New Yamaha YE-01 Racing Concept revealed
Yamaha partners with French company Electric Motion to deliver a potentially game-changing motocross race bike.
Although further development is planned before it goes racing, Yamaha has revealed its all-new YE-01 Racing Concept, which is the result of its continued collaboration with Electric Motion.
Yamaha will race the new machine in the MXEP series, which is a class that will showcase prototype electric bikes at selected FIM Motocross World Championship rounds in the future.
News of a brand-new MXEP class was first revealed in March 2024, with a total of six rounds across Europe earmarked, all of which will run alongside the MXGP series.
Yamaha is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which includes manufacturing of its products and business operations, therefore the push towards electric race bikes is not surprising.
As part of a press release, Yamaha says “To realise this goal, the company will continue to promote the research and development of various technologies that contribute to sustainability, including electrification, and pursue carbon neutrality through a multi-pathway approach. As part of this strategy, and with the PTW market constantly evolving, Yamaha is continuously monitoring the market acceptance and technological progress of EV solutions.”
But back to the new YE-01 Racing Concept that’s based on the recently introduced YZ450F. The YE-01 Racing Concept is a “live project”, says Yamaha, which uses technology from both the Japanese brand and Electric Motion.
The latter has been a strategic partner of Yamaha’s since November 2024, and specialises in off-road models, including electric trials bikes.
The new YE-01 gets KYB fully-adjustable speed-sensitive front suspension and rear shock, a system shared by the YZ450F. However, where this bike is potentially set to stand out, and as a result deliver groundbreaking performance, is the motor.
The YE-01 comprises a liquid-cooled electric powertrain, which interestingly is capable of offering MXGP levels of power, according to Yamaha. To achieve this similar power delivery, the Iwata-based brand says “the motor is paired with a hydraulic clutch, while the battery location ensures an optimised centre of gravity, much like the reverse-head engine layout in the YZ450F does”.
The YE-01 Racing Concept has also gained further enhancements to the ride which are available through power modes and rider aids, including traction control.
Yamaha says “the development of the YE-01 Racing Concept will continue and various tests will be performed with Yamaha's Motocross Test Riders as the project evolves in preparation for the start of the MXEP championship.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
