If you are a MotoGP fan then you should know some technical insights of the world famous bike race. One of the most important parts of a MotoGP bike is the gearbox. These Incredible machines undergo highly intense races and should be technically fit for the whole season.
Gear changing is very important as it is the only thing that sets the pace of the bike. But how many of you noticed that the riders change gears very smoothly without any lag? Unlike, the standard street bikes, the MotoGP bikes have Seamless gearboxes which help them achieve these smooth gear changes.
What is Seamless Transmission?
Every MotoGP bike uses a Seamless gear transmission which is very smooth for gear shifting. Normal Street bikes that we use have Standard transmissions. MotoGP and Street Bikes have only one similarity: both bikes are manually gear-shifted with the rider's foot.
The Seamless Gear transmission contains a Seamless gearbox, Slipper clutch and Quick shifter. This technology is already available in some high-end road bikes that we see on our daily roads. If you have ridden one of these high-end bikes you would understand what a Seamless transmission is.
How does it help the rider?
There will be no log or pause during gear shifting. A seamless gear transmission eliminates lag or pause and assists in fast, smooth gear shifting. The transmission is the most important thing in MotoGP after the rider and the engine. It helps by engaging the bike with two gears at the same time transferring power to the rear wheel.
Transmission is the connecting part for every key element like efficiency of the bike, fuel consumption, tyre wear and tear, Stability, and speed. It helps the riders to get the Hundreth of the milli seconds which is very important in races.
What is Quick Shifter?
A rider engaging the gear without using the clutch is called a Quick Shifter. By using a microcontroller and sensor the bike senses the gear change and it prevents the excess load on the transmission. These are available in Some high-end street bikes.
What is a Slipper Clutch?
By using a slipper clutch the rider, without fully pulling the clutch lever can change gears very smoothly and quickly. There will be no sudden jerks while releasing the clutch which helps the rider to maintain the speed in corners. These are also used in Road bikes.
How do riders shift gears in MotoGP?
They shift gears by pushing the foot lever just like a normal street bike. But there are still differences between them and us. In most bikes, Neutral is between the first gear and the second gear. There are totally six gears in MotoGP bikes. But in MotoGP bikes, Neutral is below the first gear to prevent false neutral during the races. Gear shifting is also reversed as the riders push the lever down for upshifts and push the lever for downshifts.
Why is it reversed?
The gears are reversed to support the riders during cornering. The riders will have a maximum lean angle of 65 degrees during races. In a left-hand corner during races, it will be hard to shift gears by getting the toe under the lever and shifting the gear upside. It’s easier to press down to gear shift. Even for the right-hand corner, it's easier to shift down than going up.
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