Motorcycles with automatic transmission list of models

The advent of automatic motorcycles, like cars, divided drivers into two armies. Fans of comfort choose an automatic because they no longer need to control the operation of the gearbox, while fans of drive argue that only a manual allows you to feel full control over the power and maneuverability of the bike. The first experience in using an automatic transmission belongs to Honda. The CB750 Automatic, released in 1975, failed in sales due to flaws in the transmission design, but it gave an understanding of what to strive for in order to win over buyers. You can view current offers for automatic motorcycles on our website in the online auctions section.

Advantages of motorcycles with automatic transmission

Modern automatic machines operate softly and smoothly, timely adjusting to the ratio of speed and load on the engine. This allowed the motorcycle market to show people all the advantages of automatic transmission:

Ride comfort. The pilot doesn't have to watch upshifts and downshifts, listen to the revs, or monitor the tachometer;
Safety. Due to the absence of the need to be distracted by squeezing the clutch, the pilot can better concentrate directly on controlling the bike and assessing the road situation;
The engine of motorcycles with an automatic transmission is subject to less stress and its operation is better balanced. Accordingly, this increases its resource.

There are not many disadvantages to automatic transmissions. They consist of greater weight of the entire structure, complexity and high cost of maintenance, as well as increased gasoline consumption. And you’ll have to forget about sharp, disruptive acceleration. That's why so many bikers still prefer a manual transmission.

Reviews about the pros and cons of motorcycles with automatic transmission

The main and undeniable advantage of such bikes is comfort and ease of operation. Here, even powerful 600 cc engines can operate in a gentle mode, while keeping up with the acceleration time of the mechanics.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting higher gas consumption and design complexity. Most motorcycles in Moscow are still equipped with a classic gearbox, which means that parts for it are much easier to find. Therefore, when choosing an automatic machine, pay special attention to the characteristics and condition of the bike.

An excellent solution is to make a purchase at a Japanese motorcycle auction. Here you can find both the above-mentioned “Asians” and famous “Europeans”, such as BMW, Aprilia, Ducati. The best part is that all the equipment has no mileage in the Russian Federation, and before purchasing you can read the technical report. And you don’t have to think about how to clear a motorcycle through customs. Synergosmoto will take care of paperwork and delivery of the purchase to your home.

Who is a bike with automatic transmission suitable for?

The list of automatic motorcycles is quite extensive. It includes equipment of completely different classes. But there are several points that unite them all:

The automatic is ideal for traveling on good, smooth roads. If you are a fan of “dalnyaks”, you will definitely like this ride;
With automatic transmission it is very convenient to drive in the city, with its numerous intersections, traffic lights, and crossings. Pizza delivery people, couriers and just people who prefer to ride in “human anthills” are increasingly choosing such a box;
Typically, motorbikes with automatic transmissions are not purchased by poor people (because the unit itself costs much more), who do not care if they are very gluttonous regarding fuel);
But if you are a lover of off-road driving, difficult transport conditions, or a resident of mountainous areas, you’d better take a closer look at a manual transmission. With it you will have better control of your bike while riding in the mud.

The opinion that motorcycles with an automatic transmission are chosen by women or lazy people who do not want to master the “subtleties” of manual control is fundamentally wrong. This is the same as calling a person lazy who prefers to live in a city apartment rather than in a forest hut. The concept of comfort is different for every motorcyclist, and arguing about a manual or an automatic is a pointless exercise.

List of touring models of motorbikes with automatic transmission

When it comes to automatic transmissions, touring motorcycles are the first to come to mind. They provide pilot comfort on long journeys by reducing concentration on the controls. The most successful bikes are considered to be Honda:

— Honda DN-01 combines enormous power, aggressive, shark-like design, excellent wind protection and cruiser ergonomics. The model began to be put on sale in 2008, but due to low demand it ended its existence in 2010. Here are some key features of this bike:

The engine is V-shaped, from the XL700V Transalp tourenduro. Injection injection and a power of 71 hp allow this engine to pull well even at low levels, and even more so to work well with an automatic transmission;
Liquid cooling prevents the bike from overheating even in hot countries where the air temperature reaches +40;
The continuously variable automatic transmission of this “Shark” is distinguished by the ability to change gears manually, which can be a great help on a bad road;
Despite the abundance of plastic, the bike was not equipped with a sufficient number of panniers and luggage racks. This made it not very suitable for tourism, despite the fact that the manufacturer positioned it as a tourist one;
Heavy weight, a rather uncomfortable fit, gluttony and a very high price - these are the main disadvantages of this “tourist”. It was because of them that the model was discontinued two years later.

