sharkfeed2000
New member
looking at purchasing a spyder in the next year and was wondering about everyones opinions. of manual versus auto transmission. Please post WHY.
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auto versus manual transmission opinion
- Thread starter sharkfeed2000
- Start date
MrLooney
Senior MOMENTS Member
Auto Verses Manual Trans shift
Have you read all the posts on when to shift up or down on an Auto trans?
With an auto shift transmission it is imperative that you keep your RPM above 3500 (give or take a few hundred). If you run / cruise under that RPM there is a chance your clutch is not fully engaged causing slippage which can cause premature DEATH on your wallet. :banghead:
It is not as critical with a manual shift transmission.
Have you read all the posts on when to shift up or down on an Auto trans?
With an auto shift transmission it is imperative that you keep your RPM above 3500 (give or take a few hundred). If you run / cruise under that RPM there is a chance your clutch is not fully engaged causing slippage which can cause premature DEATH on your wallet. :banghead:
It is not as critical with a manual shift transmission.
billybovine
Active member
Not if they buy a 2014 RT!!!
billybovine
Active member
First there is no option for an automatic transmission. BRP calls it a semi-automatic and that is a stretch. The only time it will shift for you is on the down shift when you are too busy or lazy to do it yourself. Other then that you have to decide when to shift up or down. The big difference is there is no clutch for you to control.
It really doesn't matter what other people think about one or the other it would be best if you rode both and decided for yourself.
MrLooney
Senior MOMENTS Member
Chupaca
New member
choices, choices..!!
first off I have the manual transmission on my spyder as well as my cars. I have not driven the semi trans spyder has put out. Know many that have them and love them. Good amount of them can't handle or don't want to deal with the clutch. I on the other hand like having control. I like coasting down hill by simply pulling in the clutch. I like leaving the bike in gear when parked. I like downshifting when I want. I like not having the bike hang up in gears and having the clutch fully engage when I release the lever. Etc...just me. .!! :dontknow:
first off I have the manual transmission on my spyder as well as my cars. I have not driven the semi trans spyder has put out. Know many that have them and love them. Good amount of them can't handle or don't want to deal with the clutch. I on the other hand like having control. I like coasting down hill by simply pulling in the clutch. I like leaving the bike in gear when parked. I like downshifting when I want. I like not having the bike hang up in gears and having the clutch fully engage when I release the lever. Etc...just me. .!! :dontknow:
I vote for the SE5. If you set the trailer option on, it won't let you upshift if the RPMs after the shift are below 3500. Also, it will automatically downshift when the RPMs fall below about 3300. Plus, it's a heck of a lot easier than a manual. No clutch to work and hitting the paddle can be done even if your feet are on highway pegs.
r1100rider
New member
The semi auto is convenient for sure and if I lived and drove in the city all the time I would have one but I prefer the control of the sm and search the posts the repair problems are 10 to 1 for the se plus 1500 more cost more service expense more heat on the left side having to worry about not dropping under 3500rpm plus you can bump start a dead battery machine ill take a Manuel thanks
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I have owned both versions of the :spyder2:. 2008 SM5 and the other three, SE5's. The ONLY trouble I have experienced with the SE5 is that the linkage disconnected on my 2010. One time. Other than that, I can say all have been good.
I recently rented an SM5 (the only version available), and did not like it as much as my original purchase. I guess I have grown soft since 2010. :roflblack: I like the ease of using my thumb or fingers to change gears. The rental about drove me nuts with all the clutching and foot shifting--but I made it anyway.
Its a personal call--just like seats, helmets, gear.
Bottom line, I recommend test driving both flavors to see what you like best. The SE5 will also cost about $1,500 more per bike.
I recently rented an SM5 (the only version available), and did not like it as much as my original purchase. I guess I have grown soft since 2010. :roflblack: I like the ease of using my thumb or fingers to change gears. The rental about drove me nuts with all the clutching and foot shifting--but I made it anyway.
Its a personal call--just like seats, helmets, gear.
Bottom line, I recommend test driving both flavors to see what you like best. The SE5 will also cost about $1,500 more per bike.
harrypottar
magical member
Been ridding motorbikes for many years and I love the semi automatic. You still have to shift,so you still have control. You just have paddle shifters on the handle bars to go up and down the gears no clutch.
