20 Best Automatic Transmission Motorcycles For 2023-2024, Ranked

While more and more cars are going the automatic way, with electric cars taking out the gears from the equations, motorcycles are a bit different. When it comes to motorcycles, automatic transmission mostly seems to divide fans right down the middle. While they are easier to ride and offer a more practical or even utilitarian ride, most avid motorcyclists tend to feel they are a bit too soulless. For motorcycling fans, it’s mostly always a manual transmission as a choice, given it has character even if it needs skilled operating, which takes some getting used to.

That said, the world is moving towards easier rides, even self-driven vehicles that come replete with astounding features, so automatic motorcycles are growing in popularity somewhat. Plus, they often make the best rides for motorcycles. Taking in the current trends, here are the coolest automatic transmission motorcycles, ranked in this list according to their horsepower. Quite naturally, Honda seems to dominate most of the entries here, given it is the most-selling motorcycle brand today.

How We Got Our Model Selection: To make this an informative and reliable list, we considered not just the power output of these motorcycles but also reviews and recalls. To learn more about
HotCars’ rating methodology
, please visit this page. This list has been organized in increasing order of horsepower figure.

20 2023 Honda Navi

Maximum Power: 8 hp

Production Years: 2016 – Present

The Honda Navi started as a cool automatic transmission bike in India before Honda withdrew it from its roster. That said, production continues in Honda’s Indian factory, even though the Navi is now exported to other countries, including the US.

With eight horsepower, it’s not a thrilling ride, but it’s light and easy to ride, ably helped by the CVT transmission. This means no clutch, shifting, neutral, or park, so all you need to do is start, rev, and go.

Honda Navi Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

19 2024 Honda Super Cub C125 ABS

Maximum Power: 9.65 hp

Production Years: 1958 – Present

With more than a million Honda Super Cub models sold from 1958 to now, it isn’t all that much to look at, but it is a popular motorcycle. Used mainly for transport in developing countries as well as a minibike, the Honda Super Cub’s USP lies in its ease of riding and affordability.

While it’s a somewhat underwhelming motorcycle in looks and performance, Honda owes it its popularity over other much more powerful examples. While the Super Cub has gears, it comes clutchless, with a centrifugal clutch that manages independently.

Honda Super Cub C125 ABS Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

18 2023 KTM Freeride E-XC

Maximum Power: 24.5 hp

Production Years: 2018 – Present

Introduced rather recently, the KTM Freeride E-XC is a cool electric dirt bike that builds upon the existing Freeride marque and makes for a cool ride. Being an electric bike, of course, the transmission is electric even if it’s single-speed.

Then again, you don’t always need massive speed to make a dirt bike all that exhilarating. All the torque is on tap from the first rev itself, given that this electric motorcycle needs no gear shift or lever.

KTM Freeride E-XC Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of KTM

17 2024 Yamaha XMAX 300

Maximum Power: 27.6 hp

Production Years: 2018 – Present

Known to be one of the best, Yamaha’s XMAX 300 is more of a maxi scooter than a motorcycle, which means that while it is comfortable for urban riding, it can also take on bad terrain. Most maxi scooters, while heavy, also offer plenty of storage space, lending to their utilitarian nature.

The XMAX boasts a fully automatic transmission, making it rather simple to ride. A list of rider aids like Traction Control and ABS also helps make it a cool steed.

Yamaha XMAX 300 Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Yamaha Motorsports

16 2024 Suzuki Burgman 400

Maximum Power: 28.6 hp

Production Years: 1999 – Present

The Suzuki Burgman is also yet another maxi scooter, one that carries bike-like attributes in that it can take on rough terrain but also lends itself to comfortable rides in the city. This sub-30 horsepower two-wheeler also comes with all the requisite features that owners expect from its category.

It comes with a seamless CVT automatic transmission that makes riding it as easy as starting, revving, and setting it off. It also has bigger engine displacements, such as the powerful Suzuki Burgman 650.

Suzuki Burgman 400 Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Suzuki

15 2024 BMW C 400 GT

Maximum Power: 34 hp

Production Years: 2019 – Present

With a centrifugal dry clutch, the BMW C 400 GT makes yet another rather cool urban commuter in the US that looks and rides more like a scooter but has a few motorcycle attributes thrown in for ruggedness.

