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KTM AMT Gearbox Explained - Is This The Future Or Just Another Feature?
Bajaj-owned Austrian bikemaker KTM recently revealed an Automated Manual Transmission that blends elements of an automatic transmission with the mechanical structure of a conventional manual gearbox to help one of its most powerful bikes deliver power to the rear wheel.
Unlike traditional motorcycle transmissions that require a clutch lever, AMT allows riders to operate without manually engaging a clutch. The first production motorcycle from KTM to feature AMT is the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO, which introduced this technology as part of the update for 2026.
The AMT in the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO is a six-speed gearbox and it enables gearshifts without physical clutch engagement by the rider of its massive adventure tourer flagship.
What is an AMT?
In traditional motorcycle transmissions, riders operate a clutch lever to disengage the engine before manually selecting a gear using a foot lever. AMT replaces this requirement with a system that automatically engages and disengages the clutch using a centrifugal clutch mechanism, allowing smoother starts and stops without clutch control.
Automated Manual Transmission removes the need for a traditional clutch lever by using an electromechanical shift actuator controlled by the engine control unit (ECU) and a dedicated Transmission Control Unit (TCU). The system executes gear changes in controlled shifts, with actuation timing managed electronically, without rider clutch input.
How does KTM's AMT Work?
KTM's AMT uses a different gear selector layout compared with standard motorcycle gear sequences. Instead of the conventional 1-N-2-3-4-5-6 arrangement, KTM's AMT gearbox features a P-N-1-2-3-4-5-6 sequence.
The P (Park) position provides a mechanical lock inside the gearbox to prevent the motorcycle from rolling when parked on slopes, compensating for the open design of the centrifugal clutch. The P and N (Neutral) positions can be selected using shift paddles on the handlebar switch cube, but to engage first gear from neutral, riders will have to apply the brakes
Once first gear is engaged and the centrifugal clutch has engaged due to throttle input, the motorcycle begins forward motion without stall risk. The actuator completes gear shifts very quickly - in around 50 milliseconds - providing shift behaviour comparable to systems with quickshifter technology.
Park and Neutral positions on the AMT gearbox are selected via the handlebar paddles irrespective of engine status, and engagement of first gear requires application of the front or rear brake. This design ensures the transmission operates safely and prevents unintended movement when parked, addressing a limitation of centrifugal clutch systems, which cannot mechanically lock the rear wheel on their own.
KTM AMT: Manual And Automatic Operation, Shift Modes & Kick-Down Explained
In Manual Mode (M) on the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO, the rider can initiate gear changes either using the traditional foot gear lever or the paddle shifter on the left switch cube. The actuator then completes the gearshift automatically, allowing the rider to control gear selection without manually operating a clutch.
In Automatic Mode (A), the system's transmission logic determines gear changes based on parameters such as current gear position, engine speed, engine torque, lean angle, acceleration, vehicle speed and rider inputs.
Riders can also select preferences for shift behaviour via three shift modes - Comfort, Street and Sport - which influence how and when automated shifts occur. Manual override inputs suppress the automatic mode for a short period before the system reverts back to automated control.
The AMT setup on the KTM also includes a kick-down function that prompts a downshift when rapid throttle input is detected, providing lower-gear responsiveness during overtaking or acceleration demands. Similarly, the system can automatically downshift during deceleration to maintain stability and engine braking.
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