— Honda VFR 1200FD belongs to both sports and touring bikes. Such motorcycles with an automatic transmission are called sports tourists. The ratio of weight, power, fit, and wind protection make such models truly universal. “Vyfer” is characterized by the following features:

The volume of the four-cylinder, V-shaped engine is 1237 cubic centimeters, and it produces power up to 179 hp;
Its cylinders are located at an uncharacteristic angle of 76 degrees, and are not directly opposite each other, but offset to the sides. This made it possible to completely get rid of vibrations without complicating the motor with a balancing shaft;
An aluminum frame, the ability to adjust the suspension to suit different road conditions and the load of luggage on the bike, excellent brakes, the ability to hang panniers and, most importantly, a cardan, make the “Vyfer” an excellent tourist.

— Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is a tourenduro, or enduro-tourer. It blew up the motorcycle community in 2014, becoming a great competitor to the Ducati Multistrada and the famous BMW “Goose”. High ground clearance and soft suspension give it the ability, unlike previous road versions, to easily overcome dirt, gravel and sand. Here are the main features of this bike:

The all-new 998cc inline-twin engine produces 95 horsepower;
A steel frame, adjustable suspension, the presence of ABS, sophisticated electronic engine control, good brakes and the ability to hang it all with panniers makes Africa an ideal “tourist”;
There is also a version with a manual transmission, for those whose travels take place where there are practically no roads.

— Honda NC 700 SD and Honda NC 750 XD. These are very similar motorcycles, differing in the areas of operation, essentially a road and touring version. These bikes also have their own characteristics:

The engines are assembled on the basis of automobile ones, from Honda Jazz;
Some design features made it possible to achieve unprecedented efficiency for such a cubic capacity - only 3.5 liters per 100 km!
The comfortable fit and adjustable suspension make both of these versions versatile;
The automatic transmission is also adjustable depending on the driving style.

— Honda NM4 02 Vultus attracts the attention of everyone who catches its eye. Its futuristic design is reminiscent of technology from science fiction films. In some ways it resembles the outdated DN-01, but has better ergonomics and travel readiness. Key features of this moto:

Its design is created in the best traditions of Japanese Anime;
The engine and gearbox are completely identical to the NC 700 or 750;
The pendants are simple, non-adjustable;
The drive is a chain, which is not always convenient for long journeys.

— Yamaha FJR 1300AS is a huge, cruise liner-like sports tourer. It was originally created for the foreign market, for long-distance travel in Europe, America and Asia. Here are the key nuances that make it unique:

The engine has four cylinders and produces 146 hp. with a volume of 1298 cubic centimeters;
Fuel consumption for such a cubic capacity is low - only 6.2 liters per 100 km, which allows you to travel on it quite economically;
The presence of a cardan attracts those who do not like to stop every 500 km to service the drive chain.

The best time to buy motorcycles is in January

Analysts have studied the dynamics of prices for motorcycles and their supply in 2021. As follows from the analysis, the crisis in the car market did not affect the motorcycle market. Although he had an influence on him. It turned out that since the beginning of the year, prices for new models have fallen by 14%, and for used ones they have increased by 15%.

The best month for selling a new motorcycle this year was February, when the price reached its maximum - more than 1.2 million rubles. True, in 2022, motorcycles were sold most expensively in September - on average for 1.1 million rubles.

The average cost of a new motorcycle in 2022 is 1.1 million rubles, which is 18% more than in 2020. The highest prices this year were in January and February: since December 2022, the average cost has increased by 7%.

