Anyone NOT know how to drive a manual car?

[Joey Stalin]

I was wondering this on the way to work today. Anyone out there who rides a bike and doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission car? AE owners need not apply.

(actually i don't care if you only ride an automatic motorscoot but it doesn't factor into the question being posed)

[MadMax96]

If it matters - I took the MSF class before I ever drove a manual transmission car.  I knew how to drive one in theory, but never had at that point.

I'll never forget it, when I took the MSF class about 13 yrs ago, the instructor was going down the line and asking people questions to guage their ability.  

When he got to me he asked, "you ever ride a motorcycle?"  

Me-> "no"

"you ever drive a stick shift?"

Me-> "no"

Then he kinda looked down, shook his head a little and moved on to the next person.  Needless to say I passed w/ flying colors, even though it rained all weekend.  But that Nighthawk 250 didn't let me down! (Suzuki 125 the first day - with KICK start..boy that was fun until I got the hang of the clutch)

[bluepoof]

The motorcycle was the first manual vehicle I learned to operate.

While I know how to TECHNICALLY drive a manual car, and have done so on a half-dozen occasions, I would call my ability "questionable" at best.  

[Leanintree]

Learned to clutch on a bike, learned to drive with a manual, learned to split shift through 10 gears, but the first time I drove an automatic, it baffled me (during drivers-ed no less). took some time before I stopped reaching for the shifter, and quit putting my left foot through the floor pan.

Leanintree

[bizarro]

Learned drive on a stick. I know own my first vehicle that is not a manual. It's a big ass van.

[Mr. Whippy]

3 on the tree, 4 on the floor, 5 spd, 6 spd, synchromeshed, non-synchromeshed, with 2 speed transaxle, multirange transfer case, 2 stage clutch/PTO engagement...

 if it's gotta clutch, I can drive/ride it  

[jude]

Learned to drive using my aunt's '61 Bel Air, with '3 on the tree'.  Power nothing.  Loved that car!

[RenegadeVT]

I only own manual transmission cars, if it doesn't come with a stick I don't buy it.

Even my wife's car is a manual.

[desert_rider]

Never owned anything but a manual.  Automatics are boring.

[vitaminC]

My dad taught me to drive stick by starting me out on hills (uphill, of course). Somehow, we all came out of it okay  

[jschmidt]

We ask this question at the beginning of each BRC. There are always one or two (out of 24) that have never driven a stick. So 4-8% is probably a pretty reliable number.

[Fourstring]

The motorcycle was the first manual vehicle I learned to operate.

While I know how to TECHNICALLY drive a manual car, and have done so on a half-dozen occasions, I would call my ability "questionable" at best.  

What she said.  I've had to drive my dad's Integra a couple of times (poorly), and a farm truck once or twice, but that's about it.  Hell, I learned to ride on a Burgman.

[dinolee]

My dad taught me to drive stick by starting me out on hills (uphill, of course). Somehow, we all came out of it okay  

hehe, I learned the same way.  My mother had a 5spd Datsun 280Z that I learned in.  There was an uphill section with a stop sign, and I stupidly tried to coast through it.  My mother grabbed the e-brake, and brought us to a screeching halt.  She said, 'You gotta get this down sooner or later, and we are not going home until you start from a dead stop on this hill'.  Traumatic at the time for 15 year old, but but I laugh my ass off about it now.

[hig4s]

Not only do I know how, I learned to drive in a stick shift 3/4 ton pickup with a full camper on it, I took my drivers test in a stick shift full size delivery van. In high school I worked for the township, one job was garbage pick up. When the boss was busy I was the only kid that knew how to drive a stick so I got to drive the 10 ton dump truck while the other guys picked up trash cans.

My last 5, and 8 of my last 10 cars have been manuals. I really don't like automatics.

[Jeff N]

Who can drive a manual trannied car without using the clutch, well, except for the stops and starts? Even with synchros, if you get it right it can be sublime.

[Leanintree]

Who can drive a manual trannied car without using the clutch, well, except for the stops and starts? Even with synchros, if you get it right it can be sublime.

And if you get it wrong, it can be the horror of a lifetime...    Nothing like being unable to up or downshift because you have your timing off.

Leanintree

[MisterSmooth]

Never owned anything but a manual.  Automatics are boring.

Funny thing, I used to think so.  Basically I only owned stick shifts and enjoyed the extra "work" while driving.

But now my life is full of both mental and physical activity.  I just bought a brand new car with an automatic to simplify my life.  It's just easier.

If I want fun transport, I break out the Tuono and shift all I want.  But to head off to a meeting with a client while figuring out where I'm going and talking on the phone the automatic removes any additional unwanted complexity.

Or maybe I'm just getting old.  

[hig4s]

Who can drive a manual trannied car without using the clutch, well, except for the stops and starts? Even with synchros, if you get it right it can be sublime.

When the clutch blew out on my Chevy truck I drove it for two days with no clutch, including the starts and stops.

[Capirex]

But to head off to a meeting with a client while figuring out where I'm going and talking on the phone the automatic removes any additional unwanted complexity.

