Time for Auto Trans?
1 - 20 of 66 Posts
ST buyers are sporting riders; I doubt that any would want an automatic transmission.
A more-likely venue for introducing an automatic would be the luxury tourers, but how many current scooter owners are potential Goldwing or K1200LT buyers?
Scooters appeal to people who don't like motorcycles, and motorcycles appeal to people who don't like automatic transmissions.
A more-likely venue for introducing an automatic would be the luxury tourers, but how many current scooter owners are potential Goldwing or K1200LT buyers?
Scooters appeal to people who don't like motorcycles, and motorcycles appeal to people who don't like automatic transmissions.
Check out the Ridley http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/Dynamic/main.htm
Boss Hoss makes bikes for those who find the complexity of left foot/left hand coordinated motor functions baffling. And they even have trikes for that moment when the whole "balance thing" becomes overwhelming.
Instead of pestering Honda for an image-killing bike, listen to your inner voice that wants to take ballet lessons against your Dad's wishes. He was so mean.
Instead of pestering Honda for an image-killing bike, listen to your inner voice that wants to take ballet lessons against your Dad's wishes. He was so mean.
Joined
·
94 Posts
There have been some automatic-tranny bikes on the market in the past but I don't think any of them were very successful.
I saw a segment on Speed about the Ridley. It's a 750cc Harley-esque bike with an automatic.
Guzzi made one called the Convert (convertible?) many years ago and Honda made automatics back in the day. Were there any others?
I saw a segment on Speed about the Ridley. It's a 750cc Harley-esque bike with an automatic.
Guzzi made one called the Convert (convertible?) many years ago and Honda made automatics back in the day. Were there any others?
Problem with auto trans
I recently road on a friends small dirt bike imported from China that has a centrifugal clutch which I assume would be a lot like riding a motorcycle with an auto transmission and noticed the following problem right off.
When doing a U-turn or going really slow I am used to feathering the clutch right on the edge of friction allowing me to go really slow but continue moving.
With the centrifugal clutch I had no real control at really slow speeds, either the power seemed to be on or off at 2 to 3 mph U-turn speed. Feathering the clutch with a manual trans bike allows me to have nice control even with my Gold Wing at these speeds. If my motorcycle had an automatic I'm sure it would be very hard to control at these speeds.
I recently road on a friends small dirt bike imported from China that has a centrifugal clutch which I assume would be a lot like riding a motorcycle with an auto transmission and noticed the following problem right off.
When doing a U-turn or going really slow I am used to feathering the clutch right on the edge of friction allowing me to go really slow but continue moving.
With the centrifugal clutch I had no real control at really slow speeds, either the power seemed to be on or off at 2 to 3 mph U-turn speed. Feathering the clutch with a manual trans bike allows me to have nice control even with my Gold Wing at these speeds. If my motorcycle had an automatic I'm sure it would be very hard to control at these speeds.
Joined
·
29 Posts
+1 to that. If you're not coordinated enought to deal with a clutch, you don't need to be on a big, hard to control bike. And don't tell me you want to relax and enjoy the ride instead of thinking about gears. You should get a little convertible car for yourself, ya wuss.
KPaul says
My short answer: Go to the gym.
"Why can't scooter geezers like me buy a substantial automatic transmission touring bike?"
This is Motorcycle Online. The site for scooter sizzys is right next to those sites for men who still buy comic books and go to star trek conventions and lord of the rings crap. Dear Anonymous please don't join MO. It already has too many Gray heads i.e. a demographic crisis. Adding a geezer who wants a automatic transmission would be just too much. Get off your lazy ass and go to the gym so you have the coordination to shift. Next you will want MO to review man purses.
My short answer: Go to the gym.
"Why can't scooter geezers like me buy a substantial automatic transmission touring bike?"
This is Motorcycle Online. The site for scooter sizzys is right next to those sites for men who still buy comic books and go to star trek conventions and lord of the rings crap. Dear Anonymous please don't join MO. It already has too many Gray heads i.e. a demographic crisis. Adding a geezer who wants a automatic transmission would be just too much. Get off your lazy ass and go to the gym so you have the coordination to shift. Next you will want MO to review man purses.
Re: KPaul says
Once again, you make an irrelevant point. What does going to the gym have to do with coordination? My 9 year old daughter mastered the clutch in 20 minutes on her XR80, and was busting through the single track in less than an hour. She's never been to the gym. She also rides more off-road in a weekend on her xr80 than you do on your Ninja.
When are you going away?
Once again, you make an irrelevant point. What does going to the gym have to do with coordination? My 9 year old daughter mastered the clutch in 20 minutes on her XR80, and was busting through the single track in less than an hour. She's never been to the gym. She also rides more off-road in a weekend on her xr80 than you do on your Ninja.
When are you going away?
An auto-trans option for a La-Z-Boy bike seems like a reasonable idea.
Better yet would be an auto-trans cruiser. There's an awful lot of folks, especially women, with an unreasonable fear of shifting. I'd have to think that an auto would sell really well to folks who are too "cool" for scooters but too intimidated by clutches and gears. Sounds silly to us, but to each his own. To those who say that these folks shouldn't be on bikes, you could say the same about all of the Harley newbies I see paddling like ducklings at every stop light and gas station.
Better yet would be an auto-trans cruiser. There's an awful lot of folks, especially women, with an unreasonable fear of shifting. I'd have to think that an auto would sell really well to folks who are too "cool" for scooters but too intimidated by clutches and gears. Sounds silly to us, but to each his own. To those who say that these folks shouldn't be on bikes, you could say the same about all of the Harley newbies I see paddling like ducklings at every stop light and gas station.
Joined
·
3,415 Posts
Honda made an automatic CB900 in the 80's and I believe an A/T CM400 as well. They probably sold a good three or four of them............
If any motorcycle company builds an auto trans. it would be BMW. They seem bound and determined to turn their bikes into cars with shaft drive, linked power assisted ABS and A arm suspension. An A/T would seem to be right up their ally
If any motorcycle company builds an auto trans. it would be BMW. They seem bound and determined to turn their bikes into cars with shaft drive, linked power assisted ABS and A arm suspension. An A/T would seem to be right up their ally
Re: KPaul says
You are quite possibly the most ignorant and repulsive person I have ever heard from. I know you wrote this so someone would respond. I am usually able to ignore your posts but when you alienate someone in an insulting manner, because they want a feature on a certain motorcycle for whatever reason (maybe they had an injury or just want the feature) that proves how much you suck. I knew the "silent lurker" attitude you promised to adopt wasn't going to last but this is ridiculous.
BTW-you suck.
You are quite possibly the most ignorant and repulsive person I have ever heard from. I know you wrote this so someone would respond. I am usually able to ignore your posts but when you alienate someone in an insulting manner, because they want a feature on a certain motorcycle for whatever reason (maybe they had an injury or just want the feature) that proves how much you suck. I knew the "silent lurker" attitude you promised to adopt wasn't going to last but this is ridiculous.
BTW-you suck.
Joined
·
441 Posts
Re: KPaul says
Yes, but not for long. His subscription expires mid-February.
Yes, but not for long. His subscription expires mid-February.
1 - 20 of 66 Posts
Join the discussion
