Auto-Shifting Motorcycles! / KTM Announces AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) - Adventure Rider

Photo: KTM

Four months after first tipping its new auto gearbox at the Erzbergrodeo (see below), KTM is now ready to launch its new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

KTM sent out more details on the AMT’s design ahead of its debut on the fall show circuit. The gearbox design they’re about to release features a Park position; from there, you can shift up through Neutral, then gears 1-6 (different from the 1-N-2-4-5-6 pattern that is standard today). To take off, simply shift into first gear and twist the throttle. As engine speed increases, the centrifugal clutch engages and you roll away.

It sounds somewhat similar to the old auto-clutch gearboxes common in some ATVs and underbone-style motorcycles, but with the added advantage of electronics to help the shifting happen quickly. KTM says the new gearbox will shift at speeds similar to a quickshifter. As per their website featuring the new tech:

When the ride turns from a relaxed cruise to an apex-chasing blast, the AMT does so instantly. The gear shifts are electronically controlled via the ECU and the Transmission Control Unit, with an electromechanical shift actuator making shifts in just 50 milliseconds – which is comparable to a traditional transmission using a Quickshifter+, making shifts ultra-precise and super smooth.

Below, see the various components of the new gearbox design, and how they fit into the 1290 V-twin engine.

One other difference: Unlike the old Honda ATC trikes or current Trail 125 bike, the AMT is an auto-shifting machine first and foremost. The rider can shift up and down through the gears manually in M mode, with no need for a clutch, but the bike was designed to auto-shift in A mode. Riders can either shift via a standard foot lever on the left-hand side of the engine, or a paddle shifter on the handlebars. Even when in auto-shifting A mode, the rider can still use the paddle shifters to override the electro-brains, says KTM:

During the usage of the automated shift mode, manual shifting input or override is possible, with the easiest way to change a gear being via the up and down shift paddles on the left switch cube. In this case, the fully automated mode is suppressed for 4 seconds and switches back to active automated mode afterward. In an instance where the rider needs more acceleration, and opens the throttle very suddenly, the system activates a kick-down function and shifts to a lower gear. This is important for overtaking, or when the road calls for a little more “go!”

A rider can also initiate a downshift by quickly closing the throttle. This makes overtaking easier by preemptively selecting the correct gear.

In A mode, there are three different shift modes available: Comfort, Street or Sport. As you would expect, these are tied to the bike’s Ride modes to ensure optimal performance for the conditions.

See an excerpt from KTM’s PR below:

At its core, the AMT allows the rider to choose between using a manual shifting operation in M Mode – without a clutch – or a completely automated transmission in A Mode. Once 1st gear is engaged, forward drive is initiated by raising the engine speed, at which point the centrifugal clutch engages and sets the motorcycle in motion.

This makes starting on a slope, pulling away, stopping, and slow-speed maneuvering much easier, particularly on a bigger motorcycle. In addition, it is impossible to stall the engine, which on its own is a massive benefit.

Unlike traditional motorcycle gearbox setups, the AMT features a P – N – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 gear sequence, with P denoting PARK to prevent any unwanted rolling thanks to a locking pawl within the gearbox.

Both PARK and NEUTRAL positions can only be selected using the shifting paddle on the handlebar switch cube, whether the engine is running or not, with the front or rear brake needing to be applied to engage 1st gear.

In terms of shifting speed, the gearbox is electronically controlled via the ECU and Transmission Control Unit. Shifts are initiated by an electromechanical shift actuator, which turns the shift drum. This means shifting between gears takes 50 milliseconds which is comparable to a traditional transmission using a quickshifter.

However, while the merits of an automated transmission are well documented, the AMT’s party trick lies with its Manual Mode.

In the M shift mode, the rider can purposefully shift gears by using the traditional gear lever on the left side of the engine or with the paddle shift on the left switch cube. This allows riders to maintain a READY TO RACE, sporty riding feel without any compromises in speed or agility. This has been done by carefully engineering the AMT gearbox to maintain traditional gearbox proportions, along with keeping the weight well within the same ballpark.

The AMT system also allows riders a wide range of setup configurations, with SHIFTING modes working in unison with RIDE modes, to allow for individual preferences, regardless of application.

We expect the new AMT gearbox to debut in the new KTM 1390 Adventure S EVO, but KTM says other bikes will run this technology in the future.