Newbie looking at CT DCT

[inditx]

Greetings from mid-america USA. Go Chiefs!!! (sorry) 

I currently ride a 2017 Africa Twin DCT and really like it but;
*On 2 up the front end gets a little squirrelly
*Not riding much dirt but I do have a long gravel drive that I must travel every time I ride
*I like shaft drives
*I dislike tubes
So, I have never owned a Honda V4 but it sounds intoxicating.
Been riding for over 40 years, all kinds of bikes and most types of riding.
Maybe 85/15 road vs. light off road riding now, maybe even 90/10

What say the brain trust here?
Btw I’d be willing to trade for one but would like to stay at a 2017 and DCT and CON USA please.
Cheers!
inditx

[mzflorida]

I do zero dirt riding.  But the consensus has been that graded gravel and dirt is really the limit of the adventure element of the VFR.  There are exceptions where those limits are successfully tested (not by me).   The bike is heavy.   Like all heavy bikes, the owners all s ay you cannot feel it when you are underway and that is not always practically true.   With this bike though, 100% true...it really is very nimble except in slow speed maneuvers.  Whenever I must shuffle this thing around the garage, I think that I want a lighter bike.   Then I go out for as little as 100 miles and remember how much I love to ride this bike.  Two up is not a problem at all.  The engine hardly notices a second rider.   The subjective items of concern on the bike are seat comfort and suspension.  I think it is safe to say that most have changed one or the other, or both.   Risers and windscreens too but with fewer reports of modification.  It is really funny but this bike is close to an allrounder.  I think the weight is what makes it not the first choice as a commuter.   Not sure if you have tried the DCT.  Hard pressed to find anyone to say a bad word about it.   

[__Ray__]

You can take the CT offroad but the weight does take a toll. How far offroad you can take him is up to your own level.
For me loose sand is more of a problem than more technical riding and if you want to be able to jump i highly recommend a Hyperpro upgrade to compensate the limited suspension travel.
Compacted dirt and gravel don't need any upgrades, just the right tyres and maybe a bashplate to protect the underside.

[2shea]

Just go for it 

[navigator1946]

I'm 100% with mzflorida, particularly about moving the bike around
 the garage. 
But he's also right that a few miles on the beast makes the hassle worth while. She's just a superb machine.  I dread the day when my age means that I can no longer cope with her. Unfortunately that is not too far away.