Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: automatic transmissions, honda 400, safety perspective

Question
Hi Pat

Can you tell me the advantage and disadvantage of a automatic transmission on a 1981 honda 400?
Never owned a automatic on this kind of bike, reason i was asking before i buy a bike that has this.Has a high and low gear to use thats it..
Thanks

Answer
From a safety perspective, you have one less thing to think about with an automatic transmission, so your mind is freer to keep an eye on the road.

On the other hand, only two gears might limit your options if you need to accelerate quickly, perhaps to avoid a collision or complete a safe pass.

If you're just learning to ride, the automatic would make that process easier.

Pat