Does BMW Motorrad Want to Kill the Clutch Lever?

BMW’s new Automated Shift Assistant uses two electromechanical actuators to operate the clutch and gearshift of the six-speed transmission for a clutchless experience. (BMW/)

Not to sound paranoid, but are motorcycle clutches becoming obsolete? With BMW Motorrad’s announcement of its new Automated Shift Assistant, the Bavarian brand is the latest manufacturer to gently suggest that maybe we humans don’t have the best control over the gearboxes of our rapidly moving vehicles. Honda’s been pushing its no-shift dual-clutch transmission for a while now, and as you’ll recall, recently rolled out its simpler e-clutch for the CB650R in Europe, which, while not quite as complex, seeks to smooth out shift efforts and mitigate “shift shock.” Kawasaki’s new hybrid bikes also sport an automatic transmission, and then there’s the entire shift-free electric motorcycle category, so we probably should’ve seen the Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) coming a mile away.

BMW Motorrad says it’s “an innovative technical solution” that enhances the riding experience by automating the process of working the clutch and shifting gears. The release says it accomplishes this without “sacrificing the emotionally important dynamics of shifting,” so we’ll give props to BMW for acknowledging the psychological significance of one-down-and-five-up.

Related: Say What? Honda Shows Off Its E-Clutch for Motorcycles

The bar-mounted button offers two mode options: M or D; in M, you can still shift with your foot, while in D mode, gears are changed automatically. (BMW/)

But seriously, although BMW says the Automated Shift Assistant is the logical evolution of the firm’s Shift Assistant Pro, it’s a bit more involved than Honda’s e-idea, using two electromechanical actuators to automate the clutch and gearshift of the six-speed transmission, thus eliminating the need for a hand lever to operate the clutch.

Like other systems, BMW’s ASA utilizes a gearshift lever sensor to transmit the rider’s shift request to the ECU, while additional sensors determine the revs of the transmission input shaft and the clutch position. These are then transmitted to the TCU (Transmission Control Unit), which is linked to the engine control unit, for modeling and control of the clutch, shift actuation, and status.

The clutch itself is operated by an electromechanical actuator combined with a hydraulic system with a direct hydraulic connection between the clutch master and slave cylinders. The actuator regulates the required clutch slip, engages the clutch when changing gears, and disengages it when stopping. That means starts, stops, and maneuvers are all made easier with the tech onboard, and says BMW, it also reduces the rider’s “workload,” for a more enjoyable ride with fast, rev- and load-adapted shift sequences, and more precise gear changes. Additionally, the Automated Shift Assistant creates a more direct connection with the boxer engine, with the precise clutch actuation making it easier to control.

The Automated Shift Assistant in mode D automatically chooses the right gear after processing clutch, gear, and engine rev data from sensors. (BMW/)

As you’d expect, there are a couple of modes behind the scenes here; in the manual M mode, gear changes can still be made with your foot in the usual way, and you still decide when to change. If the engine revs for the desired target gear are within a certain rev range, the shift is made directly, but if the revs fall below a gear-dependent minimum speed, downshifts are also performed automatically in manual mode to prevent the engine from stalling.

In shift mode D, the Automatic Shift Assistant steps in to select shift points and gears are changed automatically, depending on the riding mode, engine revs, throttle position, and lean-angle parameters, which weren’t disclosed in the press release. BMW offers that in both M and D modes, the gear changes will be way smoother, giving riders the most efficient acceleration from the engine for seamless takeoffs on uphill gradients, for example, which will also offer better control off-road or on difficult surfaces, with increased stability for the bike. In the automated D mode the right gear is automatically selected depending on the bike’s dynamics and other data, giving the rider a more flowing experience, according to BMW.

When shifting up, for example, that jolt you often associate with a normal manual transmission gear change will largely be eliminated, while downshifts are also designed to minimize upsetting the chassis. BMW also implies that the addition of the ASA networked together with the combination of Active Cruise Control or a front collision warning system on some models will “bring the future of motorcycling to life.” (One where, it seems, the machine will do all the deciding for us. Have the robots already won?)

Related: The New Automated Shift Assistant (ASA)

WIth the ASA, BMW has taken the clutch lever completely out of the equation. No word on which models will have the tech, but it will be available later this year. (BMW/)

We don’t yet know on which specific models the Automatic Shift Assistant will appear when it becomes available later this year, but it’s more than likely to be bower-twin-powered bikes. More info is at bmwmotorcycles.com.

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