Did anyone ever own one of these and what is your opinion on them...
Hondamatic Motorcycle
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I have not owned one, but I did take a spin on one, once. They aren't nearly as quick as the CM400's with the manual transmission, but they'll go freeway speeds with no trouble. IIRC, the transmission is a two-speed.
I've not owned one either but everthing I've read over the years said the torque converter transmisssion came out of a Honda car and lasts forever.
If you find one for sale, let me know. I have a buddy that been wanting one forever.
If you find one for sale, let me know. I have a buddy that been wanting one forever.
I owned one (inherited it) and really missed being able to shift. For me, shifting is part of the riding experience as well as the feeling of "being one with" the motorcycle. And it was anemic with the auto transmission.
Still, if someone doesn't want to learn to manually shift and wants to just get on and ride, it might be with it. The one I inherited belonged to my father, but my grandfather owned one, too. He got one after stalling out in intersections several times with a manual transmission bike. He had ridden Harley's back in the day, but his coordination was just not what it used to be.
Still, if someone doesn't want to learn to manually shift and wants to just get on and ride, it might be with it. The one I inherited belonged to my father, but my grandfather owned one, too. He got one after stalling out in intersections several times with a manual transmission bike. He had ridden Harley's back in the day, but his coordination was just not what it used to be.
I like the "naked bike" look but these things are all over craigslist for $1000 around here. You can't get a standard honda that nice for that price. Not a slam but there must just not be a demand.
If you're bad at driving a stick shift car, at least give a wet clutch MC a try. They usually have more torque per pound of vehicle and the clutches are pretty smooth.
If you're bad at driving a stick shift car, at least give a wet clutch MC a try. They usually have more torque per pound of vehicle and the clutches are pretty smooth.
I want a manual transmission, but I do like the styling of that era bike. Where's her helmet?
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Where's her helmet?
At LEAST wear eye protection!!! Usually for legal purposes, if not mere safety.
Where's her helmet?
At LEAST wear eye protection!!! Usually for legal purposes, if not mere safety.
Honda is currently selling bikes with a type of automatic gearbox.
I'm not knocking it either as for some reason some people want an automatic, but I remember when the CB750 was sold with the auto. They ran the CB750 in the quarter mile and the regular motorcycle could run in the high 12s to low 13s times, where the automatic ran high 15s to low 16s times. Speed is not everything of course, but performance was rather handicapped by running the auto. Now on a 400cc bike, that probably runs 15s at best with the manual, you are probably going to be lucky to run with a 1975 Ford Pinto in a drag race. No big deal if speed is not a concern, but it's nice to have ample power in my opinion.
They are reliable. The 750 was detuned compared to the regular manual transmission equipped models. It was more in line with what a 550 put out(high 40's for hp). Every one of them makes a nice commuter bike and are dependable bikes. Just not as fast being a 2 speed and in the case of the 750....lacking about 30hp.
ok, thanks for the input, was positive..............
The current bike is a bit more 2013, it is a 5speed dual clutch transmission:
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/18/honda-nc700xd-automatic-for-motorcycle-people/
http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/18/honda-nc700xd-automatic-for-motorcycle-people/
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