Intro level bikes with auto/CVT?

[UFO]

There's the Aprilia Mana.  What else is on the market that's an entry level or midsized bike with auto/CVT/paddle tranny?

[Jeff]

Honda DN-01

[UFO]

Honda DN-01

Excluding that monstrosity.

[Kootenanny]

Any of the maxi-scooters...Honda Silverwing, Suzy Burgman, Piaggio MP3, etc.

And then there are the Ridleys.

But really, who cares?  If you can't coordinate clutch and throttle, do you have what it takes to ride safely period?  I taught a few people to ride back when I worked as an instructor, and every one was able to pick up shifting...even people who probably weren't coordinated enough to ride properly could learn to use a clutch and shifter.

[Marcster]

Q-Link Legacy 250:



http://www.qlinkmotor.com/products/products.php?pid=98

[Ceolwulf]

Brammo  

[vulcanbill]

Excluding that monstrosity.

monstrosity?  really?  psha.

[Fourstring]

But really, who cares?  If you can't coordinate clutch and throttle, do you have what it takes to ride safely period?

Worked for me.  I could handle shifting just fine at MSF, but that was without Chicago traffic.  I thought it was prudent then, and I'd still probably go the same route if I did it over.

[Twistedpinion]

Are you only looking for new?  There was the old Hondamatic.  FJR AE was clutchless.

Ridley makes an auto, I think the yamaha tmax in an auto as well.

[atadaskew]

The new Honda VFR12 with auto box.  That bike will be easy to handle for a beginner seeing that it is a lot slower than its rivals.

[Marcster]

Worked for me.  I could handle shifting just fine at MSF, but that was without Chicago traffic.  I thought it was prudent then, and I'd still probably go the same route if I did it over.

+1.  

I could also do shifting just fine at MSF but wasn't quite ready to work a clutch and get comfortable leaning and pull away from a stop on hills without stalling and negotiate 55 mph traffic (I live two blocks off of a busy highway).

A 250cc scooter seemed to be a fine "first bike".  And it was...  Also made it easier to broach the subject with the wife since she believed that scooters were safer.

[bomber]

But really, who cares?  If you can't coordinate clutch and throttle, do you have what it takes to ride safely period?  I taught a few people to ride back when I worked as an instructor, and every one was able to pick up shifting...even people who probably weren't coordinated enough to ride properly could learn to use a clutch and shifter.

Unusual logic -- if true, no auto cars trucks, either . . .. .  

Not so much a matter of "can," but, perhaps, "want to."

I used to commute rarely when I worked in the loop -- auto or CVT woulda had me two-wheeling much more often.

An we've not started discussing riders with physical handicaps who might be able to ride safely with an auto / CVT option.

I DO love to shift, though!

;-}

[dorklord]

Unusual logic -- if true, no auto cars trucks, either

Sounds like a perfectly good idea to me...

[Kootenanny]

Sounds like a perfectly good idea to me...

And to me, too!  American dependence on automatic transmissions is a bit of a "soapbox" issue for me, especially since so many automakers offer automatics only in their cars in North America (I own a Suzuki Grand Vitara, one reason I bought it was because I could get one with a manual, unlike it's rivals such as the CRV and Rav4--and I recently discovered that as of 2010, GVs are automatic only in NA).

Think about this: if all those Toyota drivers with runaway accelerations had been driving manuals, they coulda just punched the clutch...

As far as motorcycling is concerned...if you don't feel ready to shift in traffic, as Marcster says, you can get a large scooter which will do the job just as well as a motorcycle in traffic.  I've ridden a Yamaha Majesty 400--on the highway--and it did just fine.  But the 850 Mana?  Come on, if you don't feel ready for traffic, an 850 Aprilia isn't gonna cure the problem, auto cogbox or not (for those with disabilities, that's a different matter--and a very, very small percentage of the riding population).

[chornbe]

T-Max

[bomber]

And to me, too!  American dependence on automatic transmissions is a bit of a "soapbox" issue for me, especially since so many automakers offer automatics only in their cars in North America (I own a Suzuki Grand Vitara, one reason I bought it was because I could get one with a manual, unlike it's rivals such as the CRV and Rav4--and I recently discovered that as of 2010, GVs are automatic only in NA).

Think about this: if all those Toyota drivers with runaway accelerations had been driving manuals, they coulda just punched the clutch...

