automatic transmissions

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Oct 25, 2009 | 05:22 PM

#31

harleyflyboy

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,807

Likes: 33

From: TEXAS

Like someone said, if you don't like it don't buy it. But I believe that an automatic motorcycle may have the benefit of getting more people riding, which would be a good thing. Wouldn't it be great if motorcycles out numbered cars?

Oct 26, 2009 | 06:43 AM

#32

ron bayless

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Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 838

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From: denton texas

I loved riding all my other 13 bikes that were made for performance,not touring.Bandits,ninjas,even my 1200 sporty,old suzuki superbikes,etc.Man snick snick down down,back into second coming into a turn, then whomp on it with all shes got coming out of the turn.I loved it.But now i have a 900 pound ultimate touring bike that spends all its time at low rpm and on cruise control as much as possible.No i shouldnt just get a car like someone would say.I love motorcycles.My ultra is the best touring bike for me.But I am glad to see I am not the only one here that sees how it might be good to have one.I wonder how much weight difference there would be between an automatic and the usual 5 or 6 speed gearbox?Harley has been smart lately,got rid of mv and buell,so maybe they might have a factory experimental auto trans bike for us to try out some time like at one of the big rallys.I spent a lot of time at idle with my clutch pulled in waiting for the guy in fornt of me to move when wife and i went to sturgis.I would have liked to have an automatic that week.

Last edited by ron bayless; Oct 26, 2009 at 06:45 AM. Reason: spelling

Oct 26, 2009 | 07:33 AM

#33

OldFenderGuy

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 8,641

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From: Ozark Country

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron bayless

I spent a lot of time at idle with my clutch pulled in waiting for the guy in fornt of me to move when wife and i went to sturgis.I would have liked to have an automatic that week.

If your hand gets tired holding in the clutch when stuck in a long line of traffic, it's not difficult to 'click' it up into neutral.

Oct 26, 2009 | 08:01 AM

#34

piasspj

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Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 9,208

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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

They are out there, I'm surprised you don't see more of them. With the popularity of scooters, even with young people, I think it will be a growing market.
Hondas current offering is futuristic looking, and a little overpriced.
Ridley has been around for several years. I belive the drive is a torque converter, similar to a snowmobile.

Oct 26, 2009 | 09:02 AM

#35

sharkey

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,870

Likes: 499

From: Alberta

Here it is, if you want it and can afford it.....

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...-transmission/

Don't you think that the easier they make this "sport" to get into, the more the origional experience is diluted??? That's what I'm seeing.....

Oct 26, 2009 | 09:41 AM

#36

barjbar

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 3,817

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From: Novi MI

Problem with auto trans bikes, or more precisely CVT bikes, is they're heavy, slow, expensive, relatively poor gas mileage, and awful depreciation. I saw an '06 Ridley, low miles, asking 8 grand on Craiglist. They list for 18 grand new. Honda's new clutchless sport bike, forgot what it's called, has the best auto trans out there. It's not a CVT.

Oct 26, 2009 | 10:42 AM

#37

Splatter

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 967

Likes: 3

From: Eastern Massachusetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by barjbar

Problem with auto trans bikes...

I'm soooo flashing back to when this discussion happened with automobiles.... If the technology comes along to make it happen, it'll happen. To be honest, I'm in it for the ride, not for the shifting (or the sound, or the helmet debates or any of the other secondary characteristics) so I'm all for it. Something may come out of the research that's a net improvement.

And, yeah, there'll be new people in the culture who have different values and priorities than the old people in the culture and we'll have a whole new class of people to make exclusionary remarks about. Joy.

Sadly, I doubt Harley will be the driving force here. But if a volume manufacturer like Honda gets behind it and starts making race bikes that shift faster/better than human riders can, it'll be deja vu all over again.