An automatic clutch that actually adds to the bike
Yamaha have developed their own version of DCT
I had my first spin on Yamahas new MT 09 with an automatic gear box last week.
The bike that it is used in is a completely standard machine, not the highly regarded SP version that we’ve become spoiled by and enjoys a full title of MT-09 Y-AMT.
This season, paddles are in and levers are out
The first thing that I notice, other than a lack of gear and clutch levers is the electronic ignition. This is the first time I’ve seen keyless ignition used on a Yamaha. There’s a standard TFT screen as per the original bike. The frame, chassis, wheels and ergonomics are all exactly the same as is that wonderful triple cylindered engine.
All the details are displayed on a TFT screen
Starting it necessitates putting the side stand up and pulling in the front break. Once it’s running at a low idle it’ll just sit there, it reminds me of using a TMax. It’s a simple ‘twist and go’ affair.
A fantastic bike to ride
On the right hand bar there’s a selector button that allows me to choose between a manual transmission, displayed on the TFT screen as MT, or an automatic
It's not just available in black!
setting, AT, which offers direct drive which can be chosen in either the softer D setting which worked very well around the city or D+ which waited until the bike was higher up in the rev range before it hooked the next gear. These were easy to choose between and change between on the move via the bikes mode button. It’s all very simple to use.
A narrow profile with loads of street presence
The manual changer, however, was where I found the real fun. Beneath the left bar there’s a see-saw lever. With my index finger I press the outside one up to change gear with my index finger and press the inside one with my thumb to change down. Adding a little bit of throttle blip at each down change makes it easier, but the upshift is like a quick shifter. I didn’t need to back off in any way.
The system takes up next to no space
After a few kilometres my thick winter gloves were causing me a bit of an issue when it came to reaching the down change button. Nothing much, I just had to think a little harder to actuate it. I then just changed to using the up button in both ways. With only the one switch to use it became a lot quicker and easier.
There were a number of things that I found very interesting. I found the electronic ignition a bit ‘fiddley’. I presumed the fob would be a proximity affair. It isn’t, there’s a small button on it to send a signal to the bike. The ignition itself seemed a little reluctant to turn. I imagine these tiny niggles were specific to this bike.
Signal controlled from a simple fob
What was very interesting was that the gear shift back to neutral involved the manual ‘paddles’. I usually park my bike up in first. When I did this with the AMT as there’s no gear lever to push it back into neutral, or a clutch lever to pull in, with there’s no way of getting it back into neutral without the fob. It’s quite simply stuck to the ground and cannot be rolled away. A very helpful default when it comes to motorcycle security, especially in our capital city.
One of the challenges that using this sort of system creates is the need to make the space for it. Yamaha have done this incredibly well and the MT-09 simply has a slightly larger casing on the right hand side of the engine. It’s completely unobtrusive and takes nothing away from the bikes looks. Then there’s the weight factor. The standard machine tips the scales at 193 kilos, the slightly heavier SP at 194. The AMT comes in at 196. With such a tiny weight increase for such a complex piece of additional equipment the team at Yamaha deserve to be commended for such an achievement. All the weights are ‘wet’.
On the unnaturally early morning dark and wet commute ‘white van man’ pulled out in front of me. In a simple ‘muscle memory’ moment I reached for both brakes in addition to the clutch and gear shift. As I was breaking without changing down it would have been reasonable to expect it to stall. The bike did the downshift for me under the hard breaking! It simply aligned itself with the decreasing revs and fell into automatic dropping the gears as I stopped. Very clever.
Hopefully to be seen in other models soon
After riding the AMT I have to admit that I would have a hard time choosing between it and a standard machine. I think it compares very well to the DCT system from Honda. I’m looking forward to seeing it on more models and I’d be very interested to see how it works on bigger machines such as the MT 10. I also reckon that it’ll work a treat on track and I really hope that it’s included as an option on the new R9.
The new bike costs €12,899, the SP is more expensive at €13,999 with a current offer price of €12,849 and the standard MT-09 is €12,399. The AMT is available to take for a test ride from dealers across Ireland. Take a spin on one yourself. I reckon you’ll be impressed.