Introduction
Automatic gearboxes on motorbikes are a polarising subject. You only need to look at the comments on social media posts about news of them to see the reaction from a vocal bunch of haters. But is it like so many things that while they might have a loud voice, they are actually the minority and many quite like the idea? With BRM getting the exclusive chance to ride the first Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT to land in NZ, we kept an open mind and headed off on a bike with no clutch or gear lever to see what it was really like.
How Does The Yamaha Y-AMT Work?
The Yamaha system is, for want of a better word, a bit of a rudimentary system. But that’s no bad thing. While others have gone for complicated or scooter-style systems, Yamaha’s Y-AMT uses two actuators to do the job the rider would usually use a hand and foot for, i.e. pulling the clutch in and selecting a gear.
The system offers three modes – D, D+ & Manual – with the D-modes two variations of fully automatic. D keeps everything mellow and is ideal for cruising around town, while D+ is programmed to keep the gears selected lower and hanging onto the revs slightly longer. Finally, there is a manual which allows the rider to select what gear they want via a rocker switch at the bottom of the lefthand switch block.
Switching from Auto to Manual is done via a ‘trigger’ type switch at the front of the right switch block and can be done on the fly, with the large ‘Mode’ button then altering the Power modes for Rain, Street, Sport and User Defined. It seems like there’s a lot going on and there’s certainly a lot of buttons. But if doesn’t take long to get accustomed to which does what, and it also didn’t take long to simply forget all about using a clutch lever.
What Does The MT-09 Y-AMT Ride Like?
If no one pointed out there was no clutch lever on this MT-09, chances are most casual observers wouldn’t even notice. There are no special stickers or logos anywhere to identify that this is a Y-AMT model, and after meeting a few riders at a local bike shop, no one spotted it until I told them to try and see what was missing.
Interestingly, the gearbox of the Y-AMT has neutral at the bottom, and then all the gears are up from there. Starting requires the rider to pull the front brake lever before hitting the starter, as the bike can be stopped in first gear. So this will prevent somebody from starting the bike with the throttle turned slightly and instantly taking off.
Selecting first gear is done with a press of the + lever using your index finger, and there is a noticeable clunk as the first ratio is engaged, although that is the only time the Y-AMT is anything other than silky smooth. With only 8km on the clock when I picked the bike up, a first stint of riding around the centre of Hamilton was going to be a serious test of just how sorted the system is, although I soon realized it was going to ace the test. I was giggling within my helmet within minutes.
In full auto mode, the Yamaha seamlessly flicks up and down the gearbox as your speed changes, with the only feeling of jerkiness coming from the fact you’re not exactly sure when it’s going to change to begin with. But before too long, you soon get a feeling for when the shift is going to happen.
As this is the first generation of the Y-AMT system, it’s not linked to the MT-09’s IMU, so I was slightly surprised when the gearbox decided to drop into first when I was tipped over in a roundabout. But the change in ratio was so smooth that it didn’t upset the bike anyway, so it isn’t an issue.
After an hour or so of trying to trip the system up riding around town and failing, I headed out onto some of my favourite backroads and it was here that the system really surprised. In town, there was no doubt that a good automatic system would make riding easier, with no stress of holding a clutch in or working your way up and down a gearbox as traffic moves. But what really surprised me out of the open road was that I could keep the balls of my feet up on the pegs and shift gears as I required them, making my ride so much smoother. Instead of upsetting the bike into a turn, moving my foot to change gear, I was able to keep on my toes and keep the bike settled.
Flicking down through the box in manual offers a satisfying blip of the revs and the MT-09 cackles in appreciation, while driving out of a turn, it’s quickly apparent that your finger is much more precise than a foot for changing gear. The system is an absolute blast.
Is The Yamaha Y-AMT Weird To Use?
The Y-AMT system is really easy to get used to, and I found I didn’t even miss having a clutch or gear lever within minutes of riding it. Slow-speed riding is still remarkably easy using the technique of pushing the rear brake and twisting the throttle slightly which keeps the revs up and engages the clutch. Coming to a standstill sees the gearbox shift down to first gear in automatic mode, while if you’re in manual, it will keep your selected gear until you stop, then shift down so you are ready to pull away.
Can You Still Wheelie The MT-09 with Y-AMT?
There was no way Yamaha could make their hooligan bike without it being able to lift the front wheel, and the MT-09 auto can still pull a great wheelstand. In fact, I reckon the Y-AMT version is better to wheelie than the stand version simply because you can shift gears using your finger with the front wheel in the air and the only foot movement your brain needs to think about is the back brake.
With no clutch to lift the front wheel, the MT-09 needs to be slowed so that it is in the meaty mid-range in second gear where a quick roll off and on of the throttle sees the front wheel head skywards. So there’s no worrying about the MT-09 losing its hooligan status.
Is the MT-09 Y-AMT Better Than The Standard Version?
This depends on who you are. If you are young and haven’t grown up driving a manual car, then the Y-AMT is going to make total sense. If you suffer from any form of soreness from pulling a clutch in, or maybe you’ve got short fingers (lady riders will be very happy with the system!) then the Y-AMT version will make your life so much better.
The real surprise will probably be the racetrack, with Yamaha boffins reporting that it lapped faster than the manual version under test conditions. Whether it’s better than the standard is debatable. Both are very good. And with Yamaha NZ retailing the auto for the exact same price as the manual version ($18,044 rideaway), you’d be crazy not to give one a go.
Pros
1. Can keep feet up on the pegs.
2. Super-fast changes
3. Full auto is great around town.
Cons
1. Not linked to IMI so will shift when cranked over.
2. Loses a bit of finesse at slow speeds with no clutch.
3. Can’t think of the third con!
Images by Two Creative Photography
