Because the gear ratios in a CVT can be almost infinitely adjusted, this allows the engine to run as efficiently as possible regardless of what speed it’s running at.ĬVTs are also a lot lighter than conventional automatics thanks to the fact that they contain fewer overall parts. The biggest advantage that CVTs have over conventional automatics is their improved fuel economy. Let’s take a minute to go over the advantages and drawbacks of CVTs compared to conventional automatic transmissions: Advantages However, CVTs aren’t perfect transmissions overall, and certainly have their share of drawbacks. To be fair, CVTs are probably the best kind of transmission to use in something like a scooter, as we’ll discuss shortly. Here’s a video to help illustrate the process, but Dual Wheel Journey talks about this on a podcast if you want to hear more about the CVT Transmission on the go. This is because the design of a CVT allows the transmission to make minute adjustments to any given ratio by slightly increasing or decreasing the diameter of the pulleys and rollers for the centrifugal clutch. Since the v-belt rides on the slopes of the pulley cones, this means that pushing the cones together effectively creates a larger diameter pulley while pulling them apart creates a smaller pulley.ĭepending on whether the drive pulley or the driven pulley (attached to the rear wheel) has a larger diameter, this can allow the engine to either run at a higher engine RPM or deliver more torque.ĬVTs have a range of gear ratios as determined by the maximum and minimum diameter of the pulleys, but within this range, there is a near-infinite number of gear ratios. To adjust the gear ratio, the CVT moves these conical pieces closer or farther apart from each other. The belt connecting the pulleys sits in between these conical pieces. Scooters with a Continuous Variable Transmission do not have gears but 2 pulleys and a connecting belt.Įach pulley in a CVT consists of two conical pieces that face toward each other. One of these pulleys is connected to the engine, while the other is connected to the scooter’s driven wheel. Instead, the CVT in a scooter consists of two pulleys connected by a v-belt. As we’ve mentioned, most scooters use a specific type of automatic transmission called a Continuous Variable Transmissions.Ī CVT is different from other transmissions in that it doesn’t use separate gears to create different gear ratios. Let’s talk about how the automatic transmission in a scooter actually works. This is another feature that helps scooters be a bit more comfortable than motorcycles. ![]() Plus, two-wheeled vehicles usually need to have foot-operated manual transmissions, but automatic scooters means that the space that would otherwise be taken up by transmission controls can now be used as a footrest. Not having to actively shift gears yourself certainly simplifies the driving experience and makes riding a scooter way more accessible. ![]() The whole point of scooters is to be comfortable, simple, and easy to ride, and that’s probably the main reason why most scooter manufacturers have opted to use automatic transmissions instead of manual ones. Specifically, scooters use what’s called a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which is an automatic transmission that has no gears and no shifting required. The biggest difference between scooters and motorcycles (in terms of what transmissions they use) is that almost every modern scooter uses an automatic transmission while almost every motorcycle uses a manual transmission. What Kind of Transmissions Do Scooters Use? In this article, we’ll be talking all about scooter transmissions, including what kind of transmissions scooters actually use, how scooter transmissions work, and how exactly scooter transmissions are different from motorcycle transmissions. The frames used by scooters are completely different from the ones used by motorcycles, as are the transmissions they use. While many people probably consider scooters to just be small motorcycles, scooters and motorcycles are actually quite different in a few key ways. Make a purchase using a link? We earn with qualifying purchases through Amazon & similar programs.
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