As far as motorcycling is concerned...if you don't feel ready to shift in traffic, as Marcster says, you can get a large scooter which will do the job just as well as a motorcycle in traffic.  I've ridden a Yamaha Majesty 400--on the highway--and it did just fine.  But the 850 Mana?  Come on, if you don't feel ready for traffic, an 850 Aprilia isn't gonna cure the problem, auto cogbox or not (for those with disabilities, that's a different matter--and a very, very small percentage of the riding population).

And if all the Toyota drivers with sticking gas pedals had had the presence of mind to shift into neutral , , , ,

You and I like to shift.

Cool.

Not everyone does, nor CAN everyone.

It's good to have choices, I believe. I'll go further -- more choices are better then fewer choices, every time.

Means you and I can get what we want.

Even for Toyota drivers ;-}

[atadaskew]

T-Max

Very high seat height for beginners. Combo of height/width makes it tough for some to touch the ground comfortably.

[UFO]

I'm investigating for my wife.  She's expressed some interest in perhaps getting back in to riding.  I think she might be more confortable (and have more fun) on something with an auto or push button tranny.  Not a requirement, just something I'm looking in to.

She won't ride a scooter.  She won't ride a cruiser.  She won't ride something that weighs 600 lbs and has 150 hp.  It has to be something light, sporty, conventional.  In a quick search the Aprilia Mana was all I came up with.

I've also looked at the F800ST, but obviously not an auto.

[Marcster]

I'm investigating for my wife.  She's expressed some interest in perhaps getting back in to riding.  I think she might be more confortable (and have more fun) on something with an auto or push button tranny.  Not a requirement, just something I'm looking in to.

She won't ride a scooter.  She won't ride a cruiser.  She won't ride something that weighs 600 lbs and has 150 hp.  It has to be something light, sporty, conventional.  In a quick search the Aprilia Mana was all I came up with.

If the most-recommended starter bike, the Ninja 250r, is too much bike for her, there are a few options:

Kymco Quannon 150 -- http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/mcs/quannon150/index.html
Kymco is a highly regarded Taiwanese manufacturer and though this is the first year in the US for the Quannon, they've been selling it in other countries for years.

Dual-Purpose OK?

Suzuki DR200SE -- http://www.suzukicycles.com/en/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/DR200SE/2009/DR200SE.aspx?category=dualsport
I took my Beginner's MSF course on this bike.  Depending on your wife's height, it might be a little tall for her, but you should be able to pick one up cheap used at auction when the MSF courses bring in new bikes.

Yamaha XT250 (or XT225) -- http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/574/0/home.aspx
I sat on one of these at a dealer...  Very low seat height (only half an inch higher than my Diversion, which is too low for my 32" inseam).  Very good looking bike in person - love the retro round headlight.

Yamaha TW200 -- http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/10/0/home.aspx


And then there is the KLX250s, the CRF230L, the WR250r (and their super-moto counterparts).

[DogBoy]

I believe Mrs. UFO has already owned and ridden a Katana 600(?) and an FZ6. The Mana sounds like a good fit. The dual sport idea is a good suggestion depending on the type of riding she will be doing. They are fun, extremely easy to ride and IIRC, she has experience as a passenger.

[KLRchickie]

And to me, too!  American dependence on automatic transmissions is a bit of a "soapbox" issue for me, especially since so many automakers offer automatics only in their cars in North America ...

Agreed.  Other markets get some really spiffy vehicles, with manual transmissions as options, that we will *never* see here.  Sucks!  

And if all the Toyota drivers with sticking gas pedals had had the presence of mind to shift into neutral , , , ,

You and I like to shift.

Cool.

Not everyone does, nor CAN everyone.

If you CAN'T drive, stay OFF the road!  Wayyyyy too many people driving in this city who are just stinking clueless .  If you're not co-ordinated enough to shift, how can you manage a coffee & a cell phone & a........?????

Dual-Purpose OK?

Yamaha XT250 (or XT225) -- http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/574/0/home.aspx
I sat on one of these at a dealer...  Very low seat height (only half an inch higher than my Diversion, which is too low for my 32" inseam).  Very good looking bike in person - love the retro round headlight.

Excellent litte bike I have an XT225.  I've had a few beginning riders on mine who started out scared & ended up ecstatic, you just *can't* be intimidated by the little thing.  If I was any bigger it would be too small, but the little thing is a hoot.

 the WR250r (and their super-moto counterparts).

