Yamaha Releases Electric TY-E Concept Trials Bike
Rennie Scaysbrook | March 23, 2018
Yamaha Motor Company has taken the wraps off their brand-new TY-E electric trials machine, that will compete in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup, scheduled for two rounds in France and Belgium later this year.
Yamaha Releases Electric TY-E Concept Trials Bike
The machine is a concept that will (all fingers and toes crossed) form the basis of a new range of trials motorcycles from the company that saw enormous success in the discipline a generation ago.
The TY-E is the product of what Yamaha calls its “Revolving R&D Program”, where “Yamaha R&D employees are given the opportunity to work outside conventional frameworks and devote up to 5 percent of their working hours towards developing innovative new concepts,” says the release from Yamaha Motor USA.
As such, the TY-E is loaded with cool bits, like a mechanical clutch to help control the electric motor in tight riding situations; a carbon composite monocoque frame; and a brand new high-output electric motor with a new battery pack and lightweight components.
Overall, the TY-E weighs “less than 70kg”, which equals about 154 lb, ready to ride with 350mm ground clearance–just think of the possibilities!
Trials bikes have been slowly moving towards electric powertrains and the platform has seen great success with Spanish brand Oset, who manufactures electric trials bikes for junior riders. The Japanese manufacturers have been slow to adapt to electric powertrains with brands like KTM leading the way with their Freeride-E range, but should this Yamaha make it into production, it could open the floodgates for much more than just electric trials bikes from one of the world’s biggest motorcycle powerhouse and really kick-start an area of the industry in need of some new thinking.
Check out the video of Japanese trials star Kenichi Kuroyama showing just what the TY-E can do in the right hands. He will also be Yamaha’s representative in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup on the TY-E.