Even though, after nearly 50 years on bikes, I still ride with a standard change setup. I can see the benefit of this system, especially for riders who just want the convenience of cruising around, or even if they have limited control. Either way, it’s just another option…
I've been legally riding for 55 years and the closest I've got to this is a shift assist on two bikes. Initially I didn't use it much but now I found it quite useful. I'm not particularly interested in automatics of any kind and find using the clutch and shifter satisfying and comfortable. Muscle memory makes riding and easy but I suppose I could adjust to automatics if I had to.. I could see automatics being useful for those with hand or foot issues but those issues would also preclude large motorcycles too.
It sounds like bmw's first attempt is pretty good & just as with all new technology will only get better. Definitely worth a test drive, if it works for you buy one, if it doesn't then buy a manual.
but then if you accidentally pull the clutch you'll need to stop the bike, put it into neutral then start again to activate the auto clutch. Thats a big no no
Thanks, this is a really nice walk through of the ASA. I am an observer for the IAM, and we are completely centred around IPSGA for our riding. This usually means that we have a responsive gear selected (use the throttle to “go” and “slow” for more rolling control when approaching hazards). It seemed to me that most of the time the bike was riding in the bottom 1/3 of the rev range where we would more typically use the mid 1/3. What are your thoughts on using this riding style with ASA? Is it more likely that we would be using manual shift and just avoid needing to manage the clutch, or could the bike realistically run in auto mode? Thanks for thoughts on this!
Great video, but auto not for me. I just had my left knee replaced, 10 weeks off riding and it is difficult to get the knee to bend, but I still wouldn't get one. Back riding two weeks, turns out riding is good physio and it is improving every day I go riding.
I bought a goldwing dct did all sorts of roads . Having 45 years of experience, I didn't like the way the transmission behaved , paddle shifting was not my thing. Auto is good for rolling highways ,traffic congestion, and easygoing . It's not good for tight roads and hills because it becomes overwhelmed put it in sport mode the bike becomes too aggressive and keeps the gears too long. The way I look at it, BMW seems to have it right , I am more satisfied with the quick shifting of my GS
I test rode the 1300 GSA last week and as you note Bob, the gear changes in manual setting are liquid smooth……but in full auto!!……Let alone it wanting to change up all the time was stunned at how lumpy the changes were….snapping your head back and forward on each change…..put me off the bike I’m afraid
Mmm, nope. Handy, I suppose if you're doing a lot of Himalayan Pizza deliveries.. Pretty sure I'll be sticking with my GS manual box for the foreseeable.
as an option for someone with a disability or to have it as an option in general is great, none is making anyone buy it... unless your yamaha with their top spec tracer 🤨
Am i the only one that absolutely hates how the giant engine protrudes out the sides of these bikes ,like giant tumors? That alone has kept me from ever considering a GS. It just looks so stupid
100% would spec ASA on the GS buttery smooth. but ride it in the manual as its ace . quickshifter on the big boxer is not really an improvement from the 1250
Well, if honda, Yamaha, etc. thinks they can sell more automatics, let them sell em. I'll never buy a motorcycle with an automatic transmission. It's a fnk abomination 😂
Too many electronics in bike is recipe of disaster. Imagine 200+ kg electronically shutdown automatic bike Stuck in the knee high watery muddy terrain middle of nowhere. New Fear Unlock
Even though, after nearly 50 years on bikes, I still ride with a standard change setup. I can see the benefit of this system, especially for riders who just want the convenience of cruising around, or even if they have limited control. Either way, it’s just another option…
The anti theft non wheel away feature is interesting and not one I’d considered. Thanks
I've been legally riding for 55 years and the closest I've got to this is a shift assist on two bikes. Initially I didn't use it much but now I found it quite useful. I'm not particularly interested in automatics of any kind and find using the clutch and shifter satisfying and comfortable.
Muscle memory makes riding and easy but I suppose I could adjust to automatics if I had to.. I could see automatics being useful for those with hand or foot issues but those issues would also preclude large motorcycles too.
I think the question is wrong, it shouldn’t be is it worth it, but rather is it right for you? The only way to find out is to ride one.
It sounds like bmw's first attempt is pretty good & just as with all new technology will only get better. Definitely worth a test drive, if it works for you buy one, if it doesn't then buy a manual.
Honda did it better retaining the clutch lever so it can still be ridden like a real manual
but then if you accidentally pull the clutch you'll need to stop the bike, put it into neutral then start again to activate the auto clutch. Thats a big no no
Thanks, this is a really nice walk through of the ASA. I am an observer for the IAM, and we are completely centred around IPSGA for our riding. This usually means that we have a responsive gear selected (use the throttle to “go” and “slow” for more rolling control when approaching hazards). It seemed to me that most of the time the bike was riding in the bottom 1/3 of the rev range where we would more typically use the mid 1/3. What are your thoughts on using this riding style with ASA? Is it more likely that we would be using manual shift and just avoid needing to manage the clutch, or could the bike realistically run in auto mode?
Thanks for thoughts on this!
Great video, but auto not for me. I just had my left knee replaced, 10 weeks off riding and it is difficult to get the knee to bend, but I still wouldn't get one. Back riding two weeks, turns out riding is good physio and it is improving every day I go riding.
I bought a goldwing dct did all sorts of roads . Having 45 years of experience, I didn't like the way the transmission behaved , paddle shifting was not my thing. Auto is good for rolling highways ,traffic congestion, and easygoing . It's not good for tight roads and hills because it becomes overwhelmed put it in sport mode the bike becomes too aggressive and keeps the gears too long. The way I look at it, BMW seems to have it right , I am more satisfied with the quick shifting of my GS
I test rode the 1300 GSA last week and as you note Bob, the gear changes in manual setting are liquid smooth……but in full auto!!……Let alone it wanting to change up all the time was stunned at how lumpy the changes were….snapping your head back and forward on each change…..put me off the bike I’m afraid
Mmm, nope.
Handy, I suppose if you're doing a lot of Himalayan Pizza deliveries..
Pretty sure I'll be sticking with my GS manual box for the foreseeable.
As a 2nd or 3rd bike in the collection DGT/etc is a cool idea, but not for my #1....
What was your reaction to ktm going bankrupt?
They
Need to make their bikes more orange
as an option for someone with a disability or to have it as an option in general is great, none is making anyone buy it... unless your yamaha with their top spec tracer 🤨
I tried it on the new GSA: not for me. Quickshifter Pro rather than ASA
Did we really need this automatic technology on big bike? On scooter i can grasp it. On mt9, gs, ktm?
Yes - why not
Did we really need automatic transmission on cars.
Am i the only one that absolutely hates how the giant engine protrudes out the sides of these bikes ,like giant tumors? That alone has kept me from ever considering a GS. It just looks so stupid
So basically a trans-scooter
100% would spec ASA on the GS buttery smooth. but ride it in the manual as its ace . quickshifter on the big boxer is not really an improvement from the 1250
Well, if honda, Yamaha, etc. thinks they can sell more automatics, let them sell em. I'll never buy a motorcycle with an automatic transmission. It's a fnk abomination 😂
Too many electronics in bike is recipe of disaster.
Imagine 200+ kg electronically shutdown automatic bike Stuck in the knee high watery muddy terrain middle of nowhere. New Fear Unlock