amcn.com.au 9
IN PIT LANE KNOCKED FOR SIX
Michael Scott on the enigma that is Jorge
Lorenzo, and his amazing return to form
Toby Price rewrites the record books with
a sixth victory in the Finke Desert Race(^93116)
COLUMNS SPORT
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Opposite.The latest
prototype of Triumph’s
1200cc Scambler model is
putthroughitspacesinSpain
Shock of
the new
WHERE THE EARLIER
prototype we busted
sported gold-coloured
Öhlins forks to match the
twin rear shocks from
the same supplier, the
latest version features
more subtle black front
suspension. One potential
explanation is that this is
the expected lower-spec
version of the Scrambler.
Just as Triumph makes
two derivatives of the
Thruxton – the base
model and the Ohlins-
suspended ‘R’– it’s
expected to offer two
levels for the new
Scrambler 1200.
At the back it’s still very
clear that the prototype is
fitted with a pair of remote
reservoir Ohlins shocks,
with the same dual spring
arrangement seen in April.
We’d expect the lower-
spec Scrambler to use a
cheaper version.
a hint at the Scrambler 1200’s
performance and off-road
potential – and the relatively
smaller LED headlight.
Although this model looks
close to being finished, we’re
not expecting Triumph to
release the Scrambler 1200
until the traditional show
times towards the end of
this year.
BEN PURVIS
MV AGUSTA’S LATEST
technology promises to take
the embarrassment out of
motorcycle riding, for its new
semi-auto clutch – revealed for
the first time on the Turismo
Veloce 800 Lusso SCS model
- makes it impossible for the
rider to stall.
The process of
changing gears
is undergoing
a revolution in
motorcycling.
Quickshifters,
not long ago
reserved for
racebikes,
are becoming
widespread.
Combined with
f ly-by-wire
throttles, it
means clutchless
downchanges,
complete with
rev-matching blips, are joining
the traditional quickshifter’s
clutchless upshift.
So, on many new bikes, you
only need to engage the clutch
when you’re pulling away or
stopping.
MV Agusta’s latest SCS
(Smart Clutch System) tech
means that even those jobs
have been automated.
The Italian motorcycle
company says it has spent two
years working with US clutch-
maker Rekluse to integrate the
semi-automatic system into its
800cc triple. While the clutch
is a mechanical design, it uses
information from
the bike’s computer
system to deliver
aperfect launch
everytime the rider
twists the throttle.
The system looks
and works much
like a conventional
clutch, with
multiple friction
and drive plates. It
can even be used
conventionally
since it retains the
regular lever.
MV is the first
brand to adopt it as
a factory fitting, initially in the
Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS,
but it’s sure to spread to more
models soon.
Chris Dobie has just returned
from the world launch on the
new SCS-equipped bike and
gave the system a thumbs up.
Look for his full launch report
in an upcoming issue. BPNever stall againHow it works
THE CLEVER BIT of the
semi-auto clutch is the ‘CX
EXP disc’, which looks like a
thicker version of a normal
clutch plate.
Two discs are held together
with sprung bolts and
sandwich six ‘wedges’ that
are able to slide in and out. As
revs rise, the wedges move
outwards under centrifugal
force, pushing the sides of
the CX EXP discs apart and
engaging the clutch. At lower
revs, the springs holding the
discs together overcome the
centrifugal force, sliding the
wedges back in.
The system can be
tweaked to alter the revs at
which the clutch engages,
using different springs and
wedge profiles.MV Agusta
has teamed
with US
company
Rekluse
to use
its semi-
automatic
technology