BMW Motorrad recently introduced the Automated Shift Assistant or ASA in the R 1300 GS Adventure motorcycle. The company now plans to introduce the technology in the upcoming R 1300 range. The motorcycles will be the replacement for the R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, and the R 1250 RT that have the 1250cc boxer engine.
The new 1,3000cc boxer engine from the GS will make its way to the aforementioned models in the future. It is only logical that BMW offers the Automated Shift Assistant in these touring models as well.
The ASA, basically, is a system where two electromechanical actuators automate the clutch control and gear shifts of the motorcycle’s six-speed transmission.
It consists of two modes- M shift mode and D shift mode. When the rider selects the ‘M’ mode, they can change gears using the foot lever, without the need to pull in a clutch lever. The system automatically downshifts a gear or two if the engine rpm drops below a gear-dependent minimum rpm. This prevents the engine from stalling. In D mode, the system performs automated gearshifts without any need of the rider to use the foot lever. It selects a gear depending on the engine rpm, throttle position and the load.
The ASA system should take away the fatigue of having to change gears constantly over the course of a day in the saddle, especially on busy highways or city roads.