Yamaha’s e-bike range coming in the spring

At Interbike in Las Vegas, Yamaha is showing prototypes for a range of e-bikes that the motorcycle brand said will launch next spring.

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The move will see Yamaha join the likes of Peugeot and Honda to become one of a small number of mainstream motorcycle manufacturers that has moved into the world of electric bicycles.

Yamaha e-bikes sales and marketing Drew Engelmann said the brand was not yet at a point where it could talk specifics in terms of parts or pricing.

In the US, there will be four models of Class 1 pedal assist bikes, meaning e-bikes with no throttles and top assisted speeds of 20mph. The line will include a hardtail 27.5in mountain bike, and three 700c road/urban bikes.

Currently, Yamaha has two types of e-bike motors. The PW is the base model with a square-taper spindle, while the PD-X has an ISIS spindle and a faster-engaging system.

The PW motor has a cadence ceiling of 90rpm, above which the motor assist will taper off. The PD-X will have a higher but yet-to-be-specified rpm ceiling.

Yamaha staff are using the Interbike show to poll shop owners and staff about spec and pricing. Yamaha will use the Tokyo Motor Show for a similar purpose.