Weâre guessing you want a motorcycle for commuting since theyâre small and agile, which makes them great for weaving through traffic. But youâre probably here because you want an automatic motorcycle either because you find the manual ones too tiring or youâre still learning and you donât want to ride a manual motorcycle.
Well, whatever the case, youâve come to the right place. This article will discuss everything you need to know about automatic motorcycles. From how they work, what you should consider buying, and how to take care of them. Hereâs a table of contents to help you find what you need:
Automatic Transmission Motorcycle
Just like cars, motorcycles can come with a manual or automatic transmission. Although automatics are a bit rarer. Anyway, there are three types of automatic transmissions in bikes: CVT, semi-automatic, and DCT.
Before we delve further into auto-transmissions in bikes, we need to briefly explain motorcycle types. If you already know about motorcycle types, you can skip to the next section. Otherwise, you should continue reading:
In the eyes of the law, there are three types of motorized two-wheelers. These are mopeds, motorcycles, and scooters. The legal definition is a little complicated though, so weâll simplify it into two categories:
Mopeds are motorized two-wheelers that have an engine no larger than 50cc and canât go over 30mph. Meanwhile, motorcycles donât have speed, power, and engine size restrictions. Additionally, three-wheelers also fall into the motorcycle category.
There are many different types of motorcycles. Motorcycles that have a floorboard for you to rest your feet on is referred to as a scooter. Every other chassis type, whether itâs step through, trellis, or monocoque chassis, is referred to as a motorcycle.
Anyway, letâs not focus on that too much. You can learn more in our article about mopeds vs motorcycles if you like. But if you want to know more about automatic motorcycles, letâs discuss the different types of automatic transmissions in bikes:
CVT Transmission Motorcycles
CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, and theyâre very different from other types of transmissions. In manual or planetary-gear-type automatic transmissions, the transmission has a set of gears differing in sizes that controls the power output to the wheels.
CVTs donât use gears, but instead, use a couple of pulleys and a belt or sometimes a chain that connects the two pulleys. The diameter of the pulleys varies depending on speed and throttle input.
The diameter of the pulleys also affects the diameter of the belt, which affects its rotational speed. The wider the diameter, the slower it rotates but it creates more torque and vice versa.
The CVT transmission has no gears and hence thereâs no gear change. This makes for a very different feeling when riding, but it results in a very smooth experience since there are no gear changes.
This type of transmission is the most common in automatic scooters, such as modern-day Vespas. While there are downsides, theyâre very simple in operation. And are great for automatic scooters since they donât take up a lot of space.
Semi-Automatic Motorcycle
As the name suggests, this type isnât fully automatic. These types of bikes donât have a clutch lever on the left handle, but it still has the foot-operated gear shift lever. So, the bikeâs Engine Control Unit (ECU) automatically operates the clutch. But youâll still need to manually change the gears.
With this type of transmission, you put the bike in gear, twist the throttle, and youâre good to go. While this means you still have to change gears, you donât need to operate a clutch lever. And thatâs typically the hard part for most new riders.
Semi-automatics are found in predominantly underbone-type of motorcycles, otherwise known as the step-through motorcycles. The step-through motorcycle is quite rare though in the States, and itâs mostly found in South-East Asia. But some touring bikes do use this type of transmission.
Dual Clutch Transmission Motorcycles
The Dual Clutch Transmission or DCT is similar to semi-automatic transmissions. But as the name suggests, it has two clutches in the system; one for the even gears, and one for the odd gears.
This setup allows for a lightning-fast gear change and results in a negligible power lag, and perhaps more importantly, a very smooth ride.
Like the semi-automatic system, DCT bikes donât have a clutch lever but still have the heel-and-toe lever or triggers to control the gear changes. But unlike the semi-automatic system, certain bikes have a fully automatic mode.
This means you only have a selector for the âNeutralâ and âDriveâ gear, and then the bike will do the rest for you. Shifting through the gears while riding is all done by the bikeâs computer. However, since the DCT system is quite expensive, youâll find this mostly in high-end bikes.
