Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, and cater to a wide range of riders with varying tastes and preferences. While most performance-oriented motorcycles come equipped with the good old manual transmission, there are quite a few top-shelf machines equipped with much easier to use automatic transmissions. While the type of automatic transmission may vary depending on the model, what they have in common is that you no longer need to actuate a clutch lever in order to change gears.
Given the added convenience and comfort of an automatic transmission motorcycle, these bikes are often designed for long-distance riding, and offer a whole host of creature comforts as part of the package. That being said, here’s our rundown of the top 5 premium automatic transmission motorcycles.
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT
We start our list with one of the most versatile and capable motorcycles in Honda’s stable—the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Available in two variants, a six-speed manual, and a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) variant, the latter appeals to those who want to get just a tad more comfort and convenience out of their ride while retaining the bike’s go anywhere capabilities.
The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is a full-fledged adventurer. As such, it comes with a whole host of adventure-ready bells and whistles such as long travel suspension, adequate wind protection, and dual-sport tires. Powering this high-capacity adventurer is a 999cc parallel-twin engine rated for a healthy 94 horsepower, making this bike a comfortable highway tourer, and a capable off-road machine. The DCT variant of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports comes with a sticker price of P950,000.
BMW C 400 GT
For those who prefer a more laid back and relaxed ride, BMW offers its entry-level maxi-scooter in the form of the C 400 GT. This versatile scooter comes equipped with lots of premium features and creature comforts designed to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. BMW has outfitted the C 400 GT with a large windscreen to offer maximum wind protection. To make for a comfortable journey, the scooter gets an ergonomically designed saddle designed to provide maximum support. For added safety, LED lights come standard with this scooter. Lastly, a USB charging port and smartphone connectivity are also available for the rider’s convenience.
At the heart of the BMW C 400 GT is 350cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. Rated at a healthy 34 horsepower and 35 Nm of torque, this scooter is ready to go the distance in ease and comfort thanks to its smooth, stepless Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which gives the bike a very linear and compliant powerband. The BMW C 400 GT is available with a sticker price of P595,000.
Honda Gold Wing
When it comes to long-distance tourers, few motorcycles are as well-known and iconic as the Honda Gold Wing. Starting out as a cruiser back in the 80s, the Gold Wing has evolved into one of the most luxurious and sophisticated production motorcycles the world has ever seen. The current generation Gold Wing sets the standard for modern touring bikes thanks to its impressive performance and chart-topping features. It gets a host of fancy creature comforts including a built-in stereo sound system, cruise control, multiple USB charging ports, a massive seven-inch full-color TFT display, and even a front airbag in the event of a collision.
The Honda Gold Wing is equipped with a massive 1,833cc liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed, six-cylinder engine which pumps out a docile 125 horsepower and 170 Nm of torque. It gets a very compliant and easy-to-use six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which makes for riding for hours on end an enjoyable, effortless experience. The Honda Gold Wing comes with a rather premium price tag of P1,880,000.
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS
For many motorcycle enthusiasts, owning an MV Agusta is the ultimate dream. With a wide array of motorcycles in its stable, all of MV Agusta’s offerings boil down to one common denominator: Motorcycle Art. The iconic Italian manufacturer’s interpretation of the ideal sport-tourer can be found in the form of the Turismo Veloce Lusso. With its unmistakable styling and neck-breaking performance, the Turismo Veloce Lusso is offered in SCS trim. MV Agusta’s Smart Clutch System (SCS), has been developed in partnership with Rekluse, a company specializing in performance clutch systems. This high-tech clutch system mated to MV Agusta’s sophisticated electronics eliminates the need for the rider to actuate the clutch lever.
Unlike the other bikes on this list, the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS features a semi-automatic transmission, meaning the rider will still need to shift gears via the six-speed gearbox, but without the need to make use of a clutch lever. That said, the Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS offers an exhilarating middleground which is equally involving, but a lot easier to use. It gets MV Agusta’s famed 798cc inline-triple which pumps out 110 horsepower. This bike is by far the most performance-oriented bikes in this list, and retails for P1,350,000.
Yamaha TMAX
The last contender in our list of the best automatic transmission motorcycles comes to us from one of the world’s most popular motorcycle manufacturers, Yamaha. The Yamaha TMAX has become one of the most sought after maxi-scooters in the entire world, thanks to its impressive features, excellent performance, and rich aftermarket filled to the brim with accessories and upgrades. The Yamaha TMAX boasts extremely comfortable ergonomics thanks to its plush saddle, upright seating position, and elevated handlebars. Long-distance rides on the highway are a cinch, thanks to the bike’s adjustable windscreen and wide bodywork which provide ample wind protection.
The Yamaha TMAX gets a 530cc twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC engine which produces a healthy 46 hp and 52 Nm of torque. This mill is then paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provides a smooth and compliant power delivery. The Yamaha TMAX comes with a sticker price of P649,000.
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