Powersports Transmissions & Components

These days, there are three main types of transmissions used in all-terrain vehicles – manual, automatic, and semi-automatic, and each of them has its pros and cons. The manual gearbox gives you more control over engine torque and thus can be more preferable for various competitions and specific situations such as slow crawling up or down the hill. In the meantime, it requires certain coordination between your left foot and both hands, as you have to operate a foot shifter, clutch lever, and throttle lever. Nothing horrible, but it can be a problem for inexperienced riders or those who just want to be more focused on the ride rather than on shifting gears.

Actually, that's why automatic transmissions gain in popularity. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the most popular type used in modern ATVs and snowmobiles. Polaris was the first company to install a CVT in its quad back in 1985, and although this assembly has notably evolved since then, the main principle remains the same – a belt connects two pulleys having a variable diameter, which allows changing drive ratio in a smooth manner. Semi-automatic gearboxes are less common; essentially, they are similar to manual transmissions but equipped with a centrifugal clutch. There is no clutch lever, but the gears still have to be selected manually.

Apart from that, there are several specific and innovative solutions implemented by leading manufacturers for those riders who want to get the most out of their vehicles. For instance, Honda first introduced a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the Rancher model, as well as the Electric Shift Program (ESP) allowing you to switch gears by simply pushing a button on a handlebar. Also, this company is known for its Hondamatic transmission using hydraulics and installed in the Rubicon and some other quads. Anyway, whatever model of a four-wheeler or snowmobile you have, be it Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, or something else, we're always ready to supply you with high-quality transmission.