Intro level bikes with auto/CVT?

[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