Starting in March of this year, new motorcycles began to fall in price every month, and in October the cost decreased by 16% compared to the beginning of the year.

The number of advertisements on Avto.ru has grown every month this year. At the same time, the maximum increase compared to last month was in February - there were 17% more offers than in January. And the most fruitful month for buyers was October, when just over 2.5 thousand new models were put up for sale - this is 9% more than in September. A year ago, the number of advertisements was 32% less.

The most profitable time in 2022 to sell used motorcycles is autumn. In the summer, the average cost was 424 thousand rubles, and for the first 2 autumn months - already 444 thousand.

In 2022, motorcyclists began to sell used models less frequently compared to last year - the number of advertisements decreased by 24%

In 2020, a used motorcycle model could be bought for an average of 349 thousand rubles, and a year later the cost increased by 12% and already amounted to 380 thousand rubles. Like last year, January retained its status as the most profitable month for buying used cars, as motorcycles have become more expensive since February. Since the beginning of the year, the cost of a used model has increased by 16%.

In 2022, motorcyclists became less likely to sell used models compared to last year—the number of advertisements decreased by 24%. Perhaps due to fears that they will not be able to renew their fleet next year due to rising costs.

It is still too early to sum up the year in terms of the number of motorcycles sold. Typically, such information appears in January. But it’s worth recalling what was popular in 2022. According to the Autostat agency, the sales leader was the domestic brand Racer. 2354 of them were sold. Which is 46% more than in 2019. BMW motorcycles came in second place. Their sales decreased by 2 percent compared to 2022 and amounted to 2,217 units. Third place went to motorcycles from the Indian brand Bajaj. Their sales increased by almost a third (31%) and amounted to 1,898 units sold.

A total of 16.4 thousand new motorcycles were sold. This is a quarter more than in 2022.

The best maxi scooters with automatic or CVT

Japanese companies produce not only automatic motorcycles, but also maxi-scooters. Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and other manufacturers have created several unique models that are in no way inferior to full-fledged “tourists”:

— Honda Silverwing 600. This maxi-scooter with the romantic name “Silver Wing” offers comfort comparable to a car. It's packed full of electronics, has heated grips and seats, excellent wind protection and spacious trunks. Here's what characterizes this two-wheeler:

Two small wheels, identical in size;
The two-cylinder engine is equipped with a balancing shaft, which means there are no vibrations;
Comfortable sofa seats with adjustable backrests for both pilot and passenger make this bike extremely comfortable for long trips;
The chopper-style seating position, with legs extended forward, is also very comfortable for long-distance travel;
There is no need to hang panniers on it - there is a huge 50-liter trunk under the seat;
This spendthrift is the king of city traffic. For a 600cc vehicle it is very light and maneuverable.

— Suzuki Skywave 650 and Suzuki Skywave 400 (Burgman). These two variations of the same model can be safely considered real sofas on wheels. They are considered business class scooters that have radically changed the idea of motorcycle travel. Several nuances make it unique:

The engine is located under the rider, rather than near the rear wheel as on most scooters;
The engine is two-cylinder, liquid-cooled;
Power is 55 and 33 hp, and maximum speed is 190 km/h for the 650, and 150 km/h for the 400, respectively;
Both of these models were developed as touring cruisers, whose task is to provide maximum comfort during long drives on the highway.

— Yamaha T-Max 500 and Yamaha T-Max 530 are radically different from previous models. If Silverwing and Burgman fully correspond to all ideas about maxi-scooters (impressive riding on the highway, measured movement in traffic), then the T-Max seems like an explosive rocket against their background. Here are its key features:

A sharp, “evil” motor, capable of instantly accelerating;
Power 48 horsepower;
Maximum speed 180 km/h;
Sports suspension and excellent handling;
Excellent wind and dirt protection, allowing you to get to work clean even in bad weather.