Its CVT automatic transmission lends itself to an easier ride on the whole, even though its larger dimensions make it a little heavy. Like all its contemporaries, it has plenty of storage and a modern design.

BMW C 400 GT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of BMW Motorrad

14 2024 BMW CE 04

Maximum Power: 42 hp

Production Years: 2022 – Present

Unlike its stablemate, the BMW CE 04 is a feature-loaded electric scooter, and the transmission has only one single gear and speed. That said, it works like the usual CVT gearbox, with the twist-and-go operation expected of a scooter.

What works in CE 04’s favor is its startlingly different looks, with a somewhat minimalist design that shouts its electric powertrain from afar.

BMW CE 04 Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of BMW Motorrad

13 2023 Piaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive

Maximum Power: 43.5 hp

Production Years: 2022 – Present

While the MP3 debuted back in 2005, it bore a smaller engine back then, even if it was Piaggio’s largest at the time. With two wheels in the front and one at the back, the Piaggio MP3 530 HPE is a cool-looking trike, although the double-arm leading-link front suspension carries a precise straight-line feeling and very accurate tracking while cornering.

With a CVT transmission, this is by far the easiest motorcycle you can ride, given its three wheels eliminate the need to balance as well.

Piaggio MP3 530 HPE Exclusive Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Piaggio

12 2023 Kymco AK550i ABS

Maximum Power: 53 hp

Production Years: 2022 – Present

Yet another powerful maxi scooter that comes loaded with tech and features, the Kymco AK550i ABS, as the name suggests, also comes with ABS for a safer ride. It matches all its contemporaries in features and offers a comfortable ride on the road and a little off it.

Kymco is a Korean automobile manufacturer, and its scooters and motorcycles have been taking the world by storm. The AK550i’s smooth automatic transmission is yet another reason to buy it, and there’s now the CV-L6 that comes derived from the AK550i as well.

Kymco AK550i ABS Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Kymco USA

11 2024 Honda NC750X DCT

Maximum Power: 58 hp

Production Years: 2014 – Present

Yet again, a multitasker, the Honda NC750X makes for a cool asphalt and off-road ride with a powerful engine coupled with Honda’s high-tech automatic dual-clutch transmission. Not only does this ensure efficient power delivery but also ease of operation.

Since this is a motorcycle, the ride is a tad more adventurous than the maxi scooters. Still, the automatic transmission ensures utility at its best, and the affordable price tag also helps.

Honda NC750X DCT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

10 2010 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Maximum Power: 75 hp

Production Years: 2010 – 2016

With a sports gear system that controls engine power output and transmission settings via a rather high-tech Constant Variable Transmission (CVT), the Aprilia Mana is a powerful ride. It ranks as one of the best motorcycles from Aprilia as well.

It also boasts a long-life drive belt and final drive via a chain, with a punchy motor that the CVT optimizes for perfect power at all times. Most owners agree it’s almost deceptive in the kind of power it can offer.

Aprilia Mana 850 GT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Motorcycle Specs

9 2024 Honda Rebel 1100T

Maximum Power: 86 hp

Production Years: 2023 – Present

This is a bagger option from the house of Honda, offsetting the larger Gold Wing with smaller dimensions but equal comfort. With a six-speed automatic DCT transmission, the Honda Rebel 1100T makes a comfortable steed for those long rides and is equipped to handle some bad roads.

With a powerful engine, the Honda Rebel 1100T DCT offers cruise control for increased rider comfort, as well as a host of other rider-friendly aids, tech, and features.

Honda Rebel 1100T Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

8 2023 LiveWire ONE

Maximum Power: 100 hp

Production Years: 2019 – Present

Back in 2019, Harley-Davidson went the electric way and launched the LiveWire, much to the surprise of ardent Harley-Davidson fans. Later, the brand spun off into a separate marque, and today, the same electric motorcycle still thrills with its ride, just not under the Harley-Davidson aegis.

With 100 horsepower, this electrifying ride offers linear power given its single-speed transmission, eliminating the need for shifting or the nightmares of a stalled clutch. This and many more features make the LiveWire a well-deserved option in today’s electric motorcycle market.

