The answer to Honda’s E-Clutch?
It seems that the two Japanese “eternal rivals” have found a new technology to engage with and, possibly, compete fiercely in the years to come. After the presentation of the semi-automatic clutch system E-Clutch, from Honda, Yamaha takes the baton, which apparently is preparing its own answer.
According to patent drawings that surfaced a few hours ago, Yamaha is working on the system, which does away with both the clutch lever and the gear shifter, a stark contrast to Honda’s E-Clutch. The transmission and clutch will be operated by electric servo mechanisms, while the rider will be able to choose either fully automatic mode, or semi-automatic – changing gears from buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.
The system is revealed in patents, which illustrate both the placement of the steering wheel buttons and servos (note component 14 in the MT-07 drawing below), as well as the location of the central control unit, shown on the left and above, at the height of neck of the steering wheel.
More drawings as well as information about the patent, speak of its use in all models that carry the CP2 engine, namely the R7 and Tenere 700 – the latter is perhaps the most interesting of all, due to its touring character.
At the moment we do not know more and we wait with great anxiety.
