Transmission Advice

[enigmatic biker]

Hello All,
I am in the getting serious stage of buying a new RT-S. Currently I ride a Honda NT700 Sport Touring bike, and I've loved the machine, but it's too small for 2-up touring. After asking questions at the dealership and at a M/C show or two, I thought I'd turn to the experts. If this forum is as helpful as the NT 700 forum is, I've come to the right place.


My questions are primarily relating to the differences between the SM6 and SE6 transmissions. Having ridden bikes since I was 14, a manual tranny is what I'm most used to. I'm not a knee-dragger on the twisties, but I do not shy away from them at all; I don't ride above what is safe for me, yet I still consider myself to be moderately aggressive. I love the precision of up or down shifting and the feeling of being connected to my machine. My questions are:

1. Will the automatic give me that sense of control and "oneness" with the machine I currently enjoy?
2. Does the SE6 have a manual option? I've yet to get what I felt was a definitive answer from sales people to the last one.
3. If I get the SE6 will I feel like I'm operating a motorcycle and not riding a 3-wheel scooter?

The variety of your responses will help me in this decision. I'm sure I will have other questions before I buy the machine. In just a few days, this forum has answered so many already for me. Thanks for your input.
Len

 

[Silvervette05]

I had a 08 sm5 and I now have a 12 se5 with the se5 or se6. You have to up shift but the bike will down shift
Or you can down shift, it is upp to you. I feel i am stiill(ONE) WITH the bike. :thumbup:

 

[Highwayman2013]

We have the SE5 and yes it must be manually shifted up. It down shifts on it's own or you can do it. Transmissions are the same.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome: It actually IS a full-blown motorcycle transmission... :2thumbs:
It's just that the computer handles the clutching chores for you.
You can bang up or down through the cogs; however you want to!

 

[Dan_Ashley]

:welcome: It actually IS a full-blown motorcycle transmission... :2thumbs:
It's just that the computer handles the clutching chores for you.
You can bang up or down through the cogs; however you want to!

One other minor difference: in a regular motorcycle I used to let off the gas a little when shifting up. On an SE Spyder, don't do that. The computer does it for you. If you try to do it, you will get rough shifts.

 

[jerpinoy]

I had a 08 sm5 and I now have a 12 se5 with the se5 or se6. You have to up shift but the bike will down shift
Or you can down shift, it is upp to you. I feel i am stiill(ONE) WITH the bike. :thumbup:

:agree: I feel the same way. Good luck.

 

[333Club]

Auto or Manny Trans

I have the SE5 (semi-automatic) trans on my 2013 ST. I must say that I am wondering if I made the right decision. While yes I can bang up & down through the gears, you don't quite have the clutch take-up/torque pull you would have with a manual. Sometimes I wonder if the Auto is not quite as smooth as the manual would be. I never drove the manual.
One suggestion (if at all possible) is to rent one first? Eagle Rider rents them here is NJ
Either way, you will enjoy the Spider the more you ride it.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

I have the SE5 (semi-automatic) trans on my 2013 ST. I must say that I am wondering if I made the right decision. While yes I can bang up & down through the gears, you don't quite have the clutch take-up/torque pull you would have with a manual. Sometimes I wonder if the Auto is not quite as smooth as the manual would be. I never drove the manual.
One suggestion (if at all possible) is to rent one first? Eagle Rider rents them here is NJ
Either way, you will enjoy the Spider the more you ride it.

See post number five. It is as smooth as silk. RPM up. Hold steady on the throttle. Shift up. Super smooth. Try it and then post back what you experience.

 

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for coming to the forum with your questions.

I have had both the SM5 and SE5/6 transmissions on :spyder2:'s. So far, one SM5 and the rest SE5/6's.

I came from driving many two wheelers and the only non-manual transmission I had there was a 1976 Hondamatic 750.

As others have mentioned, you are still in control with the SE5. You have to manually shift gears going up. The only difference is that you don't roll off the throttle like on most motorcycles. The SE5 can be manually downshifted or you can let the "system" downshift for itself. I find the 2014 to be so efficient at downshifting that I no longer manually downshift.

You will not save any $ on gas mileage by having one or the other. The difference is so small. The initial cost is over $1,500 for the SE5 option. There is more mechanical stuff, but the SE5 has proven to be pretty good and reliable.

Some will say that you lose the feeling of being in control--but IMO--I disagree with that. I can still shift when I want, I just don't have to use my left foot to assist.

I do recommend test driving both flavors of transmission. You will find the one that suits you best. If there is another driver involved, they may like the SE5/6 better.

