Yamaha Resonator125 Concept
Yamaha announced its display “concept” models for the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show (beginning October 29), and prominent among them are two electric models, including the PED2 and the PES2. This isn’t a surprise, as Yamaha previously indicated it would have electric models in production by 2016, but it is a further indication Yamaha might be the next major manufacturer to take on some of the smaller electric motorcycle companies, such as Zero.
Interestingly, in addition to a small, gasoline retro-style bike (the Resonator125 Concept), Yamaha is teasing both a 3-wheeler and an automobile for display next month (photos at the bottom of this article). Take a look at Yamaha’s full press release below.
IWATA, October 16, 2015 — Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) will participate in the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 (Organizer: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.) to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight from October 29 (Thu.) to November 8 (Sun.) (Preview Day on Oct. 29; General Public Days from Oct. 30). The theme of the Yamaha Motor booth will be the “Yamaha Motor Product Orchestra,” and the booth will be located in the venue’s East Hall 3. A total of 20 models—of which six are world premiere models and one is a Japan premiere model—will be on display. These will include electrically power-assisted bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, Leaning Multi-Wheelers (LMW), a Recreational Off-road Vehicle (ROV) and an automobile. We will also unveil and display an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot that combines motorcycle and robotics technologies. The booth will offer an experience of “the growing world of personal mobility” unique to Yamaha, a specialist in small vehicles for personal mobility.
Resonator125 (Reference vehicle / Experimental vehicle)
The Resonator125 is a concept model that proposes a lifestyle with an authentic sport bike for young people who have not yet discovered the joys of motorcycling. With a lightweight, slim and compact chassis and an instrument panel assembly using an innovative device, this model melds elements of the near future with the nostalgic for a new fusion of motorcycle eras. It also sports wood panels on the fuel tank and seat cowl with authentic wood grain material used in guitars and engravings on the muffler, fuel tank cap and more done with same intricate techniques used for brass wind instruments. The result is a motorcycle that seeks to inspire young people with concepts and qualities that only the Yamaha brand can deliver.
Engine type = Air-cooled, 4-stroke Cylinder arrangement = Single cylinder Displacement = 125 cm3 Fuel supply system = Fuel injection
Yamaha PED2 Concept
PES2 (Reference vehicle / Experimental vehicle)
PED2 (Reference vehicle / Experimental vehicle)
In addition to the characteristics unique to an electric motor, these two EV (electric vehicle) motorcycle concept models have an operational feel that will seem natural even to today’s motorcycle enthusiasts and they achieve a new kind of riding experience that will inspire the Passion in riders. The Street sport “PES2” and Dirt sport “PED2” share a new power unit (Yamaha Smart Power Module) with a monocoque structure that also functions as the frame.
Yamaha PES2 Concept
The PES2 on-road sport model has an additional electric motor built into the hub of the front wheel to make it a 2WD motorcycle, and it is designed to pioneer new boundaries of performance never experienced before. In contrast, the PED2 is a partner for hitting mountain trails designed to capitalize on the clean, quiet performance character of an EV to better enjoy riding through the natural world. Both models are equivalent in performance to Class II (50–125cc) mopeds and motorcycles.
[PES2] Length x Width x Height = 1,920 mm × 680 mm × 1,060 mm Motor type = DC brushless motor Battery type = Lithium-ion (detachable) Vehicle weight = under 130 kg
[PED2] Length x Width x Height = 2,045 mm × 775 mm ×1,205 mm Motor type = DC brushless motor Battery type = Lithium-ion (detachable) Vehicle weight = under 100 kg
Yamaha YPJ-MTB Concept
YPJ-MTB CONCEPT (Reference vehicle / Experimental vehicle)
This electrically power-assisted mountain bike mounts an electric motor on a high-performance bicycle and is designed for adults who want to enjoy the freedom of being able to ride on virtually any terrain. It lets you feel the presence of the power unit where it is most appreciated, like in starts, acceleration and hill-climbing, but with a design that minimizes the visual presence of that same power unit. For added assurance in riding longer distances on any type of terrain, the model is fitted with a large-capacity 400 Wh battery and a multi-function instrument panel. This YPJ project is about offering new value and new scenes for bicycle riding, and this mountain bike concept model redefines the positioning and functions of electrically power-assisted bicycles from a vehicle that makes riding easier to one that opens up a new realm of sporty recreational riding.
Motor type = DC brushless motor Rated output = 250 W Battery capacity = 400 Wh Battery type = Lithium-ion
Yamaha 3-Wheeler Concept
Yamaha Sports Car Concept
Re PES2, I’m still waiting for Honda’s RC-E.
It wouldn’t replace my gas supersport for sport touring / canyons, but for daily commuting, if it gave me a 50 mile range at 80 mph, I’d be very interested.
hmmn, Yamaha sports car, wonder what’s that about…? if you recall Yam does the V10 for Toyota’s LFA (Lexus) supermobile.
and back in the early 90’s, they gave the Horrible Ford Taurus a serious engine option (for the day) with a high revving 3.0 V-6 – The “SHO”
or Yamaha tuned, Lotus Elise mounted, ZZ Toyota based engines.
The 1967 Toyota 2000GT had a Yamaha-designed cylinder head. Wasn’t the SHO Taurus engine just Yamaha-designed cylinder heads and induction for the Ford V6?
“wood grain material used in guitars”…”intricate techniques used for brass wind instruments” – This is probably the result of Yamaha letting the motorcycle and instrument designers switch jobs for project “AH A MAY” in march.
MTB concept needs to be in a dual suspension frame, with slacker geometry.
If Yamaha is considering a sports car for production at all I wonder if Toyota is involved somewhere? The two have had a long working relationship.
