
You still drive a stick?
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This is the place for general discussion about motorcycles and life in general. No political posts. Use The "Other" Toy Box section for other bikes, guns, collectibles or hobbies.
This is the place for general discussion about motorcycles and life in general. No political posts. Use The "Other" Toy Box section for other bikes, guns, collectibles or hobbies.
- Lofty
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 1228
- Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:17 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Re: You still drive a stick?
There are days when I really enjoy rowing the gearboxes on both of my motorcycles. There are also those days when I want to drive the truck and be shiftless. 

Inventory:
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
- snowymonkey
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 747
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:32 pm
- Location: Lake City Florida
Re: You still drive a stick?
I love that sticker..... but I fall in that generation (by birth, but I don’t claim it). Born in 82. I however have driven manuals most of my life (lots of ACVW’s).
Currently drive a manual 07 Subaru Forester. I love that thing. I miss having a Jeep.... but we have had good luck with Subaru’s.
I actually enjoy a manual much more than an automatic..... for where I live. Lots of backroads and interstate. If I lived in a bigger city with more stop and go traffic I think the manual would get old. I did live in Pensacola for a bit while driving a 62 ragtop bug.... but that was almost 15 years ago.
Currently drive a manual 07 Subaru Forester. I love that thing. I miss having a Jeep.... but we have had good luck with Subaru’s.
I actually enjoy a manual much more than an automatic..... for where I live. Lots of backroads and interstate. If I lived in a bigger city with more stop and go traffic I think the manual would get old. I did live in Pensacola for a bit while driving a 62 ragtop bug.... but that was almost 15 years ago.
“ The music moves me, but it moves me ugly” - Nickoli
2008 Ural Patrol - “Toothless”
Lake City Florida
2008 Ural Patrol - “Toothless”
Lake City Florida
Re: You still drive a stick?
Yup ... <G>


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evil Kneivel? He got nuttin' on me!
2011 Ural T
Handicap mods include Raceway foot box, tank shifter w/reverse, and DIY rear brake pedal mods.
Evil Kneivel? He got nuttin' on me!
2011 Ural T
Handicap mods include Raceway foot box, tank shifter w/reverse, and DIY rear brake pedal mods.
- Lee Pape
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 4582
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:30 am
- Location: Perry, Iowa
Re: You still drive a stick?
When I used to work and commute daily I likes to have a stick. Living in Iowa we do get snow during the winter. With a stick it let me choose the gear that felt best to me for the conditions at the time. The best car that I ever owned for winter driving was a Geo Metro. It had a 3 cylinder engine with a 5 speed gear box. It's lack of horsepower and the 155/80-13 tires helped a lot in the snow.
We may not have it all together,
But, together we have it all.
2007 Tourist "The un-named-one"
Riding and working on Urals since 2000.
But, together we have it all.
2007 Tourist "The un-named-one"
Riding and working on Urals since 2000.
Re: You still drive a stick?
Makes driving feel like driving, and with the stick it gives you a place to hang your hat, not like on the "Three on the Tree".
2016 Patrol "Mr. Breeze "
- Peter Pan
- Order of Suvarov
- Posts: 3422
- Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:30 pm
- Location: Heredia, Costa Rica/screwing the heck out of the hack
Re: You still drive a stick?
Automatic is for to cause accidents in mountain range like here in Costa Rica. Once upon the time I made a inspection at a saw mill with a handicapped colleague in his automatic car.... on the way downhill it started to speed up like a 2 stroker, brakes heated up and faded several times. NO THANKS.
By the way my own last car is a 1960 Willies standing without tag since 1998.
As a sticker from USCA says:
My other car is a sidecar!
There is standing and waiting the Jawa-Husquarna rig for reassembly and new tag since 2012 too.
Sven
By the way my own last car is a 1960 Willies standing without tag since 1998.
As a sticker from USCA says:
My other car is a sidecar!
There is standing and waiting the Jawa-Husquarna rig for reassembly and new tag since 2012 too.

