What do you know about automatic motorcyles? (ride, bike, SUV)

[MBel]

OK, no griping about "why bother riding if you can't shift?" and "what's the point if you can't go through the gears?", and all that. I'm a female and have neurological problems in my feet and most often can't feel them. Shifting? Fuggetaboutit. I'll bet a lot of war leg amputees would also like to ride automatics (with their prosthetis of course) too. We're OK "upstairs" and our hands work for the rest of the controls.

Hence, a great idea, automatic tranny in a bike of about 500cc or even a little less for us smaller or disabled peops.

for me:
Looked at Honda -- too Ninja/macho looking for just cruising around the countryside. Nice 2 wheels for a guy. Looked at Kymco (listed as a scooter but 500cc) and that's more like the comfort style. Then sat myself on a 3-wheeler Piaggio (also listed at a scooter at 250, 400 or 500cc. Very comfortable. Can see me on the interstate in it. Looked at online video at the double front wheels cornering. Looks stable and safe.

Who knows what? Any ideas for a retired old gal who is tired of driving an SUV or riding a bicycle? Write what you will. Thanks.

[Alter]

Check out Suzuki Burgmans. They offer a 400 and 650. I have a 400 it is is nimble and light but can easily handle freeway speeds plus enough storage for 2 full face helmets (or a few bags of groceries) under the seat. It is the most popular maxi scooter in the US market. Good site to check out is BurgmanUSA Forum and Website for more info.
Honda also has the Silverwing and the DN-01. The DN-01 is a automatic motorcycle, not a step through "scooter" design. Warning: The sticker price is not for the faint of heart though

[driftwoodpoint]

That Piaggio is a nice bike. I looked at one two years ago but it was pretty high for me. At like under 3mph you can hit a switch and the wheels lock so you can be stable on the three wheels but it will fall over like a regular bike when it's not. But I'm sure the three wheels would feel more stable at a stop.
I had a Honda Helix for years, two different ones, it's 250 and the seat was comfortable and I loved that bike. It can go 65 which is really all anyone would ever need. I'm sure you can buy one of those used. They has discontinued the bike for now. Most of my retired group has a Helix.
I just traded that one in for a new 09 Red Silverwing~600. I want to be on the road more and travel some. The Silverwing has more power than I will ever need but bigger tires and less wind resistance which I'm hoping I will see the difference when I ride.
Being a women also I want the ease of no shifting, enough power to get me where I need to go and something that take little or no maintenance. I've never had a problem with any of the Hondas I have owned and this makes four.
Happy hunting!!!

[NYRed]

My g/f has her motorcycle license but was really antsy about looking at traffic and shifting and what gear to be in...We are looking into a Kymco 150 scooter for her...She wants to drive one for a year or two and then is figuring on a Bergman 400...She probably will never want the shifting but likes riding and getting umpteen mile per gallon...The Kymco comes with a two year warrenty also and you can extend it...Something to consider I think...Good luck with whatever you choose...

[tortoise]

$4,499 Bandit GTX-400R (http://www.bandit-motorsports.com/scooters/gtx400-400cc-scooter.html - broken link)
$6,099 Yamaha Majesty 400 . . craigslist
$6,199 Suzuki Burgman 400 (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN400K9 - broken link) . . craigslist
? Linhai Aeolus 400-B EFI
? Jonway GTS500
$6,299 KYMCO Xciting 500Ri (http://www.strmotorsports.com/showroom/scooters/xciting500ri/index.html - broken link) . . craigslist
$6,299* Piaggio BV500 . . craigslist
$6,299* Aprilia Scarabeo 500 (http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/scarabeo/modello.asp?id=103 - broken link) . . craigslist
$7,999 Yamaha TMAX 500 . . craigslist
$8,199 Honda Silverwing 600 (http://powersports.honda.com/2009/silver-wing.aspx - broken link) . . craigslist
$8,199 Suzuki Burgman 650 (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN650K9 - broken link) . . craigslist
$8,699* Piaggio MP3 400 . . craigslist
$8,899* Piaggio MP3 500 . . craigslist
$17,699 Spyder Roadster SE5 (http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/See/Can-Am/Showroom/Index - broken link) . . craigslist

* AMA fights possible 100 percent tariffs on certain European motorcycles

[MBel]

Thanks. Had not yet checked the Suzuki -- it didn't come up on Google, nor was it in the 3 motorcycle shops we went to yesterday (my husband has a BMW 1100R). Any news is good news. Just hope 58 old gal isn't too old to start! I'm 30 at heart!

[MBel]

Thanks. Am putting all of these ideas in my knowledge bank (i.e. "favorites"). Now to save up for a way more expensive one that I probably even knew I wanted!

[MBel]

Thanks for all that. Yes, I could even start small with a 50cc scooter around our small town but we are in the middle of nowhere in the mountains on the Interstate in southern Oregon. It takes an effort to go "somewhere". I like the idea of starting smaller. Good words.

[MBel]

Thanks for doing all the checking. Doubtful if I would buy my first without trying it on. I've looked at scooter websites and am leery, especially with lots of motorcycle shops in town. You opened my eyes to a lot. Appreciate it.

[CarolinaWoman]

Ridley makes automatic transmission motorcycles ... I rode one for fun at Daytona Bikeweek ... it was cool but they are expensive: ridleymotorcycles.com