KTM Working On Semi-Auto Gearbox
Cycle News Staff | February 22, 2023
KTM could be the latest manufacturer to bring semi-automatic gearbox technology to motorcycles.
Semi-auto technology looks like it’s coming to the KTM 1290 range.
In news first broke by UK journalist Ben Purvis on the website Bikesocial, KTM filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 2, 2022 for a “gearbox lock” that’s specifically to be used on a semi-automatic motorcycle.
The document states the lock is to work in conjunction with a centrifugal clutch, similar to that of a scooter, which automatically decouples the motor from the gearbox as the revs get low. The patent also states that the gears are intended to engage via an electric shift motor.
“Control commands from a motorcyclist can be received by the electronic control unit so that the motorcyclist can shift between different rotational positions of the gearshift cylinder, in particular between at least one rotational position in the freewheeling range, and a rotational position in the locking range, and/or between rotational positions in the freewheeling range,” the patent reads. “This allows a motorcyclist to operate the automatic gearbox and the gearshift lock. The gearshift lock can therefore be operated via existing components if there is an automatic gearbox on the motorcycle, and no additional components are required.”
It is believed the gearbox is designed to work with KTM’s 1290 range in the Super Duke, Super Duke GT and Super Adventure. It is believed shifting on the KTM unit can be done either by push-button or the traditional foot lever.
Should KTM bring the semi-automatic gearbox to production, it will join Honda, who created the first semi-auto unit on the VFR1200F over a decade ago. MV Agusta also differ in shifting technology by using a Rekluse centrifugal clutch on select models, which, when using their quickshifter for up and down shifts, means you don’t have to use the clutch lever. CN
