Comments on: Harley Davidson Automatic Transmission

By: David R Merry

David R Merry — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:34:17 +0000

I enquired at my local motorcycle dealer here in Romford/England this afternoon: “How many automatic motorcycles in your range?” ….. Well once he`d stopped laughing, he replied “I can supply you with any step through CVT scooter from near any country around the world, but you aint gonna find a REAL motorcycle with an auto-transmission onboard!!!! ….. Well as you all know, there are already several in America, Harley, Ridley etc … some Jap race bikes too! (and good job too) Dont you all think its about time we had the choice, as the consumer? I for one long for an automatic motorcycle, imperticular a “Ridley 750cc Classic” …. Back in 2000, the bike laws changed here in the UK, id already bought an “Aprillia Hirbana Custom” scooter with CVT transmission, for commuting into London! …took my test on this bike, and am now limitied to automatics only! any size engine is ok though! ….. Not wanting to go through yet another expensive test, ive set my mind on the Ridley, as nostalgic cruisers are my thing, but can i get one? No! ….. Come on Guys, there are many reasons the riding public want, and/or need an automatic transmission on their motorcycles! Here in GB alone, there is a market for thousands upon thousands of scooter boys from the 90`s that have grown into middle aged family men like myself, that also cant be bothered to take their manual bike test, and would be embaressed to be seen on a tiny little step through scooter now! …. Offer us the auto bikes, cruisers, choppers etc, there is a HUGE market of buyers that you are not supplying to!! PS ….. I drive trucks for a living: the one i use at the moment only has 10 gears, the 16 wheeler before it had twin splitter with range change, a total of 16 gears in all, and the car i travel to work in has a 5 speed manual box, and in my youth i scrambled off road 250cc motorcyles for fun …. so as you see, im not shy towards gear changing, just took my test on the bike i had at that time!

By: Regina

Regina — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:07:57 +0000

I would like to comment on Mark’s statement also as I did not see it earlier. Mark, how insensitive can you be? Disability or not, people have the right to have options, there are too many limitations on things nowadays and I think this is a fabulous idea.! I respect the fact you are entilitled to your opinion but this was a bit much. Try to not just think about yourself so much.

By: Regina

Regina — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:00:56 +0000

This is too funny but I love the idea of an automatic Harley or other motorcycle. I was just discussing this with my boyfriend this weekend while being on a ride on his Harley. I want to start riding and want my own bike after I take the class to learn the rules of the road. ** I just dont want the hassle( my opinion) of shifting while trying to be safe on the road. Maybe my brain is not quite up to speed( no pun intended) on the manual way of doing things, which is quite funny bc I am a multitasker at best(lol). Anyway, I really would like to get an automatic bike and do not want the manual situation to hinder me from riding.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:06:32 +0000

To answer Mark’s comment as to “DO WE WANT PEOPLE WHO AREN’T COORDINATED ENOUGH TO SHIFT GEARS”…..

Its people like Mark that are hired when the want riots. Since WHEN does the road belong to anyone in particular? Thank you Sean for saying that “if it gets more people on bikes, it can only be a good thing”.

I for one cannot shift gears, so does that mean I shouldn’t ride? I guess Mark would not be a good PR man, if he chooses solely “certain types of people” on the road.

GET OVER YOURSELF MARK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Shawn Annis

Shawn Annis — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:18:13 +0000

First off, I’d like to say that I’m for anything that will help get people with disabilities out on two wheels (or three if need be).
I have two artificial limbs and ride a Honda Silverwing FSC 600cc scooter.
Sure every once in awhile I have to take a ribbing from some tough guy who thinks that riding a scooter is somehow something I should be ashamed of.
They usually change their tune when I blow by them on their overly loud heavyweight dinosaurs though.
(I guess rubber bands and paper clips have a place in the world after all)
These new maxi-scooters are perfect for amputees like myself, having both a low center of gravity and excellent power to weight ratio.
I’ve gone across the USA solo three times so far on a Honda Silverwing, without as much as a flat tire.
Gas, oil, a belt every 12,000 miles and tires are all these bikes seem to ask from their owners.
It’s too bad that some “Real Bikers” have to rag on someone just because they don’t share the same idea of what makes them happy on the road.
Luckily for me, I was brought up to believe that I wasn’t any less of a person for being different……………..I’m just different.