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View Full Version : automatic or semi automatic on a 125cc or 150cc??

bsheppar
02-12-2008, 05:56 PM
I'm looking to buyan atv for my son. i'm leaning towards either a 125cc or 150cc. The 150cc comes in automatic and the 125 in semi automatic. is one better than the other as far as reliablility and does the semi auto give you more top end speed? I've seen a 90cc with a cvt auto and it seemed really slow. please enlighten me. thanks.
katoranger
02-12-2008, 06:17 PM
The semi automatic is just an automatic clutch I believe and you still have to shift gears.

The CVT is fully automatic and I think it better suited to the utility type of ATV.

The semi-auto is going to have the better performance.

Allen
culcune
02-12-2008, 06:23 PM
Which brand(s) are you looking at? It seems that manufactures are phasing 125's out, and offering either a 110cc or 150cc. I would also consider the type of riding, and experience level of your son. A fully automatic 150 would be great for a teen with absolutely no riding experience to learn on, and the bike could convert to a family bike/spare bike when he got more experience and moved into a more powerful machine. (i.e. mom (the non-riding moms before you label me a chauvanist), Aunt Hilda, Grandpa Jack, etc)
bsheppar
02-12-2008, 10:19 PM
One local dealer here has a 125cc. not sure of the brand but it has a loncin engine with a semi-auto trans. Another local dealer has the MDI panther 150cc automatic. I think it has the yamaha style engine.

Is it easy to burn up the transmission in the semi-auto if you don't know when to shift?

On the auto trans, is it a 3 speed or 4 speed transmission or is more like the centrifugal clutches you see on go-karts?
culcune
02-12-2008, 11:39 PM
The Loncin is supposed to be decent for Chinese bikes. Not too sure about the panther.

As far as I know the autos are CVT's
katoranger
02-13-2008, 10:19 AM
The auto are a cvt type. It doens't have any gears.

With the semi-auto you will probably not damage the clutch, it will just not go real well unless it is shifted into the right gear.

I you like to crawl up rocky trails at slow speeds then I would get a automatic if you want to race around a track or drive on smooth trails fast then the semi-auto might be better.

I am more interested in the utility type atvs and since my wife would probably use it then the auto would be best.

Polaris uses a the auto on there sport atvs too.

With the auto you just press the throttle on go.

Allen