New York Times Reviews Yaris...

[Amdkt7]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

I was about to state something similar. More speeds in the same sized box= less robust build. If the top gear(OD)is .7 ratio, extra speeds is just marketing.

In the 60's Yamaha had a motorcycle with an 18 speed gearbox. Now most bikes are 5 or 6 speeds.

In the 60's, most bikes were 2 cycle, they had a very narrow power band. They needed a lot of gears. Now they have 4 cycle engines, and a much better power band.

Again, my point is I want a higher final ratio.

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by Amdkt7

In the 60's, most bikes were 2 cycle, they had a very narrow power band. They needed a lot of gears. Now they have 4 cycle engines, and a much better power band.

Again, my point is I want a higher final ratio.

100% correct! And the Yaris is a 4 cycle with a wide power band, not needing more than 4 speeds in the auto.

Also, todays 2 cycle motorcycles are 5 or 6 speed.

Again, my point was the final ratio is no different if you have a 4, 5 or 6 speed auto.

The final (OD) ratio is also .7 on the Ford Fiesta 6 speed auto. Same as the Yaris.