Text/Photo: Ole-Andreas Isdahl After a week and a considerable amount of kilometers on the new Yamaha MT09 Y-AMT, I have both experienced and learned a lot about both capacities and functionality. I knew the predecessor or standard version of the MT09 well and therefore have a good basis for comparison to really feel what the new AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) technology offers.
Important to note that ……..
Even though we’re at the end of the season, I’ve been lucky with the weather and had up to 12 degrees while riding the bike, not exactly boiling hot asphalt, but more than good enough to get relatively good contact with the handling of the newcomer. It took some time to get under the skin of the bike because using the new gear technology and controls actually requires you to think and concentrate on new things on the first few rides. In other words, it takes some time to get all the switches into your cerebellum so that the movement and localization of the switches and their position are automated. It also means that you probably won’t get in touch (like me) with the bike’s actual capabilities on the first few rides. So it takes a bit of practice to get this right and it takes some time to master the use of all the combinations you have before you can ride efficiently and with good flow. Basically, this will apply to absolutely everyone, unless you’re a pure “gamer” who works easily and quickly with controls. This means that anyone thinking of buying AMT technology needs to test drive it more than once. If you don’t, it’s likely that your own skills and learning speed will get in the way of getting to grips with the amazing capabilities of this technology and not least how much driving pleasure it can offer.
“After the first week of driving, I’m both thrilled and hooked, and have really experienced what new technology can offer in terms of both learning and skill development. Riding the new MT09 Y-AMT involves the use of about 12 switches on the right and left handlebars, and these should eventually be firmly embedded in the cerebellum that stores automated motor skills in our heads. When we have learned how to operate the switches, the control signals can quickly be communicated to the fingertips that will play the switch nomenclature that controls this instrument. If I play badly, the sound is awful, but with a little practice and good playing, I experience the bike as a symphony that does exactly what I want and the MT09 has never been better to ride. I can choose between three gear modes (street which corresponds to manual electric shifting, D which is an ordinary automatic and D+ which is a sporty automatic) and five motor mappings in “street” (street, user 1, user 2, sport and rain) and of course the automatic selections D and D1. This means that you have a total of seven different gear and engine mapping options, which means that at least I’m able to find something to suit my mood and day. In other words, the MT09 Y-AMT has a wide range of applications, from quiet and comfortable riding to festive and very sporty play, making some of the world’s best engine technology, steering geometry and cornering characteristics available to you.
As you know, the clutch lever is gone, but I didn’t miss it for a single second. The seven selection combinations I have available make this so much more versatile and exciting to drive that a manual gearbox with paddle shifters and blips simply becomes a bit boring and old-fashioned in comparison. I shift so much faster with my finger and thumb than I can with my left foot on a quick shifter that the difference is noticeable. In terms of motor skills, it’s of course much quicker to move a finger than a whole leg and it also disturbs the balance less. And on this particular point I must be clear to the reader, for God’s sake be willing to look into and not least try to familiarize yourself with forward-looking and modern technology. Anyone who has driven Honda’s DCT technology loves it, those who haven’t, in my opinion, haven’t tried enough, experienced or learned what this technology can actually offer. This is also the case here, and I am very keen that you have to be willing to learn, you have to be willing to move to get some of the upside that the technology offers. If you don’t bother, then you’re actually missing out on something big and you’re the one who loses out! If you don’t bother to learn how to play this beautiful instrument, then you’re also missing out on the beautiful tones.
Can you compare Y-AMT and DCT technology from Honda?
Yes you can, the choices and combination options are quite similar but the gear logic and timing of shifting are perceived differently. I am reasonably sure that this experience is subjective and can therefore be perceived differently from person to person, but I personally feel that the YMT technology is closer to my operational gear pattern than Honda’s DCT system. However, I must emphasize that this has to do with personal preferences. The timing of upshifts and downshifts and the throttle response works like a charm for me, and the ability to override the automatic transmission with a manual shift works beautifully. Braking with the engine brake and downshift works superbly and feels as natural as on a manual gearbox. Of course, the MT09’s fun steering geometry adds to the fun. The gear change itself feels very similar to a manual gearbox. The free position is at the bottom and when I put it into gear I get a distinctive clunk that is felt in the bike, which I personally like. The other gear movements are also noticeable and distinctive.
The MT09 is hyper naked and best suited to urban environments that involve play and mental therapy. This is where it comes into its own and this is also where you can really feel the truly festive aspects of driving a super-fast automatic transmission that can also be shifted electrically/manually. It’s nothing less than very, very festive. It has to be said that the MT09 with AMT technology is just as capable of going on long journeys. The seating position is upright and comfortable, and the large TFT instrument protects the driver from much of the speed wind. The model is directionally stable and calm and feels very comfortable in all conditions and speeds. By all means go and try this, personally, as you can imagine, I’m absolutely delighted and could easily have lived with the AMT technology. But keep in mind that this will take some getting used to, and it’s just as important that dealers are aware of this and make room for it. A 15-minute test drive is unlikely to put you in touch with the capabilities of this machine and such trips are unlikely to trigger a sale. Take my advice.