Sven
Sophie Travelair = Patrol 2013
8 weeks 12.000km Oregon-Alaska-Oregon
With a DIY foam air filter the rig runs well even in tropical rain =
Final drives: 1. at 5000km, 2. at 34.000km(+friction plates) 3. at 42.386km
transmission: 1. 40.000km. 2. installed
Engine: 1. 43.388km crank replacement: Back on the road since 23.Okt.2019
The Avatar are 2 rice grains stating life's essence:
"The most important you cannot see!"
=> Attitude makes the difference!
8 weeks 12.000km Oregon-Alaska-Oregon
With a DIY foam air filter the rig runs well even in tropical rain =

Final drives: 1. at 5000km, 2. at 34.000km(+friction plates) 3. at 42.386km
transmission: 1. 40.000km. 2. installed
Engine: 1. 43.388km crank replacement: Back on the road since 23.Okt.2019

The Avatar are 2 rice grains stating life's essence:
"The most important you cannot see!"
=> Attitude makes the difference!
Re: You still drive a stick?
Yup. A Jeep just needs a stick. Mine has one. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Though, it was hard to find one, most are autos now too!
2018 Gear Up “Collusion”, 2018 HD Heritage Softail Deluxe, 2016 HD Dyna Street Bob, 2015 Indian Chief Vintage
- Tin Man
- Commissar
- Posts: 10432
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 2:15 am
- Location: Johnson County, Texas, USA
Re: You still drive a stick?
Grew up with manual trannys but I remember when i was about 15, learning to drive a dump truck with a 4 speed transmission and a 2 speed axle. Had a gasoline V-8 so ya had to baby it up outta the pit with a load lest you blow an engine. I thought I was the cats azz.......until I climbed up in a cousins semi with its gazillion speed road ranger transmission. 

