New BMW Motorcycle Shifting System

[cajunrider]

So you're ok with a downshift which would put your engine in valve/piston interference over-rev? I suppose you're not a fan of ABS or traction control either.

I never said I disliked automatics... or ABS or TC for that matter.

What I said was I dislike the fact that they offer a "Manual Mode", then immediately say the computer will override my decisions if they don't like what I'm doing.

That's not "Manual"... That's "You can have control, unless we decide you can't."

 

[bc1100s]

That's not "Manual"... That's "You can have control, unless we decide you can't."

.... because it'll either damage the motor or put you on your head.

 

[r0ckrat]

I feel like this has to be said far more often than it ought to be...

For those of you that aren't interested in this as a feature, great! Don't buy one so equipped. I'd wager the auto-clutch bike will be more expensive than a manual bike anyway, and will be made in much fewer quantities until BMW sees that there is a strong market for it. However, as LeeF pointed out earlier in this thread, there are people who might need this to carry on riding. And if a manual bike is a barrier to new motorcyclists, then great for getting more people interested, too! The more of us there are on the road, the safer we all become as we become less of the "odd man out" and are seen more often by the rest of the road users in their shiny metal boxes.

However - i would appreciate it if you would stop bashing on the idea of an automatic transmission bike just because you don't want one.

You don't want one? Fine. Neither do I. But if I could get my wife to ride with me more because it's got an auto, instead of her having to worry and think about a manual? I'm in - for her.

In another, less nice way of putting it... The future is coming whether you like it or not.

Keep your old tech if it makes you happy, but stop making people who would feel happier without a clutch feel "less" because of their choice.

 

[brownie0486]

I feel like this has to be said far more often than it ought to be...

For those of you that aren't interested in this as a feature, great! Don't buy one so equipped. I'd wager the auto-clutch bike will be more expensive than a manual bike anyway, and will be made in much fewer quantities until BMW sees that there is a strong market for it. However, as LeeF pointed out earlier in this thread, there are people who might need this to carry on riding. And if a manual bike is a barrier to new motorcyclists, then great for getting more people interested, too! The more of us there are on the road, the safer we all become as we become less of the "odd man out" and are seen more often by the rest of the road users in their shiny metal boxes.

However - i would appreciate it if you would stop bashing on the idea of an automatic transmission bike just because you don't want one.

You don't want one? Fine. Neither do I. But if I could get my wife to ride with me more because it's got an auto, instead of her having to worry and think about a manual? I'm in - for her.

In another, less nice way of putting it... The future is coming whether you like it or not.

Keep your old tech if it makes you happy, but stop making people who would feel happier without a clutch feel "less" because of their choice.

Today, one might have a choice, tomorrow they may not have a choice. Vocalizing the disdain for auto clutches is a way to ensure these manu's keep offering a manual clutch on models they are interested in.

If one doesn't speak out, then one gets lost in the great shuffle toward more technologies that aren't wanted. We know people today choose their rides based on lack of or inclusion of certain "features". As long as riders can still make a choice of a motor they want to ride, fine. However, that choice isn't guaranteed if people don't speak up about it.

 

[r0ckrat]

Today, one might have a choice, tomorrow they may not have a choice. Vocalizing the disdain for auto clutches is a way to ensure these manu's keep offering a manual clutch on models they are interested in.

If one doesn't speak out, then one gets lost in the great shuffle toward more technologies that aren't wanted. We know people today choose their rides based on lack of or inclusion of certain "features". As long as riders can still make a choice of a motor they want to ride, fine. However, that choice isn't guaranteed if people don't speak up about it.

My major point was the last line, because I see a lot of this...
stop making people who would feel happier without a clutch feel "less" because of their choice.

 

[omega man]

OM

 

[PGlaves]

In case anybody thinks the anti-new-tech sentiments expressed today are bothersome, they should have been active in BMW motorcycle circles when the K100 was introduced in the U.S. in 1985. The derision and disdain over the motorcycle that had a flopped over car engine with no points and no carburetors was almost too much to bear. Then came ABS. Oh my! Would the earth stop turning next? One can still hear tiny fragments of this discourse today but few take it very seriously if they are sober and unimpaired.

