10 Cheapest Automatic Motorcycles You Can Buy Today

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In the motorcycle world, automatic gearboxes are often associated with scooters, and clutchless transmissions are mostly branded as "boring". But there are automatic motorcycles out there that are "exciting" too. More importantly, the tally of such bikes is rising super-fast, as more and more people realize the ease of riding such bikes. As a domino effect of that, automatic motorcycles are also becoming more affordable and powerful.

We're talking about 10 such bikes here, neither of which cost over $12,500 nor require a physical clutch action to shift through gears. Some of these don't even have gears, so you can technically just twist and go. This list is as vibrant as it gets. It includes the only automatic cruiser available today, a slew of funky Hondas, two exciting silent Kawasakis, and a dual-purpose American motorcycle that packs quite the punch.

It is to be noted that this list is not confined to just "gas-powered" automatic motorcycles. It also includes pure EVs and mini-motos that utilize direct-drive and clutchless gearboxes. To ensure accuracy, the information compiled in this article was sourced from authoritative sources, including the respective manufacturers’ official websites. This list of affordable automatic motorcycles is organized by price, from the most expensive to the cheapest.

This isn't your granddad's auto transmission—KTM's words, not ours

This is the most affordable electric motorcycle from the Tesla of the motorcycling world. The Zero FX is a lightweight and nimble dual-sport electric bike with an impressive top speed for an EV. With up to 102 miles on a full charge, the Zero is as practical as an affordable 2024 electric motorcycle can get. Its direct-drive gearbox helps modulate 78 pound-feet of torque linearly to the rear wheel, meanwhile.

Powerplant

Permanent Magnet brushless motor; air-cooled

Power

46 HP

Torque

78 LB-FT

Transmission

Clutchless Direct Drive

Curb Weight

289 LBS.

Top Speed

85 MPH

A laid-back, low-slung cruiser without a clutch sounds odd, but it makes perfect sense if you think of it. It complements those long freeway runs and offers one of the most comfortable motorcycle riding experiences. So, it makes perfect sense for cruisers to pack an automatic transmission after scooters.

Yet, surprisingly, the Honda Rebel 1100 is the only mainstream automatic cruiser on sale today. It marries its torque-rich parallel twin with its DCT quite well and also comes with a Manual mode. This mode utilizes paddle shifters for a more involving riding experience.

Engine Configuration

Parallel-Twin; Liquid-Cooled

Engine Displacement

1,083cc

Power

86 HP

Torque

72.3 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed; DCT

Curb Weight

509 LBS.

Top Speed

110 MPH (Speedo-Indicated)

Along with its naked brother (the Honda CBR650R), the CBR650R is the most powerful motorcycle on this list of automatic bikes. For under $10,000, you get a track-ready Honda that can be ridden without engaging the clutch lever. The only downside is the added heft of nearly 20 pounds to its curb weight.

The advantages of this middleweight sports bike outweigh this setback, though. The semi-automatic gearbox helps newbies get acquainted with this fast motorcycle rather quickly than traditional manual-gearbox sports bikes. The varying ride modes that modulate the E-Clutch engagement also add to its ease of livability.

Engine Configuration

Inline-4; Liquid-Cooled

Engine Displacement

649cc

Power

94 HP

Torque

46.5 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed; E-Clutch

Curb Weight

466 LBS.

Top Speed

135 MPH

Chinese bikemaker QJ Motor produces probably the world's first automatic V-twin cruiser

An automatic gearbox fits like a glove on a touring motorcycle. Not many know that there is an underappreciated touring-friendly Honda ADV equipped with an automatic transmission priced under $10,000. We're talking about the NC750X DCT. It is a sharp-looking sports tourer that uses its cozy twin-cylinder and automatic gearbox combo to its full potential. You also get three ride modes (Sport, Standard, and Rain) and a Manual shift mode that uses a paddle-shifter setup. The NC750X's chassis, suspension, and tire setup instill a sense of sportiness.

Engine Configuration

Parallel-Twin; Liquid-Cooled

Engine Displacement

745cc

Power

57.8 HP

Torque

51 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic; DCT

Curb Weight

493 LBS.

Top Speed

115 MPH

The Honda CB650R is an underrated neo-sport middleweight streetfighter. Thanks to the clever E-Clutch system, it's a practical hoot that is a lot easier to ride in 2024. Honda doesn't eliminate the clutch but simply automates it. In other words, you can shift through its six-speed gearbox without engaging the clutch lever. Manual gearbox fans fret not, as the CB650R can be used as a good-old manual-gearbox naked motorcycle when the E-Clutch system is switched off. Honda allows riders to toggle between three E-Clutch modes (Hard, Medium, and Soft), neither of which change the power output.

