tripletango
Well-known member
I agree with Pierre. That is an excellent analysis of the bike. I have an 05A and an 06AE. In addition I ride a scoot with CVT quite a bit so am used to clutchless riding.
However there is a very distinct difference between all three. The AE like the A has a clutch and it is very controllable with the throttle. The technique of riding an electric clutch vs a CVT is very different because the AE is a far cry from an automatic. Open the throttle wide on the CVT and the bike is accelerating smoothly. Open the throttle wide on an AE and the rear wheel lights up, the front end comes off the road and you are hanging on! Flick into second and you are flying just as you would be on the A model!
Throttle control is all important on take off and for slow manoevers. It is a new art of riding and takes some learning just like using a clutch lever did when you first used it. I must say that using the foot lever is much easier for me to adjust to than using the bar flipper when riding fast. The foot lever is more naturally connected to your learned techniques. For around town the bar flipper is fine.
Light easy throttle openings results in smooth take offs and with partial throttle shifts are quick and smooth, downshifts are smooth and sweet.
Full throttle - the clutch engagement is virtually instantaneous. Take off on the AE is a thrill as the clutch modulates perfectly everytime resulting in near perfect drag launches if you are into that thing. I never got the A to launch like that but am no expert in that regard.
WOT throttle shifts require same techniques as riding the A. You can pin the thing and flick all the way through the box but there is some clutch slippage as the engine revs rise as the clutch releases and reengages. Not much but it is noticeable as is a slight retardation of the ignition that occurs initially when you flick for the next highest gear.
Just back off the throttle a hair as you select the next highest gear as you would on the manual model and the changes are fast and smooth. Changing down is sweet. The clutch modulates perfectly and matches tha engine with the wheels very smoothly. Again you can blip the throttle as you change down to smooth things out more.
i must say it is a joy to flick through the gearbox up or down as fast and as much as you like according to conditions. it is a great new addiction learning how to ride the AE.
One other thing the heat issue with older bikes has been alleviated by about 85% which is acceptable.
However there is a very distinct difference between all three. The AE like the A has a clutch and it is very controllable with the throttle. The technique of riding an electric clutch vs a CVT is very different because the AE is a far cry from an automatic. Open the throttle wide on the CVT and the bike is accelerating smoothly. Open the throttle wide on an AE and the rear wheel lights up, the front end comes off the road and you are hanging on! Flick into second and you are flying just as you would be on the A model!
Throttle control is all important on take off and for slow manoevers. It is a new art of riding and takes some learning just like using a clutch lever did when you first used it. I must say that using the foot lever is much easier for me to adjust to than using the bar flipper when riding fast. The foot lever is more naturally connected to your learned techniques. For around town the bar flipper is fine.
Light easy throttle openings results in smooth take offs and with partial throttle shifts are quick and smooth, downshifts are smooth and sweet.
Full throttle - the clutch engagement is virtually instantaneous. Take off on the AE is a thrill as the clutch modulates perfectly everytime resulting in near perfect drag launches if you are into that thing. I never got the A to launch like that but am no expert in that regard.
WOT throttle shifts require same techniques as riding the A. You can pin the thing and flick all the way through the box but there is some clutch slippage as the engine revs rise as the clutch releases and reengages. Not much but it is noticeable as is a slight retardation of the ignition that occurs initially when you flick for the next highest gear.
Just back off the throttle a hair as you select the next highest gear as you would on the manual model and the changes are fast and smooth. Changing down is sweet. The clutch modulates perfectly and matches tha engine with the wheels very smoothly. Again you can blip the throttle as you change down to smooth things out more.
i must say it is a joy to flick through the gearbox up or down as fast and as much as you like according to conditions. it is a great new addiction learning how to ride the AE.
One other thing the heat issue with older bikes has been alleviated by about 85% which is acceptable.
