The Yamaha TY-E 2.0 electric trials bike has just debuted in Europe, and Yamaha says it plans to compete in FIM events with this updated battery bike.
That’s right—this machine is an update of a previous model. If you were paying attention back in 2018, you might remember that’s when Yamaha announced its first TY-E trials bike. Four years ago this week, Yamaha announced a plan to tackle FIM’s Trial-E events with Japanese trials star Kenichi Kuroyama behind the handlebars. It was considered a revolutionary move at that time, but the news faded quickly (a couple of years of COVID lockdowns probably didn’t help). There were two Trial-E events in 2018, and Kuroyama ended up second overall aboard the Yamaha.
Almost a half-decade later, the new TY-E 2.0 is based on that original design; Yamaha’s EU-zone press release says it is “based on the first TY-E model announced in 2018, and features a newly designed monocoque frame made of composite laminates housing an electric power unit with improved performance through a combination of mechanical parts and electronic control. The bike also mounts a newly developed lightweight battery with approximately 2.5 times the capacity of the previous model.” So, it should handle better and have more power, if we’re reading between the lines correctly. Yamaha says the battery now sits lower in the frame and is also 20 percent lighter, which should make a noticeable difference. The frame itself has an X-ribbed construction, to promote lightweight strength.
This updated take on the TY-E will compete in 2022 FIM events, from June onwards. Photo: Yamaha
The press release also says “Based on the previous model, traction has been improved by pairing mechanical parts such as the clutch and flywheel with carefully tuned electronic control for the motor that is capable of reading subtle changes in grip.” Expect a more finely-tuned ride from the new bike. With the micro-adjustments needed for trials riding, this will be the key to the bike’s success. Note that Yamaha still incorporates the analog clutch and flywheel systems in this bike. That was possibly a requirement to fit it into the FIM rulebooks, but it almost seems like an anomaly in a world of moto design that’s desperate for digitization.
Not that you and I are likely to get aboard this thing and notice these changes—that privilege is once again set for Kenichi Kuroyama, the bike’s development rider who will also use it to compete in the FIM Trial World Championship for 2022, on Yamaha’s factory racing squad. If you want to see the bike up-close-and-personal, your best bet is to get to one of those trials events, or if you’re lucky enough to be in Japan this weekend, you can see it in person at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, at Yamaha’s booth (March 25-27).
TY-E 2.0 Specifications
| Overall Length × Width × Height | 2,003 mm × 830 mm × 1,130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,310 mm |
| Minimum Ground Clearance | 340 mm |
| Curb Weight | Over 70 kg |
| Motor Type | AC synchronous electric motor |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
| Clutch | 液压,我们t, Multi-plate |
| Frame Type | CFRP Monocoque |
