A month after announcing the Y-AMT, Yamaha has revealed the first model to feature this semi-automatic transmission: the MT-09 Y-AMT, which will also be available in an A2 version. The MT-09 Y-AMT, which gives you the choice of manual shifting via handlebar-mounted paddles or two automatic modes, D and D+, will be available later this year.
We have to admit that we didn’t expect the MT-09 to be the first model to be equipped with Yamaha’s Y-AMT system, which was announced at the end of June. An automatic transmission is seen as a detriment to sportiness and would have suited the Tracer much better if you ask us. That’s also what our experiences with Honda’s DCT have been in the past: perfect for a touring bike, but on a sporty bike we prefer to do the shifting ourselves.
However, Yamaha begs to differ. In fact, Yamaha claims that the new transmission will revolutionise the sports riding experience. The Y-AMT allows riders to fully focus on the performance of the MT-09 by redefining the gear shifting process with either a fingertip-operated transmission or a fully automatic transmission, delivering linear shifting throughout and creating the most involved and rewarding riding experience.
With Y-AMT, the clutch and gearshift are each operated by an electric motor, eliminating the need for both a traditional clutch lever and a foot-operated gearshift. At least Yamaha has come up with a good excuse for why Y-AMT is so much better than manual shifting.
“Since the hands are more closely and finely connected to the brain than the feet, they are one of the most tactile and powerful tools the human body has,” the press release states. “Unlike shifting with feet and hands, shifting by hand is not only faster but also requires less time to think, allowing the rider to concentrate fully on throttle and brake use, lean angle, body position and tire grip for an even more intense riding experience, especially when cornering.”
Well, what can we say about this. When Honda introduced the DCT transmission 15 years ago they were called crazy and out of nowhere everyone suddenly wants to target the market. BMW introduced it on the GS, KTM teased it on the Super Adventure and Yamaha now also on the MT-09. While it is actually completely unnecessary, an up/down quickshifter in combination with a centrifugal clutch works just as easily and is significantly cheaper.
The MT-09 Y-AMT is available in Tech Black, Midnight Cyan and Icon Blue and will be available later this year. The price of the bike is not yet known, but we would not be surprised if the basic price of €12,499 for the MT-09 is increased by another €2,500. And then such a mid-range Naked suddenly becomes quite expensive.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.