New Yamaha Electric Superbike Incoming?

Yamaha has patented an electric superbike and it’s very exciting! 

The patent focuses on a high-powered electric sports bike equipped with a large motor and a substantial battery pack. The key change is in the battery case which is designed to cool eight battery modules using air instead of liquid. 

Liquid cooling is often used in high-performance electric motorcycles, such as Ducati’s Moto-E racers. But it adds weight and complexity due to the need for radiators, pumps, and other components. Yamaha’s approach, using air cooling, aims for a simpler, lighter solution, which could enhance the bike’s performance and range, even if it doesn’t control temperatures as precisely.

The bike’s design includes a large electric motor positioned towards the rear, allowing space for the battery case and requiring a unique rear suspension setup to accommodate the motor. This patent doesn’t guarantee that a Yamaha electric superbike will hit the international market soon and if launched, will take even longer to hit the Indian shores.

Yamaha’s journey into electric sports bikes started in 2013 with the PES1 concept, which was supposed to hit the market within two years. Although that didn’t happen, and a second concept, the PES2, was unveiled in 2015 featuring two-wheel drive, Yamaha’s current electric offerings are still limited to power-assisted bicycles and a few scooters in the International market and does not have a single EV for India. 

That said, there is good news for Yamaha fanboys in India. The MT-09 and Tenere 700 might just be launched in India soon! Check out our review of the MT-09 here.