CTX1300

[AzBob_imp]

Well? They are applying traction control to motorcycles. I believe this CTX1300 which was the topic of discussion is offered in the deluxe with ABS and Traction Control. Remember there is no auto shift option offered as of this time.

I don't personally know if the concern of wheel slip with an automatic is inherently more of a concern over a manual or not. I understand the point being made and will keep an open mind about it. There is slippage involved with an automatic type transmission on take off is there not? My thoughts are that if you nailed the throttle on take off with either an auto or a manual you could cause yourself some trouble regardless. Is the auto more likely to do so? Good point and the devil would be in the details.

Most of us resist change and especially change which we diem unnecessary. This is how progress flows fellows. I believe the sport bike riders will buy into it as soon as it's perfected. I hear them running past the office at 8000 rpms shifting through the gears without dropping out of the rev's. When all it takes is to pull a trigger with the left index finger and hit those gears even quicker it will take over the game. Cruiser riders and standard bikers don't need it and probably don't want to spend the additional bucks but having owned a DN-01 and a number of scooters it's pretty darned nice at times. I found no negatives other then the "fun" of shifting gears on a bike. Frankly I wouldn't spend the extra money most of the time but in some applications I surely would.

I believe the Goldwing makes for a perfect platform for an auto shift. That CTX700 if used for commuting in traffic would be another.

They have their place and that place will expand as improvements are made. Even some of the big old Harley bikes would be pretty sweet candidates for an auto. Lets face it doing it the easy way sometime is nice. Lets understand I am assuming no reductions or penalties in performance which I believe is doable soon if it isn't already.

When I test drove the CTX700 at Twiggs cycle the salesman said that the owner put a plate on one and rode the bike. He said the owner almost never rides a new bike. He's "into" his wing and the rest of it is just rolling stock to sell. Later when I got back from the ride the owner ask me what I thought about the CTX700. I said I liked it and was impressed with just how easily it rode. How well balanced it was and how practical I thought the bike was for myself and any rider interested in a middle weight bike. He agreed with me in all of this and said he was very pleasantly surprised at just how nice a motorcycle the CTX700 was.

It remains to be seen how this CTX1300 will stack up but as stated I am interested in it. It probably will be more bike then I need or want and more money as well but "ugly" or not I'm going to check it over in detail when it's in the show room.

The more I look at it the better it gets. The new BMW R1200RT is what I'm currently lusting after, however. :-)