Manual transmission vs. semi automatic transmission

[j abrams]

I am trying to decide on the type of transmission to get when I am able to get a spyder. I asked a sales person his opinion and he was in the semi camp. I also talked to a service manager and he thought that the manuals have fewer problems. I would like some opinions. Thanks

[ThreeWheels]

They are both right.
The manuals have fewer problems, but the semi-automatic holds its resale value better.
I prefer the manual, just because I enjoy the feel of shifting the gears better.

[JkRbbt]

But, man, the semi-auto is FUN!!!!

[SpyderAnn01]

I'm with Chupaca, I prefer the manual.

[Cruzr Joe]

Semi- Auto lets you enjoy the road more in my opinion.

Cruzr Joe

[Chupaca]

I'm with Chupaca, I prefer the manual.

Your with me before I answer.. but your right. I like the control, I like to pull in the clutch and coast (you can trick the nanny when you do it in the corners) I like that I can shift without the clutch once I'm rolling. But it will still be your choice and mostly how comfortable you are with the manual clutch...

[hdlongrod]

We have one of each. Can't go wrong with either IMHO.

[MidTNDawg]

Serious performance riding go manual. For pure riding enjoyment, the semi auto is tops!!

[Bensonoid]

Tell that sales manager you want to saddle up one of each and then you'll know.

[Lin]

I went through the same questions before I bought mine 2011 three years ago. The biggest influence for me was the chatter about keeping the RPMs up near 5000 for the shift point. This seemed to complicate the ride for me on my test ride and confirmed, for me, the flexibility of the manual shift.

I have a manual.

[coz]

more like a motorcycle. less problems than the s e.

[Dgjason]

Liked the idea of the semi when I bought it but wasn't sure. Have had many bikes for over 40 years so accustomed to shifting. I ride almost every day and each day I think about how much I enjoy the semi. Semi automatic gets my vote. I think my age may have something to do with it.

[arntufun]

With a Semi your Spyder will roll down a hill and crash into a pole when the parking brake fails..........There isn't even a need for a parking brake on a manual. I never once used mine.


I was told that manual Spyder owners are the only ones considered real riders. I can see how the semi allows people that couldn't operate a manual to own a Spyder and IMO is part of the reason the Spyder has been successful.

[NovaSpyder]

With a Semi your Spyder will roll down a hill and crash into a pole when the parking brake fails..........There isn't even a need for a parking brake on a manual. I never once used mine.

Manual Spyder owners are also considered real riders.

There ya go, stirring the pot again😊

Sure and real truckers don't drive with automatic transmissions, and real race car drivers don't use paddle shift.

My 2012 RT was a manual, I was adamant on that point. When I got my '14 I got an SE because a SM was not readily available. Now I love the SE, once in a while I miss pulling the clutch to coast, but not very often. I still ride my ST1100, and occasionally wish I had the SE on it in certain situations. I've been riding for 40 years and find the SE does not diminish the fun or control factor.

[scott16119]

I was sure I wanted a manual shift until I drove the semi-auto. Yeah it's a little more money but now I'd not even consider buying a manual. I'm sure the manual shift is less prone to problems and you don't need to use the parking break if you so choose. I've never had any trouble with my semi-auto or my parking break.

[DrewNJ]

Manual....for all the same reasons mentioned above.

[PrairieSpyder]

I've ridden both. I love my SE-6!

[fispyder]

I had 2010 RTS loved the manual shift. The only problems I had was in heavy traffic you had to feather the clutch or stall it out. When I want to trade it one dealer gave me a real low ball price because it was a manual. Said they had a hard time selling manuals spyders. I brought a 14 RTL with se6. Love it. You can still shift through the gears with the paddle (up/down) and in heavy traffic moving slowly you don't have to feather the clutch. I would test drive both before I made the decision on witch one I brought only you will know what you really like.

[Dan McNally]

With a Semi your Spyder will roll down a hill and crash into a pole when the parking brake fails..........There isn't even a need for a parking brake on a manual. I never once used mine. . . .

If your Spyder rolls down a hill when the parking brake fails, you didn't park it, correctly. Fifty years ago, I leaned to turn the wheels into the curb when parking on a hill . . . and it holds true for Spyders, too.

[DJFaninTN]

With a Semi your Spyder will roll down a hill and crash into a pole when the parking brake fails..........There isn't even a need for a parking brake on a manual. I never once used mine.


I was told that manual Spyder owners are the only ones considered real riders. I can see how the semi allows people that couldn't operate a manual to own a Spyder and IMO is part of the reason the Spyder has been successful.

my parking brake has never failed. I think if you had a manual car and left it out of gear and your parking brake failed, your car could roll down hill and crash into a pole.

[ottawa-rider]

If you get a 2014 RT or a 2015 RT or F3, the concern about keeping the RPM high enough on the SE is not longer valid, you decide.

[blacklightning]

I thought for sure that I wanted a semi auto, so I test drove a 2013 se. I was impressed. After my riding partner picked up a 2014 manual, I wanted to try it. After about a 30 mile ride, I was sold. The manual shifts so smooth (compared to my M109R), that the decision was easy when I purchased one. If they had a fully auto model, I might reconsider, but since you still have to upshift with the se, it is not worth the extra coin.

[Pennyrick]

I am trying to decide on the type of transmission to get when I am able to get a spyder. I asked a sales person his opinion and he was in the semi camp. I also talked to a service manager and he thought that the manuals have fewer problems. I would like some opinions. Thanks

My first Spyder was a manual. The one I drive now is a semi. This is not an automatic transmission. It is a manual with no clutch used for upshifts and nothing required for downshifts (unless you choose). It has a lot in common with the Ferrari or Lamborghini paddle shifters.

The Spyder is a technological marvel and those who prefer manuals are stuck in the dark ages.

[robtdonna]

Put me in the manual camp. I figured I had enough new things to figure out so this would be one less. Personal preference.

[blacklightning]

Put me in the manual camp. I figured I had enough new things to figure out so this would be one less. Personal preference.

I agree, but the semi auto would have been fun on my zx14