Manual or automatic?

[parsley]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.
Since all bikes are manual (well, all the ones I know anyway) do people here who have a cage as well drive manual or automatic?

[Aitch]

But I drive to get from A to B. so the easier the better! point and shoot is just fine with me in the car.

[sels1]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.

I think that would be true. Autos were fairly uncommon here (mostly in large/luxury cars) until the mid 80s when import duties changed allowing an influx of used jap cars and now the market is swamped with them.
I have one of each now, but never owned an auto until about 3 years ago

[Odin]

I like to "stir the soup" a bit so manual is the go for me. The only time I'd like an automatic is in stop/start 10-20kmh motoway rushhour traffic.

[Gremlin]

The only time I'd like an automatic is in stop/start 10-20kmh motoway rushhour traffic.

Don't own a cage, but I reckon balancing the clutch on a bike is harder than a car because it is more sensitive (ie try balancing a bike and car on a hill with the clutch and accelerator only).

Oh right, the point. Riding in traffic at slow speeds has really helped my bike skills and balancing the clutch. It is a lot harder crawling at a very slow speed than just accelerating through the gears.

[crashe]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.
Since all bikes are manual (well, all the ones I know anyway) do people here who have a cage as well drive manual or automatic?

Every vehicle that I have ever owned has been a Manual.
I have never owned a jap import car either.
My Mitzi that I own now was made/assembled here in NZ.

But I have no problems driving a automatic car ...
Have had to drive a few over the years.. Friends cars or when I was transporting a few on a truck from the wharf in Auckland.

Umm scooters are automatic.
There maybe a few scooters that are semi-automatic????

[Badcat]

my mx5 (try telling me face to face it's a chicks car, fucko) is a manuel.
the duchess's legnum is an auto.
i don't mind auto's on a 6 or 8 cyl, but a revvy little 4 - manuals are the go IMHO..
k

[Motu]

Yeah,it's because of Jap Imports,until they arrived and buyers had no choice Kiwi's were very mistrustful of autos,they were only found on Holdens and Falcons,and then only top spec ones.Run of the mill cars were four on the floor and three on the tree.

Our first auto was a Falcon in about 1998,the Pajero last year was my first daily driver in auto.I don't care,or even notice really....I drive a dozen or so cars a day,they are just cars.

[MikeL]

Manual Toyota Starlet (not a Jap import) and an auto BMW. Looking around before buying the Beemer I wanted a manual but couldn't find any Jap import that wasn't auto.
Even 1000-1300cc cars are now commonly found with auto transmission, which doesn't make much sense to me. You might think that with petrol prices steadily increasing there would be a return to manual transmission, but it won't happen because too many people can only drive an auto these days.

[scumdog]

My 7litre big-block V8 hot-rod would shag most manuals, the C-6 auto is shift-kitted and shifts 1-bang-2-bang-3 through the gears.

The 'little' 5litre kit-car is manual- and is heaps of fun. Instant response and a feeling that it has 100hp more than it really has.
Try and control a 3rd gear 'drift' when you're in an auto shifted car!

[oldrider]

I took one of those Suzuki 650cc Burgman scooters for a test run, mainly out of curiosity but also because I am getting older I thought it may be more suitable later on.
I have to say I was very surprised.
Extremely user friendly. Especially agile and nimble in city traffic. Quite amazingly quick away from the lights. Well balanced and performed well out on the motorway. Apparently they will max at about 170kph. Downside for me is they don't have a very long range per tank. If I was a city commuter especially in Auckland I would buy one. It has changed my attitude towards scooters and automatics. Cheers John.

[Badcat]

I took one of those Suzuki 650cc Burgman scooters for a test run, mainly out of curiosity but also because I am getting older I thought it may be more suitable later on.
I have to say I was very surprised.
Extremely user friendly. Especially agile and nimble in city traffic. Quite amazingly quick away from the lights. Well balanced and performed well out on the motorway. Apparently they will max at about 170kph. Downside for me is they don't have a very long range per tank. If I was a city commuter especially in Auckland I would buy one. It has changed my attitude towards scooters and automatics. Cheers John.

i reviewed the burgman for TONE mag.
i really liked it!
great city bike and excellent in the wet.
CVT means no lurching at gear change so excellent for pillions too..
K

[scumdog]

Autos in Jappas? aaaaah -1- aaaaah -3-ahhhhhh



My C-6 Ford auto? aaahh1ahhhh2aaaah

And a whole lot of wheel-spin along the way.

[Magua]

I bought my second cage recently, after my last one carked (sp) it. It's a manual but I was looking into a few automatics. It doesn't bother me, but it seems to REALLY bother some of my friends. "Eww it's an auto".

[Ixion]

Never owned an auto. Don't like 'em. Problem is , tis damn hard to find manuals nowdays, and very few new cars come in manual. I've been trying to find a manual BMW but I've just about given up, only ones around are the very expensive sports and M models.

Interestingly, the manuals always command a premium. People want them, just can't get them.