Feathering The Clutch On The AE

[dusty1300]

This may have been mentioned elsewhere, but I thought I'd ask it specifically. I'm trying to understand how the new AE would work around gas stations, in the garage, in parking lots, etc, where I just feather the clutch now. A lot of times, have the clutch all the way out in first gear is too much. I guess I can just put on the brake to slow it down, but that would be a PIA like in my garage when I just moving a bike around. What about stoplights?

I currently have an ST1300, but am considering switching to the FJR. My wife has one already. I like my ST better than the current FJR, but the air management of the new one intrigues me. I also like the adjustable seat. I'm a little cramped on her FJR.

I doubt the electric clutch would be worth the $1800 in price, but I want to consider it. I also don't like the color of the AE. (I do like the color, but it is the same as my wife's. I would like to be a little different).

Tom

 

[Rogue]

No you can't do it.

 

[dusty1300]

What do you mean I can't do it? I can't go slow in a parking lot? I know I can't feather the clutch since there isn't one, but how does the bike act at very slow speeds. Is it somewhat of an automatic tranny acting at very slow speeds? Is it like a centrifugal clutch at very slow speeds and becomes more solid one you reach a certain rpm?

Tom

 

[FJRottie]

Writeups say that the electro gearbox controls clutch action on take-off, stopping, and shifting. Sounds like you either go or stop. I doubt this type of transmission is manipulated as nice at slow speeds. I'm with you dusty, very curious.

 

[Warpdrv]

I guess we are all in the dark here on the same type questions..

Seems with the PDP you won't be able to test drive one of these unless you have a buddy that has one...

Just forget about all that and just grab the Cobalt Blue... then there are no questions and you get a different color then your wife...

WArp

 

[Rogue]

This is only one of the problems I have with it. I don't think its as safe on the street as a "Normal" set up. I know some will say "They use them on race bikes"... Well I'm sure you have heard THE STREET IS NOT A RACE TRACK well The race track is also not a street!

 

[crewof1]

Hmmm, for some reason I keep thinking about that MiniTrail 50 I had as a kid... :lol:

 

[dusty1300]

My first bike was a Honda Trail 70 with automatic and my brother had the minitrail 50. It does seem like that, huh? I'm trying to remember if there was a neutral between 1st and second on those or was it just all up or all down. That was many, many, many moons ago.

Tom

 

[Geezer]

Didn't those little bikes have a centrifugal clutch that would essentially slip at low rpm?

Anyway, I can't believe that the E will have a conventional clutch behind the auto-shift mechanism. There must be some way for it to slip at low rpm. I would expect it to even be able to stop at a light in gear, otherwise there is a serious safety issue. Sure is interesting to speculate. Can't wait to hear a ride report.

 

[crewof1]

Didn't those little bikes have a centrifugal clutch that would essentially slip at low rpm?

Yep, pretty cool for a kid. Seriously, I doubt a centrifugal clutch could handle the power of the FJR, so it's bound to be something more complex...

I'm trying to remember if there was a neutral between 1st and second on those or was it just all up or all down.

IIRC, neutral was at the top and the gears(3) were all down.

 

[BrunDog]

You won't be able to power clutch this thing. If you add throttle, the clutch will engage more and off you go.

Between that and the linked brakes, good luck negotiating TIGHT turns.

-BD

 

[Bounce]

Hmmm, for some reason I keep thinking about that MiniTrail 50 I had as a kid... :lol:

You are me and I claim my...

er... nevermind. I already that stuff and gave it away.

 

[RadioHowie]

Obviously, the only ones who can truthfully answer this question are those who have driven it, and no one here's talkin'. :lol:

But if, as I expect, the E-Shift is like the paddle shifters currently available in many production cars, you "feather the clutch" with the throttle.

The servo won't just dump the clutch from 100% disengaged to 100% engaged at a given RPM or throttle position relative to ground speed. That would be instant wheelies everytime you moved off from a stop. I doubt such a "feature" would ever have made it past the company's liability lawyers.

Instead there will definitely be an area of partial engagement, and you would control the "width" of that area with the throttle, since in the typical e-shift applications currently on the market, the throttle is the first determining factor on clutch engagement.

For example, in the Toyota MR2 Spyder with paddle shifters, you can be sitting at a red light on an incline and keep the car from rolling back by feathering the throttle, rather than using the brake. However, do you remember what burning clutch smells like?

 

[DrEvil777]

This is only one of the problems I have with it. I don't think its as safe on the street as a "Normal" set up. I know some will say "They use them on race bikes"... Well I'm sure you have heard THE STREET IS NOT A RACE TRACK well The race track is also not a street!

I am willing to bet that Yamaha is trialing this system on the FJR and will move it to the R-1 etc very soon. As it is used in racing circuits, it will make it to production bikes.

The sport bike forum I am on for my R-1 lit up like a christmas tree the same day that Yamaha announced the AE system for the FJR. Everyone is either excited or terrified of the system. Yamaha will likely perfect the system on the FJR and test public response for it. Just like tiptronic automatic transmissions are everywhere.

I still prefer a nice manual transmission and a clutch and red meat to tofu...But I bet my next porsche will be a tiptronic and my wife keeps trying to cut back on my red meat intake.

 

[yamaholic]

What DrEvl said...

 

[Warpdrv]

You won't be able to power clutch this thing. If you add throttle, the clutch will engage more and off you go.
Between that and the linked brakes, good luck negotiating TIGHT turns.

-BD

and That my Friends is why this thing is F*ck'n GAY !!!!!!!

hehehehehe OK JK...

just seems kinda wierd to me...

:tease: :dribble:

 

[slapnpop]

The Euro's site had pictures of that side of the engine case w/ the AE stuff. It was the same engine case, and I would make the mistake of assuming internals. There was a hydraulic fluid actuator where the clutch line would normally be, and a selenoid of some sort where the shift linkage would normally be. The computer will be able to feather the clutch in it's actuation. How well yamaha's system completes this task is yet to be seen. It also mentioned the igition was altered during a shift with this system, more than likely an altogether interupt. If they have properly engineered the system, it should be capable of working well in the real world. Of course, I drive a manual car as well, as it's one more point of control. I'd probably be de-linking the brakes as well, because I have gravel at both ends of my daily commute, that require indepedent braking when on a slope.

Of course I still have too much left to pay on my '03 to get an '06. HAH!

 

[jestal]

del

 

[TheRepairMan]

"FJR1300AS’s amazing journey-enhancing technology - YCC-S, or Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift."

"YCC-S is an electronically controlled clutch-less shifting device that reduces hassle and fatigue, so you can get on with on really enjoying the ride. YCC-S uses a dedicated ECU to deliver quick, perfect shifts every time. It’s up to you whether you shift with handlebar-mounted switch or conventional foot lever. The FJR1300AS also features heated handlebars for all-year-round touring comfort."

Well ...I think since we are sure the ABS system sends wheel speed signals to one

or more of the on board computers, and the TPS or Throttle Position Sensor

returns a variable voltage signal to the Engine Control Unit, my guess is that the

AE Shift Control Processor (YCC-S) will use both of these signal inputs and simply

run a "duty cycle" control voltage to the clutch engagement actuator solenoid.

In plain terms ...it will work as smooth as silk and all your worries will be

completely unfounded as the first model test feedback filters through to us.

Of course ...ALL THAT in a PERFECT world. <_<

What the hell do I know ...I can't even get the seat off this damn ST to adjust it!

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

RB B)