— Yamaha N-MAX 155 is a wonderful maxi-scooter designed for the chaos of Asian cities. In his incomprehensible movement, he feels like a fish in water. Having studied its features, it becomes clear why this is one of the most popular models:

Lightweight and maneuverable. It handles more like a bicycle or moped than a full-size heavy motorcycle with an automatic transmission;
Large trunk under the seat, allowing you to put everything you need for city driving into it;
The engine volume of 155 cubic meters is more than enough for comfortable movement in traffic;
Good dynamics and brakes with ABS make it easy to shoot between cars in traffic jams.

How are motorcycles sold in Russia given the decline in the automobile market?

The Russian automobile market, even taking into account the recession, remains the third largest in Europe. How are motorcycles sold in Russia?

Against the backdrop of the automobile market, the results of motorcycle sales need to be examined under a microscope: over the past year, only about 12 thousand units of two-wheeled (or three-wheeled) vehicles were sold in Russia. Almost 250 times less compared to cars! In the USA, 40 times more motorcycles and scooters are sold annually, and in Italy, for example, 15 times more.

But if the Russian car market has experienced both ups and downs over all the years of its existence from the beginning of perestroika to the present day, then sales of such equipment are only growing in our country. The first official importer of two-wheeled foreign cars in Russia was the Panavto company - in 1992 it began selling Yamaha motorcycles. Four years later, in 1996, BMW motorcycles began to be sold “in white,” and now almost all of the world’s motorcycle manufacturers are officially represented in Russia. Some brands, for example Triumph and Ducati, are still represented by small private companies. If Yamaha has more than 120 showrooms in Russia, then BMW motorcycles are sold by only 16 dealers in 8 cities of Russia, and Ducati motorcycles can also be bought only in 8 cities.

Unfortunately, accurate data on motorcycle sales is extremely difficult to obtain. Even information from the traffic police does not always help: not all motorcycles are registered, especially sports ones. But we managed to get a complete picture, which took into account the sales of all equipment that falls under the Russian definition of a motorcycle, that is, with engines with a displacement of over 50 cm3. And these are not only road motorcycles, but also scooters and off-road two-wheeled vehicles.

Yamaha has been and remains the sales leader in Russia: about 4,000 motorcycles were sold in 2013. True, more than half of them are entry-level YBR125 motorcycles priced at less than 90,000 rubles. The second place is confidently taken by Kawasaki - about 2000 motorcycles, of which more than 800 were small-capacity devices with engines of less than 300 cm3. In third position is BMW: 1,725 units. Since all BMW two-wheeled vehicles are equipped with engines with a displacement of more than 600 cm3, the Bavarians are leaders in sales of large capacity vehicles. The usual price tag for a BMW with two wheels is slightly less than the average price of a car purchased in Russia - about 700 thousand rubles.

Shares of new motorcycle market segments in 2013

Honda is slightly behind the top three: last year it sold 1,540 motorcycles, of which just over a hundred were small-capacity motorcycles. Austrian KTM motorcycles are actively capturing the market: in three years, their sales volume has grown from about 200 to more than 900! The “American legend” is not far behind: if in 2010 about two and a half hundred Harley-Davidson motorcycles were sold in Russia, then in 2013 there were almost 900 of them. Only Suzuki stands out from the optimistic series: for the entire 2013 - less than 250 motorcycles , which was sold four times more in 2009.

Overall, over the past five years, the Russian motorcycle market has more than doubled. And ten years ago, “white” motorcycles were sold almost five times less.

During the first half of this year, the positive dynamics remained, but became more modest: sales growth was 12% compared to the same period last year. The leader in the overall standings is still Yamaha (about 2800 motorcycles), the BMW brand has taken second place (1425 motorcycles, +10%). Sales of Kawasaki dropped from 1,420 to 846 units: deliveries of these motorcycles are carried out through European countries and are strictly “tied” to the euro exchange rate. Honda took the vacated third place: almost a thousand motorcycles sold and, alas, zero growth. And the most passionate brand on the market is KTM: sales of “orange” models increased by 44% (654 motorcycles).

