Yamaha's Electric Bike

The problem the Japanese and Euro manufacturers have with introducing an electric bike over the likes of Alta is they risk cannibalizing their traditional moto sales, at least in the US. KTM missed the boat with their E-bike. Alta has already made a bold statement and proven their technology can compete with an internally combusted engine. The others have a big hill to climb if they're to introduce something as serious and competitive as the Alta. They've set the bar.

Swann wrote:

The problem the Japanese and Euro manufacturers have with introducing an electric bike over the likes of Alta is they risk cannibalizing their traditional moto sales, at least in the US. KTM missed the boat with their E-bike. Alta has already made a bold statement and proven their technology can compete with an internally combusted engine. The others have a big hill to climb if they're to introduce something as serious and competitive as the Alta. They've set the bar.

This is a good post and I completely agree with you. However, I truly believe this is the future of the sport so the other brands have to start converting at some point or be left behind.

Swann wrote:

The problem the Japanese and Euro manufacturers have with introducing an electric bike over the likes of Alta is they risk cannibalizing their traditional moto sales, at least in the US. KTM missed the boat with their E-bike. Alta has already made a bold statement and proven their technology can compete with an internally combusted engine. The others have a big hill to climb if they're to introduce something as serious and competitive as the Alta. They've set the bar.

Don't count KTM out yet.Alta wants to go head to head on the tracks of today,I think KTM and some others want to create something different.

Not to be that guy... But that looks like a 90s Yamaha YZ chassis that has been shortened? Is this pic validated to be a concept from Yamaha?

Lastander wrote:

Not to be that guy... But that looks like a 90s Yamaha YZ chassis that has been shortened? Is this pic validated to be a concept from Yamaha?

If you ask chad late 90's to 2004 were the best chassis yamaha made.

Lastander wrote:

Not to be that guy... But that looks like a 90s Yamaha YZ chassis that has been shortened? Is this pic validated to be a concept from Yamaha?

IMO that would be a good thing, Al frames are gay.

Quite surprised Honda aren't making more of a push in this direction

Andy_Greenney wrote:

Quite surprised Honda aren't making more of a push in this direction

They did come out with that E-Rex remember? Probably for the next Jurassic park movie, but the bike is still there

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

That thing is ugly, as well as the concept Honda with the dinosaur theme. The Yamaha looks like it has a swing arm from the 89 yz 125. Im not going to buy into the E bikes until they literally come take our gas powered bikes from us. I mean who wants to watch a silent race on tv or outdoors for that matter. Just my thoughts and opinions.

mmain62 wrote:

That thing is ugly, as well as the concept Honda with the dinosaur theme. The Yamaha looks like it has a swing arm from the 89 yz 125. Im not going to buy into the E bikes until they literally come take our gas powered bikes from us. I mean who wants to watch a silent race on tv or outdoors for that matter. Just my thoughts and opinions.

About 90% of vital say they watch the races without volume off because the announcers anyway.

mmain62 wrote:

That thing is ugly, as well as the concept Honda with the dinosaur theme. The Yamaha looks like it has a swing arm from the 89 yz 125. Im not going to buy into the E bikes until they literally come take our gas powered bikes from us. I mean who wants to watch a silent race on tv or outdoors for that matter. Just my thoughts and opinions.

aeffertz wrote:

About 90% of vital say they watch the races without volume off because the announcers anyway.

90%? Let's take a poll.

I love the sound of the bikes and turn it up. It's about the only time I get to see pros ride without some idiotic song dubbed over the bike or bikes.

Since I have not yet received an answer to my query above about electric cars, I'm going to offer up my own theory. You all haven't bought electric cars because you want to hear and feel the sound of a car engine. Besides, do any of you want to roll up to pick up your date in an electric car? If you do, be sure and wear your hair in a man-bun. I'm sure she'll enjoy the restaurant you've picked out too...what with the Kale French fries and the veggie burgers.

Lastander wrote:

Not to be that guy... But that looks like a 90s Yamaha YZ chassis that has been shortened? Is this pic validated to be a concept from Yamaha?

Definately an old pic. Look at the brake line routing. I think yamaha dropped it for "honda style" routing in 2005.

