Yamaha Flips the Switch and Will Soon Build Its Own Ebikes

Bang for the bike business: Under the motto “Switch on”, Yamaha Motor Europe announced today that it will enter the market as a manufacturer of its own ebikes. This was announced by Eric de Seynes, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Europe, in a video that was published on several social media platforms. According to the video, production of the first models is to begin this year.

The time is ripe

In the video, Yamaha speaks of a new era of electromobility that is now beginning. In fact, the Japanese company has been an integral part of this form of transport for many years. Numerous ebike manufacturers rely on Yamaha motors and batteries. These include Haibike, Giant, Liv, Ghost, BH Bikes, Winora, Batavus, R Raymon, GasGas and Lapierre.

However, according to Clément Villet, Smart Powered Vehicles Director Yamaha Motor Europe, now is the right time to produce not only an ebike system, but complete ebikes under the brand, based on the company’s own extensive knowledge. On display were a total of four bikes, three pedelecs and one S-pedelec.

Futuristic Funmobile B01

Eric de Seynes took the opportunity to personally present the S-pedelec with the somewhat cryptic name “B01”. With its unusual frame construction and enormously wide tyres, it clearly stands out among the ebikes presented. Unmistakably, the characteristics of a motor scooter merge with those of a conventional bicycle. At first glance, it remains a little questionable where luggage could be stored later. So for the time being, it looks like a vehicle that is mainly dedicated to riding fun. What components the B01 will be equipped with in the future was not mentioned. In the front view, at least in the video, the M99 front headlight from Supernova is recognisable. Hopefully the quality of the other parts will keep up.

Yamaha makes it unmistakably clear that the bike is much more than a mere concept bike. The B01 is very much intended to go into series production. Eric de Seynes named the beginning of 2023 as the starting point for production. By the way, the Italian motor manufacturer Fantic Motor played a decisive role in the development of the S-pedelec. Not only does it manufacture ebikes itself, but it probably had a big hand in the sporty design.

Experienced trio

With the other three ebikes, Yamaha is moving on familiar terrain for the most part. A full-suspension e-mountain bike, an ebike for riding in urban environments and an e-gravel bike are not only common bicycle types, but above all ones for which the company already manufactures motors and batteries. Only on behalf of those who will become their own direct competitors in the future.

Whether these bicycles have already been given fixed names was not entirely clear during the presentation. The Fully, for example, was announced as Yamaha All-Mountain. Clément Villet said that components from several premium manufacturers were used in the frame, which he had developed himself. What this means for the gears, brakes, suspension fork, chassis and wheels he left open. Only the Maxxis tyres were clearly identifiable.

Idea clear, concrete details not entirely

The description of the gravel bike, simply called Yamaha Gravel, was noticeably shorter. It is more suitable for longer rides. Well, ok. On the basis of the pictures, we can at least conclude that it has a suspension seatpost, a drive with only one chainring and mounts for two water bottles on the frame.

The city ebike was similarly briefly outlined, which Clément Villet simply called an “urban bike”. For whatever reason, Yamaha took less trouble here to make a secret of the installed components. For example, a suspension fork from SR Suntour from the NEX series was installed, which offers a suspension travel of about 80 millimetres. The handlebars presumably come with ergonomically shaped grips that feature small bar ends. Even though the bike was on stage without mudguards and rear carrier mounted, the corresponding mounts on the frame reveal that mounting these parts will be possible in the future and is presumably also planned by Yamaha for different versions of this model.

Next news in a few months

Yamaha wants to say more about the exact specifications in the summer of this year. In addition, relevant cycling media are to receive specimens in advance for testing. All ebikes will be on display in Yamaha showrooms within the next twelve months. Possibly as early as the second half of this year. Clément Villet explicitly said “visible” and not “available”.

North America as a guidepost?

After this first glimpse of what Yamaha is up to, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Answers may be found by taking a look at the USA. There, Yamaha has been selling complete ebikes under its own name for several years. Yamaha presented prototypes of some of the models now available at the Interbike trade fair in Las Vegas in 2017. At that time, there were several ebikes on show, from an e-MTB to an e-gravel bike to a trekking ebike. Basically, pretty much the same types of bikes that have now been announced for the European market. The systems on display at the 2017 show were based on the then-current PW-X motors and downtube-mounted frame batteries.

Today’s range for North America comes across as somewhat more modern. There are ten models in the categories “Fittnes/Lifestyle”, “All Roads” and “Mountain”. The most premium of them are equipped with PW-X2 or PW-ST motors and have a battery integrated into the down tube. Remarkably, none of them offers more than 500 watt hours of capacity. If they are adapted to European expectations, Yamaha should probably adjust this upwards.

Let’s see how this will develop in the coming months. In any case, we’ll stay on the ball for you.

 

Pictures: Yamaha Motor Europe