[Dusty Roads]

How about trying a automatic model with a performance and economy mode button along with cabless throttle(fly-by-wire).

 

[Banks C]

Not being very technical and certainly not a mechanic; can someone explain the advantage of "fly-by-wire" on a bike like a vstrom? Maybe I am not a good enough rider, but would steering response and throttle response be that much better to offset the additional cost, complexity and repair frequency over the tried, true, already capitalized expense,durability and availability of the current throttle design set-up.

I am not trying to start a flame war; I am just trying to understand.

 

[SCraig]

How about trying a automatic model ...

An automatic??? Seriously??

 

[DrPaul47]

SCraig, I have a painfull injury to left thumb joint and arthritis is setting in with a vengance. I was looking at a FJR but they were having some serious problems with the spider wire connectors and what with my Buell leaving me stranded alongside the road 3 times I was seeking dependabilty along with an easier clutch pull. My wife has a Wee and I could manage the clutch for an hour or two of back road riding, but I do need the little device that reduces the clutch pull. If my hand continues to get worse I will be stuck getting an automatic, as much as I do not want one, but it will be a requirement just to continue to ride which I love. So yes there are some of us that one day might need an automatic or at least a very very very light clutch pull. As a side note when I was in the Navy, using vehicles paid for with your hard earned taxpayeers dollars, I learned how to up and down shift without using the clutch, so often when the pain is to much on back roads I use the clutchless method on my Wee.

 

[nhbubba]

I disagree with the notion that an automatic with an 'economy mode' can get better mileage than a smart rider/driver can with a manual. I believe this is true with cages too.

A smartly programmed auto may test better than a careless manual driver on the EPA loop. But we all know the EPA test is not indicative of real life, right? I know I for one consistently beat the EPA guestimates by a healthy margin with my MT equipped vehicles.


As for drive-by-wire. The idea is that the ECU can set the throttle position better than you can. In a car, it sometimes simplifies the pedal to throttle body connection (no cables to run, etc, just wires). Also it enables implementation of technology like traction and stability control which cut power when wheel slip is detected. IE the driver can stand on the accelerator in the snow, but the wheels don't slip because the ECU only gives ~10% throttle. Effectively the driver is ignored because the ECU knows better.

I see drive-by-wire as inevitable. I have it on my cage and find it unobtrusive.
Traction control is probably inevitable too. I only hope to retain the option to disable it.

Automatics I'll fight with every motorcycle purchase I ever make though. No thanks. (Actually, every motor vehicle purchase; I won't buy a cage with an auto either!)

Sorry to hear about the arthritis there OP. Unfortunately I'm not with you on the interest in the auto-tragic trans option. DIY shifting is a big part of the appeal of motorcycling.

I expect an automatic motorcycle would flop, just as it has every other time it has been offered. Motorcycle buyers are not your typical, get me from A-to-B appliance shoppers.

 

[SCraig]

SCraig, I have a painfull injury to left thumb joint and arthritis is setting in with a vengance. I was looking at a FJR but they were having some serious problems with the spider wire connectors and what with my Buell leaving me stranded alongside the road 3 times I was seeking dependabilty along with an easier clutch pull. My wife has a Wee and I could manage the clutch for an hour or two of back road riding, but I do need the little device that reduces the clutch pull. If my hand continues to get worse I will be stuck getting an automatic, as much as I do not want one, but it will be a requirement just to continue to ride which I love. So yes there are some of us that one day might need an automatic or at least a very very very light clutch pull. As a side note when I was in the Navy, using vehicles paid for with your hard earned taxpayeers dollars, I learned how to up and down shift without using the clutch, so often when the pain is to much on back roads I use the clutchless method on my Wee.

There's a big difference between an automatic CLUTCH and an automatic GEARBOX. The FJR/AE has an automatic clutch with a shift tab on the handlebars, but it's still effectively a manual transmission because the rider decides when to shift.

Sorry to hear about your hands. I know the feeling all too well.

 

[TrophyHunter]

Rekluse Products

I bought a WR450 that had a Rekluse on it. Worked great. Call 'em and see if they have one for the Strom or one that could be adapted.

They've been receptive to inquiries in the past. Worth a few minutes on the phone.....?

 

[Jstrom]

Awesome!

#1 on the autoclutch! I've installed them on a couple of bikes and they work great. Check out their website for applications. They make the clutches for a wide range of bikes both street and dirt.