Good luck in the hunt. Keep us informed about what you do. :yes:

 

[ARCTIC]

It shifts quick. You definitely feel like you made it shift when you punch the selector. It's a cool feeling having the throttle ripped open banging through the gears at 7,000rpms:2thumbs:

I actually wish that it had a fully auto selection like a car transmission and then switchable to toggle shifting.

 

[MouthPiece]

You will wish that you had the SE in stop and go traffic for any period of time, when walking a slow sharp turn either left or right and when you have that "kodac moment" that you want to take a picture with your small camera or cell phone.

Chris

 

[Pennyrick]

Hello All,
I am in the getting serious stage of buying a new RT-S. Currently I ride a Honda NT700 Sport Touring bike, and I've loved the machine, but it's too small for 2-up touring. After asking questions at the dealership and at a M/C show or two, I thought I'd turn to the experts. If this forum is as helpful as the NT 700 forum is, I've come to the right place.


My questions are primarily relating to the differences between the SM6 and SE6 transmissions. Having ridden bikes since I was 14, a manual tranny is what I'm most used to. I'm not a knee-dragger on the twisties, but I do not shy away from them at all; I don't ride above what is safe for me, yet I still consider myself to be moderately aggressive. I love the precision of up or down shifting and the feeling of being connected to my machine. My questions are:

1. Will the automatic give me that sense of control and "oneness" with the machine I currently enjoy?
2. Does the SE6 have a manual option? I've yet to get what I felt was a definitive answer from sales people to the last one.
3. If I get the SE6 will I feel like I'm operating a motorcycle and not riding a 3-wheel scooter?

The variety of your responses will help me in this decision. I'm sure I will have other questions before I buy the machine. In just a few days, this forum has answered so many already for me. Thanks for your input.
Len

I can't speak to the SE 6 but from folks I have talked with who have the '14 model there is little difference in operation versus the SE 5 other than the fact you have one more gear and a whole lot more torque at your disposal.

I orginally bought an SM 5 in 2011 and loved it a lot. One day I followed my wife through some very twisty roads for a half a day and liked how smooth she looked with her SE 5. At the end of the run my left wrist was sore from pulling on the clutch handle. We swapped Spyders and I found how easy it is to just thumb the paddle up and down for shifts.... kinda like a Ferrari. After an hour she wanted her Spyder back and I was reluctant to give it up.

The following month I traded my 2011 RT SM 5 in on a 2012 RT SE 5 and I have never regretted it.

 

[Chupaca]

Confused..!!..??

thing is that many assume the automatic is like your car. It is in fact, a semi automatic, where you have a paddle shifter and have to do the shifting up through the gears. Down shifting will be handled by the transmisdion unless you do the down shifting before your rpms reach the presets. If you would like it takes me to the same two words...test ryde...thats the only way you will know. We can all give you our opinions but in the end you will be driving it...I am a manual shift manual clutch kind of ryder and alwaysxwill be...so test ryde...:lecturef_smilie:

 

[enigmatic biker]

Thank you all. I appreciate the responses. By my unofficial tally, it looks as if the SE is the way to go for many of you. I appreciate the input.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TRANSMISSIONS

FERRARI has paddle shifters for a reason :thumbup: ...:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:......Mikeguyver

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have a '13 RT SE5. I say you would have to be exceedingly adept at shifting to be smoother and quicker than the electric shift of the SE5 or SE6. Initial take off from a stop won't be as snappy as with a clutch, i.e., you're not likely to burn the tire on asphalt, but you sure can on sand and gravel.

 

[jpbuch9309]

this guy answered all my questiuons

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC5gOBqxAcI3yu2tO_8TXpQ

Shawn Smoak
Occupation
Photographer & Motorcycle Industry

Employment

• Pro Caliber Motorsports
  Service Manager/Shop Foreman, 2000 - present
• FZR Photography
  Photographer & Proprietor, 2002 - present
• The Party Factory
  Manager, 1995 - 2000
• Smoak's Motorcycle Service
  Owner & Master Technician, 1990 - 1995
• Columbia River Honda, Suzuki & Polaris
  Service Manager, 1991 - 1992
• Gresham Mazda
  Team Service Manager, 1991 - 1991
• St John's Honda
  Technician, 1989 - 1991
• Portland Honda
  Service Administrator/Technician, 1985 - 1989
• York Honda & Yamaha
  Parts Manager/Technician, 1980 - 1985
• KFC
  
  I think hes well quilifed