7,500 federal tax credit for certain all-electric vehicles, and California residents can get an additional $1,500 off. These incentives make EVs more competitive, but there’s more.
According to the Nature Conservancy, EVs’ cost of ownership is less overall. An owner can save $6,000 to $10,000 over the life of an electric car compared to a gas-powered vehicle.
2. Electric vehicles don’t have enough cargo space
This assumption is incorrect because EVs typically have comparable amounts of cargo space as gas-combustion cars. The difference is that most EVs on the market right now are smaller than their gas-powered counterparts. Thus, their cargo capacities are naturally small.
However, automakers are already well on their way to sizing up their electric models. Large EVs, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck, are coming soon. They can carry as much cargo as a typical full-size pickup.
3. Producing EVs takes too much energy
The Nature Conservancy admits there’s some truth to this complaint. However, it’s not entirely true. Yes, producing an EV takes more energy and, thus, produces more emissions than making a regular car. However, it doesn’t take long before an electric vehicle produces fewer emissions than a gas-powered car.
For example, after driving a Tesla Model 3 for about 20,600 miles, it will have had the same lifetime emissions as a Toyota RAV4. After 100,000 miles, the RAV4 will have emitted 77% more emissions than the Model 3 did in its entire life, The Nature Conservancy reports. So, for most folks, an EV ends up emitting less over its lifetime.
4. Electricity comes from fossil fuels, so EVs aren’t better than gas-combustion cars
Once again, there’s some truth to this, but it’s not correct, either. A lot of electricity comes from fossil fuels, but many places generate plenty of clean energy too. So, for instance, charging a Tesla in the middle of a hot California day is cleaner than charging a Tesla at night in Florida.
That said, The Nature Conservancy explains that, on average, an EV generates the same emissions as a car that gets 80 mpg. But no regular car gets 80 mpg, so EVs still win here.
5. There aren’t enough charging stations for electric cars to be practical
The main reason why this complaint isn’t true is that there are more than enough charging stations for drivers to use an electric vehicle in their daily lives.
In fact, according to The Nature Conservancy, EV owners can take a road trip cross-country right now because there are enough charging stations for that.
However, range anxiety is real, and more charging stations are popping up every year. So it won’t be long until charging stations stand on every corner.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2019-Nissan-Leaf-1024x681-1.jpg6811024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-09-12 20:11:002021-09-12 20:26:14Fact Check: 5 Things About EVs That People Get Wrong
Long have we waited. Tesla has run the EV game for the better part of the last decade, and some real challengers to the throne are finally starting to appear, like Polestar. There’s no better challenger to the dominance of the Tesla Model 3 than the 2022 Polestar 2. Math says that 3 is bigger than 2, but how does that logic apply to EVs?
However, there is Tesla’s ridiculously priced $10,000 “Full Self Driving Beta” software. No, it does not drive your car for you, and nor should you let it. Everyone I’ve spoken to has told me how scary it is to use, and I wouldn’t trust it to drive down my street at 5 mph. That said, autonomous software (short of adaptive cruise) is something the Polestar lacks, so points to Tesla.
However, if it’s looks you want, the Polestar 2 is the way to go. Not just that, but the 2022 Polestar 2 will start at a lowly $34,900, per The Drive. With both the 2022 Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3 in their lowest trim levels, the Tesla Model 3 is outpriced and out-ranged. Though, not by much. The Polestar manages to get 265 miles to the 3’s 262 miles. Frankly, they’ll be about even in the real world.
However, things get more interesting when you go to option things out. A fully loaded 2022 Polestar 2 will run you right around $64,600. That nets you premium interior finishings and sound systems, charger, sunroofs, the lot. Oh, and also adjustable Ohlin’s dampers, cool yellow seatbelts, and bigger brakes. And summer tires. The Tesla, however, is $67,000.
Tesla took an L today
At least Polestar’s halo car is getting produced | Sven Hoppe via Getty Images
That $67,000 gets you every option on the book and “Full Self-Driving.” You’ll also get nicer paint colors if you’d like, just like the Polestar. However, we know that Tesla’s quality is often lacking, and until those issues are sorted out, spec for spec, I simply cannot imagine choosing a Model 3 over a 2022 Polestar 2.
That’s certainly a loss for Tesla, but they are arguably doing more within the industry. Polestar has yet to make an EV SUV, and Tesla makes two. Three if you count the “maybe this year” Cybertruck. For now, Tesla is in serious trouble if contenders like Polestar keep coming out of the open-pore woodwork.
https://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/0x0-Model3_01-1024x683-1.jpg6831024Gabrielle DeSantishttps://news.usamotorjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/logo-usa-motor-jobs-white.pngGabrielle DeSantis2021-09-12 19:40:002021-09-12 20:26:16The 2022 Polestar 2 Is Here to Send a Warning to the Tesla Model 3
