Automatic bikes?

[ryanstev]

Well how can I refuse?

[Moi]

You have two options...

#1 Learn to ride a bike

#2 Learn to ride a 250+cc scooter

The only auto bikes available in NZ are all non-LAMS bikes.

[SNF]

Try a 650cc Suzuki Burgman? Or how about an automated electric/air shifter kit, which takes care of the clutch You'd still have to select gears though. If you don't have to, why would you? Gears are fun. Its always scary at first. stick with it. Once you get it you'll be hooked. Who cares - everyone stalls at first.

[SNF]

Also you talk about riding the clutch. Most motorbikes have wet clutches - there are a few which don't. A wet clutch won't burn out - granted it will get hot and wear - clutches are maintenance items with a finite lifespan. A wet clutch can handle being slipped - what seems like riding the clutch in car terms and is often necessary in smaller 4 cylinder engines when taking off especially on hills.

[Daffyd]

SYM and KYMCO both do maxi scooters, prolly considerably cheaper than a 650 Burgman. SYM Maxsym is 400cc and Kymco is 500, both LAMS friendly.

Thinking seriously about one myself. And before people start on about the quality of Taiwanese product, be aware that they are both amongst the largest scooter makers in the world, producing several million per year. Also, Kymco supply BMW with motors for their maxi scoot.

[blackdog]

When did the definition of a 1974 Falcon taxi become 'musclecar'. Ah, hang on... forgot this was the automatic sportbike thread.

[ryanstev]

When did the definition of a 1974 Falcon taxi become 'musclecar'. Ah, hang on... forgot this was the automatic sportbike thread.

I'm afraid I can't answer you, maybe you could ask the various muscle car magazines that have four door XC Falcons featured within their pages.

[george formby]

I looked at a place to rent on Scenic drive, it was lovely. The room to rent was just about to be vacated by Bo runga, I asked if she would leave the dirty sheets, you know, a keep sake.
Any hoo. The drive was that steep that my wee FWD car flunked it. Reverse or nothing.

To the guts of it.
Ridden properly just about any bike will cruise up your drive, yes, they have little engines but they also have bugger all weight for gravity to overwhelm the tires. Even if it's mid winter & green, a bike will get up with decent condition tires.
Auto or manual makes no difference if you do not know how to get the power to the ground appropriately.
I suggest a 250cc + 4stroke trailie, some training & a bit of practice. With a trailie you can go somewhere which is steeper, more slippery and learn to negotiate it. Probably pissing yourself laughing while you do so. After that your drive way becomes just that, a drive way. Trailies don't mind the odd lie down either.
I guess you need to do a bit of planning & logistics but a standard gear change is easy & you maintain control.

[blackdog]

I'm afraid I can't answer you, maybe you could ask the various muscle car magazines that have four door XC Falcons featured within their pages.

Yours could probably do with a bit of polish before the centrefold shoot though huh.

[ryanstev]

Yours could probably do with a bit of polish before the centrefold shoot though huh.

You wouldn't believe the amount of rust I've cut out of it.
It's been 6 years since I bought it, it took about 2 1/2 years for all the rust to be fixed.

That's not car paint, it's POR15 I've applied to seal my welds, since it's a few years away from getting a proper paint job.
I've driven it a total of 30 minutes in that time.

Say what you want about the car, it's a project, of course the paint will be shit.
You should see it now, 9 months after that picture was taken, it's covered with even more dust and now a ton of bird shit, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a muscle car and legal to drive if I wanted to.

[blackdog]

You wouldn't believe the amount of rust I've cut out of it.
It's been 6 years since I bought it, it took about 2 1/2 years for all the rust to be fixed.

That's not car paint, it's POR15 I've applied to seal my welds, since it's a few years away from getting a proper paint job.
I've driven it a total of 30 minutes in that time.

Say what you want about the car, it's a project, of course the paint will be shit.
You should see it now, 9 months after that picture was taken, it's covered with even more dust and now a ton of bird shit, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a muscle car and legal to drive if I wanted to.

You must have mistaken my sarcasm for interest.

[Akzle]

I wish so much people could realise just how stupid they sound when they use the ability to ride a manual bike or drive a manual car as something that defines how manly they are.

I don't go around saying things like "Just learn how to fucking code in PHP you stupid fuck" or "Just learn how to cut out rust in a car and weld in a replacement patch panel you fucking bitch" or "Learn how to fucking replace a rotten floor in your house you dumb ass."

You can ride a manual? Cool. I can't.

fuck. And i was thinking about buying kleenex shares too.

Maybe consider a flatter suburb on the north shore, or a retirement village, where you can sip tea and complain about difficult things like chewing whole food and driving a manual.

Youre a hazard to yourself. Just fyi.

$_fuck['yourself']

[kave]

The only auto bikes available in NZ are all non-LAMS bikes.

The Gilera DNA180 would probably meet LAMS requirements, though I can't be arsed checking if it's on the list. Sometimes they come up for sale, but they are pretty uncommon.

[awa355]

No point buying a maxi scooter or heavy bike with expensive body panels. If you come to a grinding halt halfway up and have to do a reverse U turn on the drive, the bike will slide out from under you for sure.

[ryanstev]

You must have mistaken my sarcasm for interest.

Nope, just letting you know that I don't care that you're "making fun of my project"