Automatic bikes?

[ryanstev]

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']

There seems to be a lot of unhappy people on this board, who care far too much that everyone rides the same way they do.

I thought the whole biker spirit was about "being free" and not being caged, nope, people try anything to build themselves up, well I hope it worked and you're slightly happier.

[nerrrd]

There seems to be a lot of unhappy people on this board...

You have no idea how many... But seriously it may seem intimidating now but think of the mad skills you'll have once you master it on a manual bike (no offence, scooterites.)

[Akzle]

There seems to be a lot of unhappy people on this board, who care far too much that everyone rides the same way they do.

I thought the whole biker spirit was about "being free" and not being caged, nope, people try anything to build themselves up, well I hope it worked and you're slightly happier.

IF butthurt_n00b=TRUE
THEN ECHO 'dilligaf'

im happy as fuck, my derision is for teh lulz. You put out.

You better find some big girl panties if youre going to hang around here.

Knowing clutch is a life skill. Auto is a waste of an engine.
If you think welding code to your floor qualifies you as manly, then your prejudice is worse than mine.

[nodrog:Me]

Well how can I refuse?

I thought you said you had a steep driveway and a muscle car?

Are you asian?

[GrayWolf]

Hi, sorry if this is against the rules, I've searched but couldn't see anything relevant.

For the last 2 1/2 weeks I've been working in the Auckland CBD, traveling by train from Massey and I've worked out it's taking around 3 hours per day to do so.
I leave home at 7:20am to get to the Ranui station to take the 7:38am train, which arrives at Britomart at around 8:45am and I walk up to Albert street, arriving at work at around 8:55am.
When I go home I leave work at around 5:30 and get home at around 6:50.

So, that's a bit ridiculous, so I've decided to buy a motorbike.

The thing is and this probably won't be popular, I don't want a normal shifted bike, I want an auto clutch, or fully auto/CVT.
I'd just get a Maxi Scooter, except I don't like how they look, but faced with getting a normally shifted bike, I would.

Can anyone tell me what kind of bike would suit me? I want to ride on the motorway, so would probably need atleast 125cc, I'm 97kg, 5 foot 10.
I would have just bought a Honda NC700, except it's 10cc over the limit for learners.

I want either an auto bike, or a scooter that looks like a motorbike, thanks for any suggestions.

Big scooters like the Bergman, T max etc are more than capable, even the 250/300cc ones. Biggest issue would be the weight, body position if you stall or have to 'leg maneuver' on the drive.
Do the basic handling course, even talk to the instructor about your concerns with the drive. It may cost a bit extra, but I am sure they'd come and show/teach you how to safely go up and down the driveway


Oh and welcome to Kiwibiker....... where Manliness and 'testicular fortitude' is judged by how abusive you can be towards people from a distance (keyboard)

[ryanstev]

Thanks for the comments everyone (well most )

I'll get a normal bike, comments explaining wet clutches and that I wouldn't burn the clutch by riding it too much like on a car, etc, were really helpful and made me change my mind. (Rather than "You fucking bitch")

[pritch]

It could appear likely to a casual observer that the OPs assessment of his own capabilities is more realistic than the opinion most repondents to this thread have of their own ability.

Among the dross though there were some useful suggestions:
Do a course
Get a trailbike or a scooter and no, it doesn't need to be a 650.

And we are still waiting for the picture of the missus.

[caspernz]

Thanks for the comments everyone (well most )

I'll get a normal bike, comments explaining wet clutches and that I wouldn't burn the clutch by riding it too much like on a car, etc, were really helpful and made me change my mind. (Rather than "You fucking bitch")

Good call. Once you've done a course or two, any doubts about using a motorbike even on a steep bit of driveway will fade.

You shouldn't need to ride the clutch I'd say, with some practice at low speed riding you'll get the confidence. I mean if you bought a bike to do the motorways in Auckland, you'll be lane splitting in no time, so your driveway will soon be the least of your worries I'd think...

[Moi]

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.

That's a neat wee thing...

I was thinking of something larger - Aprilla Mana had come to mind...

[george formby]

Just had a brain fart. Wonder how a Piaggio MP3 would go?
Just sayin.

[SNF]

Good call. Once you've done a course or two, any doubts about using a motorbike even on a steep bit of driveway will fade.

You shouldn't need to ride the clutch I'd say, with some practice at low speed riding you'll get the confidence. I mean if you bought a bike to do the motorways in Auckland, you'll be lane splitting in no time, so your driveway will soon be the least of your worries I'd think...

This is true. My explanation of slipping the clutch wasn't great (holding it at the friction point a little longer for a smoother take off, steady with the throttle) Vs riding a clutch (half engaged, as the engine spins faster, clutch getting hotter.).

Also someone mention motards, which is a good idea. Big single cylinder, tons of torque lower down so don''t need to do clutch slipping and no fancy plastic to get mangled unlike sportier bikes.

Also CVT parts need replacing eventually. I've had to get a new cvt clutch ,rollers, basically everything for my Jog in 4 years of owning it. In total its probably cost more for all the parts in that than a clutch (springs and plates for my FZR).

[BlackSheepLogic]

For round town, heavy traffic (i.e. Rush Hour(s)) a scooter is great so don't discount it as an option. I have a 125 for town use that is small & light. Perfect for around town etc. They are also cheap. You will need at least a learners license for anything over a moped - do you have one?

Shifting on a bike is not a hard skill to learn, but around town in heavy traffic, having the CVT is nice.

[Big Dog]

Golly there are some haters about. The whole auto question is like shit to flies on line.

Sadly, although the method of transmission is a little lacking in finesse the knuckle dragged message is right.

Ultimately I recommend, as others have get some lessons before you commit to a bike type.
You may surprise yourself. A scooter will do the job, but in the long run something with gears will cost you less in practicality, pain and your wallet.

Maybe a road legal dirt bike? Like a DR250?
Cheap, easy to ride, don't cost much if you drop them at low speed and being a single cylinder very forgiving of steep driveways and poor clutch control.
That will be much easier to master than the CVT / auto approach of wrong it's neck, lean forward to hold down the front and let go the brake as if a clutch.

Once you get started it is hard to stop and you may find it difficult to start again.

Due to the nature of CVT if you slow down it tends to stop.

Believe me. I have had a far worse driveway with a much less consistent surface than you show in pictures.


With a clutch you have more options. Like trailing the brakes or slipping the clutch. If it all goes tits up you can stall the bike and use the gears as brakes while you decide what next.

Each time you donut it will be less scary. Then after a couple of dozen rides it will be easier.



Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[HenryDorsetCase]

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.

So, not a manly man then, more a girly-man?

that's cool, takes all sorts.

I just don't think you're cool enough to ride a motorbike, sorry. Thanks for your application. You should continue the course of testosterone pills, keep up the DIY skills practice, and maybe one day you will be fortunate enough to receive "the nod" perhaps even "the handshake".

Don't know about "the nod" or "the handshake"? Well, that's as it should be. Only manly men know about those things.


OK seriously: have you sorted yourself out yet?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Just had a brain fart. Wonder how a Piaggio MP3 would go?
Just sayin.

they can go pretty well. I really like them.