Why all the auto trans? It seems that just about every new machine that comes out has an auto trans. Why? Do the manufacters think we can't shift gears. There are people out there that don't like autos. We ought to have a choice.

 

Because the market is growing to include so many people who have never ridden anything - they buy autos because you can jump on one today and handle them safely. You don't have to know anything to ride an auto quad, it is like a car. Put it into Drive, push gas. There is the brakes, ok you are ready to go. Time for a couple hour ride to get used to it.

Autos sell because the market for newcoming ATVers is huge, and they buy autos. Some people do, in fact, prefer them... very very easy to trail ride - climb with, ride slowly, through harsh conditions, etc ...

I understand your situation, as I feel the same way. But the manufacturers make what will sell...

 

Your right about the marketing Thomez. But a lot of these auto machines sure aren't for beginners (V-Force Grizz Prarie and clones) It just seems to me before long all the machines are gonna be autos.

 

I think if you had never ridden anything before you could still jump on those bikes safely. You would just have to know your own limits a little. It requires no skill to be easy with the thumb but shifting/downshifting/clutching can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing aka flipping on an uphill if you downshift improperly, etc.. I'd feel safe putting my mom on a Vforce. She can jump in a P650 and do fine because she has a light thumb. Just saying, the learning curve for an auto is a half hour max. I'm still learning more all the time about riding my Wolv and especially about riding the newly acquired Cannondale, which is a whole new world to me coming from the Wolv.

 

There are a lot of people out there that enjoy leisure riding. We are not all speed freaks. Some of us have ridden motorcycles many years, and yes we know how to shift. We like utility models because we can pack fishing or hunting gear on them, or just pack a lunch and take our wifes or girl friends out for a enjoyable ride. We don't have to go 70 mph to have fun. If I wanted something fast and wanted to shift all the time, I would buy a crotch rocket. I'm glad that we have so many choices, this way everyone can enjoy the sport. Have a good ride.
NUBBIN

 

It's not a speed issue with me about the autos. There are autos that are faster than my machine. To me I don't like the feel of the autos, in an ATV or in off road pickups or jeeps. I know a lot of people do. I just wish we had a choice.
PS Nubbin if ya go back thru the threads you'll find one about what ya carry when riding you'll see I carry every thing but the sink.

 

Autos are great for cruising and for my grandpa. They just aren't for me. CHOICE is the key word, and right now in that market we have little.

 

i too wish we had more of a choice, i prefer a manual myself, i enjoy shifting, and on long trail rides, manuals usually prove to have better fuel economy

 

Yes, as ATV riders, we deserve choice!

I, personally, hate automatics.

The Warrior is my first quad with a clutch, and I personally love having a clutch. It's actually alot funner than riding semi-auto. I like having to kinda do some kinda work instead or up up down down. And then an auto is so easy it aint even funny. oh well....If we had choice..they would make more money.

 

when i first started driving cars, an auto was a big expence to a new car. i always had sticks. my driving test was in a stick. then automatic tranny's became standard on cars, and a stick costs more to get. the funny thing is, i own all automatic tranny's in my trucks and cars. the same with atv's. i love shifting a quad, and have driven motorcycles for over 20 years. i bought an automatic atv now due to its ease. i still race it, jump, and all the other stuff it allows me to do, but with a little less effort than before.
i am willing to bet that in the next 10 years, atv's wwill almost all be auto's, just like cars. the manuals will soly be on the true sport atv's, just like cars.