If you're looking into purchasing your first motorcycle, there are a couple of factors you should consider such as the type of transmission the vehicle has. If the model you don't want doesn't come in an automatic version, here are manual transmission drawbacks you should consider.
1. It Has a Steeper Learning Curve
There's a lot more going on in a manual transmission than automatic, which means there are more things to familiarize yourself with. You have to learn clutch control, get used to gear shifting, and find the friction zone, which varies in motorcycle models. You will eventually learn, but it will take longer.
2. It Divides Your Attention
You have to mind several things all at once when driving with a manual transmission. Remembering to shift gears, and let go of the clutch slowly so you won't stall, and more, all while minding traffic can be confusing, and being distracted on busy roads is very dangerous. You might have to practice in places where there's little to no risk of accidents.
3. You Could Experience Engine Stalls
You have to mind your engine all the time, especially when braking or letting go of your clutch. Before you get used to it, you might experience stalls, which again, is dangerous when you're caught in busy traffic. You'll have to restart your engine again, which can delay other vehicles behind you.
4. Inconvenient During Heavy Traffic
Heavy traffic means that you have to stop every now and then, and that can be tiring for manual transmission because of the extra steps you go through. You constantly have to clutch or shift gears at every stop, and if you do it wrong, your engine will stall and you will disrupt traffic, which can be embarrassing for anyone.
5. Might Have Higher Maintenance Costs
Since manual transmission has more components to maintain, it might cost you more than you expect. You have to make sure that everything, such as the clutch, the gearbox, and other parts are working as they should to avoid any incidents. While automatics need maintenance as well, manual transmission vehicles have more aspects that should be monitored.
6. Resale is More Difficult
If you haven't noticed, more and more car and motorcycle brands are leaning into automatic transmission. That's because it's easier to operate and newer drivers prefer them. That means that you might find it difficult to sell your motorcycle since people are more inclined to opt for automatics. It won't be impossible, but you'll find fewer prospective buyers.
7. It Requires Faster Reactions
If you're not quick to react when needed, there are a number of things that can go wrong. Braking suddenly without minding your clutch, for instance, will result in a stalled engine. Not shifting gears as you increase or decrease in speed would waste fuel and put more strain on your clutch than you would like, and it would lead to damage that will eventually cost you.
