Manual transmission vs. semi automatic transmission

[Bob Denman]

Oh those "Manual Shifters"....sounds like a race of mutants in a sci fi movie:joke:

:shocked: Okay... perhaps not the best choice for here... pps:
But you do get some of Robby the Robot...

 

[stewartj239]

I am trying to decide on the type of transmission to get when I am able to get a spyder. I asked a sales person his opinion and he was in the semi camp. I also talked to a service manager and he thought that the manuals have fewer problems. I would like some opinions. Thanks

I would think about what your preference is with a car and let that steer your decision. If you like driving a stick, then you'll be happy with the manual. The other thing to consider is if you go with the manual, then it is a manual all of the time. I have a manual and that is my preference, but if you go that route, you need to make sure you can manage with it in all riding conditions.

 

[stewartj239]

I like the control, I like to pull in the clutch and coast (you can trick the nanny when you do it in the corners)

That I did not know. I will have to try that in the spring. The nanny shows up way too frequently. I guess the idea would be to pull in the clutch upon entering the turn at speed and just past the apex let it out and throttle it. If that works, then this is the best tip that I've ever gotten from this forum!

 

[StanProff]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I think I read that about 2/3rds of the spyders sold are SE's . I may have read it in one of the Spyder reviews from a cycle magazine. Anyway, my first Spyder RT was a SM and i thought that was the only way to go. My new one I decided to go with a SE and I am glad I did. Didn't take me long to learn to like it. I now enjoy changing gears with the trigger. After all it is the same transmission with an electric/hydraulic clutch.

 

[Bfromla]

Not sure

I like my SE5 did take some getting use to from my two wheel cruiser i had bad habit of coasting on clutch a lot. And now I cant up shirt unless I'm over 3k rpm, suck mostly in 15mph school zone in front of house, but most of my problems i think are personal "operator errors" i never got to try the manual spyders fyi, g'luck to you.

 

[Chupaca]

There is a switch on the clutch connected to the computer the one that let's you start up while in gear that also sends other messages. You already have the method you just have to work on it. High on the outside dive to the inside release and power out...fun!!

 

[ThreeWheels]

I know that only the OP has this ability.....
But could we switch this thread to a poll and get some real numbers to work with ?
Just a request, don't all start looking at me like that.
WAIT, I was only fooling,
Put down those knives and torches and bottles of gasoline.
Stop. Go away, you people are really starting to scare me.
ARRHHHH....that hurts
DON'T HURT ME AGAIN.
OK, sob, OK, sob, I'll tell you the truth.
I like the slingshot better than the Morgan,

I guess ma, we'll have to move to another poor state and try again. I think I'll try my luck at Pico Canyon.

 

[Laila's Dad]

depends on what you plan to do down the line

I love my SE5, but now that I am trying to add a bike to my stable I wish I had more practice with a clutch and shifting gears the traditional way. Also I am pretty sure that you can save about $1000 for going with the manual version. Good luck.

 

[GunDoctor]

Been riding since I was 9 and my first was on a Taco 44 mini bike...fast forward 50 years and I have also owned my share of manual bikes. If you did your math correctly you know I'm 59, and still ride my Harley Davidson. The F3 SE6 for this chapter in my life I want to enjoy more of the ryde and less joint pain in my left hand and foot.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[redflasher]

Being an old fuddy duddy with an arthritic left hand, the SE5 was an obvious choice. After going through a surgical rebuild of my left thumb, I have maybe 50% function with it. IF the SE5 was not available, I'd be driving my SUV 24/7.

 

[stewartj239]

There is a switch on the clutch connected to the computer the one that let's you start up while in gear that also sends other messages. You already have the method you just have to work on it. High on the outside dive to the inside release and power out...fun!!

I can't wait to try it ... great info ... thanks!

 

[flaggerphil]

I've been riding off and on since 1968 and I'm extremely glad I have the SE5. I find it's just as much fun as a manual and it gives my arthritic left hand a break. I just wish they put a brake lever up on the right grip for when I'm riding with my feet up on the hiway pegs.

 

[Bob Denman]

DON'T HURT ME AGAIN.
OK, sob, OK, sob, I'll tell you the truth.
I like the slingshot better than the Morgan,

I guess ma, we'll have to move to another poor state and try again. I think I'll try my luck at Pico Canyon.

:shocked: Next time; try taking your medications, on an empty stomach...
I kind of dig the 'Shot; but I'd love to try out the Morgan! :thumbup:

 

[j abrams]

Great info.Thanks everyone

 

[spydajohn]

There are lots of thing for and against .i like the Manuel because I don't use the clutch once I'm moving ,I'm a very aggressive Rider and I found in the twisty corners I can have a firm grip on my handlebars and change up and down without havering to use clutch or lift fingers to change up or down gears and the spyder like my honda is so smooth .you only have one oil filter not two .i have an oil change down to 14 minuets now and only removing one splash guard.one important thing to look at is manuals only come in basic models and only have foot pegs not floor boards ,they don't have trailer mode I'm not shore if that's a good thing but they have it.then there is the semi auto and in Australia they are loved more than the manuals so much they are not importing manuals unless special orders.they do seem to be easier to tow trailers and its much easier to take off .you should go with what feels write for you.

 

[STELLING MAN]

When I bought my new :spyder2: I could have got either one I'm glad I chose the SE-5, I shifted gears on Gold Wings for over fourty years, I don't miss It at all..

 

[WA5VHU]

More Like A Motorcycle?

more like a motorcycle. less problems than the s e.

I'm a bit confused. I thought a Spyder was a MOTORCYCLE and as it comes as either manual or semi-auto then this MOTORCYCLE is a MOTORCYCLE with either so how can a manual be more like a motorcycle?

If by MOTORCYCLE you mean a 2-wheeled bike, then I still don't get it as my Honda NC700 2-wheeled bike (MOTORCYCLE) is missing a certain lever on the left. It not only shifts down automatically like the Spyders do but it also shifts up automatically or I can put it in the manual mode and use the paddle shifters and still not have to worry about a clutch lever.

j abrams, get whatever gives you the most fun and don't believe everything you read here, including from me!

 

[billrob71]

Not sure which bike your looking at or what type of riding your doing, I've tried the SE model if I did alot of touring or long distance riding would probably have an SE , but I enjoy banging through the gears and feel a manual works better for me.

 

[Dragonrider]

My RS had both the SM and hand brake (ISCI) - it was a hoot in the hills around home, but a coot on a long trip. So I sprang for my first RT, which had the SE transmission. Since I bought it lightly used (1400 miles), I got what it had, rather than choosing, and saved a ton regardless. I found that I really enjoyed the SE for all my riding, especially in stop and go traffic - and never missed the hand brake! What I didn't like was the 3200 rpm bottom limit - I was always worried I would blow the clutch around town.

When I sold my RT, I went back to the dark side for a while, purchasing a Honda Stateline - a really nice bike, but I only put 480 miles on it in 9 months - it just didn't work for me anymore. So I waited until the 2014 deal season got underway, and swapped for a new RT - I didn't even consider the SM, knowing how well the SE worked for me.

In hindsight, if I were to consider another 990, or non-RT, I would ONLY consider one with the SM box - even if only for my peace of mind, and add the ISCI hand brake. With the 1330 RT, I only recommend the SE - it just works, and at the end of a long day on the road, you hand doesn't hurt. Then there's traffic - the new RT SE6 is an open air Caddie... JMHO

 

[SPYD3R]

DO NOT

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING BASED ON ANOTHER PERSONS OPINION.....
take both out for a ride, and decide for yourself which is best for you....
dp