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

[Toys42]

SE for me

After test driving both, I had no doubt which one I wanted in daily Atlanta traffic. Also my wife rides the bike and it was far more comfortable for her to learn since her last bike was a Suzuki Burgman 400. :shemademe_smilie:

I know the centrifugal clutch sounds wimpy during takeoff but after that, I challenge anyone to outperform the speed and accuracy of the upshifts and downshifts of the SE. I really appreciate the shift performance in the twisties using manual downshifts and very little brake input. I also do not need to reach for the clutch and shifter on sharp right turns while leaning to the right.

Now if anyone can help me with how to do a burnout on the SE, I could overcome my fear of the wimpy takeoff. If I jump on the throttle from a stoplight, it usually takes oil or road paint to start the spinning which is unpredictable.

The best part of the decision is that you do have a choice! :2thumbs:

 

[bone crusher]

Manual transmissions rarely break, Autos rarely don't.


RAL

Interesting take...I just like hittin' the clutch and poppin' the gears...lots of fun to have the control...I think it is more of the riding experience, but hey, that's just me. For those who are in traffic all day long or have certain needs, the auto is a great option...I live in an area with lots of traffic, but I still prefer the manual...

 

[NewRider]

'09 SE5...didn't even remotely consider an SM5...:f_spider:

 

[darren]

09 SE GREAT TO RIDE AND EASY TO USE :2thumbs:

 

[pathfinderjoe]

SM5 - more control of the shift points - more fun!!:thumbup:

 

[kromc5]

Would not consider auto, only manual.

 

[fastfraser]

SE5

 

[Lamonster]

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.:thumbup:

 

[Jornie1]

Hmmm..SE5 or SM5

From the sounds of this survey, it appears they're both excellent choices. Wife & I both chose SM's primarily because we were two wheel cruisers for many years. We wanted to minimize the changes from our beloved two wheeling to our new three wheeling adventure. Manual shifting had to stay. Len....:thumbup:

 

[hondaman]

sm5.....If they had a full automatic like my can-am outlander just put in D and hit the gas,I would get that.

 

[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 :2thumbs:

 

[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. nojoke

 

[txknight67]

Old Fashioned I guess

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.:thumbup:

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...:doorag: