Automatic Motorcycle... Aprilia Mana 850
 

2009 Aprilia Mana 850: MD First Ride

I don't think this one will be too popular with the purists.

Interesting look, not a bad price tag coming in under $9,000.00. MotorWeek had a test drive of this "thing" the other day.

I ride with several guys who are now older in age and have had all the riding experience imaginable...they've talked about going automatic for their longer rides so there's definitely a market for it. For now, i absolutely prefer my manual 6 :D

Interesting, in the "Naked Bike" look...I am surprised other mfg'ers haven't tried more
of that "auto trans" in entry level bikes, for learners. Some "auto" sleds have come
around on the JukeBox but with very limited acceptance and low sales.

I don't feel the need for giving up the shifting aspect, yet.

chilliwilli: I don't understand why that group of riders you ref'd would be after
autos for "longer rides", as most scoots seldom need a downshift on the highways;
long, 500+ miles days on our sleds wear us all out, but shifting isn't the troublesome
part, imo, and actually helps keep one alert.
GL,mD

That's where I saw it (Motorweek).

i'ld be more interested in one with a more powerful engine, but I have a feeling that more HP and a CVT transmission don't mix well.

True, pending where one travels, i guess. In our case, we ride from NYC to either CT, MA, Hamptons or Atlantic City. If it's a smaller group, we prefer to ride to our destination late at night, much less traffic. When it's a larger group, we prefer to ride daytime...stop-go traffic is guaranteed, in particular anywhere north/east of NYC.
One fella admitted that he's just lazy and i recall another mentioning something about liking the ability to downshift manually. Another gent says his CEO has been on his case to swap the street bike for a hog...he looked at several and was considering a Ducati but seems intrigued with the Mana :dunno:

Is the Mana the only automatic? or do other mfg's make them too?

For a naked bike - as far as I know is the Mana but, Honda makes the DN-01 which is automatic (cruiser bike) 2009 Honda DN-01 Review - Motorcycle.com

Ridley, Qlink Legacy, Honda DN-01, Yamaha FJR1300AE (comp controlled clutch)...

Pretty looking naked bike IMO. Better looking than the ugly (to me) Honda DN-01, much more affordable and more powerful. If I was going automatic I would look at this one or the Yamaha FJR but I am not willing to give up shifting for right now, I feel like I have more control on the bike.