Yamaha Concept Motorcycle News

Electric TY-E Trial Bike Spurs Yamaha Motor to First Trial-E Cup Entry

Cypress, CA – March 23, 2018 – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC – Japan) announced today that it has developed the TY-E electric trial bike as a concept model. Designed to optimize the unique advantages associated with electrical power, the new TY-E will compete for the first time in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup, with scheduled appearances at Auron in France on July 14-15, and at Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 21-22.

Kenichi Kuroyama – who is currently competing in the IA Super class of the All Japan Trial Championship – will represent the Yamaha Factory Racing Team during 2018. The TY-E will also be on display at the Yamaha Motor booth at this year’s Tokyo Motorcycle Show, being held at the Tokyo Big Sight beginning today.

Featuring advanced new technology, the TY-E has come straight from the company’s “Evolving R&D” program, in which Yamaha R&D employees are given the opportunity to work outside conventional frameworks and devote up to 5% of their working hours towards developing innovative new concepts.

It is here that Yamaha focused on a model for trials competition, and worked on its development to help overcome typical EV development issues. R&D employees worked to address challenges such as the high output from small-sized and lightweight components, and harnessing high torque output in order to create an easy, responsive, and controllable riding character.

Yamaha TY-E Key Features

• A high rotation-type compact high-power electric motor that achieves high off-road performance with both powerful low-speed torque and extended acceleration
• Sophisticated motor control technology that achieves an excellent response and a power feeling from extremely low to high-speed ranges
• A mechanical clutch that ensures instantaneous power and control, and an electric motor and optimized flywheel that realizes excellent traction performance
• A newly designed compact high-output battery pack with compact and lightweight components
• Advanced CFRP monocoque frame that is at the lightest possible weight, while delivering optimal rigidity and battery storage space
• Extremely slim bodywork that does not interfere with dynamic rider action

FIM Trial-E Cup

This is the only FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme)-sanctioned event where electric trial machines alone can compete. This event was held for the first-time last year on June 24-25 at Lourdes in France, where 11 riders entered – with Spain’s Marc Colomer claiming victory. For 2018 the FIM Trial-E Cup consists of two events – Auron in France on July 14-15, and Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 20-21.

Kenichi Kuroyama

Name                                    Kenichi Kuroyama

Place of birth                          Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Date of birth                           July 24, 1978

2018 Scheduled Events          All Japan Trial Championship IA Super class; FIM Trial-E Cup

2018 Representative               Yamaha Factory Racing Team

2017 Results                           Ranked 2nd in the All Japan Trial Championship IA Super class

TY-E Key Specifications

Overall Length x Width x Height       2,003mm x 830mm x 1,130mm

Wheelbase                                          1,310mm

Minimum Ground Clearance              350mm

Vehicle Weight                                   Less than 70kg

Engine Type                                       AC synchronous electric motor

Auxiliary Battery Type                       Lithium-ion battery

Clutch Type                                        Hydraulic, Wet, Multi-plate

Frame Type                                         CFRP Monocoque