If your in a hurry and open her up you can shift through the gears extremely easy with paddle shifting. You can still manually paddle shift down but if the spyder will do it for you as you come to a stop or your RPM drops and you accelerate.
SE on 2013 you have to keep your RPM hight to keep the clutch engaged, not really an issue once you are used to it and it becomes habit. If you plan to tow a trailer on the 2013 and below you have to put the spyder in trailer mode, this basically alter the shift points. With a manual you don't have to worry about RPM or trailer mode as you control the shift points.
To me an SE is the best of both worlds, I can shift down when I want or leave the spyder to work it out. You have to shift up anyway just flick of the thumb, no clutch, no rolling off the gas.
The new 2014 RT's with the new triple don't have have trailer mode or the need to watch the RPM as they have the torque to handle.
harry
If your in a hurry and open her up you can shift through the gears extremely easy with paddle shifting. You can still manually paddle shift down but if the spyder will do it for you as you come to a stop or your RPM drops and you accelerate.
SE on 2013 you have to keep your RPM hight to keep the clutch engaged, not really an issue once you are used to it and it becomes habit. If you plan to tow a trailer on the 2013 and below you have to put the spyder in trailer mode, this basically alter the shift points. With a manual you don't have to worry about RPM or trailer mode as you control the shift points.
To me an SE is the best of both worlds, I can shift down when I want or leave the spyder to work it out. You have to shift up anyway just flick of the thumb, no clutch, no rolling off the gas.
The new 2014 RT's with the new triple don't have have trailer mode or the need to watch the RPM as they have the torque to handle.
harry
hyea:
daveinva
New member
Don't think I'll ever buy a car without a manual transmission if I can avoid it, LOVE manuals... in cars.
On the Spyder, the SE is the only way to go for me. Part of its unique charm, and soooo much more fun than riding the manual Spyder IME. They designed this setup very well.
On the Spyder, the SE is the only way to go for me. Part of its unique charm, and soooo much more fun than riding the manual Spyder IME. They designed this setup very well.
Topshotta
New member
I have the SE, I would not call it automatic as the only thing it does automatically is done shift. You have to shift up at the right time when the clutch is engaged. I have to deal with a lot of traffic so it works for me. I never let it down shift cause it seems like it waits to late and I don't like the way it feels when it down shifts automatically.
I recommend trying both and decide what works best for you.
I recommend trying both and decide what works best for you.
Bob Denman
New member
This is more lke, "Blondes versus Brunettes, bversus Redheads..."
Yes! :2thumbs: The choice is up to you! :thumbup:
Yes! :2thumbs: The choice is up to you! :thumbup:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Manual for me because I don't want to learn something new to do with my left thumb. With 25 other motorcycles in the stable, the less that changes from one to the other the better. For my wife it was a manual because she could get one at least six months before the SE was available.
billrob71
New member
I think that's gonna be a matter of what you feel more comfortable with and what type of bike you want. If your gonna go with a touring model I would thing the SE5 would be a pretty good choice. I have a RSS and I think with being a sport bike manual is the only option I would choose. I can shift my manual just as fast if not faster then any push button shift out there and I still feel manuals have more control. If you have ridden manual bikes in the past these are really no difference, if you have no bike riding experience try them both but working the clutch takes practice but comes pretty quick.
What ever you decide make the bike your own and you'll be happy.
What ever you decide make the bike your own and you'll be happy.
flaggerphil
New member
I've been riding motorcycles since 1968 and went with the semi-auto on my Spyder. Will do the same if I get a 2014. Why? No clutch lever. That is really great in heavy traffic, large group rides and parades. You still shift...like a paddle shifter on a race car or a sports car...but don't have to worry about the clutch. I love not having my left hand cramp up in heavy traffic.
YMMV.
YMMV.
daveinva
New member
If I recall the technical stats about the SE transmission, this is not true-- the SE5 shifts faster than the manual, no matter how fast a rider can shift.
billrob71
New member
Well I have not road many SE5 but I'd be willing to test that theory
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