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

Electric cars don't have much of a need with the fairly low fuel cost and the amount of fuel efficient gas cars around. It would be interesting to see a 4x4 4 door 3/4 ton(or ton) electric truck with a long work day battery life.

mmain62 wrote:

That thing is ugly, as well as the concept Honda with the dinosaur theme. The Yamaha looks like it has a swing arm from the 89 yz 125. Im not going to buy into the E bikes until they literally come take our gas powered bikes from us. I mean who wants to watch a silent race on tv or outdoors for that matter. Just my thoughts and opinions.

aeffertz wrote:

About 90% of vital say they watch the races without volume off because the announcers anyway.

Harry Backmon wrote:

90%? Let's take a poll.

I love the sound of the bikes and turn it up. It's about the only time I get to see pros ride without some idiotic song dubbed over the bike or bikes.

Since I have not yet received an answer to my query above about electric cars, I'm going to offer up my own theory. You all haven't bought electric cars because you want to hear and feel the sound of a car engine. Besides, do any of you want to roll up to pick up your date in an electric car? If you do, be sure and wear your hair in a man-bun. I'm sure she'll enjoy the restaurant you've picked out too...what with the Kale French fries and the veggie burgers.

Well there hasn't been any roads or highways near me that have been closed down due to noise from my 05 Ford Explorer and neighbors don't bitch and call the cops when I fire her up early in the morning to go to work so I suppose I can hold off on the Tesla for now.....What a stupid point you tried making lol. I do love hearing the ticking of that 170,000 mile V6 though....

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

I imagine cost is a big factor. Teslas are fairly expensive, but I see a ton of them in my suburban corner of Seattle.

Next year Tesla has a $30,000 model coming out, I think you will see a lot more of them.

Electric SHOULD be the future of the sport and of driving.

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

visser62 wrote:

I imagine cost is a big factor. Teslas are fairly expensive, but I see a ton of them in my suburban corner of Seattle.

Next year Tesla has a $30,000 model coming out, I think you will see a lot more of them.

Electric SHOULD be the future of the sport and of driving.

Yeah, I'm sure it will end up that way. Not for me. I'll be dead or senile by the time internal combustion engines are banned and declared illegal.

Harry Backmon wrote:

Yeah, I'm sure it will end up that way. Not for me. I'll be dead or senile by the time internal combustion engines are banned and declared illegal.

Compressing and exploding gas will always have a role to play in helping to propel objects and humans. Rest assured, no matter the technology, we humans will always be able to propel ourselves, quickly.

I might be interested if they can add a "braaaaap" mode for 2-stroke enthusiasts. Maybe an electrically heated reservoir for vaporizing a small quantity of premix may add to the experience.

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

visser62 wrote:

I imagine cost is a big factor. Teslas are fairly expensive, but I see a ton of them in my suburban corner of Seattle.

Next year Tesla has a $30,000 model coming out, I think you will see a lot more of them.

Electric SHOULD be the future of the sport and of driving.

Harry Backmon wrote:

Yeah, I'm sure it will end up that way. Not for me. I'll be dead or senile by the time internal combustion engines are banned and declared illegal.

Bro, hold on.
Before you say something you will regret...What if I told you.....that the ECU on the Alta is WATER-COOLED!

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

Personally, I think it has a future in the sport, but not the future of the sport. For sure a new rabbit trail off the beaten path or new option for some, but not replacing the current style bikes.

I predict that either Honda or KTM buys out Alta and releases either Alta Honda's or Alta KTM's as a separate Electric line of their motorcycles.

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

More people would buy electric cars if the prices were cheaper and there were more recharging stations, etc. It's definitely the future of cars. Just takes a long time to get the technology cheap enough and the infrastructure robust enough.

I also think e-bikes are the future. Cost being one of the biggest problems currently. But as price goes down they will gain more traction. The technology also needs to mature a bit more. E-bikes may not totally replace "race" machines but I think they will absolutely take over the weekend trail rider/weekend warrior. Quieter bikes means more places to trail ride, camp, etc. Imagine being able to take these on the trails in Yosemite, Yellow Stone, etc. Not saying that will happen but certainly a possibility with quieter bikes.

