Funny that this comes up, lately I've been imagining (baseless) scenarios where I've lost my left foot for some reason
If you're like people here, you'll be flying along the sidewalks, and license/insurance will be history.It won't matter in 30 years... you don't need transmissions on battery powered motorcycles.
Ok... I want to invite you to go to a car dealership, pick any japanese brand, and tell them you'd like to buy a standard transmission vehicle.
So based on my comment you think manual shift motorcycles are dead?
I wish I had that kind of power, but no, manual shift motorcycles are not going away any time soon.
Having the OPTION of automatic is good as it can possibly keep people riding and BUYING motorcycles.
No idea why you want to invite my to a car dealership? Pretty crappy first date if you ask me...
So as you can see, no objections from this manual shifting old man...
Seriously? this is your expectation of a forum reply, that it be based on the "what if's" of 30-40 years down the road?
It is impossible to predict where trends will go, in 30-40 years from now the human race could be wiped out, so what then?
Good choice. I think the vast majority of people that buy trikes would be far better served by one of those. Not much different in size, handles better, safer and you don't need to wear a helmet.And as a fat, grey, arthritic 60 year old, what could be better than tooling about in a wee red convertible two-seat Japanese machine?
It called mid life crisisFunny thing? I'm off to a dealership tomorrow to see if I can do a deal on a new convertible with a manual transmission.
The main selling point is that it is a manual. And at 60 years of age, I reckon this may be the last motor I purchase, or at least the last petrol powered motor I own .
And as a fat, grey, arthritic 60 year old, what could be better than tooling about in a wee red convertible two-seat Japanese machine?
Is this what you are sugestingIf you're like people here, you'll be flying along the sidewalks, and license/insurance will be history.
Feel free to dig me up and do as you please...Forty years from now, buddy, I going to give you the taunting of a life time!
Is this what you are sugesting
Why? I've only had my Mecatecno for a short while, and i already wish it had a couple gears to bring the rpm down between sections.It won't matter in 30 years... you don't need transmissions on battery powered motorcycles.
To play devils advocate, or maybe more accurately cranky, old, cynical guy, but is there REALLY a silver lining or overriding necessity to help people who have "poor co-ordination" onto a 2 wheel conveyance so they may venture forth into traffic?I wouldn't buy one, but agree that more choice is better for growing the market.
I've had some students that just couldn't get get the hang of the clutch due to poor co-ordination or a lack of mechanical skills. After the course, they opt for scooters as a default fallback, but if they are dead set on riding a motorcycle, then giving them the option of an automatic gets them on two wheels.
Same goes for three-wheelers for people with balance issues or infirmity due to old age or injury. Gets them out of the cages.
You've got lots of battery life just let er rip. Transmission would add weight and volume to the package.Why? I've only had my Mecatecno for a short while, and i already wish it had a couple gears to bring the rpm down between sections.
I was thinking the same thing. A higher barrier to entry is not necessarily a bad thing. Afaik, tests only check for competency in a relatively stress free environment (beyond the swerve test where instructor points). Performance under pressure, personality and situational awareness are critical to staying alive but not part of the tests.To play devils advocate, or maybe more accurately cranky, old, cynical guy, but is there REALLY a silver lining or overriding necessity to help people who have "poor co-ordination" onto a 2 wheel conveyance so they may venture forth into traffic?
To play devils advocate, or maybe more accurately cranky, old, cynical guy, but is there REALLY a silver lining or overriding necessity to help people who have "poor co-ordination" onto a 2 wheel conveyance so they may venture forth into traffic?
The oneness of a motorcycle is hard to beat. Arms steering, one foot at the brake the other at the shifter, one hand at the clutch the other the brake, thumbs and fingers by the switches and throttle. Comparitively speaking, driving a car is as much fun as dancing with a mop.Car people are different. Lots don't care at all about fun and want simple. There are very few bike riders that fit in that category (when it comes to bikes, many are OK with a boring car to free up more money for bikes).
How about when the automatic downshifts in a corner in the rain? Honda had an automatic that did that and the medics got to meet the nicest people in a ditch.I was thinking the same thing. A higher barrier to entry is not necessarily a bad thing. Afaik, tests only check for competency in a relatively stress free environment (beyond the swerve test where instructor points). Performance under pressure, personality and situational awareness are critical to staying alive but not part of the tests.