Welcome to the clutchless future as KTM announce their new AMT system for selected 2025 models

KTM have officially joined the automatic arms race with the unveiling of a new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) system.

The Austrian brand previously teased the system as a prototype on the Iron Road Prologue stage at the Erzbergrodeo, where French Enduro legend Johnny Aubert piloted a large capacity adventure machine resembling the brand’s 1290 Super Adventure R – although KTM have not confirmed the capacity of the bike used, only that it was an LC8 V-twin model.

The system is now ready to be rolled out on selected 2025 models following successful testing and looks to compete with the likes of long-established Honda’s Dual Cluch Transmission (DCT) – which has already seen over 200,000 bikes sold, BMW’s Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) available on the latest GS family, and potentially Yamaha’s Y-AMT system.

Further models are set to receive the technology in coming years, although KTM have remained tight lipped regarding which these will be.

In the meantime, it’s safe to assume the first bikes likely to make the switch will be the Austrian marque’s flagship adventure and touring models, which are due an update soon. This was cemented by a recent trip to Bosch’s development centre in Japan, where we sampled the gearbox alongside an advanced new six-stage radar system that has the ability to stop the bike with traffic, before riding away again on its own.

How does it work

Shifts are initiated by an electromechanical shift actuator, which turns the shift drum. This means shifting between gears takes 50 milliseconds which is comparable to a traditional transmission using a quickshifter.

Riders can opt to use the system in a fully automatic setting or manual mode – in which gears are changed using either the foot shifter, or switchgear mounted paddles. Whilst the manual mode allows users to choose when to shift gears, there’s no clutch lever to worry about, which may upset some purists – both on and off-road – who prefer the fine control a lever offers.

KTM say the lack of need for rider clutch input makes starting on a slope, pulling away, stopping and slow-speed manoeuvring much easier, particularly on a bigger motorcycle and that it is impossible to stall the engine regardless of speed. Shifting characteristics also work in unison with ride modes, allowing owners to tune shifting preferences based on their riding style and conditions too.

Once first gear is engaged, forward drive is initiated by raising the engine speed, at which point the centrifugal clutch engages and sets the motorcycle in motion – working in a similar way to aftermarket system like the Rekluse Auto Clutch, but with an additional layer of electronic control.

Unlike traditional motorcycle gearbox setups, AMT features a P – N – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 sequence with P denoting Park to prevent any unwanted rolling thanks to a locking pawl within the gearbox.

Both Park and Neutral positions can only be selected using the switchgear paddle shifters, regardless of whether or not the engine is running. To engage first gear, either the front or rear brake needs to be applied.

Despite the extra componentry involved over a conventional gearbox, KTM say the AMT ‘box has been engineered to maintain traditional proportions, with minimal weight gain to be be incurred.