Most of us already know the benefits of driving an automatic car over a manual vehicle.
Not only are automatic vehicles easier to learn to drive, but they often also offer smoother rides.
However, when it comes to motorcycles, there is some confusion about whether automatic models are available, and if so, whether they’re worth buying.
So, are there automatic motorcycles? If you’re interested in the possibility of an automatic motorcycle and want to know more about it, continue to read this article.
Can Motorcycles Be Automatic?
The most-asked question regarding automatic motorcycles is whether it’s even possible for a motorcycle to be automatic.
Motorcycles can, indeed, be automatic.
However, only a very small percentage of the motorcycles available on the market are automatic compared to all the manual models out there.
This means that if you want to learn to drive an automatic motorcycle, you’re going to need to put some time and effort into researching the right one.
Because there’s a smaller pool of automatic motorcycles available, it may be more difficult to find one that meets your needs.
Manual Vs. Automatic Motorcycle
If you’re still confused about the difference between a manual motorcycle and an automatic model, it’s basically the same as the difference between an automatic and manual car.
Automatic motorcycles automatically shift gears according to the speed at which the bike is traveling, while manual motorcycles require the rider to change gears manually.
On a manual motorcycle, the rider needs to use the clutch found on the handlebar on the left side of the bike.
When the clutch is pulled, transmission is disengaged, and the correct gear for the current speed can be selected.
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At this point, the rider must let go of the clutch to complete the gear change.
With an automatic motorcycle, on the other hand, the process of changing gears is much less complex.
Most of the time, the automatic gear transmission is completed using a DTC (dual clutch system), which uses two different clutches and an onboard computer system to switch gears.
Because there are two clutches, any gear changes on an automatic motorcycle are much smoother, and the rider doesn’t need to put in as much mental effort every time they change speeds.
What About Semi-Automatic Motorcycles?
Just as you can find semi-automatic cars, it’s also possible to purchase a semi-automatic motorcycle.
On a semi-automatic motorbike, you’ll find the same DTC system as you would on an automatic motorcycle.
This ensures smoother and easier transitions.
However, on a semi-automatic motorcycle, the driver is responsible for choosing when to change gears, unlike fully automatic motorcycles, which decide this using an onboard computer.
What Kind Of Motorcycle Should You Get?
If you’re trying to decide whether to get a manual, automatic, or semi-automatic motorcycle, there are many factors you should consider.
Ease Of Use
First of all, it goes without saying that it’s much easier to learn how to ride an automatic motorcycle than a manual motorcycle.
Now, this could be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how you look at it.
Learning to ride an automatic motorcycle will probably allow you to feel more comfortable riding on the road more quickly because the process of changing gears isn’t as complicated.
On the other hand, some motorcycle riders would argue that learning how to ride a manual motorcycle is an important skill, and that getting accustomed to riding an automatic motorcycle compromises that skill.
If you anticipate wanting to learn to ride a manual motorcycle at any point in the future, you may be better off purchasing a manual vehicle now so that you can start learning as soon as possible.
However, if ease and convenience are your priorities, an automatic (or even semi-automatic) motorcycle is likely to be the best choice for you.
Enjoyment
It’s also worth considering the enjoyment you’ll get out of a manual motorcycle versus an automatic.
This will depend on what kind of person you are.
Some riders feel that manual motorcycles allow for a more engaging experience, whereas others recommend automatic motorcycles because you don’t have to focus so much on the gears, which means you can focus more on the experience.
Safety
With that being said, you also have to think about the safety aspect. Again, there are many ways you can look at this.
On one hand, with an automatic motorcycle, you can give all your attention to the road around you because you won’t be busy changing gears manually.
However, it’s also true that you have less control with an automatic motorcycle.
For example, if you were to change speeds while turning a corner, your automatic motorcycle would change gears, which could be dangerous.
This means that you need to take extra care with your speed when riding an automatic motorcycle.
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Semi-automatic motorcycles are safer in this regard.
Stalling unexpectedly can be a safety hazard on the road, but with an automatic motorcycle, this won’t be an issue.
It’s also worth noting that automatic motorcycles are heavier than manual motorcycles, which means that stopping and starting quickly can be more of an issue, and falling off your bike may be more dangerous.
Pricing
Automatic motorcycles are more expensive than manual motorcycles.
This is because the technology used in the construction of an automatic motorcycle is more advanced compared to a manual motorcycle, so the cost increases accordingly.
For some people, this price increase is more than worth it, but this is an individual decision.
Final Thoughts
There are several key differences between manual and automatic motorcycles, the main one being that automatic motorcycles change gears for you using a dual-clutch and onboard computer system.
Automatic motorcycles also prevent you from stalling and allow you to concentrate more on the road.
However, they are heavier and more expensive, and they also minimize your control over your vehicle.
If you want to be able to focus on the road and enjoy riding your motorcycle without worrying about your gears, an automatic motorcycle may be a good choice for you.
However, if you don’t want to pay high-end prices or relinquish control over your gears, stick with a manual model.
Alternatively, you can experience the best of both worlds with a semi-automatic motorcycle.