KTM Reveals More Info On Auto-Shifting AMT Gearbox

Earlier this year, we found out KTM’s plans to launch a new auto-shifting motorcycle when they debuted a prototype bike with this tech at the Erzbergrodeo. Now, they’ve released more details on this tech.

Basically, it’s a twist-and-go gearbox that relies on an electro-brain to tell the gearbox when to shift. The shifting pattern is Park-Neutral-1-2-3-4-5-6, and the bike can be shifted manually through those gears with a foot lever or a paddle shifter on the left handlebar when it’s in M mode—with no need for a clutch lever, of course.

A centrifugal clutch works with electronic management to make twist-and-go shifting easy.

The gearbox has a Park position, since the bike would otherwise free-wheel when parked on a slope, thanks to the centrifugal clutch.

It all fits into the 1390 engine, to be revealed shortly, we presume.

The paddle shifter can also bang the bike up and down the gearbox when the machine is in A, or automatic, mode as well. When the rider uses the paddle shifter while in auto-shifting mode, the gearbox is temporarily over-ridden. As well, if the rider needs the “drop a gear and disappear effect,” the AMT design will happily oblige. As per the KTM website:

“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.”

That should alleviate some of the fears of the AMT being a slushbox. As well, note that the machines this AMT gearbox comes pre-installed in—first the 1390 Adventure S EVO, most likely, and then others to come—will all have riding modes built in. There are three modes for the AMT gearbox when it’s in auto-shifting A mode: Comfort, Street or Sport. These are tied to the ride modes as well, so your transmission’s shifting characteristics will match your ride mode.

All together, it’s a bold new direction for KTM, although there are several other OEMs working on similar tech. Clutchless motorcycle riding is apparently the wave of the future?