Also, maintenance is a big thing. Less maintenance, less money to spend, less time doing air filters, going to get gas, etc etc.

Again, I don't think they will take over race bikes but there will definitely be a market for this once the price comes down more and the technology matures just a bit more.

It may not be the future of the sport as far as MX/SX is concerned, but I believe it will be the future of dirt bikes.

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

TXDirt wrote:

More people would buy electric cars if the prices were cheaper and there were more recharging stations, etc. It's definitely the future of cars. Just takes a long time to get the technology cheap enough and the infrastructure robust enough.

I also think e-bikes are the future. Cost being one of the biggest problems currently. But as price goes down they will gain more traction. The technology also needs to mature a bit more. E-bikes may not totally replace "race" machines but I think they will absolutely take over the weekend trail rider/weekend warrior. Quieter bikes means more places to trail ride, camp, etc. Imagine being able to take these on the trails in Yosemite, Yellow Stone, etc. Not saying that will happen but certainly a possibility with quieter bikes.

Also, maintenance is a big thing. Less maintenance, less money to spend, less time doing air filters, going to get gas, etc etc.

Again, I don't think they will take over race bikes but there will definitely be a market for this once the price comes down more and the technology matures just a bit more.

It may not be the future of the sport as far as MX/SX is concerned, but I believe it will be the future of dirt bikes.

Good points and I'm interested in the potential new riding areas. Currently, we do not have issues with riding areas in my neck of the woods, but the areas where bikes/4 wheelers/UTV's aren't allowed because they do not want to mix off road machines with horse trails, walking trails, or bicycles. Sound probably plays a factor as well, but I wonder if the lack of sound with electric bikes will really open up new trails for us.

visser62 wrote:

I imagine cost is a big factor. Teslas are fairly expensive, but I see a ton of them in my suburban corner of Seattle.

Next year Tesla has a $30,000 model coming out, I think you will see a lot more of them.

Electric SHOULD be the future of the sport and of driving.

Harry Backmon wrote:

Yeah, I'm sure it will end up that way. Not for me. I'll be dead or senile by the time internal combustion engines are banned and declared illegal.

HenryA wrote:

Bro, hold on.
Before you say something you will regret...What if I told you.....that the ECU on the Alta is WATER-COOLED!

Brotosaurus...

Harry Backmon wrote:

I've not made up my mind about it being "the future of the sport." How many of you are running out and buying electric cars? If not, why not?

TXDirt wrote:

More people would buy electric cars if the prices were cheaper and there were more recharging stations, etc. It's definitely the future of cars. Just takes a long time to get the technology cheap enough and the infrastructure robust enough.

I also think e-bikes are the future. Cost being one of the biggest problems currently. But as price goes down they will gain more traction. The technology also needs to mature a bit more. E-bikes may not totally replace "race" machines but I think they will absolutely take over the weekend trail rider/weekend warrior. Quieter bikes means more places to trail ride, camp, etc. Imagine being able to take these on the trails in Yosemite, Yellow Stone, etc. Not saying that will happen but certainly a possibility with quieter bikes.

Also, maintenance is a big thing. Less maintenance, less money to spend, less time doing air filters, going to get gas, etc etc.

Again, I don't think they will take over race bikes but there will definitely be a market for this once the price comes down more and the technology matures just a bit more.

It may not be the future of the sport as far as MX/SX is concerned, but I believe it will be the future of dirt bikes.

JRT812 wrote:

Good points and I'm interested in the potential new riding areas. Currently, we do not have issues with riding areas in my neck of the woods, but the areas where bikes/4 wheelers/UTV's aren't allowed because they do not want to mix off road machines with horse trails, walking trails, or bicycles. Sound probably plays a factor as well, but I wonder if the lack of sound with electric bikes will really open up new trails for us.

Those are all good points from our TXbro. However, liquid-cooled ECUs blow everything else away.

Edit add: Much ty

Lastander wrote:

Not to be that guy... But that looks like a 90s Yamaha YZ chassis that has been shortened? Is this pic validated to be a concept from Yamaha?

Yes, just go ahead and google "Yamaha PED1 and PES1" They have a dirt bike model and street bike model