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Manual Or Semi-Auto?
- Thread starter Rossco068
- Start date
When you guys get older, like me, you'll most likely prefer the semi-auto.
John, You ain't old. I graduated from HS 4 years earlier in 1967 which makes me 67 years-young. I still prefer manually shifting my trikes but can see the distinct advantages and utility of the semi-auto Spyders. If I spent much time in local traffic which I do not, I would definitely not like the clutch handle pressure necessary to operate my 2015 F3-S and would either get the hydraulic clutch assist or go to semi-auto.
monkeyboymorton
Member
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this thread. Manuals just don't sell well here in the UK. There are 2 manual F3s for sale on Ebay which aren't selling, both would have gone in no time if they were auto. I need the auto (no left leg) but wouldn't have bought a manual either way.
It's the market these are being sold to, mostly non-bike people. They won't want to be bothered learning a m/c shift if they've never driven a bike before.
The semi-auto gearbox was a genius idea by BRP and I'm sure it's the overriding factor why the Spyder has been successful. Would have stayed a niche product without it.
Madmartigan
New member
I have had 8 operations on my left knee since 2007. If it was not for the SE6 on my F3-S I could not ride. I miss going through the gears with a manual transmission and a clutch. My previous bikes were all manual and every vehicle I had ever owed up until my last vehicle were all stick shift. The SE6 is a great transmission and I enjoy driving it any chance I get.
Madmartigan, I just had to share with you that I read the saying about the fairness of life in your posts subscript to my wife and she and I got a great chuckle. I know that many of us, including myself, have migrated to trikes for various reasons related to physical health issues and it is wonderful that the BRP trike products are so accommodating of our various maladies or needs.
Like yourself, I am so used to using a manual transmission on bikes that I went for a SM6 F3-S. My dealer mentioned that an upside to the purchase was that there were less "moving parts" when it came to shifting with the manual and that potentially there was less maintenance in my future? However, I have not heard of any significant transmission problems with the SE6's so I am not sure if that is much of a concern?
I owned a Suzuki Burgman 650 for a short time and although it was very fast and the automatic/semi-auto transmission was incredibly smooth and shifted quickly, I too missed shifting and did not keep that scooter for long. As I have gotten older, my preferred automobile is to have an automatic where I don't have to think about shifting and just enjoy the ride so I think it is safe to say that manual/semi-auto is truly all good!
monkeyboymorton
Member
I would say the SM6 is less likely to develop a fault as there is less stuff involved in changing gear, so the dealer was steering you right. The SE6 could develop a fault anywhere from the switch, to the wiring, to the ECU, to the actuator etc. That's not to say it will, but it does have a lot more that could go wrong.
KID Ryker
Member
seadoomaiden
New member
SM6 here. With my other vehicles being automatic or direct drive, I have a need for a toy that I can clutch, shift, etc. Plus less parts to potentially break as others have mentioned. I love being able to control more of the experience.
deer30084
New member
We can apply your theory with the human body as well. I developed a nerve (wiring) problem in my back causing a fault in my actuator (foot) making me unable to operate the switch (foot gear lever) on a motorcycle. My ECU (brain) functions normally though. I went in for repairs in May, but I still have foot drop and weakness of my left foot. Helllllllllllllo automatic transmission!
Bob Denman
New member
Did your manufacturer issue a TSB for these problems; or is a total recall necessary?We can apply your theory with the human body as well. I developed a nerve (wiring) problem in my back causing a fault in my actuator (foot) making me unable to operate the switch (foot gear lever) on a motorcycle. My ECU (brain) functions normally though. I went in for repairs in May, but I still have foot drop and weakness of my left foot. Helllllllllllllo automatic transmission!
bronzeflex42
Member
Semi auto is the best by far for me!! It took my a few days to get used to it. Love the bike does the downshifting on it's on or i have the option to do it myself. :2thumbs:
hyea:hyea:hyea:
hyea:hyea:hyea:
monkeyboymorton
Member
We can apply your theory with the human body as well. I developed a nerve (wiring) problem in my back causing a fault in my actuator (foot) making me unable to operate the switch (foot gear lever) on a motorcycle. My ECU (brain) functions normally though. I went in for repairs in May, but I still have foot drop and weakness of my left foot. Helllllllllllllo automatic transmission!
