My wife rides with me, she has lower back problems, the automatic CVT transmission is seamless and helps her be able to ride with me. Besides, "twist 'n go" is much more fun then "clutch, shift, go, clutch, shift, clutch, shift" Honestly, its much easier to enjoy the actual ride when you have one less thing to concentrate on. Don't knock 'em till you try one. I've had my Silverwing up to 110mph and it does quite well on the twisties