Yamaha’s electric trials bike
The electric space makes absolute sense in trials, and Yamaha has now joined the partyThere was lots of talk about electric bikes in Tokyo last week, and Bikesales was on hand to see two of them unveiled: the Kymco ionex scooter and Yamaha TY-E trials bike.
The TY-E, which will compete in the 2018 FIM Trial E-Cup, features a traditional clutch to “secure instantaneous power”, while the electric motor and lithium-ion battery are ensconced in a lightweight monocoque frame.
Total weight of the machine is “less than 70kg”, which is about the same as the four-stroke factory machines currently competing in the Trial World Championship.
Electric technology makes complete sense in the trials arena, as the machines don’t have to travel long distances – so no range anxiety – and the major components are lightweight.
The FIM Trial E-Cup is the only FIM-sanctioned event where electric trial machines alone can compete. In 2017, two events will be held: in Auron, France July 14-15, and Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 21-22. Japan’s Kenichi Kuroyama will ride the TY-E.
In 2017, Spain’s 1996 world trials champion Marc Colomer came out of retirement to win the inaugural FIM Trial E-Cup on a Gas-Gas.
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