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ebass · 01-29-2005, 12:36 PM

I think you'd be wanting the Rocket III. It makes 64 hp at idle. Just stuff it into 3rd and forget about the other gears. Problem solved.

Next case!

mikenomad · 01-29-2005, 01:30 PM

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.

dmpereira · 01-29-2005, 02:08 PM

Check out the Ridley http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/Dynamic/main.htm

cptaebphd · 01-29-2005, 02:36 PM

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.

pushrod · 01-29-2005, 03:05 PM

I'd be happy enough if someone would come up with satisfactory drink holders.

They'd be cheaper than a slushbox, and would weigh less, although the cooler would make up for it.

theDuke · 01-29-2005, 03:35 PM

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?

gbrummett · 01-29-2005, 05:32 PM

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.

xmike5 · 01-29-2005, 05:46 PM

+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.

01-29-2005, 12:36 PM	#1
ebass Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 335	Re: Time for Auto Trans? I think you'd be wanting the Rocket III. It makes 64 hp at idle. Just stuff it into 3rd and forget about the other gears. Problem solved. Next case!

01-29-2005, 01:30 PM	#2
mikenomad Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 361	Re: Time for Auto Trans? 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.

01-29-2005, 02:08 PM	#3
dmpereira Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Re: Time for Auto Trans? Check out the Ridley http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/Dynamic/main.htm

01-29-2005, 02:36 PM	#4
cptaebphd Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 208	Re: Time for Auto Trans? 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.

01-29-2005, 03:05 PM	#5
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	Re: Time for Auto Trans? I'd be happy enough if someone would come up with satisfactory drink holders. They'd be cheaper than a slushbox, and would weigh less, although the cooler would make up for it. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

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01-29-2005, 03:35 PM	#6
theDuke Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 93	Re: Time for Auto Trans? 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?

01-29-2005, 05:32 PM	#7
gbrummett Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 512	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.

01-29-2005, 05:46 PM	#8
xmike5 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 29	Re: Time for Auto Trans? +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.