Engine Configuration

Inline-4; Liquid-Cooled

Engine Displacement

649cc

Power

94 HP

Torque

46.5 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed; E-Clutch

Curb Weight

456 LBS.

Top Speed

135 MPH

This is the sportier of Kawasaki's all-electric motorcycle duo. Underpinning the cheapest electric sports bike is a permanent magnet motor that produces close to 30 pound-feet of instant torque. A chain-driven direct-drive gearbox helps translate this to grin-worthy traction.

This transmission helps elevate the sporty Kawasaki EV's ride appeal and a clever Walk Mode that comes in handy when rolling out of a parking lot. Its design is inspired by the gas-powered Kawasaki Ninja 400, meanwhile. The ICE bike also lends the chassis elements to this EV.

Powerplant

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor; Air-Cooled

Power

12 HP

Torque

29.7 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct-Drive; Single-Reduction Gear

Curb Weight

308.7 LBS.

Top Speed

61.5 MPH

This is the naked version of Kawasaki's first-ever electric road bike. The battery-powered silent Kawa has humble power at 12 horses but packs impressive torque at nearly 30 pound-feet of torque. Couple this instance surge with a direct-drive gearbox, and we have a nimble and very swift urban motorcycle. Thanks to its direct-drive system, the Z e-1 also easily deploys features like its ride modes (ECO, Road, and E-Boost) and Walk Mode (which includes a Reverse mode). Some other notable bits include chunky 41 mm front forks, 17-inch wheels, a trellis frame, and Kawasaki Z400-inspired design language.

Powerplant

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor; Air-Cooled

Power

12 HP

Torque

29.7 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct-Drive; Single-Reduction Gear

Curb Weight

297.7 LBS.

Top Speed

61.5 MPH

Unlike most automatic transmissions on offer, this one is said to focus on sports riding shenanigans

America has long craved this funky little Honda. The Dax 125 combines an iconic classic design, a minimal and easy-to-ride character, and, most importantly, a very efficient engine coupled with a semi-automatic gearbox. Its 124cc single is shared with many Honda mini-motos, including the next entry on this list—Trail 125. The Dax 125 also packs a cool four-speed gearbox devoid of rider clutch engagement. The unique T-shaped steel chassis is its talking point, although other cool features include USD front forks and cool-looking 12-inch alloy wheels with road-oriented tires.

Engine Configuration

Single-Cylinder; Air-Cooled

Engine Displacement

124cc

Power

9.25 HP

Torque

7.96 LB-FT

Transmission

4-Speed Semi-Automatic

Curb Weight

236 LBS.

Top Speed

66 MPH

The Honda Trail 125 is a mini-moto with a rugged appeal. Its large spoke wheels with knobby tires and elevated exhaust routing show us its 'trail-ready' design. This is an ode to the original Honda CT Series of the 1960s, albeit with design elements religiously modernized here.

Its four-speed semi-automatic gearbox bridges between a manual and a CVT. So the Trail 125 has a traditional gearbox setup that you need to toggle with the foot but lacks a clutch lever. Thanks to its centrifugal clutch, this Honda doesn't stall when disengaging, even at near idle RPM.

Engine Configuration

Single-Cylinder; Air-Cooled

Engine Displacement

124.9cc

Power

9.7 HP

Torque

7.7 LB-FT

Transmission

4-Speed Semi-Automatic

Curb Weight

256 LBS.

Top Speed

60 MPH (Speedo-Indicated)

The cheapest automatic motorcycle you can buy today is also the least powerful on this list. But the Honda Navi makes up for its performance loss with a back-to-basics fun character. It's simple, minimal, and a hoot on city roads. The combination of an automatic gearbox, a lightweight footprint, a short wheelbase, a low seat height, and impressive mileage makes the Honda Navi a no-brainer city ride. This tiny Honda also has a roomy storage space that its belly neatly houses. Beyond its simplicity, the Navi is a very popular canvas for custom mini-motos.

Engine Configuration

Single-Cylinder; Air-Cooled

Engine Displacement

109cc

Power

7.8 HP

Torque

6.6 LB-FT

Transmission

CVT; Automatic

Curb Weight

234 LBS.

Top Speed

52 MPH (Speedo-Indicated)

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