I just noticed the PES-2 has a single-sided front fork. Interesting. Oh, that and the three wheeler has four from forks…
Yamaha already have a 3-wheeler in Europe: its called the “Tricity” (125cc)…
What do you suppose the clutch lever does?
Rear brake
White tires. Dear God! The future is now. *mouth agape, removes sunglasses in awe*
One great thing about electric vehicles is that it will end the problems with those pesky muffler bearings.
..and the thing about loud pipes saving lives! Maybe there’ll be a return to running playing cards in the spokes! 🙂
It would fit in well on the PED2 it looks like a bicycle for a child with the plastic making it motorcycle shaped, the engine sticking out even looks like where the pedals should be connected.
“One great thing about electric vehicles is that it will end the problems with those pesky muffler bearings.”
Maybe so, but I’ll bet sales of flux capacitors go through the roof!
I like the PES concept; I assume the motor on the front wheel is there not so much for 2WD but to allow for regenerative braking that will capture braking energy and return it to the battery.
Not on a dirt bike, you want to make sure it doesn’t drag too much running down black diamond trails.
Also, the 2wd is an entertaining concept, but it’s clearly there just for the concept, demonstrating one of the advantages that electric motors have – you don’t need complex hydraulics or gearing/chain drives to get the front wheel to drive. Kills the unsprung weight, though, and is completely unnecessary unless you’re building a drag bike (in which case USW shouldn’t matter, and having that extra weight over the front would be a win, though you’re still getting most of your acceleration from the rear).
For a production bike, they’d replace that front motor with another disc brake.
Electric bikes – I don’t really understand these. The Yamaha entry is a fine looking one, but they weigh so much that I can’t see people actually pedaling these things for real. I’ve seen one e-bike where the human merely generates electricity, which then goes through the power train or directly to the battery as charge; this makes more sense to me, as it avoids the (minor) added weight and (major) added cost of the other components, such as the chainrings, cassette, derailleurs… without the human driving the rear wheel directly, you could use a hub-mounted motor in the back and avoid a chain/belt completely for a very clean and zero-maintenance setup.
125 resonator: I’d buy one just to tool around on around here on; I don’t need a freeway-speed bike for enjoyment here and having such a casual bike sounds fun (also why I’m pondering getting an old R60 or something). Lose the wood on the muffler, though, unless it’s such a wimpy bike that the muffler never gets warm.
PED2: Love it. Make a supermoto version too. I’ll buy both. With that 125. I’ll be a Yamaha convert. Do it.
PES2: Not convinced yet, but then my road bike usage tends to be closer to 200 miles at a time, so I’m the wrong target.
“authentic wood grain material … on the muffler”
*sniff*
*sniff*
what’s burning?
Wood grain is only on the fuel tank sides and the seat cowl.
As I read it (and they could do with some extra punctuation), the muffler, fuel tank cap etc get engraving just like on brass wind instruments. Pity, cos I quite fancied a wooden exhaust!
The Resonator resembles a 650 twin concept they had a few years ago. Seguro or something
the 3 wheeler looks interesting. I rode a Piaggio MP3, quite interesting it was
maybe the ped 2 concept, the others NOT. If they can bring the price point closer to real machines, they may have a market.
I like the electric dual-sport because I want to buy such a thing. Will be very interesting to compare a large company with a long history of making motorcycles like Yamaha to the existing Zero FX dual-sport. Can Yamaha make something much better or is technology just not there yet. Curious to see what new things Yamaha would come up with on an electric dual-sport. Looks like there is an attempt to make the seat height lower, hurray for that!
I like it quite a bit as well, and an electric dirt bike / dual sport is certainly on my want list.
With respect to batteries and motors, it wouldn’t be any better. Or cheaper either.
I owned about 70 mc, but since I moved to N. Utah I ride my mountain bike more, and my last bike a few years ago was a Yamaha 250 dual sport.
One of my favorite experiences ever on two wheels: riding my mountain bike on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which parallels the “wildlife fence.” The fence has several holes in it, and is supposed to keep the animals on the east (up the Rocky Mountains/Wasatch Range), with the homes and human population on the west (down side). I came upon a herd of a half dozen elk about 50-60 yards west of the fence. Their heads turned in unison to look at me while I took a breath to admire them. First one started its run toward the fence, then the others followed. As they ran, I raced to intercept their escape up the hill. They ran diagonally toward the fence, while I raced on the section of the trail with slow/shallow up/down hills. They could not get in front of me, so they gave up and slowly galloped back down the hill.
The experience of riding in such close proximity to a herd of elk was a 2-wheel high lite. The noise and vibration was truly memorable. If I rode an infernal combustion motorized bike, they would have heard me and been gone well before I arrived. If it was an electrica dirt bike, no problem, same as my mountain bike experience.
Make a Resonator 350 and lose the wood.
That bicycle is killer. In fact, I like all of these concepts.
I like the retro 125
the Resonator “resonates” with me.
Its the tank, seat & cowl…..right?
No doubt you’ve seen this too…
http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/10/15/yamaha-dt-07-flat-track-racing-concept-motorcycle-review-first-look-photos-from-aimexpo-2015/
I wonder if the 3 wheeler concept is a technical show unit or they will go into Euro-mp3 market.
I do really like the bicycle!!
Yep, the bicycle is nice. Didn’t they have concept, a couple of years ago, along this line?
The Moegi might be what you are thing about: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/11/yamaha-y125-moegi-slated-for-tokyo-motor-show/
I love that concept. A 125cc machine would be completely impractical for me and even unusable in most situations, but I’d buy one anyway if they came out.
what a beautiful bike!!!, I want it!!!!!!!
I’m picking up what you’re laying down, it’s beautiful.