Automatic motorcycles, yay or nay?

[Grey Thumper]

Aprilia Mana, Honda DN-01 and VFR, the odd Ridley, and what the heck, let's include clutchless manuals as found on the Yamaha FJ1300AE.

Welcome idea? Inevitable trend? A sign of the end of all things?

Just wondering what y'all think.

[Gummiente]

Automatics are nothing new; Honda tried it back in '76 with the CB750A and again a few years later with the CM400A. Neither sold well and were dropped from the lineup.

I doubt these new automatics will sell well, either.

[fireguzzi]

I figure that there is such a small market for automatics that they would not sell well. Though I could understand why some people might want one. Personally I could never see myself wanting one. I don't even like my automatic car.

[Wrider]

Well I think most riders are of the like opinion to us because the FJR1300AE was only imported for one year. I think I've seen one on the roads and it was pretty heavily promoted and tested.
I've only seen one Ridley on the road.
I've never seen a DN-01 on the road.
I've seen a lot of Maxi-scooters though, so maybe there's something to the step through design that people like.

[havegunjoe]

I've seen a couple lately in bike shops that are Chinese. No way, thanks!

[Grey Thumper]

I wouldn't want to not have a clutch lever. I think it's a safety feature to be able to instantly disconnect (or modulate) power to your rear wheel.

That said, I was stuck in pretty bad traffic yesterday, and it was murder on my clutch hand. Wished I was on a scooter.

[pchast]

My wife's is a Chinese one, Surprisingly nice and Reliable so far. A 250 that's great for local use.
I like the full size wheels better than a scooter's smaller ones. I can't complain about the cost
either.

But I will want to tear down the CVT and change out the belt because of her learning curve and
our difficult hill for a driveway.

[Gunslinger]

Would be nice to have the option to switch back and forth. Use manual for the twisties and auto when you're on the commute from hell. From what I've been reading in the Cycle rags they are really getting the technology dialed in. I'm thinking specifically of Honda's DCT. This ain't your daddy's Hondamatic that's for sure. I don't really have any strong opinions on it one way or the other. I have to think that the standard "old school" trannys have got to be far cheaper and simpler to build. For me, climbing through the gears in synch with the higher revs is what makes riding a bike fun. I'm intrigued by the technology, but me and my wallet aren't ready to go to the Dark Side just yet.

[Wrider]

As long as I don't have to deal with a CVT I can handle an automatic. Wouldn't be what i wanted, but I could handle it. A CVT is a dealbreaker for me.

[Kal]

Why not, it's no real different to riding a bike with ABS.