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Why don't sprotbiles use CVT?

Aluisious

Aluisious

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
2016 Multistrada 1200S
Name
Frank
This is a question that bugs me...why aren't CVTs more popular in general? It would be awesome to have a transmission that revs to peak power RPM any time you have the throttle wide open, or even nearly all the time in some sort of track mode. No shift points to worry about, no missed shifts, perfect power efficiency at all speeds...why isn't this all over the place? Is it a technical issue? Weight? Longevity? Or do people just not like an engine that doesn't sound like it's winding up (lame, irrational reason)?
 
Expensive, heavy, bigger, questionable power handling capability...and the fact that bikes with automatic transmissions haven't fared well in the market in the past.
 
sometimes when you're on the throttle hard, you don't want to be in the lower gear
 
A CVT isn't a slushbox. I agree no one wants fixed gear ratios and all the fun of transmitting power with a fluid.
 
Got sound? :laughing

[youtube]_NULlkLcuG0[/youtube]

The rattle (I think is something internal to my camera)

With the Aprilia CVT you can wind it up.

It is big and heavy. But a dream in stop and go traffic....
 
Human Ills said:
Wouldn't the pulleys on a sportbike be huge?
Click to expand...

If I parked next to you, you'd look and then probably look away - not noticing anything really that different about the bike.

If I was feeling silly, I'd ask if you had a spare clutch lever 'because mine fell off,' - will anyone here actually admit they fell for that and came back with the :wtf look?
 
maxandgrinch said:
If I parked next to you, you'd look and then probably look away - not noticing anything really that different about the bike.

If I was feeling silly, I'd ask if you had a spare clutch lever 'because mine fell off,' - will anyone here actually admit they fell for that and came back with the :wtf look?
Click to expand...

oh i see where that misanthropic cynic came from.
:thumbup
 
Aluisious said:
This is a question that bugs me...why aren't CVTs more popular in general? It would be awesome to have a transmission that revs to peak power RPM any time you have the throttle wide open, or even nearly all the time in some sort of track mode. No shift points to worry about, no missed shifts, perfect power efficiency at all speeds...why isn't this all over the place? Is it a technical issue? Weight? Longevity? Or do people just not like an engine that doesn't sound like it's winding up (lame, irrational reason)?
Click to expand...

Because having control is a good thing. What if I want more engine braking from my engine? What if I want to run a gear higher so I can pin it and stand the bike up? What if I want a gear lower to wheelie through a section?

Also, there's a lot of power loss in CVTs, iirc.
 
Aluisious said:
This is a question that bugs me...why aren't CVTs more popular in general? It would be awesome to have a transmission that revs to peak power RPM any time you have the throttle wide open, or even nearly all the time in some sort of track mode. No shift points to worry about, no missed shifts, perfect power efficiency at all speeds...why isn't this all over the place? Is it a technical issue? Weight? Longevity? Or do people just not like an engine that doesn't sound like it's winding up (lame, irrational reason)?
Click to expand...


Someday they most likely will. The CVT transmissions used in cars (and snowmobiles) are getting refined every year.

What they were in the past, was in the past.

There is also a very high possibility that computer managed "quick shift" will make the CVT a non-issue. As it gets better as well, And...computer managed throttle by wire, also replaces Slipper clutches.

Just stay tuned...and hang on.
 
tuxumino said:
burgman 650s got one I think.
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All the modern scooters (2002'ish - now) do have CVT's plus the Aprilia Mana. The best bike Aprilia will never sell any of :|

det5lonewolf said:
Me thinks: riders like changing gears.
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I can change 'gears,' all day long. The Aprilia CVT has electric motors that lock the variator/pullies into positions that give the feeling of gears - like on a multi-speed bicycle. Works fine, don't use it though. Had SMG M3 - didn't shift it either.

It was a fantastic 'My very first track day,' bike. I was better able to concentrate on the right line, body position, and what I was doing, without figuring out wtf gear am I in/supposed to be in. I'm much quicker, though still slow, with my track bike because of it.

The only thing you really can't do is blip the throttle to demonstrate how small your penis is while parking at *$.

How about I let GixxerGirl1000/Connie ride it this afternoon and she can provide some feedback as well?


cvt-14.gif
 
maxandgrinch said:
How about I let GixxerGirl1000/Connie ride it this afternoon and she can provide some feedback as well?


cvt-14.gif
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I'd definitely like to hear another opinion on it and I trust connie's skills. For as much as I might come off as an anti-progress luddite, I actually love everything technie around bikes. Had a blast testing out the new Multistrada 12.
 
Z3n said:
Because having control is a good thing. What if I want more engine braking from my engine? What if I want to run a gear higher so I can pin it and stand the bike up? What if I want a gear lower to wheelie through a section?

Also, there's a lot of power loss in CVTs, iirc.
Click to expand...

we've covered in another thread that throttle does not stand the bike up. I tried to find the old thread/link, but im too drunk

CVT is for low speed (relatively) vehicles. Sprotbniles need to leave the control up to the rider in track application, as well as street. RPM controlled pulley size is simply too simple of a calculation to base gearing on.
 
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Aluscious: IMO, as something of a fan of the technology, I would say that the biggest hurdle is marketing. Hell, just look at this thread for a semi-definitive list of false beliefs about CVT technology that would need to be changed before the technology takes on.

Also, in many ways the CVT successes are going to be part of it's downfall. As I'm sure you know, CVTs are very popular on scooters and economy cars. It's an excellent technology in those applications, just as it's an excellent technology for race use (read up on the Williams-Renault FW15C if you haven't already.) But, no one wants to have their sport bikes associated with scooters (see: Aprilia Mana.) IMO, a great example of how prevalent a problem this is is the fact that Honda built a ridiculously overcomplicated dual clutch transmission for the VFR, rather than going with a proven CVT design.
 
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kgmoto said:
we've covered in another thread that throttle does not stand the bike up. I tried to find the old thread/link, but im too drunk
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Not what I meant, sorry.

I meant sometimes I'll run a gear higher through a corner so that I can have the throttle pinned from apex. As the bike builds power, I'm standing it up to keep it from spinning. It's a fun thing to do when I'm playing around, not the fastest way. Also applicable on bikes that run turbos. :laughing
 
Max, is there any chance I could take it for a test ride? I've been following the bike since it's released, but I have never had a chance to experience it past sitting on one at the IMS.
 
maxandgrinch said:
All the modern scooters (2002'ish - now) do have CVT's plus the Aprilia Mana. The best bike Aprilia will never sell any of :|



The only thing you really can't do is blip the throttle to demonstrate how small your penis is while parking at *$.



cvt-14.gif
Click to expand...


One of the funniest things ever...was in the pits at a Desert race, The racer sitting on his idling Husky390 Auto, as his family gassed the bike, changed his goggles gave him something to drink....His Grand Dad, thought the bike was going to die, reached up and twisted the throttle....OMG :rofl
 
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