Motorcycles with automatic transmission: Honda

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

While automobile concerns began to develop automatic transmissions, motorcycle manufacturers caught fire with a similar idea. Motorcycles with automatic transmission were supposed to be much more comfortable, allowing the biker to enjoy the ride without being distracted by the tachometer.

First experience

The world's first motorcycle with an automatic transmission appeared in 1975. The novelty was introduced by Honda, which put the model on the conveyor and produced it for the Canadian market, and also sold it in the USA. The Japanese hoped that their creation, called the Honda CB-750, would arouse incredible interest among motorcycle enthusiasts, but the expectations were not met. Motorcycles with automatic transmission received a lot of negative reviews. Bikers weren't thrilled with the massive automatic transmission, which didn't perform its intended function well and was also unrepairable. It is worth noting that automotive giants faced a similar problem, which also experienced difficulties with unfinishedtransmission. Most of the cars were not able to justify the hopes of the drivers who gave a lot of money for the "automatic". While the usual gearbox of the Dnepr motorcycle was being produced in the USSR, the Japanese company gained tremendous experience with automatic transmissions.

Return to automatic transmission

Despite the failure of the Honda CB-750, the concern did not say goodbye to the idea of creating a whole line of motorcycles with automatic transmission. The projects were frozen and were waiting for better times, when the automatic transmission would be completely finalized, and its characteristics would reach the proper level. Three decades later, cars with "automatic" conquered the world market and became more popular than "mechanics". This result was achieved thanks to the smooth operation of the mechanism, which significantly reduced fuel consumption, increased the maneuverability and dynamics of the car.

In 2005, the Japanese decided to mass-produce the Honda DN-01 model. This sports bike with automatic transmission has become more successful than its predecessor. The new bike received an automatic transmission with six speeds and three modes:

• Sport.
• Tiptronic.
• Automatic.

For motorists, the automatic mode is perfect, which makes it possible to enjoy a comfortable ride, concentrating only on the road. Switching to sport, the unit instantly changes not only the dynamics, but also the sound of the engine, demonstrating its full potential. The tiptronic mode was created specifically for mechanic fans who prefer to keep their sportbike under their owncontrol.

Best among peers

In the modern motorcycle market, you can find many models with AKKP, but the Japanese remain the best. They are engaged in the production of bikes, which are presented in two transmission variations: automatic and mechanical. If earlier the “automatic” was a less attractive option, having a lot of weight, then in the new models it is only 10 kg heavier than a conventional gearbox. Honda is now introducing several motorcycles equipped with an "automatic". Among them, the best is the Crosstourer, which received:

• V-twin, 1237cc 16-valve engine3.
• 130 l. s.
• Clearance - 18 cm.
• Electric starter system.
• 21.5 liter gas tank.

This model is not only the best selling, but also the most reliable. The Italian specialists involved in installing automatic transmissions on their motorcycles are not significantly up to the level of the Japanese.