LOL!
Yes the thread has deviated somewhat from my original question. They often do that.
I seem to remember once riding a motorcycle with an automatic. I'm pretty sure it was a Honda but I don't recall if it was a 750 or a Gold Wing or maybe even a Silver Wing. It would have been a long time ago and I wasn't impressed.
Its clear that opinions vary on this issue and I don't think anyone has changed any minds with their arguments.
The manual I drive most often is my Corvette and its sure not rated as a 1-ton. And its clutch is one of the reasons I don't drive it more often. My knees are getting old!
I prefer my knees not hurt and that is driving me more and more to automatics. And I suspect issues like mine will mean more of you who prefer manuals will eventually migrate to automatics. Perhaps some will never have bad knees or other problems, but as each of us ages we are more likely to appreciate things like an automatic and aging is therefore more likely to win converts to my preference than logic...
