Posted on 10/21/2025 7:07:11 AM PDT by eyeamok
The E-Clutch does away with that and thereby arguably does away with the essential thing that makes a motorcycle something different than a Moped or a Scooter (or a car – with an automatic transmission – for that matter).
(Excerpt) Read more at ericpetersautos.com ...
I had a BSA Victor 500 MX in 1978. Brake left, shift right. It was tricky to start with the high compression engine. The compression release needed to be nimbly managed and a screw-up kicking it over could launch you over the handle bars. Still, it was an amazing bike it the dirt. I did things that would have killed me on my old Honda CB175. The BSA handled anything I was willing to tackle. I sold it when I got married for lack of anywhere to store it.
What is safe about not knowing how to use a clutch?
Riding a real motorcycle is a task that involves dexterity, reflexes, and coordination.
Making it easier for the uncoordinated to ride seems against common sense.
Sorry to hear about your friend, and his wife who I am assuming did not survive?
I rode a friend's bike around for a short period, and I mean very short period. Across from our high school we had a shopping center. It was separated into two sections as it has a 4 lane road dividing it. As it became clear to pass back over to the sother ide I started from, I kind of gunned it and popped the cluthch, to make sure I got across before another car came along. Of course that made me pop a wheelie, which I had no intention of doing. Needless to say when I got to the other side and the motorcycle has lost enogh speed for it to return to normal, I took the keys back to my friend and gave him his keys.
All I can say is thank goodness it had only 50 horsepower, which I had laughed that he had bought this oversized minibike.
Later on the same guy I talked about above in the first paragraph that T-bonded the car, gave me a ride home from school on the back of his bike. This was before he had T-boned the car, and whenn he made a left turn. we went so low to the ground that it made me try to straighten up. before my face got grounded up by the asphalt (of course to wasn't really that low, but it still spooked me). After he completed the turn, he tore me a new one, because of course doing that made the bike control not as well, but I didn't know that. It was then when I really decided that I didn't want anything to do with a motorcycle.
I wasn't afraid of dying as much as I was afraid of living through a hoorendous accident living with constant pain and perhaps no mobility whatsoever.
However, I didn't have that same fear in cars, even though I should have. 😋 Fortunately, I never hurt either myself notr anyone else in the process with my foolish driving when younger. 😁🤙
Honda a 70cc, 90cc and 750cc back in 60’s and 70’s that were automatics, nothing new here.
But, if this the experimental electric motorcycle (technically it presumably uses an electric motor, so still a “motorcycle), then a clutch would be unnecessary . . .
“Not everyone can manually shift a car much less a motorcycle.”
Then they should not be riding it... If they can’t figure that out they are a hazard from the start and don’t belong on a motorcycle.
It’s always been that for such a concern, the cvt was the answer. I ride with a cvt as well - in scooters. The cvt throttle response is consistent enough to meet my requirements.
I also make a habit of dispelling concerns of motorcycle safety. I believe and can reasonably argue that motorcycles may be the safest choice in personal conveyance. I’d be happy to share those arguments if you wish.
Honda’s are dead?
LONG LIVE HARLEY.
I agree.
My senses are amped up when I’m on four wheels. No distractions. No music playing. Just paying attention to my surroundings.
This is multiplied about four times when I’m on two wheels.
I know I’m invisible.
As soon as both hands are not required to operate vehicle, one hand will be thumbing a phone.
True. Not many real gearheads among them.
Cars are more convenient, more comfortable, safer, and easier to drive than motorcycles.
The problem for motorcycle makers is that demographics and lower risk tolerance are shrinking their market. They want to make it easier to drive a motorcycle so they can stay in business.
You have a point, but the answer for car and motorcycle designers is to make their conveyances easier and safer to drive in order to expand the potential market. Once self-driving cars are perfected, can self-driving motorcycles be far behind?
I traded my two wheeled Honda in for a Can Am Spyder with a paddle shifter. I don’t mind the semi automatic transmission. Recently we rode the Ozarks and I actually down shifted a few times around tight turns. The thing missing is the down shift compression to slow the bike.
I put 140k on my last Street Glide and just rolled over 55k on my current one with a 6900 solo trip from Texas to MT/ID.
I only use my back brake at low speeds in gravel or holding on a hill and panic stops, where I’m busy down shifting as fast as possible.
I dont think it is. I think it’s just the clutch.
They are making electric motorcycles. Mine would take off like a rocket. I don’t think the “golf cart” acceleration is going to add to that.
I could go 450 miles on a tank of gas. I doubt you are going to get that kind of distance on a small battery.
I second that. In MA you can take that course and automatically get your license. I went back to riding in my 50’s. I took the course with a lot of teenagers. They really needed it.
It all came back to me….like riding a bike.
I rode my first m/c (Yamaguchi 55) when I was 13. First m/c I owned was a Suzuki 80 at 14. Started racing motorcycles (Kawasaki 120) at 18. My last m/c race was in 1988 on a Suzuki GSXR750 at 38. Was in the m/c business for 22 years. Lost a few friends and customers along the way. I still have a 2003 BMW R1100S that I start up often but very rarely ride at 76. My advice to friends that ask me about what M/C to buy is: “I like you so don’t.”
GI’s in Germany had a saying about buying used Porches: It like marrying a hooker. Still lots of fun but...
I love my Harley but I hate the company, and after my last trip I’m starting to hate Dealers.
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