For decades, automatic transmissions have been a rarity in the world of motorcycles. Just a few manufacturers dared to experiment, and most users looked skepticism anything other than a conventional change. However, the panorama begins to change. Little by little users see the comfort that these types of changes suppose with better eyes and that is making more proposals in that regard.
Do not forget that Honda was a pioneer with his DCT in the late 2000s and, despite his complexity and price, he showed that there was an audience willing to accept it. Later, brands like BMW, KTM or Yamaha have approached the concept with semi -automatic solutions based on six -speed boxes. Now it is Benda that raises a different alternative, much simpler and closest to the usual Scooter philosophy, when resorting to this type of transmission in its new chinchilla 350 CVT neo instead of the electronic clutch that we recently saw in the 707 rock.
The strategy has logic if you look at the Asian market, where thousands of users give the leap of Scooters to major motorcycles. For that profile, the idea of maintaining the simplicity of “tour and accelerates” can be a weight argument. The challenge will be to convince users of other markets that continue to associate automatic change with initiation vehicles or with too particular proposals.
Chinchilla 350 CVT NEO is expected to reach Europe
La Chinchilla 350 CVT neo bets on a 343 cc V-Twin with 34 horsepower and 23 nm of torque, figures that place it in the line of the most powerful scooters in the market. The set remains in 195 kilos, which reinforces that sensation of light and manageable motorcycle. Correa transmission offers a very simple operation and, not having clutch or change lever, the two brakes are operated from the handlebar, as occurs in bicycles or in scooters.
It is not the first time that a brand dares with this approach. Aprilia already tried in 2007 with Mana 850, a model ahead of his time that he shared technology with the GP800 Gilera. Although criticism was positive, it had no continuity and remained as a rarity in the market. Today, with the growing interest in automatic, proposals such as Benda’s can find a more favorable scenario.
The Chinese brand presented La Chinchilla 350 CVT NEO in the last EICMA and has confirmed its arrival in the European market shortly. In the United States, where the 300 cc version is already sold, it would not be strange that this new model also ends up. In addition, the company prepares different alternatives: a cruiser with automated manual change and even a future double clutch box for a four -cylinder online that could see the light in 2026.
Beyond what happens with its sales, Chinchilla 350 CVT NEO reflects that the debate on the future of automatic motorcycles remains open and that there are more options than the sophisticated systems we had seen so far. The doubt is will seduce the public?
