Yamaha’s 2WD systems have always amazed riders in both dirt and street motorcycles, but they never gained much commercial success. However, Yamaha is now bringing 2WD technology to the world of e-bikes. And that’s not all – they’re also adding electric power steering for bicycles!
It’s truly astonishing what skilled dirt riders can achieve with just one driven wheel. But it’s equally surprising that the concept of all-wheel drive (AWD) hasn’t taken off in the motorcycle industry, considering its widespread use in 4-wheel off-roading. When traction is limited, having power distributed to both the front and rear wheels provides a significant advantage. 2WD bikes offer higher speeds and improved traction.
Yamaha understands this better than any other major manufacturer. In the early 90s, Yamaha partnered with Ohlins suspension to develop a hydraulic 2WD system for motorcycles. The front wheel was powered by a high-speed pump located above the gearbox.
The system saw a limited production run in 2004 with the 250 WR450 2-Trac dirt bikes. It was a groundbreaking move in motorcycle history, but the high costs prevented it from becoming a commercial success. Yamaha’s WR450F 2-Trac made an impressive showing in the 2004 Dakar rally, winning the 450 class and finishing seventh overall. This achievement further proved the bike’s capabilities, especially considering that the rider, David Frétigné, was a Dakar rookie.
Riders who had the opportunity to test the 2WD bikes noticed a significant improvement in cornering stability and agility. However, some complained that it was more challenging to slide the back wheel sideways and that it didn’t feel as fast or thrilling since the back wheel had more grip instead of spinning and throwing up dirt.
Nevertheless, Yamaha claimed a 10% advantage in off-road cornering speed with the 2WD system. They also found a remarkable way to demonstrate its capabilities with Frétigné’s success in the Dakar rally. Over the years, Yamaha has showcased numerous AWD motorcycle concepts, including the PES Electric Road Sports bike with an augmented reality in-helmet display system.
The benefits of 2WD systems were even more remarkable on tarmac-based superbikes. According to Lars Jansson, Ohlins R&D manager of Future Projects, a Yamaha R1 equipped with hydraulic two-wheel drive was significantly faster around the Kelskoga racetrack compared to a standard R1 in wet conditions. It was also faster in dry conditions despite an 8-kg weight penalty. The system offered performance advantages, preventing understeer and helping the bike stay on the desired racing line.
Jansson believed that the 2WD system could offer performance benefits to various motorcycle categories, including MotoGP racers. However, despite fitting demonstration systems to different bike types from multiple manufacturers, none of them pursued the concept.
Yamaha has always been fond of pushing boundaries with its concepts. One of their most notable concept bikes, the Yamaha Deinonychus, was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This electric bike featured hub motors on both wheels and motors within the frame for fully adjustable architecture. It was a truly groundbreaking concept that we hope Yamaha will explore further in the future.
While 2WD systems in Yamaha motorcycles remain a missed opportunity, the company is not giving up. In recent years, Yamaha has entered the e-bike market alongside their pianos and R1 motorcycles. At the upcoming Japanese Mobility Show expo, Yamaha will present two intriguing electric bicycles.
One of them is the Y-01W AWD, described as an “adventure eBike.” It features a hard-tail gravel tourer design with semi-fat tires, drop bars, and an aero bar at the front with forearm rests. The bike is equipped with dual batteries for extended range and boasts four powerful headlights. It also has two electric motors, one for the rear wheel and a chunky hub motor for the front wheel. While it’s only a concept, Yamaha claims it offers excellent off-road performance.
The other concept Yamaha will showcase is the Y-00Z MTB, a version of the YDX-Moro dual suspension enduro e-bike. This MTB features an electric motor separate from the pedal crank and electric power steering at the front. It’s a wide-handlebar, off-road e-bike with power steering – a truly unique and quirky idea.
While Yamaha’s 2WD systems may not have made a significant impact in the motorcycle industry, other manufacturers like Christini have been producing AWD dirt bikes for many years, albeit at high prices. Yamaha’s willingness to explore unconventional ideas is commendable, even if it means putting a system like powered bicycle steering beside their 2WD technology.
Although we may never see Yamaha’s 2WD systems become widely available, their innovation and creativity continue to push boundaries across various industries.
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