fabio quartararo et alex rins took the winding roads of the Pre-Pyrenees to get a sneak peek at the Yamaha MT-09 in its Y-AMT version.
Iwata's three-cylinder is thus equipped with the new "Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission" which allows its rider to choose between a manual transmission mode (MT) and a fully automatic transmission mode (AT).
In manual mode, the left hand shifts up and down by pressing a button with the thumb and index finger. In automatic mode, you don't need to shift gears at all.
Although somewhat destabilized by their YZR-M1s with their levers on the left handlebars, the two MotoGP riders were clearly having a good time, with Fabio Quartararo even giving us a few laughs that were a pleasure to hear.
MT: Manual Transmission
With the MT manual transmission, you can change gear quickly and precisely at the touch of a button, without having to operate a clutch lever. Gear changes are managed by the index finger and thumb, via a dual control: a "+" button to shift up and a "-" button to shift down. For optimum control in sporty riding, the "+" control can be pulled not only to shift up, but also pushed to shift down with the index finger alone, offering greater freedom since it is not necessary to remove the thumb from the handlebar.
AT: Automatic Transmission
The AT fully automatic transmission allows the rider to choose between two programs to suit different riding scenarios, easily switched at any time by pressing a dedicated thumb-operated “mode” button. A “D+” mode offers sporty gearshift dynamics, shifting at high revs, to maintain the thrill of riding, while still offering the benefits of a fully automatic transmission. For everyday commuting or on the motorway, “D” mode offers smoother gearshift dynamics, while maintaining low engine revs, to maximise confidence when manoeuvring and manoeuvring at low speeds and in traffic. In “AT” mode, the rider can also choose to change gear manually at any time by simply using the dual “+” and “–” control.
Below is a quick translation of the video into English.
AR: It's amazing how agile the bike is, huh?
FQ: It's super cool (laughs)! The gear change is also really fun.
AR: This is really great! Hello everyone, let's enjoy this new Yamaha MT-09, let's go!
FQ: Go!
AR: Have you seen this new Yamaha?
FQ: The MT-09 with the Y-AMT system? Then yes, we will have fun!
AR: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's going to be interesting, without a clutch...
FQ: Yeah, I mean usually we have the clutch and rear brake levers, but let's see. I think it's going to be different.
AR: Yeah
FQ: The gear change here on the handlebars, it comes from a car (laughs)… Here we go!
FQ: I'm now in Street mode, let's warm up the tires a little bit. You can also use both levels to shift, one finger, two fingers. I use my thumb to shift, and yes, shifting with my index finger is fun. Ok, I'll try the D+.
AR: D+ is more like racing, like in automatic. As a driver, it's a bit difficult not to have a clutch. This mode is crazy, it's phenomenal.
FQ: I'm changing modes again. The gear shifting is amazing. The ability to choose between automatic and manual is really nice.
AR: It's amazing how agile the bike is, huh?
FQ: It's super cool (laughs)! The gear change is also really fun.
AR: Yes, it's really great.
FQ: I used the Automatic, the Street and the Sport. Back to the sport version, it was fun (laughs).
AR: Okay, okay, okay, go ahead.
FQ: I'm going.
AR: Let's go!
FQ: Sports mode.
AR: Let's see if I open the throttle. Wow! You can see that in Sport mode the bike is more aggressive, the engine is more linear.
FQ: Sport mode is my favorite mode, the fastest. But it's really fun to drive.
AR: You can use two fingers or just one to shift down. It's pretty cool. Look how I am on this stock bike (laughs)!
FQ: It's weird without a clutch sometimes (laughs)!
AR: Yes, I was looking for the clutch.
FQ: Yes, it's strange.
AR: But in automatic, it’s crazy what it changes.
FQ: Yeah, it's super cool! To be honest, it's pretty cool that the system works like this. The bike can be ridden in two different ways, so I like it. My favorite mode on the MT is quite sporty, and the AMT is also better than I expected.
AR: For me, as you said, the MT was pretty good, the engine response was really fast. The D mode was also quite surprising. The bike was fun, today was a good day. We just need to go home, right?
FQ: We're bringing her home, see you guys soon!
Fabio Quartararo Alex Rins MT-09 Y-AMT
Fabio Quartararo Alex Rins MT-09 Y-AMT