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.