Manufacturer claims that technology depends on acceptance, but consumers make it clear that they would bet on the clutchless transmission
Automatic and automated motorcycles are already a reality in the world and Brazilian market, so much so that more and more models of this type are launched and marketed. But this type of technology still seems to be fiction in the most voluminous segment of the market: street motorcycles, such as the Honda CG. Honda told AutoPapo that this should be the future of motorcycles. However, according to the manufacturer, everything will depend on the pace of the market. In other words, how much the consumer would be willing to pay for the convenience.
And what we did was ask the public whether or not they would buy a motorcycle with an automatic gearbox. We published a poll in the AutoPapo community, on YouTube. We put a simple question on our social networks, asking users if they would have an automatic/automated motorcycle.
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Among the 3.5 thousand responses obtained until the date of publication of this article, 51% were in favor of the idea of having an automatic motorcycle, 36% said no and 13% said they would need to research more.
In addition to the survey, the marketing data of automatic or automated models prove the public’s preference.
According to data from the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distribution (Fenabrave), in 2025, about 38.98% of two-wheeled vehicles sold in Brazil were scooters or cub-type motorcycles, which have some automation system or gear shift facilitator. This number represents an increase of 15.39% compared to the last five years (2020) and 27.51% compared to 2015.
No wonder, in addition to these types of models, manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha and BMW already have large motorcycles with drive-assist gearboxes, automating their giants.
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, NC 750X and CB 650R have technologies that change gears automatically. The Yamaha MT-09 and MT-07, along with the BMW R 1300 GS, follow the same line.
As said, Honda has already stated that it believes that the future of motorcycles is linked to automation and automation. The motorcycle market can follow the car market, which today already sells more automatics than manuals. “Probably yes, but it will be the market that will dictate this pace, and the market has room for all the systems currently used in motorcycles,” the brand replied through its press office.
Of course, there is always the other side of the coin. Some may think that the central point of this issue — the transition from manual to automatic motorcycle — is a reason for harsh criticism.
An example of this is the Honda Pop 110i ES, which, in 2025, left the clutch to adopt a rotary gearbox that dispenses with the lever on the left handle and changes gears with just the foot.
However, even with negative comments on social networks, sales of the model increased by 39.17%. In 2024, the Honda Pop sold 169,940 units and, in 2025, there were 236,519.
Journalist and motorcycle expert Teo Mascarenhas agrees that automatic and automated motorcycles will be part of the future of two wheels. According to him, the transition to automatic happened with cars and, on motorcycles, it is also already a reality.
These large bikes have been preferred. The Honda Africa Twin DCT (automated transmission) is the best seller (compared to the manual version of the same motorcycle)”, said the motorcyclist.
However, Teo stresses that it is a technology that, at least at this moment, should not be disseminated to small models. Thinking about CVT transmissions, which replace the gearbox, everything is limited.
“The most powerful motorcycles, as well as cars, do not withstand a greater force. So, CVT-type technologies are only possible on smaller motorcycles”, explained Teo.
Another obstacle is the price. For the journalist, automating the models with a functional gearbox, such as the DCT, would considerably burden the value of the motorcycle. This would be very impactful for the most common motorcycles.
The commercial manager and motorcyclist Alexandre Chaves says that he currently prefers automatic motorcycles.
“I like it a lot, especially for urban use. And, to tell you the truth, even for use outside the city as well. Today I have a maxiscooter, a SYM Maxsym 400. To travel, man, it’s an absurd comfort. And here in the city too. In fact, I’m using it a lot in urban daily life. The comfort that an automatic motorcycle offers is impeccable,” he said.
The motorcyclist said that he has had larger motorcycles with conventional gearboxes, but that the practicality of having a model that does not need to change gears is worth it a lot.
“The effort to use a clutch is very great, especially on larger motorcycles, such as the Africa Twin. My maxiscooter, for example, is already big, and yet it is extremely comfortable. When you have an automatic transmission working well, it makes all the difference,” he said, comparing the automated Honda with the manual one.
According to him, perhaps the only disadvantage is maintenance, which can be more expensive. However, even so, everything is compensated, as the exchange intervals are longer.
