E-BIKE EVOLUTION
Not content with supplying some of the biggest cycling brands in the world with their E-Motors, 2023 sees three new Yamaha E-Bikes dropping into dealers. We headed to northern Spain for the European launch.
These may be three completely new e-bikes for launch but this is by no means a new venture, as Yamaha has been in e-bike game for years. In fact, on announcing the launch of these electric steeds for mountain, gravel and urban sectors, the company proclaimed that they were the ‘spark that ignited the whole e-bike movement’ (see what they did there), and with the innovative Yamaha PAS launched for the Japanese market some 30 years ago, who is going to argue?
What is for sure is that the ‘e-bike’ is now commonplace. One of the most eagerly sought-after products during lockdown, with a continuous increase in popularity as a very real option for adopters of the zero-emission commute, as well as the new adventures these power assisted two-wheelers offer for sport and leisure. In 2021 sales in the UK reached 250,000 units, but when you consider Germany sold over two million that very same year you can see why there is a lot of work and investment into the ever-expanding e-market.
The motorcycle industry is one of these adopters; ranges of apparel dedicated to the cyclist are being adapted from off-road origins and new bikes are expected from numerous manufacturers over the next few years. We have already seen the likes of Fantic Motor showing off their e-bikes at Motorcycle Live; Ducati’s collaboration with Italian bike manufacturer THOK has also been turning heads for a couple of years now; and we can expect GasGas and Husqvarna to join the charge soon.
As for Yamaha, this is no collaboration, neither is it new considering that it has been supplying the motors for numerous ‘recognised’ bike manufacturers for years. Its motors power the likes of Giant e-bikes and are highly respected units alongside motors from the likes of Shimano and Bosch. It is only right that Yamaha continues what it started 30 years ago with a line-up of e-bikes that, with a few choice cycling parts from Shimano, Rockshox and Magna, enter an ever-growing and more competitive market with its own design and tech surrounding an already proven, reliable and solid electric motor.
YDX MORO 07
Having always ridden mountain bikes, with an upweighted passion for the sport since lockdown, the Moro 07 was the one I was most excited to test. Having spent a lot of time on trails with e-bike riders, I have already witnessed the benefits of assistance up hills, leaving the rider fresh and full of energy to tackle the reward of a downhill section the other side.
I can also argue with the nay-sayers that this is neither ‘cheating’ nor for the elderly; quite simply e-bikes allow a tough ride to last longer, and the longer you are out the more fun you will have.
So, personally, I have been in the market for a while now, checking out the reviews of bikes ranging from £3,000 all the way up to and past £15,000, and with latter way out of my league, the choice demonstrates development range in this sector. Despite not being confirmed as yet, the price point of Yamaha’s first-entry into e-MTB-ing will be at the former end of the cost scale rather than the latter.
Keen to point out that it had not produced a ‘world beater’, Yamaha’s first e-MTB is as easy to climb aboard and ride at entry-level, as it is extremely capable in the hands of more experienced, skilled and adventurous riders. Fortunately, in our group of motorcycle journalists, each area was covered with seasoned motocross and trials riders taking the stunting lead, with entry-level guys such as myself able to observe what