Is a CVT motorcycle a good investment?

"jkm7680" (jkm7680) 10/07/2014 at 22:04 • Filed to: 2 Wheels Good

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This is the Aprilia Mana 850 GT. It comes from the factory with 76.1 Horsepower, 58.3 pounds of torque and standard with ABS. Sounds pretty good on paper right?

Here's the catch, The Mano comes with a 7-Speed automatic (CVT) transmission which is available with three modes: Sport, touring, rain and a "manual" mode that can be shifted with grip mounted paddle shifters or a conventional foot shifter.

Touring mode improves fuel efficiency along with reducing the responsiveness, sport mode provides the engine with maximum power and rain mode reduces the torque down by 25%.

A 12v power outlet, phone holder from the factory, a upright seating position and a compartment located normally where the gas tank is what really sets this bike apart from the crowd. Ok, maybe not the upright seating position, but your phone will never run out of battery.

The Mana 850, in my opinion is one of the best values/balances for a bike that you can get. It's very innovative, easy and comfortable to ride, can easily be used for touring, features an adaptive transmission all still while retaining the fun fun factor of sportbike, the comfort features of a cruiser and the practicality of a touring bike. All in a package that you can comfortably ride daily. It may still be a CVT, but it's not less of a bike because of it.

(I did not just repost this, I simply corrected the time that Kinja thought I posted it)

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 20:55

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I'unno, it feels a bit devoid and if something goes wrong with the CVT, you're looking at a more costly repair bill. This is one of those bikes that lost its innocence, if I'm honest. And this is coming from an Aprilia kid himself.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 20:56

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Yeah nope, have the fun of riding a bike is rowing your own. There are some cool features but the CVT would be a deal breaker for me. Then again I ride a Harley so who am I to talk.

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/07/2014 at 20:58

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One of the things that I thought of, is that let's say you have one source of transportation which is this bike. You have a long commute in heavy traffic into the city, lane splitting is not legal, and it rains a bunch, would you rather ride let's say an R6 or a Mana?

jkm7680 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 10/07/2014 at 21:00

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But just look at the features of the CVT, it doesn't sound half bad and you can still row your own minus the clutch (That's the point but whatevah.)

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:01

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If it's in a city full of hills, Mana. If not, R6 - well, no. VFR1200.

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/07/2014 at 21:02

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In other words, it's a perfect bike for San Fransisco? I almost wrote this about the VFR because that one had an automatic also, but I found the features of the Mana slightly more interesting.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:05

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Well, if you're stopping on hills and stuck in traffic, I don't see why you need 100 BHP through a 6-speed manual going about town, but at this point, you're better off with a maxi-scooter.

Not sure if the new 650 retains the manual transmission style CVT you get in the Mana compared to the first generation. Also, while looking for this bike, I came across something and nearly puked.

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/07/2014 at 21:08

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But you can't really tour, or pick up guuuurrllllsss with a maxi scooter!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:09

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Now it's funny you should say that - Suzuki thought it was a good idea to market the Burgman series as a touring maxi-scooter. I should know, I drove one up close to Canada from Tacoma.

Also, apparently the yellow thing is a bike for the disabled... And it's a trike.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:11

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Also, you could get the same exact features from Honda's NC series but they rely on a DCT.

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/07/2014 at 21:11

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Huh, I wouldn't exactly call it a touring scooter. I'd call it more of a commuter, how was it for that purpose though?

It looks sorta like a strangely integrated bathtub on wheels, Haha.

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/07/2014 at 21:12

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Interesting, I'm not sure which one I prefer though.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:17

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This is the one and only touring bike allowed to be talked about. 103 CI engine... (One in pic is the old 96 ci I believe but newer ones are 103.)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:18

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I would not get a new bike for a commuter but rather a speed machine.

jkm7680 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/07/2014 at 21:19

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Which Harley is this?

(I know practically nothing about Harleys)

jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 10/07/2014 at 21:21

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Like a full out liter bike? In heavy traffic, there would be a lot of clutch clutch clutch clutch.

thebigbossyboss > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:21

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Yeah man. Always put your posts to the top initially. I don't know anything about bikes though. They seem fun in good weather. I think it's good value for money too. There was an article on lanesplitter where the writer was saying "everyone needs the most macho bike and that's stupid because it's not true." and I agree. When I was in burkina Faso I had a moped. It was great fun.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:22

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Electra glide Ultra Classic. Largest bike they make, Cops use them, comfortable and pretty powerful/efficient. Great bike all around.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:22

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It's probably better to go with the NC, but it's a good idea to go try both for a first hand experience. Personally, I like the idea of a CVT bike but it coupled with the Mana's engine...

