I don't think there are any noteworthy differences in maintenance requirements for hand clutch and auto clutch engines.
I would not hesitate to get an auto clutch bike for my wife or grandchild. My wife currently has a motor scooter, so it has a CVT. There are a few scooters out there now, like the Honda Navi, that look a bit like a pit bike but still have the CVT tranny.
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"Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
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