But, alas, there are many more new things to fear and cuss about now than then.

 

[brownie0486]

My major point was the last line, because I see a lot of this...
stop making people who would feel happier without a clutch feel "less" because of their choice.

The key word is "choice" here, which I addressed as something that could be taken away one day as certain makers decide one choice is your only choice. People are free to make their own choice/s until those choices are taken away by a maker, then the choice is live with it or find another maker who still gives one a choice.

The way the world is moving now? I'm not all that convinced us riders will be able to make our own choice. So yes, speaking up in support of keeping choices available may just become very important in their future decisions to drop the manual tranny [ a wise choice financially for them likely ]

 

[PGlaves]

In the automotive world manual transmissions are becoming harder to find. Many years ago I was at car dealership looking to buy a car and conversing with a salesman. I saw an interesting looking car down at the end of the lot - an Oldsmobile Omega - the upbranded version of a Chevrolet Citation. I asked about it and he immediately responded that I wouldn't want that car. He said with complete disgust that the car had a manual transmission and nobody wanted an Oldsmobile with a manual transmission. So I bought it. That was back in 1983 or so. Our daughter took her driver's test in that car. The ability has served her well ever since.

 

[rickdm]

I like having a clutch, particularly on my R Nine T. It has the old dry clutch and no quick shifter. However on my R1300GS after rolling off from a stop all the rest of my shifting is done with the quick shifter. Can they make an auto that rolls off slowly and smoothly from a stop? That can crawl like when featuring a clutch? If they can do that then I think I could live with it. Sure would take the stress out of those stops on a 20% slope with a tall 600lb. bike.

 

[globalrider]

Some of us are "drivers" and some of us are "passengers".

I would have never bought either of my Porsches if they came with a Tiptronic or PDK transmission. Same goes for a motorcycle.

I am the last guy to be impressed by "new". In other words I am an advertizing execs worst nightmare.

 

[chadhargis]

a full day of low speed cone work was about the hardest day of riding in my life.

I experienced the same thing when I did a day at a trials training class. Of course, part of that was repeatedly hitting the ground over and over as I failed to negotiate an obstacle. I was so exhausted, I could barely walk. No seat on a trials bike, so I stood all day using my legs like shock absorbers.

 

[brownie0486]

I took the slow speed course with the Alameda County Sheriff's department. They let us rent old KZ1000 Police Specials from them for the course

I've been to a bunch of track days and ride some gnarly, twisty, bumpy curvy goat trails as my regular, but a full day of low speed cone work was about the hardest day of riding in my life.

I agree. A full day of slow speed cone courses [ there are several within the program like 18' circles, 18' figure 8s, emergency braking, cone weaving [ counter steering skills ] etc. is a demanding day on the motor/s.

Here's the cone weave [ counter steer part of the course ]. First run they wanted us at 15mph, second run at 20mph and 3rd run at 25mph. Most everyone was good to go until the 25mph run, then cones were dropping like flies. On the last run for me at 25mph, my right pannier touched a right side cone and left a black scuff mark. That mark was on the top edge of the pannier. I was surprised I didn't drop the cone at that time.

 

[globalrider]

I think we are pretty safe in that I could not find one with "Real Motorcycles"...

 

[PGlaves]

Out of curiosity, who owns a car with a manual 6 speed??

 

[globalrider]

Out of curiosity, who owns a car with a manual 6 speed??

I do. Same shift pattern as the one above.

On my other car, 7 is to the right of 5. Would I own a PDK? Fat chance!

 

[PGlaves]

I do. Same shift pattern as the one above.

On my other car, 7 is to the right 5.

I surrender!

 

[rhbike]

Out of curiosity, who owns a car with a manual 6 speed??

I owned one for 12 years with exactly that shift pattern.

 

[92232]

Out of curiosity, who owns a car with a manual 6 speed??

2012 Volvo C30

 

[mneblett]

2019 Mustang