Clutch levers are going out of fashion for some but the idea isn't new and these bikes prove it

BMW have recently displayed systems that aim to remove that tiresome clutch lever from the bars and minimise the requirement of moving your left foot while Honda have also just released their new E-Clutch… but auto and semi-auto gearboxes have been around for a while, as these used machines show.

With electric bikes pointing to a fully-auto future it could well be that the conventional gearbox will be consigned to the history books alongside hand gear changers. So what’s out there now?

Related: MCN’s pick of the best sports-tourers on the used market right now

Read on for our expert guide to bikes with automatic and semi-auto gearboxes!

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MCN Recommended: 2006 – 2020 Yamaha FJR1300AS – £4500 – £10,499

Look mum… no clutch lever. It’s fast and comfortable, too

Spec:

• Power 144bhp
• Engine capacity 1298cc
• Seat height 805mm
• Kerb weight 292kg

The clutchless gearbox seemed to suit the FJR’s relaxed role in life perfectly but it takes some getting used to and it’s not brilliant at low speed. The lack of clutch means you can’t add any finesse to gear changes and it is a bit jerky. Once rolling, YCC-S is good with a positive gear change and there’s the option to change gear by foot or finger via a bar-mounted switch. Solid, reliable and not adding much weight, YCC-S doesn’t detract from the FJR’s many good points and is worth trying out. Later bikes are more refined, too.

Yamaha FJR1300AS used buying advice

● Watch out for seized suspension linkages. Strip and regrease them every 12,000 miles.
● Check the earth ‘spider’, which is the point lots of earth connections ground on the frame. When (not if…) this area corrodes it can lead to electrical gremlins. Owners often reroute the earths.
● In 2013 ride-by-wire arrived and better electronics while 2016 saw the AE with its semi-active suspension join the range – and a new six-speed gearbox!

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2014 – 2020 Honda NC750X DCT – £3500 – £6500

Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission do-it-all 750 is hard to fault

Spec:

• Power 53.1bhp
• Engine capacity 750cc
• Seat height 830mm
• Kerb weight 220kg

Honda’s DCT gearbox arrived in 2009 on the VFR1200F and since then has been rolled out to the Africa Twin, NT1100, Rebel, NC750 range and more. The best of the bunch is the NC750X, which is a fantastic do-it-all that has remained a constant feature in Europe’s top-ten best-selling bikes ever since it was launched. Thanks to its adventure styling the X is comfortable to ride while its ‘frunk’ makes it practical.

Honda NC750X DCT used buying advice

● The front caliper is known to stick on its slider if corrosion starts to build up. Feel for any juddering and also watch out for bent or rusty ABS sensor rings as they can damage the expensive (£334 from Honda!) sensor.
● Owners report the NC tends to wear out wheel bearings at a surprisingly rapid rate. A poor fit is generally the cause.

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2007 – 2011 Aprilia Mana 850 – £3000 – £5000

A great idea that just came along at the wrong time

Spec:

• Power 75bhp
• Engine capacity 839cc
• Seat height 800mm
• Kerb weight 200kg

It’s decent enough but the Mana never quite caught on. Powered by a V-twin motor (developed from the Shiver’s engine), the Mana’s clever part is its gearbox, which as well as seven gears has both a hand or foot change as well as a fully-automatic function. With three modes (Touring, Sport and Rain) the Mana is quite practical thanks to a ‘frunk’ (the tank is under the pillion seat).

Aprilia Mana 850 used buying advice

● The exhaust is made from stainless steel. Just check the state of the front exhaust studs because they rust in place.
● The engine requires a minor service every 6000 miles and valve clearance check at 12,000 miles.
● The Mana runs a dry sump with a separate oil reservoir, which makes it a bit tricky to check the level and, as a result, some are either under or over-filled. Check the oil level when the bike is hot and use the dipstick in the tank (screwed all the way in).

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2018 – on MV Turismo Veloce 800 – £10,000 – £14,000

MV Agusta’s sporty crossover machine has something extra

Spec:

• Power 110bhp
• Engine capacity 798cc
• Seat height 850mm
• Kerb weight 210kg

MV introduced the SCS (Smart Clutch System) as an option. Available on the Turismo Veloce, SCS was actually built by Rekluse for off-road use and is a gyroscopic clutch that makes the bike impossible to stall. Alongside an up/down quickshifter, SCS basically makes the clutch lever redundant and is a good system that makes the sporty MV great fun to ride.

MV Turismo Veloce 800 used buying advice

● The MV requires a service every 9000 miles and its valve clearances checked at 18,000 miles. Expect to pay about £300 and £600 respectively.
● Be sure to complete a test ride and check that the semi-active suspension is working and inspect it for leaks, especially from the shock as it isn’t rebuildable and a new unit is over £1000.
● Check the eccentric adjuster on the swingarm isn’t seized, they don’t like to get full of grime.

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2012 – 2020 Yamaha TMAX – £4999 – £8499

Magnificent executive-scooter that offers total luxury

Spec:

• Power 46.5bhp
• Engine capacity 530cc
• Seat height 800mm
• Kerb weight 217kg

The TMAX may ‘only’ be powered by a 530cc parallel twin, but the level of detail, technology and ride quality make this a genuine alternative. With a traditional twist-and-go CVT, the TMAX has no gears as such and that makes it very easy in town. Out of the city, its sporty chassis means you can enjoy bends and R1-derived brakes have more than enough stopping power.

Yamaha TMAX used buying advice

● Feel for any slipping from the drive belt at high revs as they cost about £250 plus labour to replace.
● Check the rear parking brake isn’t seized on its slider due to a lack of use and also the rear brake isn’t sticking as they can suffer a bit from corrosion.
● The TMAX needs a valve clearance inspection every 24,000 miles, so bear this number in mind as it is quite expensive due to the TMAX’s huge amounts of plastic that require removing.