Yamaha Motor Develops Y-AMT Automated Manual Transmission System

Yamaha's Y-AMT for the MT-09 automates clutch and gearshifts, using a handlebar lever. It features manual and automatic modes for easy, smooth riding.

Tokyo, Japan - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., developed the new Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission), which automates a motorcycle's clutch and gearshift operations when starting out and while riding with sophisticated electronic control. This will be featured in the new MT-09 Y-AMT set to be released in Japan by the end of this year.

Y-AMT is a newly developed automated manual transmission that does away with the clutch lever and shift pedal. By consolidating shift operations into a lever on the handlebars, it allows for more intuitive gear changes. This frees the rider from clutch and shift pedal operations, enhancing the enjoyment of controlling motorcycle at will and contributing to an improved experience of being one with the machine.

In addition to the manual MT mode where the rider hand-operates the lever to shift gears, the system also has an automatic AT mode that automates gear changes, allowing the rider to select the mode according to different road environments, such as city streets, highways, or winding roads, or the rider's own condition, changes in weather, and so on. Both MT and AT modes feature quick response, providing consistent expert-level gear changes without any compromise to sporty performance.

Y-AMT is an automated manual transmission that does away with the clutch lever and shift pedal. Simple lever operation allows for smooth and quick expert-level gear changes. The mechanism provides a comfortable, smooth, and sporty ride in a wide range of situations, from daily use and touring to spirited, sporty riding. In addition, there is no need to operate the clutch when starting off. This makes it easier to achieve smooth expert-level starts.

The basic configuration of the Y-AMT is that the manual transmission of the base vehicle is equipped with actuators for performing the shifting and clutch operations. The unit's total weight is approximately 2.8 kg and has achieves a lightweight, slim, and compact design that minimizes the impact on the original vehicle's styling and handling characteristics.