LOL!! Similar for me, no SE6 = no Spyder.
WA5VHU
New member
A manual will sell just fine to someone who wants a manual
That is absolutely correct. Count the number of semi vs manual choices in this post.
Turtlesplatter
New member
I had the same dilemma when I bought the F3 for my wife as a surprise Xmas gift. Since she was not with me, I had to totally guess on what she may prefer. I thought I wanted her to just enjoy the ride and not have to worry about up/down shifting. However, since she came of riding a street bike (Yamaha R6) I knew she wouldn't have any issues with working a clutch. Plus, and maybe this was more of a personal preference for myself, but I wanted her have SOME sort of manual intervention with the bike besides just with the throttle. The deciding factor came when the dealer only had two F3s left on the show room floor; the F3 SE6 and the F3 S SM6...having that "S" AND in a fully manual is what put me over the top in my decision... so I went with with the SM6...and she totally loves it...she loves working through the gears. Admittedly, I did have to get the clutch assist "mod" installed because she does not have Popeye-like forearms but aside from that no regrets with getting the manual.
My $.02
My $.02
ThreeWheels
Active member
SM 6 here, although I like the manual transmission, I don't enjoy popping through ALL of those gears.
I think BRP could have achieved the same goal by simply spreading out 5 gears such that 5th gear gives the same gear reduction as the new 5th gear.
I think BRP could have achieved the same goal by simply spreading out 5 gears such that 5th gear gives the same gear reduction as the new 5th gear.
bcer960
Member
new ryder
As a new Spyder ryder, and coming from 30 years of 2 wheelers, I found I really liked the semi-auto. It's not that I'm old (47) or have any physical issues (thankfully) But the semi shifts VERY smoothly. And since there is no front brake, I found not having the clutch got me transitioned to the foot brake faster, There was no reason for either hand to reach over the grip.
This is most likely all psychological, but it in the end, I do love the semi.....
As a new Spyder ryder, and coming from 30 years of 2 wheelers, I found I really liked the semi-auto. It's not that I'm old (47) or have any physical issues (thankfully) But the semi shifts VERY smoothly. And since there is no front brake, I found not having the clutch got me transitioned to the foot brake faster, There was no reason for either hand to reach over the grip.
This is most likely all psychological, but it in the end, I do love the semi.....
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I think as we get more experience with the SE transmission we will come to realize that they are both"manual".i.e. you have to physically do something to go up thru the gears on either machine. The SE is not an automatic and your 998 likes it when you down shift yourself,it is easier on the brakes. Its not that you don't have anything to do or are uninvolved with driving the machine other then twisting the throttle. You just don't have to deal with a clutch lever,but you do have to shift it up and you should shift it down.
Jheck
New member
I got the manual transmission. I had a Burgman 650 that you could switch the transmission to shift either semi- auto or full automatic (twist and go. Cvt tranny) I absolutely hated the semi-auto. Loved the auto mode! If BRP would ever make a true automatic spyder I'd buy one in a minute! Until than I'll stick with the manual.
Kingsqueak
New member
Just starting to window shop now and I was very surprised at how heavy the pull was on the manual.
I live in a very heavily congested urban area and the two finger clutch on my KTM is fine but I would hate the pull on the Spyder.
Going to test the auto as a result. With all the stop and go crawling here I think it's the only play.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I live in a very heavily congested urban area and the two finger clutch on my KTM is fine but I would hate the pull on the Spyder.
Going to test the auto as a result. With all the stop and go crawling here I think it's the only play.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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