auto versus manual transmission opinion

[JkRbbt]

Either would be enjoyable. I have ridden for over 25 yrs with a manual, BUT, before you buy, try the semi-auto. IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN!
My $.02.

 

[jerpinoy]

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

:agree: I love my SE 5, I can't wait for SE 6

 

[Pennyrick]

looking at purchasing a spyder in the next year and was wondering about everyones opinions. of manual versus auto transmission. Please post WHY.

My 2011 RT was an SM (manual) and my 2012 RT is an SE (I have no idea what the E stands for). I prefer the semi auto for three reasons....

1. The top of my left boot stays shined
2. My left wrist continually thanks me for going to the semi auto, especially in heavy traffic
3. I can tell folks it shifts just like a Ferrari

 

[billybovine]

Well I have not road many SE5 but I'd be willing to test that theory

The published shift time is 0.4 seconds, but under certain conditions will take longer because of the extended time to feather in the clutch for rider comfort.

Now if you can do a repeated clean shift under 0.4 seconds then :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

 

[billrob71]

Yeah
but ya never know a clean fast shift

 

[3 wheeler]

I test drove an SE5 and ended up purchasing a SM5 manual. I really didn't care for the push button shifting. With the maunal you don't need to use the parking brake when you stop, and you can lug it around in any gear you want to.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

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.

I think you are right. If you plan to run the drag strip you'll want the SE. I personally prefer the manual. I feel like a fish out of water on the SE. Paddle shifting just doesn't do it for me.

 

[scott16119]

When I decided to buy a Spyder I told the salesman I wanted the manual transmission. I drove motorcycles my whole life and sort of enjoyed the shifting through the gears thing. It is one thing I know for sure we guys can do better than a woman, but anyway, enough about that. He then let me test drive a RTS -M and an RTS-SE5. I now own an RTS-SE5 and love it. All my future Spyders will be the semi auto transmission.

 

[Sny]

looking at purchasing a spyder in the next year and was wondering about everyones opinions. of manual versus auto transmission. Please post WHY.

Pros for SM:
you can smoothly coast
you can bump start a manual
SM5/6 is $1500-1800 cheaper

Cons for SM:
clutch gets old in heavy traffic.
can't have BRP floorboards on the SM models.

Pros for SE:
Resale value is higher and it's a lot easier to resell the SE's (more demand)
Your wife/friend/brother/sister/mom can ride it without learning to use the clutch
Shifts faster and more consistently than most people can shift a manual

Cons for SE:
need to worry about ruining your centrifugal clutch by running under 3500rpm (2013 and prior SE5 only)
SE's can be fidgety at times when costing to a stop or trying to hold a low speed
Your wife/friend/brother/sister/mom can ride it without learning to use the clutch

I went with an SE twice now for the 2 pros I listed. My next one might be a manual just for the hell of it.

 

[1957cushman]

At near 70 I like the SE5

My first two wheeler was a 1957 cushman scooter. I am approaching 70 years old and have had 6 motorcycles since with manual shift. I love the SE5 with exception of one quirk. In one out of every 20 upshift sequences there is a longer than normal time delay in one of the upshifts.

The SE5 is great for old men and ladies who would rather not shift. It gets old after a while. To this day I don't know how I rode my 1946 Harley with left foot clutch and gear shift on side of gas tank that I had in college. Stopping for red lights on that machine was a real challenge.

 

[NancysToy]

My 2011 RT was an SM (manual) and my 2012 RT is an SE (I have no idea what the E stands for). I prefer the semi auto for three reasons....

1. The top of my left boot stays shined
2. My left wrist continually thanks me for going to the semi auto, especially in heavy traffic
3. I can tell folks it shifts just like a Ferrari

SM = Shift - Manual
SE = Shift - Electric

 

[Pennyrick]

SM = Shift - Manual
SE = Shift - Electric

Now, how did I know you would have the answer?

Could also stand for Scotty's Explicit.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Having a PIA disability called Cubital Tunnel Syndrome which made me have to quit riding in 1996. The SE-5 option reopened a closed door for me. It is wonderful in traffic. You can creep or slow ride to the point of needing time lapse photography to see if your moving.

About the only thing I can not due is burn donuts on asphalt. Some hot rodder has probably figured that out too.

With either option you can still be referred to as "shifty or shiftless!" By those you call friends.

 

[OldCowboy]

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.

Oh, yeah. One more thing. The SE5 won't let you downshift if it would cause the RPMs to exceed the rev limit. So with the SE5 you can't downshift and cause an over-rev condition that could damage the engine.

 

[flaggerphil]

Jumping back in here...I understand why some people might prefer the manual shift models. But some people say they prefer the manual because they're more in control.

:hun:

I understand enjoying shifting manual more, but I don't understand why someone would think they have more control from the manual then from the SE. Anyone care to comment? I'm seriously curious.

 

[witty]

I just got back from the Dragon in NC. I have always had a manual. I have the semi-auto and guess what??? My fingers didn't get tired but everybody else got tired of shifting and I waited at the end for them to catch up. HA!!! I left them in their tracks. No crouch rockets in our bunch, that would be another story but one lost it while we where there. I LOVE USING THE SEMI_AUTO!!!!:yes:

 

[NancysToy]

One thing I might mention. Both my wife and I tend to ride with our hands placed close to the inboard, flared end of the grip. The paddle shifter intrudes on this area and tends to constantly poke us in the left thumb. I'm sure we could get used to it in time, but it is far from natural for us. Be sure to sit on the SE model in riding position for at least 15 minutes, or take a long demo ride to be sure the ergonomics are suitable for you. JMHO

 

[spyder-dude]

All of my motorcycles have always had a clutch and my first two spyders did (2008 GS and 2011 RSS) and when I bought the 2013 STS I said well it can't shift as fast as I can. I did a demo drive and really put it through the paces and was sold on the SE5 on how it performed. I also am ordering the 2014 RT-S and it will also be an SE but now and SE6

 

[Roger]

I went through this clutch rebuild with my se and i understand what the fix is but i don't know if it is a cure? I usually keep up with update and such but i missed the boat this time. I sold the tangerine terror but i still jump on my daughters sm phantom shhhhh don't tell her but i think that her bike might be faster.

 

[stewartj239]

My wife and I rode a friend's SE5 (semi-automatic) for about 4 hours before we purchased and here is what I didn't like about it:

1. You can't upshift until you're at 3500 RPM.
2. Once you hit the paddle shifter, it does retard the throttle and there IS a delay between shifts. If you hold the throttle open and try to slam it through the gears, it causes an on / off feeling and is anything but smooth.
3. It forces the downshifts on you.

The SM5 (manual) gives you total control of the shift points. You can run a gear high if you want to with no intervention from the computer. Also, from my experience, you can certainly shift faster with the manual. You do not have to back off the throttle when shifting and you can just feather the clutch when shifting. Honestly, on a manual transmission, once you're rolling, using the clutch is totally optional. You can be in the next gear as quickly as you can move your left foot.

It boils down to what you want. If you've never used a manual clutch and if this type of riding is new to you, then I'd go with the SE5. If you're coming from a motorcycle and ride semi-aggressively, then I think the SM5 would be the way to go.