Mike
2007 GearUp (Arctic #1)
130/45 jets, KTM rock solid mirrors, Delaware Dave's outstanding trunk lock, Mr. Cob's most excellent skid plate, Cycra Probend smashproof hand guards, Duro strong like bull 307's, RotoPax damn near bulletproof fuel cans, MKIII all but water proof air box and Dimples super duper magnetic drain plugs all around...oh yeah, and a manual fuel petcock.
.........if you see something that needs doing, just do it........
2007 GearUp (Arctic #1)
130/45 jets, KTM rock solid mirrors, Delaware Dave's outstanding trunk lock, Mr. Cob's most excellent skid plate, Cycra Probend smashproof hand guards, Duro strong like bull 307's, RotoPax damn near bulletproof fuel cans, MKIII all but water proof air box and Dimples super duper magnetic drain plugs all around...oh yeah, and a manual fuel petcock.
.........if you see something that needs doing, just do it........
- rebelrider
- Order of Lenin
- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:03 am
- Location: Shelton, WA
Re: You still drive a stick?
I have a 1980 Honda Civic, and a 1999 Ford Ranger. Both with manual transmissions. I agree with the above comments that control, engine braking, and feedback are good reasons to still have one.
- bratmanxj
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 8:24 am
- Location: Munster, IN
Re: You still drive a stick?
My wife complains "that you have to pay to much attention" when driving stick, I told her I was never riding with her ever again.
The two SUVs are automatic, because you just can't find anything worth a dam in stick anymore. The work beater Mazda3 is stick, as were the last 2 Mazdas and VW Passat. I use to drive 30k miles a year for work and the manuals were just easier to rack up miles on. I have to re-tune the brain to hit the brakes when driving the SUV vs engine braking in the car.
I told my niece and nephew that I don't give a dam about what driving school they do, they need to pass my test of Chicago rush-hour traffic in my stick shift car before they can get their license.
The two SUVs are automatic, because you just can't find anything worth a dam in stick anymore. The work beater Mazda3 is stick, as were the last 2 Mazdas and VW Passat. I use to drive 30k miles a year for work and the manuals were just easier to rack up miles on. I have to re-tune the brain to hit the brakes when driving the SUV vs engine braking in the car.
I told my niece and nephew that I don't give a dam about what driving school they do, they need to pass my test of Chicago rush-hour traffic in my stick shift car before they can get their license.
1999 Yamaha Royal Star Venture
2007 Ural Tourist - The Big Red Brick
Chinese Knock off Honda Trail 70 rescued from the in-laws shed
1984 Suzuki LT125 Quadrunner - Sold off to a Friend
Boats, Jets Skis and Golf Carts...other fun stuff!
2007 Ural Tourist - The Big Red Brick
Chinese Knock off Honda Trail 70 rescued from the in-laws shed
1984 Suzuki LT125 Quadrunner - Sold off to a Friend
Boats, Jets Skis and Golf Carts...other fun stuff!
- INSUBORDINATOR
- Order of Suvarov
- Posts: 3595
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:13 am
- Location: North Georgia Mountains
Re: You still drive a stick?
I began using automatic transmissions due to old leg injuries. Auto trans - have improved greatly over the years & actually shift faster & smoother than many drivers. There are statistics to show that automatic transmissions actually prevent damage to the engine from lugging & over revs.
*My daughter bought a 91 automatic Miata way cheap - it had nearly 300k on its broken speedo - she drove it another 8 years with no major repairs.
*I bought a used 01 automatic Miata for a very good price 6 years ago, & later learned it has factory sport suspension, best auto trans with overdrive, + positraction + deluxe Nardi interior. It was so cheap because it has an automatic transmission. It is STILL the finest car I ever had.
IIMO you stand a better chance of NOT needing engine/drivetrain work on USED CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Many near gone clutches can't be detected. That's how its worked out for me - since I haven't bought a NEW VEHICLE since the 1970's - Then - only USED, & have been even Luckier having next to NO UPKEEP OWNING JAPANESE CARS. My used Fords & Chevs were rolling money pits. Just my $.02
*My daughter bought a 91 automatic Miata way cheap - it had nearly 300k on its broken speedo - she drove it another 8 years with no major repairs.
*I bought a used 01 automatic Miata for a very good price 6 years ago, & later learned it has factory sport suspension, best auto trans with overdrive, + positraction + deluxe Nardi interior. It was so cheap because it has an automatic transmission. It is STILL the finest car I ever had.
IIMO you stand a better chance of NOT needing engine/drivetrain work on USED CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Many near gone clutches can't be detected. That's how its worked out for me - since I haven't bought a NEW VEHICLE since the 1970's - Then - only USED, & have been even Luckier having next to NO UPKEEP OWNING JAPANESE CARS. My used Fords & Chevs were rolling money pits. Just my $.02
Current Motorcycles: Improved 2002 Ural Tourist.
"Be who you are & say what you feel. Those that matter won't mind, those that mind - don't matter."
"Be who you are & say what you feel. Those that matter won't mind, those that mind - don't matter."
Re: You still drive a stick?
My wife's old Contour, son's Blazer, in laws Grand Caravan, my old Malibu, all sold for junk around 100-150k mile because the automatic quit working and car was not worth fixing. Soured me on slushboxes but I'm sure they're gotten better. Wife has 80k on her riceburning minivan now, time will tell.
past afflictions include limey motocars and bikes, R60/2, R65ls, and a Citroen.
Now an 87 K75s, DB Haanjo gravel bike, and a rusty 2012 GU bought new
dual K&N cones on homemade intake, 40/137.5
Raceway needles, Modtop exhaust
$29 VW Hydraulic steering dampener
Now an 87 K75s, DB Haanjo gravel bike, and a rusty 2012 GU bought new
dual K&N cones on homemade intake, 40/137.5
Raceway needles, Modtop exhaust
$29 VW Hydraulic steering dampener
- :FI:Igor
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 725
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:32 pm
- Location: Near Dothan, AL 36375
Re: You still drive a stick?
My preferred vehicle is the Ural (56k km), rain day vehicle 1992 Ford Ranger (304k miles) 5 spd. Back up to all that is 2010 Ford F-150 (99k miles). Wife's car is a 2016 Honda Accord (33k miles). In my dreams, my only vehicle is the 2015 Ural! In dreams: same wife, same son, same house with more closet space, and somehow have a 17 year old daughter from India (haven't figured that out yet!)
2015 Ural Patrol (Светлана)
2006 HD Low Rider (sold)
2013 Ural Patrol 'Ursula' (2015 Totaled!)
2006 HD Low Rider (sold)
2013 Ural Patrol 'Ursula' (2015 Totaled!)
- tgtrotter
- Commissar
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:41 pm
- Location: Southside of The Grapevine, 91384
Re: You still drive a stick?
Three on the tree is a steering column manual. An improvement from floor shift and eliminating some transmission hump.
It's all personal choice. Slapstick muscle cars can be as fun as manual sport cars. I can drive my diesel powerstroke automatic like a manual using the electronic gear selector.
Reliability ? Probably manuals better. Driveability ? Depends on skill and below
Coordination ? I can drink a soda, eat pizza and read a map book in a manual as easy as any millennial can Google and drive an auto.
My wife taught both our girls to drive a stick in one hour. No bull. But it took her about 20 times to figure how low that second gear was on our '51 Plymouth with three on the tree. She kept trying to put it in first gear while rolling.
2007 Woodland Green Patrol
2004 FLTRI
1992 Trek 830

2004 FLTRI

1992 Trek 830

- VWK75S
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 4731
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:25 am
- Location: Sebago Lake Maine
Re: You still drive a stick?
I have to be careful in an automatic that I don't put my left foot on the brake to shirt.
John

John
The Ural's made Maine a much bigger state.
2009 GearUp 145,000kms
2007 Retro 25,000kms
1991 VWK75S 110,000miles
2009 GearUp 145,000kms
2007 Retro 25,000kms
1991 VWK75S 110,000miles