I sure hope Honda's electric shift works better on their streetbikes than on their ATV's - not that I want them to use it on a VFR at all, quite the opposite.
My Dad and I picked up his new Honda Rancher(TRX420) today, it's the electric shift model, they didn't have any manual shift ones on the floor or he would have bought it, - anyway - after I installed the winch and plow kit for him, I got to tool around on it for a little while. I haven't owned a quad myself, but have spent enough seat time on them to know my way around well and get through woods and other places in a hurry, with a regular shifter. I'm not liking the ES on this thing and thought I'd share. It upshifts well enough, but missed a couple times and going down is touchy.
There is no replacement for an experienced human hand operating the clutch lever, that's my point, and my story, and I'm sticking to it.
my wife and I have 2 Recons we ride in WV..ES works great...performance wise anyway..I admit to be somewhat reluctant to welcome it to my motorcycle..but like Skutter said.............
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Aug 9 2008, 07:21 PM, said:
I sure hope Honda's electric shift works better on their streetbikes than on their ATV's - not that I want them to use it on a VFR at all, quite the opposite.
My Dad and I picked up his new Honda Rancher(TRX420) today, it's the electric shift model, they didn't have any manual shift ones on the floor or he would have bought it, - anyway - after I installed the winch and plow kit for him, I got to tool around on it for a little while. I haven't owned a quad myself, but have spent enough seat time on them to know my way around well and get through woods and other places in a hurry, with a regular shifter. I'm not liking the ES on this thing and thought I'd share. It upshifts well enough, but missed a couple times and going down is touchy.
There is no replacement for an experienced human hand operating the clutch lever, that's my point, and my story, and I'm sticking to it.
...
Agree 100%, and that applies to ALL vehicles, whether bikes, cages, ATVs, or whatever. There's just no substitute for a manual transmission and the clutch feel and control that goes with it. For example, I never could understand someone having a Vette with an automatic tranny. JMO. :)
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Aug 9 2008, 07:21 PM, said:
There is no replacement for an experienced human hand operating the clutch lever, that's my point, and my story, and I'm sticking to it.
...
Agreed. Maybe there will still be a clutch lever with this ES. I sometimes will ease in the clutch slightly and release to scrub some speed in a turn, kind of like down shifting only different.
I certainly hope they stay away from es on street bikes. I've ridden the FJR with it and it's weird and unnecessary, even though if you get used to it it might be okay if you have problems with your hand. I personally like the control the clutch gives me. On another note, I like the es on atvs, seeing as how most if not all utility atvs are auto clutch, the es isn't that much of a big deal.
[image: View Post]jev, on Aug 10 2008, 03:32 PM, said:
On another note, I like the es on atvs, seeing as how most if not all utility atvs are auto clutch, the es isn't that much of a big deal.
Maybe it will get better as it breaks in, but I can shift better with my foot, even without the clutch. If I'm in a hurry I don't use the clutch on my street rides(for upshifting anyway). Shifting down on this atv was jumpy at all speeds except at a stop or slow roll.
reminds me of clutchless clutches in the honda s-2000,
and wow you hate or like somthing before you experience that ( sounds alot like bad people throu out history ) we arent in middle school anymore ( throws away trapperkeeper)
It's possible it may not be working right I don't know. I had a rincon for several years and the transmission I'm sure is different. With that said it (rincon) worked perfect and super fast and smooth. It switched gears as smooth as butter up or down under full throttle or not. So I guess I'm saying Honda could make one smooth and I enjoyed it on the 4 wheeler, however on a street bike I would not want it.
[image: View Post]Knife, on Aug 10 2008, 10:59 AM, said:
For example, I never could understand someone having a Vette with an automatic tranny. JMO. :)
:+1:
Every time I see a sweet car, the first thing I look for is a stick shift. If it has an auto, I walk away in disgust.
I'm fine with most of the world not knowing how to drive (read: using automatic trannies), but autos should be optional, and real trannies should be standard equip.
