Yamaha MT-09 Confirmed to be the First Bike to Get the Brand's New Y-AMT Semi-automatic Transmission

Japanese bike manufacturer Yamaha decided to enter the big leagues about a month ago and unveiled a system designed to do away with the necessity for riders to manually engage a clutch. It is dubbed Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT), and the maker claimed that we will see it on a real model soon. In a recent development, the company has confirmed that its MT-09 will be the first model to get the new Y-AMT. With this, Yamaha attempts to compete with BMW's Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) system, which was introduced two months ago, as well as other comparable systems now in use on competitors' bikes.

Also Read: Yamaha Unveils Automated Manual Transmission Technology for Faster Gear Changes

Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT): How Does It Work?

In order to replace the clutch lever and the rider's foot shifter, the Y-AMT system employs two electronic actuators. It integrates with the bike's ride-by-wire technology to enable features like cruise control and ride modes. The rider can select between two modes: D and D+, or Manual and Automatic.

The + and - buttons on the switch cube allow the rider to choose a higher or lower gear when in manual mode. In addition to being quicker than traditional quick shifters, Yamaha claims that the system frees up the rider to concentrate on potential situations, including entering a corner. The system automatically swaps gears in D and D+, the latter being utilised for sportier and more enthusiastic riding.

It is important to note Yamaha will also keep selling the MT-09 without the Y-AMT gearbox. We anticipate that other Yamaha motorcycles that use the CP3 engine, such as the three-wheeled Niken and the Tracer 900, will also get the same technology. Furthermore, Yamaha should not have too much trouble integrating it into their 700cc bikes, unlike Honda with the DCT, in terms of technology and cost. As a result, we may eventually see this technology added to the Tenere 700 or the MT-07. 

Also Read: Yamaha Fascino S Launched at Rs 93,730 in India, Gets New Answer Back Function

Yamaha MT-09: Specs and Features

Mechanically, the Yamaha MT-09 is powered by an 890cc, CP3, three-cylinder engine, which puts out 117.3bhp of maximum power at 10,000rpm and 93Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch as standard.

Following a recent update, the Yamaha model received several new design and tech features. The 2024 MT-09 includes a new 5-inch full-colour TFT instrument cluster with connectivity features and a Type-C port for charging mobile devices. Besides this, the manufacturer has included cruise control and Yamaha Ride Control. Five riding modes are available: two customisable and three preset. The engine suspension is now more firm, and the front is slightly less rigid. Both the rear suspensions and the damping properties have undergone modifications. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport 523 tyres, wrapped around brand-new 17-inch spin-forged aluminium wheels, are currently being used by Yamaha.