Aiming to contest MXEP alongside world championship in future.
Yamaha Motor has uncovered an electric-powered ‘YE-01 Racing Concept’, being developed in preparation for an upcoming entry in the MXEP category to be held at select rounds of the Motocross World Championship in the future.
In collaboration with strategic partner Electric Motion (EM), the YE-01 is heavily based upon the current generation 2026 model YZ450F.
The YE-01 Racing Concept is an ongoing project, merging advanced technologies from both Yamaha and EM. It has a YZ450F chassis, including a KYB fully-adjustable speed-sensitive front fork and rear shock to bring the ride experience as close to the existing Yamaha production bikes as possible.
Meanwhile, taking further design cues from the latest YZ450F, the compact, slim and smooth body and flat seat allow the rider to move freely and comfortably on the bike.
Developed specifically for motocross, the YE-01 Racing Concept features a liquid-cooled electric powertrain, capable to offer MXGP levels of power, according to Yamaha. It has a hydraulic clutch, while the battery location ensures an optimised centre of gravity, much like the reverse-head engine layout in the YZ450F does.
Again, following the example of Yamaha’s production bikes, further enhancements to the ride are available through power modes and rider aids, such as traction control, to enable an ideal set-up for any racing conditions.
As part of its company-wide environmental goals, Yamaha Motor is committed to achieving carbon neutrality across the entire product lifecycle – including manufacturing and business operations – by 2050. The objective of racing the YE-01 Racing Concept in MXEP is to strengthen Yamaha’s technical expertise, knowledge and understanding for the future.
I couldnt tell if that was real or some BS AI post on FB.
This will be awesome for Haiden to take to the skate parks
Yamaha answer to Stark, very interesting.
One year ago, Yamaha invested in Electric Motion, french firm which has been making electric trial and trail motorcycles for 15 years. Last January, Yamaha France CEO of 11 years switched jobs to become CEO of Electric Motion.
This prototype is the first "concrete" fruit of this collaboration.
Of course it will be more concrete whenever they will provide specs. Still waiting on Honda CR-E specs, it's been around since 2017, maybe Y can beat them and come to market before H.
Of course without any numbers about power, weight or battery capacity it's hard to understand much but the Yamaha battery doesn't seem that big? Hydraulic clutch and traction control clearly differentiate it from the Varg. They do have a huge advantage, obviously the brand is a million times more renowned, huge dealer network and so on.
Great to see more choice coming, more competition is always better for us customers.
Might the battery be installed backwards...like a cylinder head...🤔
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Camo?
How is FMF going to sell carbon end caps for this?
I thought it was sperm
The beginning of the end of our gas powered engines. Embrace the future folks, it’s here.
The look is odd. I get they had to try and make it different to the usual bikes, but this look isn't it.
Unfortunately my friend. You are right. I don’t want it to Happen. But it is. But you know what they say, you either embrace change or you’ll be left behind, because it’s happening no matter what.
No no... Kawasaki is LEADING the development, they are going future-tech with 'back to 2strokes', really forward looking company
AMA to Alta: Sorry we don't have a class for your motorcycle to race.
AMA to Stark: Sorry we don't have a class for your motorcycle to race.
Yamaha makes electric bike.
AMA to Yamaha: The 450 class will now be a true open class.
I’ve ridden the electric motion before and the clutch feels pretty good albeit a bit different than on a gas bike. Really on/off feeling but I didn’t adjust anything so maybe that on/off feel can be changed. Surprised Stark hasn’t developed a clutch kit yet as it eliminates some shortcomings of an electric bike.
They should try to develop a sound module of some kind. Maybe something that you can upload different bike sounds. A lot of companies will have to pivot and make new revenue streams with the entrance of ebikes.
GYTR baseball card for your spokes
Squeaky toy on the handlebars
It’s a prototype man.
Can we just get a 350 please??
Pit Row
I will say it's nice to see this on a 2026 chassis. Seems like too often these concepts come out based around an old model which invalidates the whole thing.
I get that, but, would you buy a bike that looks like this? Battery powered or otherwise?
Lose the digital camo look, Temo inspired to me
This is the same thing Honda did, shoehorn a electric motor setup in an existing chassis and call it a prototype and get people talking about it and generate some hype for something thats at least 5 years out and will look completely different...
Or make it sound like the space cars from the Jetsons cartoon!
I’m still not convinced that a clutch is necessary, but what do I know? I’m old and slow.
I'm all for having new e-bikes come on the market to have in the garage someday alongside my two strokes, but gotta say these graphics are fucking hideous. How are bonehead decisions like this allowed to make it out the door?
I have the EM trials bike (E-Pure) with the clutch - lots of fun and the clutch works great
Fan engagement opportunity. Spectators can vote on which sound goes to each rider.
-Jaguar
-Ice Cream Truck
-Generator
-Go Kart
-song from Jaws
-Flatulence
For only 30,000 UN Worldwide Dollars you can record your own special message that will play when a racer makes a pass or crashes. otherwise it defaults to Monster Energy's message for the night
The couldn't use the standard YZinger with lightning bolts because it evokes rider electrocution.
This HAS to be AI surely?! The only mention of Yamaha is a sticker on the swing arm that looks quite clearly photoshopped on. One of the worlds largest names in off road motorcycles and this is their 'concept'?
With how small that battery is and the inherent losses from a clutch, I'm not very optimistic about range.
It's a cool looking concept, but range looks like it will be less than our current YZ-EMX kits.
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