Suzuki is also showing signs of life: 250 motorcycles found buyers, which is 70 more than in the same period last year. True, these are mostly “stale” devices sold at reduced prices.

Motorcycle sales in 2013 as a percentage of annual volume

By the way, the seasonality in motorcycle sales is very pronounced: between March and June, about two-thirds of the motorcycles sold per year are sold. Moreover, due to the specifics of the Russian market, many distributors are in no hurry to import equipment of the new model year in winter. The fact is that the motorcycle VIN number does not contain information about the year of manufacture, and customs officers are guided by a simple rule: all equipment that arrived at the border before March is recorded as “last year.”

Which two-wheeled vehicle is more popular?

About ten years ago, cruisers were the sales leaders in Russia; a little later, the fashion for speed and sportbikes came, but as a result, the Russian motor market came closer to European standards. The bulk of sales—almost a third—are made up of road motorcycles of various calibers. Touring enduros (about 20%) and inexpensive small-capacity equipment are gaining popularity. The share of maxi-scooters is constantly growing - today it is less than 10% of total sales. The popularity of “asphalt” tourist vehicles is not decreasing - their sales remain stable at 15%. But the share of once popular sportbikes now amounts to only about 10% of the total. Sales of all Japanese cruisers do not reach 5%, but Harley-Davidson captured 8% of total motorcycle sales in 2013. In general, the market share of expensive vehicles from BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson and KTM brands is growing faster than that of Japanese companies. In addition, new North American motorcycle manufacturers Indian and Victory have entered the Russian market, whose motorcycle price tags usually surprise with seven-digit numbers.

That is, a motorcycle in Russia is increasingly becoming a luxury item rather than a means of transportation. So the growth of the two-wheeled vehicle market against the backdrop of falling sales of mass-produced cars can also be explained by this, because the so-called premium segment will be the last to be affected by the crisis.

Street KTM 200 Duke A city motorcycle with a classic layout. The engine is often derated to obtain a smoother performance; the presence of a fairing on such a motorcycle is secondary

Sportsbike BMW S1000RR A motorcycle focused primarily on high results on the track. Maximum power availability, precision controllability, the most modern technologies

Touring enduro BMW R1200GS A motorcycle for long journeys, regardless of the quality (and even availability) of roads. Long-travel suspension, larger diameter wheels and a spacious gas tank

Cross, enduro KTM 500 EXC Equipment for off-road sports. Supplied mainly without a title, as it is not intended for use on public roads

Cruiser, custom Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod A classic motorcycle of the American school, the most important component of which is style

Sports tourer Honda VFR1200F/FD Motorcycle for dynamic but comfortable travel with good wind protection in Gran Turismo style

Tourist Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Motorcycle for long runs: maximum wind protection, spacious luggage systems, comfortable heated seats, built-in acoustic system, drive shaft drive

Yamaha TMAX Scooter An urban two-wheeler with an automatic transmission, a distinctive leg opening and ample under-seat storage. Features a high level of wind and dirt protection

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Domestic producers?

The once popular Izh motorcycles have not been produced since the last century. The Irbit plant produces about 1,500 Ural motorcycles a year, and the vast majority are exported: Urals are highly valued in the USA as “vintage” equipment. Kovrovsky ZiD no longer designs motorcycles, but assembles them from Chinese vehicle kits. But new names also appeared. The Kaliningrad company Baltmotors has established large-scale assembly of several motorcycle models and successfully sells them through its own dealer network. The company Velomotors, originally known for its Stels bicycles, went even further: the plant in the Bryansk region produces a lot of two-wheeled vehicles and ATVs through the full production cycle. A second life was breathed into the purchased Zhukovsky bicycle plant; now it is a modern production facility with high-quality equipment. The Minsk Motorcycle Plant also operates in Belarus: its production program today includes one and a half dozen models of motorcycles and scooters. True, here too most of the technology is of Asian origin.

New or used?

