Jorge Lorenzo-Sepang test

After pre-season MotoGP test Sepang,Yamaha YZR-M1 is rumored already equipped with a seamless shift gear box similar to the system used by Honda and Ducati MotoGP.At Sepang test few weeks ago,Lorenzo and Spies reportedly used the bike equipped with a seamless gear box.

Yamaha has denied that rumor.Wilco Zeelenberg,Jorge Lorenzo’s team boss argued that while the new gear box is being tested,The Spaniard did not have access to a seamless shift system.He said,”We are trying to improve in that area but we do not have a seamless shift system. There are many ways to improve the gearbox with shift patterns and the most expensive is to have a complete new gearbox, but we do not have it.

Wilco continues, “We do not have a standard gearbox either but we are looking to make the transition between gears smoother and that’s basically it.”Electronic wise it’s also very important as well with shift timing and that is important because these bikes are much more powerful than last year, so we have more area to play with it because the torque is bigger.”

Jerry Burgess,Rossi’s crew chief said that during 2011 that Yamaha’s gearbox was still a very advanced and sophisticated system, if not the seamless shift strategy adopted by Honda.Burgess said,“You would be a mug to think that the Yamaha gearbox is not something special. Yamaha have a very smooth and advanced system. I have been lucky enough to see the Yamaha system and inside some of the F1 gearboxes with the top teams, and knowing what they do in F1, then Yamaha have done a good job.”

Honda begun to use the seamless shift system during the pre-season campaign for the 2011 world championship and the most significant benefit is the smoothness of upshifts while leaned over.New Honda riders,Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl have raved about the Honda system during pre-season testing for the new 1000cc class in 2012.

Both new Honda riders were satisfied,Bradl said,”The gearbox is unbelievable.It changes gears in no time at all and there is no movement in the bike even when it is leaned over.”.While Alvaro Bautista said,“The gearbox is really impressive. When you are in a long turn and you have to change gear,the bike doesn’t move one millimetre.Said former Suzuki MotoGP rider.