Posts
10413
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI
US
Edited Date/Time
4/29/2023 3:16pm
https://motocrossactionmag.com/mxa-tech-spec-pursuing-the-automatic-tra…
This article is a few years old but I thought pretty interesting . I had no idea Honda was testing an auto in 91 although it was still a 2 speed . Autos never really gained a foothold even though it seemed to improve some riders's results like like Bo Edberg on the Husky .
Anyone ever rode one ?
Husky auto 430, 87 model . Dad did the National hare scramble series on it. Great for woods but no way for moto
I'd love to find a Rokon . They made Super Hunky Rick Siemen's worst bikes of all time list but that's ok , I like weird bikes .
Did Don Kudalski ever race a Rokon in national competition ? There's nothing in the vault that would indicate so .
Husky started with a 360 Auto in 1976. These bikes shifted just like your mom's Oldsmobile. Rokon was fun tor ride in Vintage events. Worked best in Cross Country as this old guy wore down. Needs a better cup holder!
I think the Honda goldwings have had DCTs for many years now. I hear the stark will be auto trans
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
Honda won the Japanese Motocross Nationals on the 1991 RC250MA automatic, there is no shifter, so no gear changes while riding...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeKVvcxGpAg
https://www-honda-co-jp.translate.goog/tech/motor/close-up/hmt/?_x_tr_s…
I've owned 3 motorcycles with automatic transmissions. A PW50 and these 2
As I recall, both Johnson and Bayle tested the RC Automatic. RJ thought it had promise for outdoors but not SX, and Bayle got to a point where he asked if he was going to be able to race it full-time and when told no, said that he didn’t want to test it anymore. If I’m not mistaken, one or both of them raced it in at least one Japan race.
I believe they wanted to be able to develop and sell it, but couldn’t make it cost-effective.
Id like to know what honda had , because there is no way you could ride a chainsaw type drive unit and clear stuff. To unpredictable. Husky had 3 speeds and 2 clutch drums with shoes and springs just like a saw. Litght to stiff springs were how one dialed in rpm lockup point which dictated the shift point for next clutch to apply.
in woods over snot covered ground and roots they out performed standard tranny but moto where the clutch is used for flight attitude or to lift front over a hole and such the auto just didn’t have that . And zero engine braking, it just freewheels
Honda used a hydro-mechanical transmission...
Yeah, now that would be more responsive
Didn't Arlo Englund race one in the nationals? I thought that was a true story, hazy memory.
Was at a track where someone turned up with a 360 auto they had just spent a load of money getting raceable. They did two laps on it and didn't go out again as they didn't like it. Seemed to be one of those bikes that's a rarity for a good reason.
Post a reply to: Automatic Transmissions