Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

An input device for use in a vehicle steering assembly. The input device includes at least one user-operable control member which is moveable between a deployed state and a retracted state. When a control member is in its deployed state it is operable to provide an input to a vehicle control system, and when retracted, it is moved to a position that avoids accidental actuation. In a particular example, the or each control member is a paddle shaped lever which is used to send gear change requests to an automatic transmission, and the lever is retracted when gear change requests do not need to be sent.

Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

A saddle-type vehicle includes a power unit including a multistage transmission having a plurality of gear positions, a transmission actuating mechanism for changing the gear positions, a shift spindle as an input shaft of the transmission actuating mechanism, a crankcase housing therein the multistage transmission and the transmission actuating mechanism, and a crankcase cover covering a side portion of the crankcase. The shift spindle is disposed in the periphery of the crankcase cover and is coupled to a shift actuator mounted on the crankcase cover by a joint rod. Such saddle-type vehicle having a power unit with a shift spindle movable by a shift actuator, in which the shift spindle and the shift actuator are combined with each other in a small-size layout with a joint rod joining the shift spindle and the shift actuator to each other, allows the joint rod to be installed in position with ease.

Some embodiments relate to a method for setting a cruising mode of a vehicle, wherein a human/machine interface is arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle for shifting a transmission of the vehicle, this human/machine interface comprising at least one first and at least one second switch segment and at least one switch, wherein the switch segments are arranged on the at least one switch, and in the event that the at least one first and the at least one second switch segment of the at least one switch are activated at the same time the cruising mode is set for the vehicle.

Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.

Some embodiments are directed to a control system for use with a vehicle having handlebars that are configured to enable vehicle steering. The handlebars define a pair of grasping portions that are disposed to facilitate grasping by a vehicle operator's hands. The vehicle also includes a powertrain and an accessory. The control system includes a manually actuable primary selector disposed adjacent one of the grasping portions to enable manual actuation while one of the vehicle operator's hands grasps the one grasping portion. The primary selector is configured to operate in a powertrain mode to control an aspect of the powertrain, and to operate in a separate accessory mode to control an aspect of the accessory. A manually actuable override selector is disposed adjacent the one grasping portion. The override selector is configured to be manually actuable to switch the primary selector between the powertrain mode and the accessory mode.

A gear shift device (1) of a steering wheel group (500) of a vehicle operatively connects to a gearbox group configurable in an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. The gear shift device (1) includes a paddle (10), pushable by the driver between an inactive position and an active position in which it commands a gear shift action of the gearbox group. The gear shift device (1) also includes a control element (20) having a touch interface device (200) located on the paddle (10), suitable to be actuated by the driver to command a plurality of operating modes of the gearbox group.