Recently we’ve been seeing a lot of future motorcycle tech showing up from various manufacturers all over the industry. Kawasaki has been dropping hints about their interactive Kanjo system, BMW showed us its Vision Next 100 motorcycle concept, and most recently, Honda pulled the tarp off of its Riding Assist. So where does that leave Yamaha in this war of technology?
The Latest Yamaha Additions to the Tokyo Motor Show
As usual, the internet is not a good place to keep secrets, and most manufacturers know this. So, when the latest and greatest concepts leak from factories, it is almost certain that manufacturers are trying to catch the public’s interest. Well, Yamaha definitely has our attention with its new MOTOROiD concept.
This electric motorcycle features batteries where the engine usually is, and a chassis design like nothing you have ever seen on a motorcycle. Its front fork assembly doesn’t have telescopic tubes, and it mounts at a single large point that could be electronically controlled. The swingarm of this strange machine is double-sided with large yellow electric wires connecting to a motor. That mean’s the bike’s drivetrain is connected to the rear wheel directly.
Other strange features on the bike include a missing tail section, a seat with two armatures that hold the rider in place, and pistol grip steering controls that lend credence to the thought that this bike might be steered electronically. Even stranger is Yamaha’s claim that this bike will be able to interact with its rider and follow that rider like a puppy dog!
For a motorcycle missing an engine, forks and a windshield, it sure does have a lot of features that could put current motorcycles to shame. Now we just need to see what it can do in a race against Valentino Rossi.
Brought to you by the motorcycling attorneys at Metier Law Firm—keeping an eye on the future of motorcycling.