Interested in joining the club - questions inside

[Skutorr]

And before SkuTorr chimes in...

Who, ME???

 

[Edumakated]

No disagreement here. Full power at any speed is a manual transmission's strong suit. In reading some riding comparisons of the BMW Scooter vs. similar sized but manual cluched bikes it seemed the only substantial difference was just what you mentioned: the manual clutch bikes would win a drag race and pull away quicker at about any speed (when in the right gear). I have been waiting for the article that touts the advantages of never shifting or thinking about it. Perhaps I'm making more out of it than I should. (Okay - I am and I'll admit it.)

But it makes me wonder what the BMW S 1000 XR with a 160hp might perform like with a CVT. Or even better with Dr. Pulley sliders and a HIT clutch. I'm gonna guess it might do the passing trick just fine but still a step behind its brother with a manual clutch.

Motorcyclist are finally coming around. BMW offers up & down quick shifting now so you still have to shift, but you only need the clutch when starting from a stand still. Not quite as good as fully auto, but still better. MV Agusta has it too now on their Turismo Veloce which is my next bike.

The main reason I bought my c600 was that I wanted more power, but really didn't want to deal with shifting since most of my riding is in stop and go urban traffic. My new Turismo Veloce will be a decent compromise.

Honda's new Africa Twin adventure bike will have a DCT option. If they offered DCT on better styled bikes, I'd probably get a Honda. I really like the VFR1200 but the bike is just a bit too big for my needs.

I recently went on a 1000 mile charity ride with a bunch of Harleys/Indians. Needless to say, I surprised a few of them, particularly in the twistys. They were also blow away that I could cruise at 90mph and still pass them at 100 like it was nothing. A few of them commented that my "Spooter" - sportbike/scooter has some guts.

I couldn't figure out why cruisers don't have auto shifting yet though. IMHO shifting on a street glide to me is like driving a stick shift Cadillac. makes zero sense to me... but whatever.

 

[grey.hound]

Hey Edumakated, when are you getting the MV. Was reading around this morning and that sucker is sweet looking. So, as for transmission, fully auto?

 

[Edumakated]

Hey Edumakated, when are you getting the MV. Was reading around this morning and that sucker is sweet looking. So, as for transmission, fully auto?

Dealer claims they are expecting them September / October which probably means December or January as no one in the US has one yet that I'm aware of. They have two models. I'm going for the Lusso which is the one with the electronic suspension. Those haven't rolled off the assembly line yet to my knowledge, just the base model.

The TV has clutchless up and down shifting just like on some of the new BMW models. So basically, you need to use the clutch at a stop so you don't stall, but once you are rolling more than a 10-15 mph you no longer need the clutch to shift up or down shift.

I'd prefer a DCT or some other kind of automatic, but I think clutchless is good enough for my purposes.

 

[Snowdog]

When you were a kid in the fifties /sixties, it was cool to have a car you could shift. Not all our peers got to do that, and I think some people want to because they never learned how. It really depends on what you want from riding a MC. I agree, I grew up shifting, and now it isn't important.

 

[Snowdog]

Shifting

I had a full dress HD when I was in high school, and even at that age I realized driving a HD around was like driving an empty dump truck!

 

[Metal Bass God]

So far as lack of a garage goes I don't have one either. I have used the Tourmaster Waterproof cover and it has vent holes. I have not noticed any related corrosion using it though I have only been using it since the summer of 2013.

Being that I plan to buy a new BMW I am looking into getting one of these seen in the photo. Some black plastic sheeting secured to the sides should cut down on the majority of sunlight hitting the bike and I might then go with a lighter cover. Though if you live with a HOA that might not work for your condo.

 

[wotte]

I've been remiss on following up here.

I appreciate all the input of the fine folks here. After considering my options (and test riding a few 125 and 300 cc scoots), and straddling (with the owner's permission, of course!) a 650GT that happened to be parked at the dealership, I decided to pull the trigger on the 650GT and took delivery two weeks + a couple days ago.

I've been exceptionally happy with my decision thus far, and I've put nearly 600 miles on the odometer already. (Going in tomorrow to get the accessories I ordered installed and have the running in service performed)

 

[exavid]

Somehow I missed your last post so just consider this one a affirmation that you did the right thing! Congratulations.

I'd say, go for the gusto! One thing about larger scooters, larger engines are working less at any speed than little ones. They should last longer. Spare horsepower is a lot handier than being caught short when you need it. The GT is heavier than the small scooters but in all scooters the weight is carried lower than in comparable weight bikes. Take a course, and watch some of the "Ride like a Pro" videos. The methods in the videos can easily be adapted to riding a CVT bike.