Yamaha has announced its own range of electric bicycles, with urban, gravel, and mountain models all being launched.
Yamaha was one of the pioneers of electric-assist bicycles back in the 1990s when it launched its PAS.
Over the last 30 years, Yamaha has built its own e-bikes, as well as develop powertrains for third parties. Now, the Iwata brands is taking its own e-bike range further with three new models.
Moro 07
First, we have the Yamaha Moro 07 e-mountain bike, which is powered by “Yamaha’s smallest, lightest and most powerful drive unit,” Yamaha says, that weighs 2.75kg(the Moro 07 weighs 23.9kg in total), produces 85Nm of torque, and is called the PW-X3.
Yamaha says “A key feature of the PW-X3 is its Zero Cadence technology that gives instant power delivery at the slightest pedal input, giving its rider a real advantage in the tightest situations.”
The Moro 07 also features newly developed freewheels and gears “that reduce mechanical loss,” according to Yamaha, and ensure a lightweight feel at speeds over 25kph.
Wabash RT
The Wabash RT is Yamaha’s new gravel bike featuring “new school,” as Yamaha puts it, geometry, and a healthy 70Nm of torque from its PW-ST drive unit that features the same Zero Cadence technology as found the in the aforementioned PW-X3 of the Moro 07.
Furthermore, the Wabash RT features an adjustable chassis and suspension so that the bike can be tailored to each individual’s body shape and dimensions. This is in addition to the bike’s three different size options.
CrossCore RC
Yamaha describes the CrossCore RC as a “real alternative to the car.” They would like to say so, of course. Honda makes cars, and Yamaha doesn’t, but the CrossCore is the urban model in Yamaha’s new e-bike range, so strange as it seems it’s competition is in some ways small hatchbacks.
Also benefiting from Zero Cadence as the other two bikes, Yamaha says the CrossCore is equippable with accessories to make it appropriate for extra-urban journeys and longer rides. Despite this, it is designed primarily for the city, where its 70Nm of torque from the PW-ST drive unit should prove an advantage in navigating city traffic.
For motorcycle fans, there is not much to be immediately excited by with Yamaha’s latest electric announcement. However, the manufacturer’s commitment to electric two-wheelers is clear, and the twisting potential of its new PW-X3 drive unit undoubtedly impressive.
Once again, as motorcycle fans, we look a the new e-bikes - as we have done in the past with Ducati - and wonder what the manufacturer is learning from the development of these drivetrains that can be transferred from bicycle to motorcycle. Surely, we are nearing the answer.