Shhh.  Keep it down.
Don't let them hear you drive, talk on the phone, and navigate at the same time.
Good god man they'll crucify you.    

[cultureslayer]

it's more a lack of any car driving experience, but I have only taken a manual around a parking lot.

[PatM]

I initially learned on a car with manual trans. Had to, my dad's car was a stick shift.

[gamountains]

Worked in a summitry as a kid, the dump truck that we would back up to the grave had three on the tree. My wife's car is an auto and every time I drive it I'm looking for the clutch.

[Joey Stalin]

it's more a lack of any car driving experience, but I have only taken a manual around a parking lot.

Do you mean that in your life time, you have more motorcycle mileage than automobile mileage? If so, very interesting.

[cultureslayer]

Do you mean that in your life time, you have more motorcycle mileage than automobile mileage? If so, very interesting.

maybe 200 miles driving a car?  maybe 300?

over 19k between the two bikes.  17k of that's on the 250, since I got it first, it's more butt and wrist friendly on long trips, and it's cheaper on gas and tires.

[Joey Stalin]

weird. don't meet too many people like that, at least not in this country.  

[cultureslayer]

weird. don't meet too many people like that, at least not in this country.  

It's just because I'm cheap.  I was never on the parents' car insurance, and I thought I had to have insurance to get my license so I didn't until I was 22 (couldn't even think about affording anything more than a bicycle as an undergrad, and even those were used fixer-upper project bikes).  Called an agent and many bad words came from my mouth when I found out how expensive car insurance would be.  Decided to get the 250 and drive it for a couple of years first, since it'd pay for itself with the insurance difference.  Now I have the disease.  

Helps that I did a LOT of bicycling before I got the moto, so I was used to dealing with dumbass cagers.  In fact, I did a 100 mile bicycle ride a few months before picking up the motorcycle.

[Desmo Demon]

I learned how to ride a bike before I learned to drive a car, and I transferred the clutch/shifting concept to teaching myself how to drive a manual car by......taking my mom's MG for a spin at the age of 13 while she slept from working the night shift!    

[maddjack]

I learned to drive a car with three on the tree.

[tomek]

Who can drive a manual trannied car without using the clutch, well, except for the stops and starts? Even with synchros, if you get it right it can be sublime.

Clutchless shifting is actually easier in non-synchro gearboxes,synchros tend to "catch" gear even when revs are not matched up resulting in jerking and gearbox wear.It is not good idea to do it.

No synchro gearbox has to be shifted different way,double clutch or no clutch at all.
With no synchros clutchless upshifting and downshifting is the way to go,of course you have to know what you are doing.

Motocycles have no synchros,but they are sequential type,they should not be shifted like cars with synchros or trucks without synchros.

[Gaolee]

I learned to drive an old British sports car.  Nothing like being 16, too cool for words in front of a carload of girls, and stalling because you have it in second, not first.  Non-synchro first made for interesting issues as well.

[ekowd]

I learned to drive at 15 using manual cars. Been using manuals for 10years. A few years back AT cars are somewhat a luxury in my country.

Only recently I switched to AT cars. It's more common nowadays and the traffic jam in my city is outrageous.
Anyone here have to drive one half hours everyday for a 10 mile trip to work (one way)?

[mtrider16]

Learned manual transmission on a farm, with trucks and all, including clutchless on a 13sp truck.

I prefer AT in my car.  Why work driving a cage? Also, I like to drink coffee and drive.

David

[RickC1957]

I haven't owned a AT in a car since 1980

[mxvet57]

a motorcycle was the first clutch vehicle i drove. have had manual trans in all my trucks since 1978. i did however did buy an explorer with an auto trans for pulling my trailers. my currant truck has 266,000 on it now and I've been looking for a used p/u and it's not easy to find one with a manual that i like.

[GurgieTrueshot]

Who can drive a manual trannied car without using the clutch, well, except for the stops and starts? Even with synchros, if you get it right it can be sublime.

I was forced to when driving from Wichita to St. Louis and the clutch went out in Kansas City. I made it all the way but the car had to be trailered back to wichita. When my father-in-law looked into it he found the clutch plate broken in to several pieces. I guess that was the big clunk i heard when the car finally dropped into 3rd gear after I first realized the clutch was gone.

[VIVID1]

The only automatics that I drive are rentals  

[traveler]

I learned to drive a car with three on the tree.

Me too. A long time ago.

[Jeff N]

Clutchless shifting is actually easier in non-synchro gearboxes, as synchros tend to "catch" gear even when revs are not matched up resulting in jerking and gearbox wear. It is not good idea to do it.

No synchro gearbox has to be shifted different way, double clutch or no clutch at all.
With no synchros clutchless upshifting and downshifting is the way to go, of course you have to know what you are doing.

Motocycles have no synchros, but they are sequential type, they should not be shifted like cars with synchros or trucks without synchros.

Of course crashboxes are more easily shifted without the clutch than synchro-boxes. But clutchless shifting can still be done on a synchro-box, one just must be very careful when matching revs and road speed and never ever force it.

[Global Rider]

Learned on my mom's old VW Beetle when I was 8 long before I knew motorcycles existed.

Start them early!