Our list of clutch-free bikes is arranged by category to underscore just how wide a variety of bike styles there is to choose from. Although called “automatic motorcycles,” the bikes below have either dual-clutch transmissions with automatic modes or one-gear transmissions. But they do use clutchless arrangements-you just twist the throttle and go-so we include several here simply because they do away with the shifting process. We’ll also mention that nearly all electric motorcycles employ a single-speed arrangement or gearset so they can’t technically be called automatic if there’s only one gear. We diehards can scoff all we want, but the net result is a smoother shift, more stable launches, and better fuel economy. Most prevalent on Honda’s offerings, the DCT (dual-clutch transmission) system is a quick-shifting variant of automatic transmissions-it still uses clutches, but ditches the clutch lever-as the bike’s onboard computer does the shifting for you (though you can usually manually override the computer shift). We’ve seen semi-auto clutches with electronic shifting and CVT transmissions with full-auto shifts before, but today, it’s all (or mostly) DCT. Fortunately for new riders-or those with physical limitations-the last few years have seen a growing segment of bikes that don’t require any shifting or clutch operation by the rider. It’s often said that one of the biggest barriers to motorcycling is learning the complexity of shifting gears. Honda rules the clutchless segment with DCT-equipped bikes in nearly every category, including the iconic Gold Wing tourer.
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