It sounds like you had quite a ride. You're right, long rides on a manual transmission, or MT, bike will tire you out from operating the clutch.
Especially with traffic jams and the like...
But nowadays there are many bikes with mechanisms that make gear shifting easier!
Oh, really? I'd love to hear more about that.
There are. For example, scooters and bikes with dual clutch transmissions, or DCT, do not require you to clutch and shift. Even more recently, Honda has released a new clutch mechanism called E-Clutch.
Scooters, DCT, and now E-Clutch...I've heard these names, but what exactly is the difference?
I would be happy to explain each of them to you, and what makes them unique, in an easy-to-understand way.
1.Manual Clutch (MT)
Let’s start with manual clutch bikes. These require you to change gears yourself, using the clutch lever at your left hand and the shift pedal at your left foot. They need frequent clutch operation and gear changes every time you start, accelerate, decelerate, or stop.
I know, I know. This is the one that's got me so tired. But, manuals give you a sense of being in control, and that's fun.
Yes, the fun of controlling the bike yourself is the beauty of manuals. But, in exchange for that fun, you have to accept that it can be tiresome in traffic jams or when riding long distances. It was so tough that your left hand actually hurt after that long touring trip, right?
Yeah... I had to take a break in the middle of the day or else it would have been too hard.
That’s exactly why a lot of different technologies that save your energy and automate clutch operations are now available. The next kinds of bikes I'm going to show you are exactly that.
2.V-Matic (AT)
Automatic transmission, or AT, bikes, such as scooters, don't have a clutch lever or gear shift pedal at all. In other words, a rider only needs to twist the throttle to accelerate and brake with the right hand. The transmission handles speed shifting automatically, so everything from starting to acceleration proceeds smoothly with just throttle operation. For scooters, these are called V-Matic, a stepless transmission that changes speed constantly according to speed by means of pulleys connected by a belt. This means there is no need for the rider to shift gears while driving.
I see, so AT bikes shift gears completely automatically! I do know that scooters are easy to drive around town in stop-and-go traffic.
That’s right! However, in general, most touring bikes and large motorcycles are manual models, so going for a scooter may limit your options.
You're right. Scooters are cool, but I like naked bikes myself, so I would prefer a naked bike with easy clutch operation.
I see! Then maybe you’ll like my next example, bikes with DCT?
These models are capable of automatic clutch operation and gear shifting, and are increasingly being used in large vehicles.
3.DCT (AT)
DCT is short for “dual clutch transmission.”
Simply put, it's a transmission that uses electronic control to automate gear shifting and clutch operation. Unlike ordinary scooters, this is a continuously variable transmission with an ample range of gears, and the clutch is operated by a computer and gear shifting is done automatically.
Huh! So, it's still geared, but automatic. How exactly does that work?
The mechanics of DCT are a bit complicated, but the key point is the dual clutch. One is for 1st, 3rd, and 5th gears, and the other for 2nd, 4th, and 6th gears, alternately shifting gears while the next gear is on standby. This enables a smooth ride without much speed shift shock, limiting interruption of driving force during acceleration. In actual operation, since there is no clutch lever on the body, there is no need to operate the clutch with the left hand; all you have to do is open up the accelerator and the bike will shift up on its own.
That’s super-easy that you can accelerate just by twisting the accelerator pedal without having to operate the clutch!
That would reduce fatigue a lot even on long tours.
That’s right! Incidentally, DCT-equipped vehicles can use both manual mode, in which the rider can select their own gear, and auto mode, in which the bike selects the most appropriate gear.
When riding in town, you can drive in AT mode, leaving everything to the bike, and on winding roads, you can shift when you want at the touch of a button.
Wow, so the rider can even change gears with a button press. But a DCT has no clutch lever at all, right? What if I want to operate the clutch myself?
Yes, in a DCT bike, since there is no clutch lever, there is basically no room for human clutch operation while on the bike. However, you will need a little ingenuity when you want more fine control over the bike's behavior, like when you want to make a U-turn or finely half-clutch the bike while slowing down. After starting, the clutch is connected so the computer can handle everything, so at low speeds, the rear brake must be dragged to adjust the speed, and other particular operation will be required.
I see...I guess it takes some getting used to in special cases where direct human intervention is not possible.
Overall, though, DCT is a revolutionary system. While freeing the rider from the hassle of clutch operation and gear changes, it also does not compromise the power of direct drive and motorcycle-like acceleration, unlike a scooter or other fully AT bike. When actually riding a DCT bike, you can tell right away that it's not just an automatic and it's really natural and fun.
DCT sounds like a really impressive thing...
But I still want to enjoy the clutch operation and shifting of a MT bike. It’s not very practical to own two bikes...
Have I got a surprise for you! There is an absolute dream of a system out there that frees you from clutch operation when you are tired, while also retaining the fun of riding an MT bike.
It’s called E-Clutch!
4.E-Clutch
The E-Clutch is a clutch system that electronically turns the clutch on and off automatically. To put it simply, the motorcycle handles left-hand clutch operation when starting and shifting gears on the rider's behalf, so the rider can start and shift gears smoothly without having to operate the clutch lever.
But, isn't that just like DCT and doesn't require clutch operation? Is that not just AT?
It is true that the feature of not needing to operate the clutch is similar to a DCT or scooter, but a bike equipped with E-Clutch is, in essence, the same as an MT bike. What I mean by that is, the gear change itself needs to be done by the rider's foot. So, the shift pedal operation with the left foot is the same as with an MT bike, but only the clutch lever is operated by the electronic control system.
I see, so the rider shifts, but the clutch is automatic. Does it come with a clutch lever?
Yes, bikes with E-Clutch also have a proper clutch lever. In fact, this is what makes it special; you can also operate the clutch yourself only when you need to. For example, left-hand operation can be easily left to the system during normal driving, but only when making a U-turn or when the driver wants to half-clutch, the rider can manually clutch by squeezing the lever. Turning the system off by holding the clutch lever lets you operate the bike totally like an ordinary manual transmission motorcycle. It is truly a flexible system that allows you to choose to operate the clutch or not!
It's the best of both worlds! It's great to have the bike help you out when you're in trouble, while still retaining the fun of operating it yourself.
Right? In fact, with the E-Clutch, fatigue from clutch operation is greatly reduced in traffic jams and over long distances, and there’s nearly no concern of stalling the engine, making it a very beginner-friendly system. Not only that, but since you can control the clutch yourself when necessary, you can enjoy fine control of the bike.
Unlike a fully automatic DCT, you can enjoy a sense of oneness that only an MT bike vehicle can provide, so even experienced drivers will be satisfied.
That’s quite a dream of a clutch! But there are so many kinds of clutches to choose from. I could go for the ease of an automatic transmission on a scooter, or the fun of automatic speed shifting with the stepless DCT, or enjoy the best of both manual and automatic with E-Clutch...it's a tough choice, but I'm glad to have more options.
That’s right! It's nice to be able to choose according to your own style and taste. If you find it hard to operate the clutch, you can try a bike equipped with one of the systems I just described.
Sounds good! I'll take what I heard today into consideration for my next bike choice. Thanks, I feel like my clutch operation worries are getting lighter!
You're welcome. I hope you enjoy a comfortable life with your motorcycle. And touring will surely be more fun as well!
So, I was out on a bike tour, and the clutch kept getting harder and harder to operate... It was such hard work! My hands got really tired.