Importing both a new and used motorcycle into Russia costs a pretty penny: in addition to the costs of delivery and insurance of equipment, payment for brokerage services and a temporary storage warehouse, the importer pays a customs duty of 20% of the cost of the imported equipment and VAT of 18% of the total amount. As a result, the price tag for a motorcycle in Russia is almost twice as high as in the United States. Individuals importing a motorcycle are in a more favorable position: for them the customs rate is 30%.

Now, excluding unnamed Chinese vehicles, approximately 30 thousand units of used two-wheeled vehicles are imported into Russia annually, that is, the volume of “used” imports is one and a half times higher compared to new motorcycles. But the import of used equipment is stable, and sales of new motorcycles are growing annually by 15-20%, so the situation may soon change.

Reviews from owners of motorcycles with automatic transmission

The Russian motorcycle industry does not produce bikes with automatic transmission, so those who want to ride such equipment have to buy equipment at a Japanese motorcycle auction. If you are afraid to do this in person, use the services of intermediary companies that will check the technical condition, packing, shipping and delivery of the bike directly to your home.

When choosing a motorcycle with an automatic transmission, it is very important to read reviews from real owners, as well as various reviews and test drives. It is necessary to take into account many factors - dynamics, acceleration, size and weight, because they all affect the ride quality.

List of noteworthy motorcycle models with automatic transmission

Although Honda’s first experiment was not successful, since then the company has released several bikes with automatic transmissions, which have not left even mechanical supporters indifferent:

Honda DN-01 - the bike was presented in 2005 at the Tokyo Auto Show and impressed the public with its futuristic design. As for the transmission, it took the company about 20 years to develop it. And the result shows that the time was not wasted. Convenient control, smooth maneuverability and adaptability to the situation are ensured by the implemented automatic, sport and triptronic modes.

Honda VFR 1200FD - this model joins the list of sports touring bikes with the maximum level of comfort even when traveling long distances. Confident control over the equipment is guaranteed not only by a reliable automatic transmission, but also by the applied racing technologies that have proven themselves in the Moto Grand Prix.

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin is a fairly aggressive touring bike with a two-cylinder liter engine at its heart. The transmission offers two operating modes: on- and off-road – for highway and off-road, respectively.

Honda NC 700 SD and NC 750 XD are similar bikes in appearance and character, the first of which is a road model, and the second is a touring enduro. Common to the NC series: a two-cylinder engine developed on the basis of the Honda Jazz engine. Optionally, models are equipped with a dual-clutch transmission for those wishing to use both manual and automatic transmission control.

NC 700 SD

NC 750 XD

Honda NM4 02 is a creation of 2014, the designers of which were inspired by Japanese anime. The driver has a 745 cc engine with 54 horsepower at his disposal. Version 02 is equipped with side cases made of durable plastic.

Honda Silverwing 600 is a high-spirited representative of the maxi-scooter class with a 50 hp engine. and a working volume of 582 cm3.

The listed motorcycles with automatic transmissions are successfully competed by other “Japanese” motorcycles. For example, representatives of ]Yamaha[/anchor]:

Yamaha T-Max 500 is a lightweight scooter both in control and in weight (only 203 kg). The updated Yamaha T-Max 530 boasts, in addition to an increased engine capacity, a stylish instrument panel, a larger rear brake disc, an adjustable windshield and a dynamic, streamlined design. There is everything for a comfortable daily commute to work, avoiding traffic jams.

T-MAX 500

T-MAX 530

Yamaha FJR 1300AS is a victory of electronics over mechanics and any effort. Here, electronics control everything: clutch, speed and even suspension.

Yamaha N-MAX 155 is an excellent scooter for a fun ride around the city. The 150 cc engine produces 12 hp. and consumes only 2.4 liters of fuel per 10 km.

Suzuki also has something to offer automatic transmission fans. For example, the Suzuki Skywave 400 and Suzuki Skywave 650 scooters are compact models with a 400 and 650 cc engine, respectively, known in Europe under the name Burgman. Skywave scooters are also available with a 125 cc engine, which allows you to use them in Russia with an A1 category license.

If you want to try out the legendary Kawasaki Ninja but don't want to bother with a manual transmission, there's also an automatic version available.