Honda dual-clutch tech for bikes

Honda announced its first production dual-clutch transmission on the widely-anticipate VFR1200R. The sports tourer has been made ground up for 2010 and features an all new V4 engine as well. The VFR 1200R is based on the V4 concept bike that was showcased at the Intermot Fair in 2008.

Under the smooth and bulbous engine fairing lies the recipe for smooth, gear-less riding with a sports mode and an all-manual 6-speed mode.

Honda's dual-clutch transmission is similar to the DCT's seen on cars. It uses two input shafts, the inner shaft controlling the 1st, 3rd and 5th gears while the outer shaft controls the 2nd, 4th and 6th gears. Two independent clutches for the two shafts helps make gear changes seamless.

However, the technology needed heavy revision to make it work on big-engine motorcycles, a sure sign of that is that Honda has applied for 100 patents concerned with this transmission.

However, there is still no news of the dual clutch transmission being used in Honda's range of 4-wheelers. But, it is surely only a matter of time before it is used in their passenger car range, as Honda can hardly ignore a tech that makes their cars more efficient than what they already are.