Is The 'AE'....

[charismaticmegafauna]

A friend who's been in the m/c industry a long time (in a discussion about the FJR AE) said this:

"I think confusion about how or how well it worked plus the difference in MSRP may have contributed to it's demise."

While he doesn't actually say it's gone -- he kind'a infers it.....

He goes on to say: "Technology has to be very understandable in order for its cost to be accepted by the masses."

He then dropped this bomb:

"As for the DN-01, our Honda rep says that it merely exists as a test bed for the next new Gold Wing's transmission."

 

[Fred W]

one can only hope...

 

[Cdogman]

one can only hope...

Really,, You want an automatic Goldwing....??

Dooooode <_<

 

[irishcurtis]

I owned a Goldwing and enjoyed it. I never wanted an automatic trans but, given their target market, I can't believe that Honda hasn't developed an automatic for the GLs. It seems perfectly natural to me.

I opted for the AE because I understand what it is and (more important) what it ISN'T. and I LOVE the sort of cutting edge technology it represents. I've never understood Yamaha's marketing team selling the "reduced hand fatigue" benefits, but, then again, I don't have any disabilities that would benefit from it.

 

[Sagebrush]

I'm surprised the wing is not already a full auto or some kind AE like bike. Trikes will be on the way too probably, can you vision a goldwing boss hoss...

There are many people down here in Florida that would buy one. I rather have a nice little sports car for less money if I didn't feel like riding a two wheeled bike. Never understood why people spend so much making a motorcycle like a three wheeled car. :blink:

Its their money to spend... The AE on a ST bike is an odd choice to me, I would have thought it would do better on a full touring bike like the wing, FJR's are more of a sporty bike to me. I chose the FJR over the other ST's for it's comfort with performance not it's auto clutch. :yahoo:

 

[Knifemaker]

Well I agree, alot of folks in the "motorcycle industry" are confused.

(they still make the AE don't they????maybe I am confused too....)

KM

 

[scubabiker]

I can see the benefits of a clutch less bike. Like if you ride in a lot of stop and go traffic. Should I be disabled or reach the age of needing one, I'd take it over not being able to ride. My guess is the sales volume just hasn't been high enough to justify its existence. As for the DN01, I sat near it at the Cycle World Int. Motorcycle Show in Chicago, just to listen to peoples comments. If nothing else, it drew a lot of attention.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Ya they still sell the AE but at an additional $1800 added onto the MSRP. Although I am crazy about my AE, I don’t think I would do it again if I hadn’t found my 07 holdover for $11000 last spring. The great deal got me on the last one but if I were to trade up I would have a hard time spitting with the extra cash to do it again.

 

[dcarver]

Truth be known, an automatic Goldwing is what Fairlaner is looking for?

 

[Franko]

I love my AE. That's the main reason I was drawn to it, as most of my riding is on city streets with stop signs every 2 or 3 blocks. I honestly had no idea what a terriffic bike I was getting into when I bought it. I knew practically nothing about it, except that when I took a test ride I loved it. I'm aware of what I doesn't do well, but what it does is sweet. Like a big ol comfortable (yet beautiful) scooter that runs like a bat out of hell.

I also ride an FZ1, with a clutch and everything. It feels to me like the FJR eats that FZ1 up with throttle response, AE and all.

Mine got confused a couple months ago and went into a mode that had no clutching when I decelerated. I found that to be better. It only did that for a couple of blocks and clicked back into normal loading deceleration. I might come to hate it, but I wish there was a way to program it not to drag during deceleration to give it a try. I think it would slow speed corner much smoother and less goosey.

 

[irishcurtis]

"The AE on a ST bike is an odd choice to me, I would have thought it would do better on a full touring bike like the wing, FJR's are more of a sporty bike to me."

It seems to me that this system is PERFECT for sport/sport-touring bikes. Transmissions like this debuted in Formula 1 racing cars, not in Cadillacs. The misconception seems to be that this system is a luxury feature. I view it as a performance feature; hyper-fast, accurate shifts EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I don't think any of us look askew at Michael Schumacher for using one on his Ferrari formula car (the most advanced, highest performance vehicles in history).

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

"The AE on a ST bike is an odd choice to me, I would have thought it would do better on a full touring bike like the wing, FJR's are more of a sporty bike to me."
It seems to me that this system is PERFECT for sport/sport-touring bikes. Transmissions like this debuted in Formula 1 racing cars, not in Cadillacs. The misconception seems to be that this system is a luxury feature. I view it as a performance feature; hyper-fast, accurate shifts EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I don't think any of us look askew at Michael Schumacher for using one on his Ferrari formula car (the most advanced, highest performance vehicles in history).

Hows it going nice to see a fellow firefighter, Air Force vet on the forum.

 

[majicmaker]

I don't think any of us look askew at Michael Schumacher for using one on his Ferrari formula car (the most advanced, highest performance vehicles in history).

Amen Brother!!

I'll bet that's exactly what this this bike feels like if he had one!!!

 

[Fred W]

Actual sales figures show the bigger picture of how the AE has been accepted by the motorcycling market.

Which model accounts for the majority of "left overs" found at fire sale discounts?

 

[radman]

They gots a Powergide Feejer out now?!??#$

 

[ceddec]

The DN 01 has a CVT which the Burgman has. I think the FJR would be very interesting with a CVT if a CVT could take the horsepower. Its really nice to just twist and go. The "synthetic gears" that the Burgman has are intersting in certain situations but most the time any more we use the full auto mode, econo for her and "P" for me.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Actual sales figures show the bigger picture of how the AE has been accepted by the motorcycling market. Which model accounts for the majority of "left overs" found at fire sale discounts?

Does that speak to the advantages/disadvantages/merit of the technology....

Or, the relative technical 'savvy' of the prospective market? :huh:

 

[Fred W]

Actual sales figures show the bigger picture of how the AE has been accepted by the motorcycling market. Which model accounts for the majority of "left overs" found at fire sale discounts?

Does that speak to the advantages/disadvantages/merit of the technology....

Or, the relative technical 'savvy' of the prospective market? :huh:

Hard to say which it is.

But it is clearly telling us that the market (savvy or ignorant) is not accepting of the technology (indispensable or superfluous).

 

[Sagebrush]

"The AE on a ST bike is an odd choice to me, I would have thought it would do better on a full touring bike like the wing, FJR's are more of a sporty bike to me."
It seems to me that this system is PERFECT for sport/sport-touring bikes. Transmissions like this debuted in Formula 1 racing cars, not in Cadillacs. The misconception seems to be that this system is a luxury feature. I view it as a performance feature; hyper-fast, accurate shifts EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I don't think any of us look askew at Michael Schumacher for using one on his Ferrari formula car (the most advanced, highest performance vehicles in history).

I'm not an expert on AE FJRs but, isn't the A model a better performer? As in faster with more control for quicker lap and 1/4 mile times? Is it more durable and reliable than a FJR A? I haven't seen a sport bike with an auto clutch. Is there one on the street yet?

I shopped the AE and would probably have one if I found a good deal. I run in traffic everyday, thought it would be a good idea to try. Couldn't find one when I was ready to buy, I would like to try one for a while. Maybe someday. I do view it as a luxury item, heck the FJR is luxury compared to a sport bike. My back thanks me during every ride, love the comfort. I cringe about having to train myself on one, I do a lot of U-turns in the city riding.