Best Automatic Motorcycle
So, now you know there are three types of automatic transmissions in motorcycles. And while the DCT transmission is expensive and usually reserved for high-end bikes, donât worry, we have a lot of recommendations. Surely, youâll find something that suits your needs down here:
125cc Automatic Motorcycle
If youâre looking for an automatic motorcycle with a small engine size, unfortunately, youâre going to be limited to scooters. As mentioned, step-through bikes virtually donât exist in the US, and other bikes with this engine size typically come with a manual transmission. So, youâre going to have to make do with scooters.
While theyâre not the coolest looking thing, theyâre still very capable and convenient. And our pick goes to the Yamaha Zuma 125. Itâs a 4-valve fuel injection engine that can go up to 58mph, which is respectable. But if youâre planning to go on the highway, youâre going to have to find a bigger bike.
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Anyway, it has both a kickstand and a center stand, so you can park it in any way you like. The storage space is decent, and it has a 1.7-gallon fuel tank. With a fuel consumption figure of 89mpg, you can do a little over 150 miles in just one tank of fuel.
Being a scooter, the transmission, as youâd expect, is a V-belt automatic otherwise known as CVT. Thereâs nothing too special about this scooter, but it does all the things youâd expect out of a scooter, and it looks great. It certainly still looks like a scooter, but the dual cylindrical headlights make it stand out. The MSRP for the Zuma is $3,699.
150cc Automatic Motorcycle
Youâre also still limited to scooters if you want 150cc automatic motorcycles. While there are street bike-style options, theyâre mostly from relatively unknown brands so we canât really recommend them. Instead, we recommend the Vespa Sprint 150cc.
Vespa Piaggio makes a wide range of scooters, and the Sprint is largely the same as its sibling, the Primavera. The differences are mostly aesthetic, such as the trapezoidal headlight, sharper-looking mirrors, 12-inch alloy rims with low-profile tires, and red shock coils. Essentially, this is the sportier version of the Primavera.
The 150cc motor is a fuel-injection motor with three valves, making a healthy 12.7 horsepower. And this will get the bike to 60mph with ease, and given a long enough road, it can go up to 65mph. So you can take this to the highway more confidently than 125cc bikes.
To stop the speed, thereâs a 200mm disc brake up front and a 140mm drum brake in the rear. This is the same as the Primavera, but unlike it, the Sprint has ABS and a traction control system so itâs safer during sudden braking.
Again, itâs still very clearly a scooter. But the Vespa brand has its own charm, and the Sprint is one of the better-looking scooters on the market. And of course, it has a CVT transmission.
One thing to consider is that the rear-end of the bike is quite wide, and can be uncomfortable for passengers even on short journeys. I hated this as a passenger, but itâs a lovely little scooter to ride. Youâll need $4,100 to bring home one of these.
250cc Automatic Motorcycle
Options for the 250cc automatic bikes are few and far between in the States. Probably because at this price point, most people already opt for street/naked and sports bikes. And unfortunately, those bikes donât come with DCT or semi-automatic since the systems are too expensive for this price range.
If you donât mind getting a secondhand bike, then the Honda Reflex 250 is your best choice. But if you want a new bike, then the closest thing we could find is the Suzuki Burgman 200. Yes, itâs not a 250cc, but itâs the closest we can find. And yes, itâs still a scooter.
Itâs larger though than the other scooters on this list. And while itâs not the best-looking bike, it ticks all the boxes: good handling, plenty of storage, top speed of 75mph, and around 60mpg in fuel consumption. But at $4,999 we think itâs a little too expensive for what it is.
Automatic Cruiser Motorcycle: Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
Right, those are the affordable options. Now, letâs get to the exciting ones. Weâll start with the cruiser segment, and since Honda seems to be the market leader when it comes to DCT transmissions in bikes, youâre going to see a lot of them here.
We start with cruisers, otherwise known as choppers. These are low-riding bikes where you sit low down and lean back. As the name suggests, theyâre meant for cruising so it makes sense for them to have an automatic transmission.
