Manual (SM) or Elecitric Semi-Auto (SE) shifting?

[glynnk]

Hi everyone. I'm curious to see what type of transmissions are out there the most, the manual (with clutch lever on handlebar), or the semi-automatic thumb/index finger shifter?


Thanks

Manual here.....

[Star Cruiser]

I love the SE5. It is smooth , reliable and I never "forget" to get back to first gear after a stop.
Oh and ALL of the fun of shifting in both directions, if I want to. I drive my car in the same way now. Shifting is FUN and not worrying about the clutch is even FUNNER

[Degaman]

Definitely the SE5. The clutch might be fun for some, but with the SE5 you still get the thrill of changing gears with less hassle.

[lawdogg357]

'09 SM5

[QNSPYDER]

SE5 all the way are RT-S will be auto to when the dealer get us one

[the nicko]

09 SE5. It works really well and was very easy to

[SpyderGirl]

I currently own a SM5. I have test ridden several SE5 units but never could get used to it. I like manual shifting, even in a car.... ESPECIALLY in a car.

[txknight67]

SM5 for me.

I am a manual junkie I guess. Swapped my '94 Dakota over to a manual in '06 just because. When I was looking at the new Challenger's, was only considering a manual. IDK, just something more engaging, more visceral about driving a manual.

[SpyderGirl]

SM5 for me.

I am a manual junkie I guess. Swapped my '94 Dakota over to a manual in '06 just because. When I was looking at the new Challenger's, was only considering a manual. IDK, just something more engaging, more visceral about driving a manual.

Exactly! I do hate being in traffic with a manual, but I don't care. My next car must have a manual transmission and a convertible top.

[bone crusher]

I have one of each right now and if I could only pick one it would be the SE all the way. First off it shifts faster than I can without a hiccup, just hold the throttle wide open and bang the gears. I love it in town too, no need to work the clutch in stop and go traffic. That's what I liked about my Boss Hoss too.

I think it comes down to what you want out of your ride...if you want to feel the open-air, the auto is great...if you want to have more of a 'riding' experience, the manual is simply more 'fun.' Shifting faster doesn't matter to me one bit...I have auto cars for that convenience, but the Spyder is a fun toy...and as a toy, I want to maximize the 'fun' part of it. Having an auto motorcycle just simply isn't as much 'fun' to ride....the control of the gears is a large part of the enjoyment factor of a bike. The auto and the manual will both get you from point A to B, but just as a paddle shifter in a car is not the same as a clutch, so too is the case with the Spyder.

I've sat in plenty of traffic with my SM5 and the gear shifting doesn't bother me...on back roads, nothing beats the fun of hittin' the clutch and poppin' the gears back and forth...simply put, it allows for more control and feel of the road. I have a convertible that I adore, but an auto bike would be like riding that around, except for the cage...

I still like what another person wrote here some time ago (sorry for repeatedly quoting this)...'if you want to drive, get an auto, if you want to ride, get a manual'...this likely applies to cars and motorcycles...

We all know that riding a bike is traditionally a full body experience (and out of body sometimes too!)...we need both hands and both feet...too bad we don't have a right hand brake on a Spyder...losing the clutch and just flicking a switch further takes away from the motorcycle feel. Now, the Spyder is called a roadster...part car, part motorcycle, and that's fine...I have to say that an auto is more car-like and the manual allows it to be a little more like a bike...

Just my two cents...

[Toys42]

I think it is misleading to call the SE5 an automatic transmission. It is a 5 speed manual transmission with electronic shifting. It has all of the control of a manual transmission for upshifting and downshifting including engine braking which is what I like about it.

Again the best part of this discussion is that we do have a choice! Thank you BRP.

[spyryder]

I think it is misleading to call the SE5 an automatic transmission. It is a 5 speed manual transmission with electronic shifting. It has all of the control of a manual transmission for upshifting and downshifting including engine braking which is what I like about it.

Again the best part of this discussion is that we do have a choice! Thank you BRP.

It also has an automatic clutch.

[bone crusher]

I think it is misleading to call the SE5 an automatic transmission. It is a 5 speed manual transmission with electronic shifting. It has all of the control of a manual transmission for upshifting and downshifting including engine braking which is what I like about it.

Again the best part of this discussion is that we do have a choice! Thank you BRP.

It's semi-automatic but being there is no manual clutch control, it more closely resembles an auto...no argument there...

As far as the choice goes, I agree...BRP did a fine job as most anyone can find a Spyder that he/she will like!

[NancysToy]

I think it is misleading to call the SE5 an automatic transmission. It is a 5 speed manual transmission with electronic shifting. It has all of the control of a manual transmission for upshifting and downshifting including engine braking which is what I like about it.

Again the best part of this discussion is that we do have a choice! Thank you BRP.

In reality, it is correctly called "electronic shift", like some FJR models. It has the same transmission as the SM5, but a different shift mechanism and an automatic clutch for idling. It comes down to whether you want to shift mechanically, with your foot and clutch hand, or electronically, with your finger and a button. Personal choices...personal joys. There is no right and wrong, better and worse, or good and bad. I second the "Thank you BRP."

[boborgera]

Again the best part of this discussion is that we do have a choice! Thank you BRP.

If it puts more Spyders on the road it's a good thing.

[Arachnid]

SE-5
Mike