TVS Motors has patented a new type of transmission for motorcycles. Christened SMT (semi-automated manual transmission), this gearbox is an evolution of the clutchless gearbox that the company had first used in the TVS Jive, back in 2010.
This new gearbox will employ buttons on the switchgear to allow the rider to change gears. Whenever these buttons are triggered, an electric motor will take care of changing the gear according to the rider’s preference. TVS says that this SMT gearbox can also be used for three-wheelers. Since the principle behind the operation of the gearbox is the same, there won’t be a drop in fuel efficiency. Honda uses a similar mechanism for its litre-class range including the VFR1200 and the Africa Twin, though the gearbox in question is a completely automatic transmission unlike the one patented by TVS.
While the Jive’s transmission was quite revolutionary, this mechanism had a few issues. The effort required to engage a gear was larger than on a conventional gearbox. Besides, even a slight pressure on the gear lever activated the clutch, leading to unexpected behaviour of the powertrain and an increase in fuel consumption. With this new SMT gearbox, TVS will aim to retain the convenience while getting rid of the niggles.
