Looking at 2018 F3 S with manual transmission - will I be unhappy leaving an SE5 for an SM6?

[Leaping1]

I currently have a 2011 RT-SE5 with 30K miles on it. I am looking at 2018 F3 with about 13K miles with saddlebags but no trunk. My question is will I be unhappy coming off of the semi-automatic transmission to 6 speed manual. I ride solo most of the time and I'm thinking about upgrading to the 1330 engine within my budget. Any thoughts? I am 78 and have been riding since I was 14. The RT was my first semi auto transmission but it has spoiled me.
Leon

 

[JKMSPYDER]

I would think that you might be unhappy with a manual transmission coming off of a semi-auto.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Just remember that the SE transmissions still use the same gearbox as the SM manuals; the SE's just have smarter, quicker, and less manually intensive gear changing capabilities; and there's many reasons that the vast majority of 'formerly full manual' vehicles all over the World have either already moved or are moving to various systems that effectively do the same thing as our SE's. Underneath it all, the manual gearbox is still there, it's just that with the SE's, you get benefits that many people who still have manual shift boxes actually pay money to try and emulate...

So I'd guess that as @JKMSPYDER suggests, you might be unhappy, but it is your call.

 

[BCNewell]

Leon - my wife’s F3-S is a SE, my F3-S is a SM. Personally, I prefer the SM. But be aware, the clutch pull is the stiffest of any bike I have ever owned. Not anything I fret over, but just noticeably more effort required than my Honda CTX1300 that I came off of. That said, I still like the full manual.

 

[Mikey]

Like said above, if your hand grip strength is still good and you like shifting like that go for it! Myself, I love the SE trans!!!

 

[Copperman]

At 78 years old and spoiled... You'll be unhappy.

 

[Cobranut]

I love the manual on my SM6, but from your statement that the SE5 has spoiled you, I suspect you'd be less than satisfied with the manual.

 

[Cobranut]

Leon - my wife’s F3-S is a SE, my F3-S is a SM. Personally, I prefer the SM. But be aware, the clutch pull is the stiffest of any bike I have ever owned. Not anything I fret over, but just noticeably more effort required than my Honda CTX1300 that I came off of. That said, I still like the full manual.

I added the components to enable the vacuum assist on my 2015 F3S SM6. It lightens the clutch lever noticeably, and makes riding in traffic much more enjoyable.