[image: View Post]Chev, on Aug 11 2008, 07:10 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Knife, on Aug 10 2008, 10:59 AM, said:
For example, I never could understand someone having a Vette with an automatic tranny. JMO. :)
:+1:
Every time I see a sweet car, the first thing I look for is a stick shift. If it has an auto, I walk away in disgust.
I'm fine with most of the world not knowing how to drive (read: using automatic trannies), but autos should be optional, and real trannies should be standard equip.
Here, here. Back when I was shopping for my truck, I was miffed to find out that the fullsize extended cab Silverado is not available at all with a manual tranny, not even by special order! Only the work truck bare-bones package has the option... :dry:
[image: View Post]Chev, on Aug 11 2008, 09:10 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Knife, on Aug 10 2008, 10:59 AM, said:
For example, I never could understand someone having a Vette with an automatic tranny. JMO. :)
:+1:
Every time I see a sweet car, the first thing I look for is a stick shift. If it has an auto, I walk away in disgust.
I'm fine with most of the world not knowing how to drive (read: using automatic trannies), but autos should be optional, and real trannies should be standard equip.
Bah! You know not the joys of my ZF 6HP26 6-speed auto in my Ford Falcon XR6 turbo. This gearbox is amazing: you can't feel gearchanges when cruising, it shifts amazingly fast and its intelligence level regarding your driving habits beggars belief (holding gears when it detects cornering, downshifting when braking heavily, etc). It also lays down much faster quarter mile times and will take a shiteload more torque than the manual boxes will. Such strength is handy when you reprogram the Ford Blackwood ECU to allow more boost from the turbo. Heh heh heh....
[image: View Post]Chev, on Aug 11 2008, 07:10 AM, said:
I'm fine with most of the world not knowing how to drive (read: using automatic trannies), but autos should be optional, and real trannies should be standard equip.
Electric starters should be optional too, with real hand cranks as the standard equipment. Although I'm perfectly fine with the most of the world not knowing how to start a car.
[image: View Post]CitizenOfDreams, on Aug 11 2008, 09:45 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Chev, on Aug 11 2008, 07:10 AM, said:
I'm fine with most of the world not knowing how to drive (read: using automatic trannies), but autos should be optional, and real trannies should be standard equip.
Electric starters should be optional too, with real hand cranks as the standard equipment. Although I'm perfectly fine with the most of the world not knowing how to start a car.
Minor technicalities... how about letting automakers save money on turn signals... that way half the people driving automatics can use one foot on the gas, one knee on the wheel, and one hand holding their cell phone can stick their free hand out the power window to signal their turn... :rolleyes:
On the other hand, automoblie paddle shifters have come a long way - VW for example, has a unit that works well in the Audi TT and now in the GTI.
DSG..VW/Audi Use a Dual Sequential Gearbox..Basically it engages the next gear when you pull the paddle. When you release for the next gear its already in the gear and engages, it splits the gear set on two input shafts instead of one. The shifts are seemless. It works extremely well...BMW SMG on the other had..holy crap is it a pile of junk, hence BMW is adapting the DSG design and quetly killing the SMG :biggrin:
I think electric shift might be cool! You could always move the shifter to the foot doesnt' Have to be push buttons on the bar.
I guess my opinion on this is undergoing a, umm...shift :rolleyes: I can barely tolerate an automatic, in anything, ever. My cars don't have them.
However, since Frodus and I started building his electric motorcycle I've come to realize that an electric motor often only needs a single speed (some AC induction motors can safely spin to 20,000 rpm). The bike Frodus built has no clutch lever and no shifter. The first few times I rode it, I kept finding myself toeing for something that wasn't there and realizing I just needed to grab more "throttle" (on a bike it's really a potentiometer). Obviously I had to adjust my thinking, but if it isn't needed it isn't needed. And I do hope that electric bikes become viable in the marketplace.
On the other hand, I agree that an automatic on a gas bike is a different and unnecessary evil. Not gon' do it.
End of thread · 27 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011
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