FOR motorcycles, automatic transmissions are almost mystical in how rare they are.
Almost every bike produced in the last century has had the same basic setup, with a gear selector foot peg and clutch lever both on the left.
Some crazy customisers have experimented with hand-operated shifters but the idea of completely hands-free gear changes remained unimaginable for decades.
Everything changed in 1977 when Honda released two automatic models – the CB400A and the CB750A – followed by the purpose-built Hondamatic in 1982.
To this day the brand remains a pioneer in the unusual technology and boasts a range of surprisingly affordable fully automatic models.
Motorcycle influencer Eric Barros, better known as Yammie Noob, ran his YouTube fans through the trio, all of which cost under £14,000 brand new.
Eric said: “If you went back and time and told a young me that I would be making a video singing the praises of automatic motorcycles I would tell you that was ludicrous.
“Manual transmissions are the most advanced they’ve ever been.
“But for full-blown, totally automatic motorcycles, Honda remains the reigning champ.
“And whether it’s advantageous for a particular rider thanks to disability, age or just plain convenience if it gets more people interested in riding on two wheels I’m here for it.”
Described by Eric as Honda’s “do it all commuter bike“, the NC750X is ideal for around town but can also hammer down the highway when needed.
The manufacturer has smartly shortened the gear ratios from first to third and extended them from fourth to sixth.
This has the effect of making the model surprisingly manoeuvrable at low speed for a bike of its size and able to cope with stop/start traffic, while providing a more relaxed ride on the open road.
It’s also one of the cheapest on the list, with the automatic version starting at just £8,779.
As if to prove that automatic models can do it all, Honda released the rugged Africa Twin adventure tourer.
Despite the lack of rider input, it can still nimbly cope with all manner of off-road terrain, freeing you up to enjoy the trails and bumps without stressing about your clutch’s biting point.
It’s on the pricier end of the scale with unused 2023 models starting at £13,949 and the latest version running over £15,000.
There’s plenty for your money, though, with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, self-cancelling indicators, cruise control and a USB port all included.
For those not bothered about commuter bikes and who prefer to keep their wheels firmly on the tarmac, the Rebel is a chunky cruiser that you can pick up for just £10,699.
Bringing some of the Americana cool of brands like Harley and Indian, but at a fraction of the price, and mixing that in with exceptional Japanese build quality, it’s a whole bunch of fun.
Like most in its class, the Rebel is best suited for munching up the miles on the motorway rather than weaving through city streets, but it’s surprisingly agile for its weight all the same.
The low-slung, 27-inch seat height also makes it very accessible for shorter riders.
Speaking of long-haul rides, while the Rebel is good it can’t touch the sides of the Gold Wing.
The history and prestige of the model is well known among bikers, with the namebadge dating back to 1974.
The Gold Wing has more than earned its reputation as one of the most beloved, comfortable and reliable tourers on the market.
It has also long been the melting pot for some of Honda’s most innovative ideas, including rider-to-passenger intercom and adjustable air suspension (which you can’t even find on most cars).
Now, the marque has released a fully automatic version of its biggest beast so all you need to do to eat up a few hundred miles is twist the throttle and steer the thing.
Sadly it’s a bit out of our price range but if you’re willing to spend the £25,599 to own a slice of motoring history, it’s well worth the investment.
