Abstract: A powertrain for a motorcycle includes a torque converter having an input and an output with a fluid coupling between the input and output, a gear train between the torque converter output and the rear wheel of the motorcycle, and an intermediate gear assembly that reverses the rotational direction of the motorcycle engine output shaft to the torque converter input. The intermediate gear assembly allows the motorcycle engine output shaft to be arranged in parallel with the torque converter input shaft wherein the motorcycle engine output shaft and the torque converter input shaft are on the same side of the motorcycle. The intermediate gear assembly includes a ring gear in meshing engagement with a plurality of planet gears, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears. The ring gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate input and the sun gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate output.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motorcycle includes a fluid torque converter and a geartrain. The torque converter includes a torque converter housing, a torque converter input pulley arranged to receive rotary power from the motorcycle engine and a torque converter output shaft for transmitting rotary power. The geartrain includes a main shaft driven by the torque converter output and a parallel countershaft. The main shaft carries a plurality of main gears. The countershaft carries a plurality of counter gears forming selectable gear pairs with the main gears. An output pulley driven by the countershaft is rotatably carried on the main shaft between the torque converter and the gear pairs. The output pulley and the torque converter input pulley are on a same side of the transmission.