Suzuki’s semi-automatic hybrid

Suzuki has been toiling hard behind closed doors working on a hybrid motorcycle and has filed a patent for the technology, according to a news report on www.motorcycle.com.

The machine, according to the Japanese-filed patent, will have a semi-automatic transmission and in-line four-cylinder engine, which will work in conjunction with an electric motor.

The hybrid design is capable of delivering power to the rear wheel under various modes. It can be operated in a full petrol mode, full electric mode or a partial electric intervention mode. When in full petrol mode the electric motor doubles up as a generator, supplying the engine with electric assistance for it to function normally. These different modes can be selected via handlebar-mounted switchgear. Suzuki has apparently also provided an independent switch to jump back to good ol' full petrol power.
Regardless of gasoline or electric mode, power is transferred to the rear wheel via a semi-automatic gearbox, which also incorporates clutchless up and down shifting. This smart gearbox moves up and down the cogs with the help of an electronically assisted left foot toe-shifter.

This shifter is linked to a sensor which detects its up or down position. In the case of an upshift, a transmission control unit (TCU) cuts power to the engine for a specified amount of time, enabling the gearbox to select the next gear. For a downshift the gearbox is assisted with an auto-blipper function. In other words, operating the clutchless semi-auto gearbox is much like using quickshifters and auto-blippers that we see on high-end modern day superbikes.

Suzuki’s hybrid motorcycle is still in its infancy stages, so putting a time and date on when we will see this technology on its road bikes would be purely speculative. However, the Japanese giant has got the ball rolling, which is testament to the fact we will see it at some point in the future.