AUTOMATIC MOTORCYCLE PAGE:

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Automatic Motorcycle Page:

Most mini-bikes and scooters have centrifugal clutches or some form of shiftless or automatic transmission while there are few motorcycles that do.  The primary difference between a scooter and a motorcycle is the body design, engine size, and the wheel size.  A scooter will have a step through frame while a motorcycle will require a person to step over the frame.  Motorcycles are usually larger while most scooters are small displacement vehicles.  A motorcycle will also have large wheels while scooters have smaller ones.  As of late, especially in Europe, there is a move to mix the two so the distinctions are becoming less easy to determine.  A good example is the new Honda NC series.  Honda makes a sport bike, dual-sport, and scooter on the same platform.  The scooter version is not available in the US.  Probably the most significant difference is in the intended use.  The history of the motorcycle, apart from the early years, has been that of being a sports or touring vehicle while the scooter has been primarily a utilitarian, in town vehicle.  Again, there are exceptions, but I doubt that most are really confused about the differences.  This page covers all the major motorcycles which have some form of automatic transmission. 

Above is the American "Autoglide" scooter dated 1921! This is considered by some to be the first American scooter.

 The Honda CB750A (automatic) was first offered in Canada in 1975.  It was then offered in the US from 1976 to 1978.

The Suzuki GS450A:

 The Suzuki was not listed among it's available bikes but was available none-the-less.  It was sold during 1982 and 1983.  Few sold and they are one of the rarest Japanese automatics. 

The Honda CB was followed by the CM400A:

 The CM was just a CB in new clothing.

Vintage Husqvarna Automatic Moto-Crosser:

 The off road manufacturer Husqvarna (Swedish) made a series of automatic Moto-Crossers, Enduro's, and Baja Specials during the 1970's to 1980's.  They were basically 3 speed transmissions connected to a centrifugal clutch.  They also made an "automatic" military bike designed for anyone to be able to ride.  It was a 250cc machine and was a low powered bike.  Husqvarna offered automatics from 1976 to 1988.  I believe the military bikes were made earlier but were never sold to the public.

Aprilia Mana 850:

 The Aprilia Mana is an 850cc sport, touring bike which has an automatic.  The Mana was first marketed in 2008 and continues to be offered.  I have seen the Mana and it is a truly beautiful machine, as most Italian bikes are.   

Honda DN-1

 The DN-! was sold during 2009 and 2010.  It was a sales flop in the US but was a very well engineered bike.  They look good, owners have given them a good report, and their reliability record is at 100% good.  At nearly $15,000 there was little chance of selling many.

Below is the Moto Guzzi Convert (automatic):

 The Guzzi had a 2 speed transmission connected to a centrifugal clutch.  It was sold from 1975 to 1982, few were ever sold in the US.  The V1000 was around 950cc.

Honda CB400A:

 The Honda CB400A was a one year model which is rare.  Few sold in 1978 but they have a great reliability record.   It was not uncommon for bikes to be on dealers sales floors for two or three years before finding a buyer.

Honda CM450A:

 The CM450 was just a larger version of the 400.  The 450's sold few because some dealers had both CB400's and CM400's in stock.  Honda never gave up on the automatics because they sold better in other parts of the world.  Listed below are the years the early Honda automatics were sold:

CB750A  1976-1978

CB400A  1978 only

CM400A  1979-1981

CM450A  1982-1983

The American Ridley:

 Ridley made motorcycles from 1995 to 2010 and went out of business because of a lawsuit initiated by Harley Davidson over the use of the name "Glide."  The Ridley's were about 750cc and used a centrifugal clutch.  The real reason for the lawsuit was that Ridley was beginning to sell more and more motorcycles.  During there final years they were building around 4,000 bikes per year.  The motor company has sued companies or people over engine size, engine size, engine heat, and frame wobbles.  So much for free enterprise!

The Chinese CF Moto:

 China currently has over 100 motorcycle manufacturers.  Most make small bikes sold in their country only.  The "Moto" is a sport 250cc bike which has other platform models one of which is a scooter.  The CF is being sold in the US now.  I do not know the history of the CF automatic, however, it will not sell well because of it's size and the fact that it is an automatic!  It is currently available.  Most of the Chinese bikes are copies of Japanese bikes like those of Korea.

VFR1200 DCT

 The VFR1200 with the Dual Clutch Automatic is one of the most sophisticated motorcycles being sold today.  Cycle World compared the transmission to the most innovative racing transmissions made.  Six speeds, two separate transmissions connected by two clutches, testers stated that the transmission impressed.  Tested at 11.2@139mph, in the quarter mile, the bike is really quick.  The six speed manual transmission version was a full second quicker in the quarter mile!  Beautifully styled, top notch design, innovations galore, and detailed like an exotic car, these attributes were not enough, it still didn't sell! 

The Rokon RT340 Automatic:

 Rokon utility bikes were originally designed in 1958 and put into production in 1963.  The bike above, the RT340 was a true race bike designed in 1971 but produced from 1973 to 1978.  Some say this bike caused Rokon to go bankrupt.  After many buyouts, Rokon continued today as a utility machine. 

 

Of all the motorcycle manufacturers, Honda has developed the automatic motorcycle more than any other brand.  The future will tell if they were on the right track!