We recommend taking a look at the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT. It comes with a liquid-cooled 1,084cc twin-engine paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. This makes 85 horsepower and is good for about 140mph.
The rebel has a set of buttons on the right side for you to choose the gears. Thereâs Neutral, Drive, and a button to toggle between automatic and manual mode. If you engage in manual mode, there are a couple of triggers on the left-hand side to shift the gears.
The Rebel also has several riding modes, which are Standard, Rain, Sport, and a user-configurable mode. These adjust the power delivery, traction control, and the behavior of the transmission as well.
To be honest, cruisers somewhat lose their charm when you fit them with an automatic transmission. Nevertheless, it makes it easier and less tiring to ride. And if you like the idea of an automatic cruiser, the Rebel 1100 DCT is going to set you back at around $9,900.
Automatic Naked Motorcycle: Honda NC750X DCT
Naked bikes are essentially sport bikes but without the fairing, and a slightly taller and more upright riding position that makes them more comfortable for daily commuting.
If you want an automatic naked bike, then youâre going to have to go with the Honda NC750X DCT, yet another offering from Honda. It has a 745cc liquid-cooled twin-engine just like the Rebel and starts at a slightly lower price of $9,299.
This has the same DCT system as the Rebel, so operation is similar; you pick gear with buttons on the right side, and shift using triggers on the left side should you engage the manual mode.
It has a top speed of about 120mph, sips fuel at around 65mph as long as you donât put it in Sport mode, and has lots of storage which makes it very convenient for your daily commutes.
Overall, itâs a great bike that strikes balance between sportiness and usability. Reviewers note that the bike feels agile, despite its weight of 493lbs. This is the bike if you want a comfortable and usable everyday bike, but have fun with it on the weekends.
Automatic Sport Touring Motorcycle: MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS
Letâs take a break from the Hondas, shall we? Sport Touring bikes are tall bikes meant for long journeys and can go just about anywhere the rider pleases. For this segment, we recommend the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS. And thereâs more to this bike than just the cool name.
Itâs an 800cc three-cylinder bike, boasting 110 horsepower and a top speed of 143mph. The SCS stands for Smart Clutch 2.0 system, which is MV Agustaâs name for a more advanced version of the semi-automatic system.
Unlike Hondaâs DCT, the SCS system still requires you to shift the gears. But the quick-shifting technology means you donât need to operate the clutch lever. And it also has a launch control feature, so you can quickly set off without having to control the clutch.
To be fair, this isnât a fully automatic bike. But at least you donât have to operate the clutch if you donât want to, and thatâs the hard part. Now, it is quite expensive, MSRP is around $22,500.
However, like cars, Italian bikes have a certain charm. That X-factor, if you will. And I promise you, while that three-cylinder engine isnât the fastest or most powerful, it certainly sounds unique and youâre going to love it.
Adventure Automatic Motorcycle: Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES DCT
Adventure bikes are like sport touring bikes but with a larger focus on offroad performance. Theyâre not quite as dedicated as dirt bikes, but itâs more capable off the road than sport-touring bikes.
For this segment, youâre going to have to go with Honda once again. Specifically, the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES DCT which costs about $17,900.
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It has the same DCT system as the aforementioned Honda bikes. So, you only need to use the triggers if you want to change gear manually. It comes with the same 1,084cc engine as the Honda Rebel, and the top speed is at a slightly lower 125mph.
There is a base model that retails for about $15,000. But this Twin Sport model comes with a larger gas tank and a better electronic suspension. Both come with a DCT, so it comes down to how much youâre willing to spend.
Luxury Touring Automatic Motorcycle: Honda Gold Wing DCT
The Honda Gold Wing is the gold standard when it comes to the ultimate touring bikes. So, itâs only natural that we recommend the Gold Wing DCT. Up until 2018, all Gold Wings came with a manual transmission, but you can now get it with a 7-speed DCT.
Itâs identical to the standard Gold Wing, and you get all the luxury features. Full-color TFT screen with built-in navigation, itâs Apple CarPlay/Android Auto ready, smart key operation, and driving aids such as torque control and hill start assist.
