William
If you ain’t first, you’re last...
Lifetime Member
I think it would be hard to make it truly manual. Say if you were riding in manual in 5th gear and slowed all the way down and didn't down shift. Then swapped it to auto, that would cause all kinds of problems for the transmission. Imagine the bike trying to shift from 5th to first due to not being operated correctly. I shut mine off in 3rd all the time not paying attention. When I crank up I just downshift to second and go. I think I would rather it down shift automatically on an auto trans. And manual on a manual with no auto option.
William
If you ain’t first, you’re last...
Lifetime Member
Now if they made it to where it would make you shift to neutral in that case for it to go to auto, maybe... would probably be a programming nightmare!
To be honest so far I've only driven it around my yard and it is currently in the back of my old 1960 Dodge 1 ton Step-side Dually (9 ft. bed). I plan to take to my sister's place in the mountains and leave it there for her to use (except when I'm there). Maybe I'll end up liking it the way it is.
Rich
Last edited:
I work at a dealership, and the first '17 I drove around, I immediately liked it better than the previous model.
And not just the new auto./manual, but also the gearing in first and reverse.
And not just the new auto./manual, but also the gearing in first and reverse.
Manual mode on my machine works well. It will downshift on its own but it at a very low speed.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I unload it up in the mountains. First ride...I'll try to remember to take a few pictures out in the woods.
rocmar
Where Eagles & Angels....Dare to Fly...
Lifetime Member
Got the original p5...2015
paddle shifters...was one of the
selling features. .auto is just something
else..to break..shifting is it.....
paddle shifters...was one of the
selling features. .auto is just something
else..to break..shifting is it.....
I would agree that as mechanical complexity increases the possibility of failure increases.
In the case of the auto shifting feature, IMO this should have no impact on transmission mechanical reliability and I would argue that if implemented correctly, optimal program control over motor revs, ignition and electric shift timing could prove to increase overall transmission reliability. I believe that Honda has enough experience at this to get it right.
rocmar
Where Eagles & Angels....Dare to Fly...
Lifetime Member
OK, I put almost 40 miles on the machine over the last 3 days. The first day I pretty much used manual mode all the time because I'm stubborn.
Drove about 30 miles that day. Found out pretty quick that lugging this motor is the way to a smooth ride since the muffler shield vibrates and the motor isn't a high rpm design but is a torque monster.
I was also commuting from my sister's cabin to mine each day about 4 miles each way due to a project I was doing. Tried the auto mode and found that if you're just driving roads, auto is good. It works for trails too, but sometimes you really don't want an upshift to happen.
So my opinion is still I wish manual was truly manual, but it's a well thought out design and for the most part it's good.
Rich
Drove about 30 miles that day. Found out pretty quick that lugging this motor is the way to a smooth ride since the muffler shield vibrates and the motor isn't a high rpm design but is a torque monster.
I was also commuting from my sister's cabin to mine each day about 4 miles each way due to a project I was doing. Tried the auto mode and found that if you're just driving roads, auto is good. It works for trails too, but sometimes you really don't want an upshift to happen.
So my opinion is still I wish manual was truly manual, but it's a well thought out design and for the most part it's good.
Rich
I agree auto works well on open roads and manual for rough roads or trails.
W
I have 10 more years on the clock than you and the auto mode is much appreciated. On the technical trails I always switch to manual.
This buggy is fantastic for picking a gear you want and then just relax and watch the world go by. The shift nanny may wake you up if you go too slow.
S
Shive
Guest
I've had mine 2 months now and I don't use auto any more. There's just too much downshifting for me, but it is better in manual mode. Personally, I don't think it should down shift to 1st ever.
I'm 66 and I don't use auto mode. To me there is just too much shifting going on that's unnecessary. Especially going into 1st gear every time. The down shifting in manual mode isn't too bad
Hmmm. I'm 66 and don't use auto mode. I think there is too much shifting that's unnecessary. In manual mode it shifts down less often and doesn't shift to 1st. I think 1st gear should be manual only.
I'm 66 and I don't use auto mode. To me there is just too much shifting going on that's unnecessary. Especially going into 1st gear every time. The down shifting in manual mode isn't too bad
Hmmm. I'm 66 and don't use auto mode. I think there is too much shifting that's unnecessary. In manual mode it shifts down less often and doesn't shift to 1st. I think 1st gear should be manual only.
C
tomcj2
I forgot the ditch was so close
Lifetime Member
I tend to use automatic. When in Manual Mode it downshifts automatically anyway. In automatic I can downshift it anytime I want rather than waiting for it.
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