MountainCommand > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:23

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r6 all day every day. ;-)

It is nice however to see a development of motorcycle transmissions coming into mass production and more brands. Just means that we can get more people to ride! No longer is a clutch a reason for people to make excuses for not riding.

(although that walks the fine line of having all bikes become "automatics", Thusly creating such a situation as the current "decline in manual trans cars")

jkm7680 > thebigbossyboss 10/07/2014 at 21:23

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Thanks, bikes are great. For the most part everything with two wheels is pretty damn fun.

What were you doing in Burkin Faso, Haha? Sounds pretty awesome.

jkm7680 > MountainCommand 10/07/2014 at 21:26

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Haha, I love the R6.

It is nice to see more options coming out to suit everybody, it's a good bike for those who don't feel comfortable with a clutch and don't really want a moped. It's the gateway drug for those who aren't so sure about it.

I highly doubt that automatics will take bikes over, pretty much everybody on two wheels (Except some moped people) seem to be enthusiasts.

jkm7680 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/07/2014 at 21:27

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870 pounds is a lot of weight though!

thebigbossyboss > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:29

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Well I was living in Ghana so I thought I should visit. I borrowed a friend's moped while in burkina. It was totally awesome. Burkinabe (the people of burkina faso) are literally the coolest people in the world. they are very patient.

jkm7680 > thebigbossyboss 10/07/2014 at 21:30

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That's pretty awesome, I'm sure that was very interesting :)

ly2v8-Brian > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:33

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If I lived in a tight urban area I would certainly consider a bike like this.

jkm7680 > ly2v8-Brian 10/07/2014 at 21:36

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I live out of a tight urban area, but I work/spend time in one but not enough to consider this particular bike.

But if I lived in the heart of DC, I'd just get one or something similar and use it as a DD.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:46

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That's because it's a mans bike.

ly2v8-Brian > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:48

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Exactly! The CVT, storage space (w/out bulky side compartments), and comfortable position make this a very livable bike.

MountainCommand > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:50

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Exactly. The staple of a motorcycle is being one with the machine. So i doubt they will ever be auto only. I can see specific uses for auto bike, so im not really against them.

jkm7680 > ly2v8-Brian 10/07/2014 at 21:50

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Completely agreed! It's also super practical for pretty much all styles of riding.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:52

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Find yourself a Royal Enfield and turn it into a cafe racer.

awww yisss

jkm7680 > MountainCommand 10/07/2014 at 21:52

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I think you really hit the nail on the head! I can see auto bikes being good for the police (I'm pretty sure their Harley bikes are manual, but I'm not sure) But I don't think that the sportbike community at least will ever welcome automatic bikes often.

jkm7680 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 10/07/2014 at 21:53

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Ahmaghad, Dat blue. Mini crisis, Heavy breathing.

ly2v8-Brian > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:55

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It's a nice blend of foreign sportbike and Harley cruiser.

jkm7680 > ly2v8-Brian 10/07/2014 at 21:56

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Agreed, it's a great mix.

MountainCommand > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 21:57

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Muscle car guys will never accept the japanese cars, so is life. The sportbike guys may not publicly/online accept the auto bikes. But when their buddy gets one, they arent gonna say no to a group ride with them(hypocrite!)

jkm7680 > MountainCommand 10/07/2014 at 22:00

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I agree! My buddy wants a Triumph, and I want a sportbike. And we're still friends, and would ride together.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 22:16

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Call me old school, but I don't consider flappy paddles rowing your own. Plus CVTs don't have gears, gear selection on a CVT are just simulated gears. Don't they make the same bike with a traditional transmission?

jkm7680 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 10/07/2014 at 22:18

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From what I understand, they don't make a standard version.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680 10/07/2014 at 23:21

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If I was to get a bike without a traditional transmission I would get hondamatic. And my speed machine which would probably be a Monster would only be taken on highways and low traffic, high speed areas.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > jkm7680 10/08/2014 at 11:00

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I'm not a guy for cruisers but this bike sure caught my attention. The new Indian Scout with a 100hp liquid cooled V-twin and just over 500lbs for $10,999.00. To me it has a good balance of power and comfort being a sporty-ish cruiser. It's what I'd put my money on if I was planning to spend 11K on a bike.