You get a massive 1.8L engine making 124 horsepower and good for 140mph. The DCT operates the same way as the other Honda bikes on this list, so you can cruise across the country in comfort without worrying about gear changes.
The price for the DCT version starts at $25,300 which is pretty expensive. But then again itâs the ultimate touring bike, and itâs a small price to pay for the ultimate touring bike experience.
Electric Motorcycles
Unlike internal combustion engines, electric motors donât need a transmission. So, while technically not âautomaticâ, the lack of transmission means you donât need to operate any gears and an electric bike works like an automatic motorcycle. Here are some quick recommendations:
- Electric Cruiser â LiveWire One from Harley Davidson, $21,999.
- Electric Scooter â BMW CE 04, $11,795.
- Electric Superbike â Energica Ego+, $24,610.
The BMW CE 04 and Energica Ego+ are particularly intriguing. The BMW has very unique styling that will surely turn heads everywhere you go. While the Energica is the only superbike where you donât have to worry about gear-shifting.
Automatic Motorcycle FAQs
Got any more questions about the world of automatic motorcycles? We try to answer as many questions as possible:
Are Motorcycles Automatic
Most scooters are automatic, using a CVT-type transmission. But most standard motorcycles come with a manual transmission. There are semi-automatics, but theyâre quite rare in the United States. Meanwhile, the Honda is currently the only one embracing fully-automatic dual-clutch transmission in motorcycles. And even that is only available in their larger bikes.
Are There Automatic Motorcycles
There are plenty of automatic scooters to choose from. But other types of motorcycles, such as standard/naked, sports bikes, and touring bikes rarely come with an automatic transmission. However, many of them have a quick-shift feature where you can change gears without operating the clutch while at speed.
Is Manual Faster Than Automatic
In motorcycles, this depends on the type of automatic transmission. If you compare a manual with a semi-automatic transmission, the manual is likely to be slower during gear shifts but could launch faster in the hands of an experienced rider. But if you compare it to dual-clutch transmissions (DCT), then DCT is always going to be faster. Meanwhile, CVTs focus on smoothness rather than performance.
Are Honda Groms Automatic
No, the Honda Grom has two trims: the ABS and non-ABS versions. Both come with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Are There Automatic Dirt Bikes
Yes, thereâs the Honda Trail 125 (but itâs more of a scooter), the Zero FX which is electric, and the KTM Freeride E-XC which is also electric. Automatic dirt bikes arenât really a thing, probably because being able to control the clutch while dirt biking is more beneficial. But if youâre willing to splurge, thereâs the Honda Africa Twin DCT. Itâs more of an adventure bike, but itâs the closest thing to an automatic dirtbike with an internal combustion engine.
How To Ride An Automatic Motorcycle
This depends on the type of automatic transmission that the motorcycle has. In a scooter with a CVT, you simply hold the front brake (right lever) when you turn it on. And when you want to go, let the brake go and start twisting the throttle. In a semi-automatic system, you have to put it in gear with the foot lever and then the clutch operates automatically. In DCT systems, particularly in Hondas, you select the gear (Neutral, Drive, and sometimes Reverse) with a rocker switch and then twist the throttle to go.
Automatic Motorcycle: Final Thoughts
Automatic motorcycles are great for new riders that are still learning the ropes. And for experienced riders that just want to commute or cruise in comfort.
It does take the charm from certain bikes though. An automatic cruiser just isnât quite the same when it has an automatic transmission. However, thereâs no denying that theyâre very convenient.
To summarize, if you want a small automatic motorcycle, your options are limited to scooters. And even if you want a larger bike, most of your options are going to be Hondaâs offerings since theyâre at the forefront of DCTs in motorcycles.
While DCTs are fairly common now in cars, they still havenât caught on in motorcycles. Honda seems to be the only one embracing it in the motorcycle industry.
Still, Honda makes great motorcycles. Sometimes not as charming as their Italian or American counterparts, but they make good bikes nonetheless. And if their DCT options turn out to be a hit, likely, other manufacturers will soon follow.
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