[sportrider - latest stories] - New 2010 Honda VFR1200 to have dual-clutch semi-auto

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New 2010 Honda VFR1200 to have dual-clutch semi-auto gearbox option

New 2010 Honda VFR1200 to feature semi-automatic F1-style transmission option - company says more sportbikes to feature gearbox in futureA version of Honda’s new VFR1200 sport-tour motorcycle will come equipped with the world’s first semi-automatic dual clutch transmission, according to information recently released by Honda Japan. Unlike previous “semi-automatic� designs that have recently made their way into motorcycling, the new Honda unit is not a CVT transmission such as that used on the Aprilia Mana and even Honda’s own DN-01 (basically the same as those used in most automobiles, relying on a heavy and inefficient torque converter to function as a clutch) nor is it just a electro-hydraulically-operated conventional clutch as found on the now-discontinued Yamaha FJR1300 AE. The new dual clutch transmission is basically very similar in function to the semi-automatic gearboxes used by Formula One and World Rally Championship racecars, allowing seamless, lightning-quick gearshifts with none of the inefficiency or quirkiness of previous motorcycle-specific units.inline_mediumwraptextrightBy stacking both clutches inline on top of one another (red and blue) while functioning independently, Honda was able to keep the bulk and weight of the system down, as well as allow it to be retro-fitted fairly easily to existing engines.30359448/news/146_0909_2010_honda_vfr1200_semi_auto_transmission2010 Honda VFR1200 dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission.jpgTrue


Photo Gallery: New 2010 Honda VFR1200 to have dual-clutch semi-auto transmission option - Sport Rider Magazine


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