Manual or electronic semi-auto transmission?

[jinglebob]

Greetings. I'm considering a basic CanAm Spyder F3 for my first trike. Many good features, but the most important to me is that the ergonomics can be tailored to fit me so the machine accommodates itself to what I need and not the other way around.

I'm trying to decide whether the SM6 manual transmission would be preferable to the SE6 semi-auto transmission. I would prefer the SE6, but would like to know whether it is as reliable and trouble free as the SM6. Would very much like to learn what Spyder owners' experiences have been with the SE6 regarding performance, reliability and ease of service.

Thanks in advance for any and all information

Bob

[Pegasus1300]

You already stated what you prefer so go with that.If you haven't ridden one yet go try them both out. What do you like? I have an SE5 that I have put nearly 45+K on it and it works great and I love not have to squeeze a clutch.

[trikermutha]

Almost 30 K miles and no issues yet on the SE6. I really dont miss the clutch lever ..Just push the paddle and off I go..

Some like the Manual some dont. Your choice

[hogcowboy]

Believe it or not I know of at least one dealer that doesn't even know what to do with a manual. They sell almost 100% semi-auto so when someone comes in with a problem on a manual they have to resort to reading the repair manual. I have no idea how many other dealers might be like that but I'd get the semi-auto and forget you ever had to clutch. They are pretty darn reliable. In fact we think the 14's and above are much better than previous ones and they were/are darn good. That's the one thing Can Am got right in my opinion. Sometimes I wish I had that tranny on my Indian(bike).

[bikerbillone]

That is the very reason that Canam was at the top of my list if I sold the GW Road Smith, Canam got it right with the paddle, and have pretty much perfected it I'd say.

[mhgoldwing]

That is the very reason that Canam was at the top of my list if I sold the GW Road Smith, Canam got it right with the paddle, and have pretty much perfected it I'd say.

Think I like the Gold Wing DCT better.

Going to Bikes Blues and BBQ in Sept in Fayetteville, Ar. and hope some of the trike mfg are there with the new rigs to try out. Wife doesn't like any of the reverse trike layouts.

[Big Juice]

Between my wife and I, we have had 4 Spyder SE models, 2010 RT, 2014 RT and not a 2016 F3-T (wife's bikes) and a 2017 F3-L (my bike). All were/are semi-auto, no problems with any of the bikes at all. But, ride what you like and what will make you happy. My wife never got into clutching and shifting gears on the 2 wheeler, so she loves the SE. I rode bikes for 50 yrs, clutched and shifted all those years, and just loved "running through the gears", but now I love running through the gears with my SE! Good luck with your decision (SMs are usually cheaper, especially used, as they are harder to sell, so you might get a smoking deal on a SM).

The SE was the best way to go for us, and I love mine (and it's my first Spyder).

[jinglebob]

Looks like the consensus is that the SE6 is a good and reliable transmission. That's good...as I mentioned, that would be my preference. I like the idea of not having to clutch and all that.'

I would like to see CanAm put something like the Honda DCT transmission in their machines, but I imagine that technology is patented to a fair thee well and we'll probably never see it.

Thanks to all for your input...it helps me focus a bit...

[hogcowboy]

Just remember that you still have to up-shift but you don't need to down-shift unless you want to. When I ride my wife's spyder(rarely) I forget about down-shifting because I'm busy trying to find the brake. I'm a front brake kind of guy so when I first look for that front brake, I'm immediately in panic mode looking for the foot brake. So I completely forget to down-shift. After a few more miles I finally get it together and start down-shifting but to be honest, there really isn't much of a reason to. I do wonder if they'll ever add the up-shifting. That really would be cool then. But the way they have it now it's like having your cake and being able to eat it too. You can down-shift any way you want unless you wait too long. Then it will just do it for you. Pretty darn slick setup.

[jp58]

SE are very reliable. The manual clutch spyders are very hard to sell when that time comes.

[bikerbillone]

Did the RT demo ride, loved that semi-auto shift.

[trikermutha]

Isnt that sweet. I dont miss the hand clutch at all now that I am use to it. In fact dont miss foot shifting either