FJR13 goes semi-auto

Yamaha has announced its FJR1300 is to be offered with a semi-automatic gearbox in 2006 – a first on a sports tourer.

You use buttons on the left hand bar to shift up and down.

Unlike twist-and-go scooters, which have constantly variable drive, the FJR will retain a conventional gearbox with individual ratios.

The system was revealed at Yamaha’s pre-Paris Show launch event on Wednesday night (Sep 28).

Expect a full technical explanation of the system in the next issue of MCN – out on Wednesday October 5.

Catch up with more from the Paris Bike Show here

Catch up with all the new bikes of 2006 here

Have you discovered MCN Auctions yet? Click here