The WR250 is pretty tall.  ZED has the X (sumo) & I am tippy toe on it (my inseam is 31" or 32").  I sat on the R (dirt bike) at the m/c show & with the knobbies & front wheel it is REALLY tall.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get both toes down if I had my inflexible MX boots on.  Not a biggie on the street, with some experience, but not necessarily a good start for a newbie either.

[atadaskew]

I'm investigating for my wife.  She's expressed some interest in perhaps getting back in to riding.  I think she might be more confortable (and have more fun) on something with an auto or push button tranny.  Not a requirement, just something I'm looking in to.

She won't ride a scooter.  She won't ride a cruiser.  She won't ride something that weighs 600 lbs and has 150 hp.  It has to be something light, sporty, conventional.  In a quick search the Aprilia Mana was all I came up with.

I've also looked at the F800ST, but obviously not an auto.

Well then the obvious answer, as we all know, is Moto Guzzi.
The V7 Classic.
Or Duc Monster 696.  Either would look swell next to your Duc MS1200...

Light, sporty, and highly unconventional as you requested..

(the new fool injekshun Trumpet Bonnies are nice too)

[Kootenanny]

I'm investigating for my wife.  She's expressed some interest in perhaps getting back in to riding.  I think she might be more confortable (and have more fun) on something with an auto or push button tranny.  Not a requirement, just something I'm looking in to.

She won't ride a scooter.  She won't ride a cruiser.  She won't ride something that weighs 600 lbs and has 150 hp.  It has to be something light, sporty, conventional.  In a quick search the Aprilia Mana was all I came up with.

I've also looked at the F800ST, but obviously not an auto.

Well, with those criteria, I can't think of anything other than the Mana, or perhaps an old-skool Hondamatic bike (were they available in displacements other than 400?).  I really like the Shiver, at least from looking at it...is the Mana at all similar?  If it is, it may be a bit intimidating to a rider without confidence.

You say she won't ride a scooter...has she ever ridden one of the maxi-scooters?  These things don't give up a whole lot...I rode a Majesty 400, and I was passing cars on the highway, up a hill...plus, ya gotta love the storage space!  Never ridden a Silver Wing, MP3 500, or Burgman 650, but all of these are larger than the Majesty and are supposedly quite sporty (the Piaggio MP3 gets some pretty good reviews, actually).

BTW, have you looked at the F800R?  It replaces the F800S, and is actually quite a nice bike--I was looking at one at the Vancouver bike show, and the display bike seemed to be getting a lot of interest from women at the show (at least, there always seemed to be a different woman sitting on it...).  It is not an auto, though!

[Jim M.]

I also think she should really try out a maxi scooter. I started my wife out on a BMW 650F, but she was still a little intimidated by the whole clutch/height thing. We took a trip to Paris and she started noticing the scooters. When we got back, there happened to be a used Yamaha Majesty at the local dealer. One ride and we brought it home. They are great fun accelerating because they just pull forever! I've had it up to 80 and it was still pulling and was very stable. I keep telling my wife that the constant pull is addictive and I'm sooo going to get a ticket on it in town! The storage space is huge, and she's even added a top box as well. She absolutely loves it and won't ride anything else.

[Wockman]

Can Am Spyder?  Granted it weighs more than 600lbs but with three wheels it doesn't require heavy lifting. Plus it come in auto (with reverse).

[Kootenanny]

Can Am Spyder?

BANNED!!!

[atadaskew]

 The storage space is huge, and she's even added a top box as well. She absolutely loves it and won't ride anything else.

Which one is the scooter?
 

[bomber]

If the auto /CVT isn't a requirement, you may wish to wander over to your local Triumph emporium . . . .

Most offer test rides, and the Bonneville (in it's many guises) is an aces motorcycle -- two of it's more attractive features, which earned it a spot in our motorpool, are it's low weight (very easily pushed around in the garage, even) and it's standard ergos (which are really hard to find) --

Not as fast as many bikes, but well covered by the aftermarket, gorgeous looking (IMO), solidly dependable, and just plain fun.

[Marcster]

How about a 2006 or older Aprilia Scarabeo 500?:



Incredible storage options: storage bin under the seat, two saddlebags, one topcase, the legshield storage bin (glovebox), and you can even add a Givi T455 tunnel bag (12.5" x 9.75" x 11.75").  

With 500cc, standard ABS, and optional luggage, you could have a sport-touring scooter that breaks the "scooter" mold.

[sammyseaman]

This thread is making me really nauseous