Manual vs. Automatic

[RShrimp]

Which should I get? I have never been a fan of automatics but this is a bit of a different beast.

What do you think?

[LDFIREWORKS]

[nudle]

SE5 automatic I love my se5

[ntxYguy2009]

I love my SE5. I get my clutch/shift/throttle thrills on my GS500F.

David

[Spyderjuice]

I like the semi-automatic SE5. You still shift when you want to (but don't have to use your foot) and it's smooth. I recommend it.

Stan - Spyderjuice

[docdoru]

Manual.

[NancysToy]

Strictly your call, unless you have a driving reason for your choice, like a foot that cannot be used to shift. This is an electric shift vehicle vs. a manual shift vehicle, not automatic transmission vs. manual transmission. Both Spyders have the same transmission. How you prefer to shift is strictly up to you. It's like asking which color is best. Oops, there goes another can of worms.

[northramp]

Scotty:
We all know that a RED electric shift is the best ...but only if u put 93 octane in it ..

I will take my beating now........

[BajaRon]

Personally, I can't help you out. I've got a manual and I love it.

However, everyone I've talked to that have ridden both for enough miles to know prefer the automatic. Even those that already own a manual.

This is surprising to me and I have also been surprised at people I thought would prefer the manual admitting they liked the auto better.

One last observation. When riding to the BRP Spyder homecoming in Valcort Canada we got to ride with several BRP professional test riders. All of these guys are X-Racers. I really liked these guys. They were the real deal!

This was before the Automatic was available on the retail market. And every one of those guys was riding an automatic. I assumed it was a marketing ploy. But every one of them said they can ride whatever they want and they all preferred the Auto.

Still, I find the manual a great ride and I like it. I stay off the auto's because I don't want to be unhappy with what I have now.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[Saluda]

Love my manual.

[JPoehlman]

I have an SE5 (yellow). The main reason that I like it is because you cannot lug the engine. It automatically downshifts when the revs drop too low and will not allow an upshift if the revs aren't high enough. When I took my demo ride I was able to ride both. I was fighting the manual shift trying to get in a lower gear while negotiating a tight turn and it didn't seem to want to downshift or upshift that easily. Maybe just a tight new gear box, but I really like the auto downshift and not worrying about clutch friction points and feathering. Just gas it and go.
Granted, I have a bum left leg from my 2 wheeler crash, which makes it a bit more difficult, but not impossible, to shift manually.
The only disadvantage that I see is that you cannot get it into neutral unless you are at a dead stop, and you can't disengage the clutch while moving. I really haven't found that to be much of a drawback.

Also the electric shift costs more.

Arrange for a demo ride and try both.

YRMBD

Dennis in MD
The Krusty Old Phart
Still turnin', burnin' and lurnin'
2008 yellow SE5

[NancysToy]

Scotty:
We all know that a RED electric shift is the best ...but only if u put 93 octane in it ..

I will take my beating now........

I thought that rule only applied on Thursdays.

[Neez]

SE 4 me,
SM 4 them,
What do 4 U ?

[SpyderWolf]

When I went looking for my Spyder, I contacted a dealer and told them I wanted a 2009 Yellow SM5. He replied that the only yellow one they had in stock was an SE5, to which I replied "I don't really want an automatic transmission, I want the control the clutch gives you." At that point he explained that it was an Electronic Tranny, and not a true automatic, and that I should come take it for a test drive before I turned it down. I went for the test drive, and needless to say I rode it home that same day. I am very happy to have my little paddle shifter.

I have been riding with some 2 wheeler friends along some beautiful mountain roads before. When we stopped I was asking them about the waterfalls I saw, and the sheer rock faces right next to the road that I thought were so cool. They actually said they never saw those things as they were too busy concentrating on riding their bikes. That is when the realization hit me that the SE5 Spyder is truly a different animal, and in a class by itself.

And for the record, everyone knows that yellow is the fastest.

[bone crusher]

I prefer the manual. I love using the clutch and I like the feel of more control...I used to drive manual autos and enjoyed them more too...certainly more 'feel' for the road. My autos are now automatic...

Although the SE5 is not a true auto, it only requires a flick to change gears whereas the manual requires a little more regarding the timing of clutch, throttle, and gear changing...more involved, but IMHO, more fun...I believe it's what makes a motorcycle what it is...a full-body experience. We don't have the hand brake, so we're losing one function as it is...going with the SE5 frees up another limb.

Both bikes are great...if you ride in a ton of traffic or have a medical reason as to why you can't ride the manual, the auto is good to go...they both get you to the same place and they are both cageless...personal preference...

I recommend trying them both out and buy the on you enjoy more...either way you're gonna have fun!

[jgwoods]

I think I might like the manual better for riding in snow It allows you to pull in the clutch and disconnect for those really slippery moments.
I had my SE5 fishtailing all over the road when I let off on the gas on a slippery road and the engine braking was enough to break the rear wheel loose, and there no way to de-clutch and let it straighten out.
Now I drive one gear higher when the road is slippery so I don't have that much engine braking.

[tajohn]

With Auto you have more focous on driving.If you look at the number of SM's for sale after 08 they tried the SE's and liked it over the shifters.I would like to see the BRP stats on SM vs SE sales.

Which should I get? I have never been a fan of automatics but this is a bit of a different beast.

What do you think?

[SpyderWolf]

I think I might like the manual better for riding in snow It allows you to pull in the clutch and disconnect for those really slippery moments.
I had my SE5 fishtailing all over the road when I let off on the gas on a slippery road and the engine braking was enough to break the rear wheel loose, and there no way to de-clutch and let it straighten out.
Now I drive one gear higher when the road is slippery so I don't have that much engine braking.

Good point to consider for those who may ride in the snow. We may see snow down here once every 3 years or so, and then it only lasts for a day or so at the most, so it has never really been a concern.

[Firefly]

Regarding the SM5 requiring 'more concentration' - I must disagree. Shifting just becomes so natural that you don't even think about the timing--- and using the clutch isn't necessary--- especially for upshifting.

While I can appreciate those who want the SE5 --- for me the SM5 is the only way to go. A motorcycle without a clutch and foot shifter just doesn't cut it for me.

Either way you go--- I'm sure you'll be happy.

[groundeffect]

Which should I get? I have never been a fan of automatics but this is a bit of a different beast.

What do you think?

Hi there.

This thread may be a good read for you...


Manual SM5 OR Electric Semi-Automatic

Hope that helps.
Cheers.

[Dragonrider]

How big a check do you want to write? Figure $1500 for a switch vs shifter...

[j45p3r]

SM5 for me, no question about it, not even a little bit. I LOVE shifting, it really is part of the experience for me.

[Smylinacha]

Personal preference and I prefer my manual.

[altonk]

until i can shift in 100 miliiseconds i'll stick with the se

[SpyderGirl]

I own a SM5 and have ridden two SE5s.... I prefer a manual hands-down, but the SE5 is pretty nice too. Shifting is a lot smoother and it seems to accelerate faster. However, I prefer to have control over my shift points thanks.