THE DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION, still a relatively new innovation in passenger cars, is set to make a move on the motorcycle.

Developed by Honda for its large-displacement sports bikes, the world’s first dual-clutch motorcycle transmission  will debut in the 2010 Honda VFR 1200. It will later also be offered in future generations of the brand’s CBR supersports models.

The dual-clutch box offers three operating modes: D-Mode for regular automatic operation, S-Mode for a sportier version of the automatic setup, and a six-speed manual mode that Honda says will operate exactly like a traditional manual transmission.

Honda plans to gradually expand the number of models offered with the dual-clutch transmission, with a particular focus on sports bikes.

The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer says that light weight and compactness - likely the main concerns for sportsbike riders - are maintained thanks to a simple shift mechanism design based on the conventional motorcycle shift drum.