LiveWire ONE Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Harley-Davidson LiveWire

7 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT

Maximum Power: 100.6 hp

Production Years: 2020 – Present

There seem to be a lot of Honda motorcycles on this list, perhaps because this Japanese motorcycle maker, which leads in motorcycle sales as a brand, loves to offer seamless rides in the form of automatic transmission motorcycles.

The Africa Twin is a name deep-rooted in the spirit of Dakar, as in the most demanding desert rally. It comes tough, powerful, and with linear delivery, given the smooth and high-tech DCT.​​​​​​​ There’s plenty more to love about the Honda Africa Twin, including its on-road comfort.

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

6 2023 Energica Experia

Maximum Power: 102 hp

Production Years: 2022 – Present

An electric tourer, the Energica Experia, combines the best of the rising electric motorcycle technology with an automatic compression gearbox. It does not need any shifting, so there’s no clutch to manage, and its electrical energy means a noiseless exhaust.

Plus, with no heat and no vibration but plenty of power, this is the perfect ADV motorcycle that balances a thrilling ride with great comfort.

Energica Experia Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Energica Motor Company

5 2024 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS

Maximum Power: 110 hp

Production Years: 2018 – Present

For the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS, the ultimate trick is the SCS, or Smart Clutch System, which is MV Agusta’s fully automatic, digitally managed clutch. It’s fully controlled by an ECU that collects data from ABS sensors along with other sensors for throttle position, engine rpm, and torque output.

This automatic transmission then self-modulates, thus delivering all the power needed with an impressive smoothness that lets the Turismo fly from 0 to 90 mph in just over three seconds.​​​​​​​

MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of MV Agusta

4 2024 Zero SR/S

Maximum Power: 113 hp

Production Years: 2020 – Present

When it comes to the Zero SR/S, its electric ride makes it comfortable on long trips, ably helped by good suspension damping. Given that it’s an electric ride, it comes with a clutchless direct drive that lets the rider have all the torque they want.

Built rather solidly, if a bit heavy, the Zero SR/S boasts a clean dashboard and minimalist design, making it one of the best EV tourers on the market today.

Zero SR/S Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Zero Motorcycles

3 2024 Honda Gold Wing Automatic DCT

Maximum Power: 124.7 hp

Production Years: 2018 – Present

There are many reasons why the Honda Gold Wing is awesome enough to be the HotCars’ 2023 Cruiser of the Year, and of course, its DCT is one of them. With a comfortable ride that eats up the distance, the Honda Gold Wing Automatic DCT makes for a cool tourer, although the Gold Wing is also available in manual transmission to please the fans.

Power delivery remains linear and smooth, making it the perfect steed for those who love the wind in their hair, minus the need to deal with the clutch.​​​​​​​

Honda Gold Wing Automatic DCT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda

2 2008 Yamaha FJR1300AE (Semi-Automatic)

Maximum Power: 145 hp

Production Years: 2006 – 2009

While the Yamaha FJR1300AE is not quite a motorcycle with an automatic transmission, it features an automatic clutch mated to a manual transmission, given that the motorcycle’s computer controls the engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

It sold in the US for only a couple of years, although sales continued outside the US and Canada, and it makes for an interesting ride with superior power delivery.​​​​​​​ For fans looking for a spiritual successor, there is always the sporty Yamaha FJR1300ES.

Yamaha FJR1300AE Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Motorcycle Specs

1 2010 Honda VFR1200F DCT

Maximum Power: 170 hp

Production Years: 2009 – 2017

Honda’s VFR, or Viffer as it was later dubbed, makes for a pretty powerful ride, but it’s not just its performance that makes it so valued by motorcyclists.

Back in 2008, Honda debuted its all-new, clutchless, semi-automatic transmission system, which was one of its kind and stood apart from the rest of its ilk. In a way, the VFR1200F heralded an all-new technical era, not just for Honda but for the motorcycling world and automatic transmissions alike.

Honda VFR1200F DCT Technical Specs

All specs come courtesy of Honda and MotorcycleSpecs

Sources: All specs have been taken from the manufacturer’s websites, while a couple come from MotorcycleSpecs.