A good 30 years ago, Yamaha was one of the first manufacturers of e-bikes. In 2001, however, the pedelec business in Europe was initially discontinued because the market here was not as advanced as it is today. From then on, the company concentrated in this area as an engine supplier. After the export of e-bikes to the USA started in 2018, it is now Europe’s turn again. The motorcycle manufacturer is initially offering three models.
With its e-bike trio, Yamaha covers a wide range: there is an all-rounder for mainly urban use or as a commuter bike, a mountain bike and a gravel bike that is also suitable for commuting. The Crosscore RC with front suspension fork is the entry-level model for 2999 euros and is equipped with the well-known PW-ST motor, which provides a decent 70 Newton meters of torque. From a standing start, it responds after a good one and a half pedal revolutions. He signals his readiness to start with a kind of “stuttering mode” as soon as his feet exert some pressure while standing.
The two letters behind the model name apparently stand for Road and City. Due to the battery capacity of 500 watts and the equipment, Yamaha sees people who usually drive around a dozen kilometers a day as the target group for the all-rounder. The four support levels Eco, Eco+, Standard and High offer ranges of between 70 and 160 kilometers. The removable battery is inserted in the frame from below. It is released at the bottom of the engine. This makes more sense than above under the handlebar head, as other manufacturers do, for example, and the package then gets in the way of the front fork when it is removed.
The Crosscore is characterized by its good maneuverability and stability. Shimano’s Alivio with nine gears is used as the gear system. The other parts, such as the suspension fork and brakes, also come from there. By default, the Crosscore comes with Cateye battery lights, a front USB port for charging the headlight battery, but no fenders. Like a luggage rack, they must be purchased separately if required. Appropriate accessories can of course also be found directly at Yamaha. Three frame sizes are available, the tires are 27.5 inches. The weight in frame size S is 23.7
Kilogram.
The Wabash RT, named after the American river of the same name or the asteroid, is equipped with higher quality. The gravel bike is equipped with Shimano GRX 600 components and has eleven gears. Shifting is via the right brake lever, which also serves as a paddle shifter. With this pedelec, too, the PW-ST shows off its strong torque.
The racing handlebar, crowned with grip squirrels, offers the driver at least three positioning options. Depending on the frame size, the seat post, which can be lowered using a remote lever on the handlebars, offers four or six centimeters of spring travel. The brakes respond extremely sensitively and can be optimally dosed. This proves reassuring on gravel and dirt roads, where the bike boasts good directional stability.
Yamaha is asking 3,999 euros for the Wabash RT (road and trail), which weighs at least 21.3 kilograms. However, it is even more naked than the Crosscore. The buyer has to take care of the lights and – if desired – mudguards or luggage racks.
As with the Crooscore, the in-house display A is installed, which is relatively easy to use and read – even if the keys have double assignments. The pushing aid on both bikes, which is activated at the touch of a button instead of cumbersome key combinations, deserves praise. There is criticism that she goes a little too briskly to the point and presents one or two km/h too much speed.
The Wabash also offers the option of automatic mode, in which the sensors select the ideal support level themselves. This is particularly useful on rougher terrain, where the driver can then concentrate fully on the right track without having to worry too much about the right gear selection.
Top of the line is the e-MTB Moro 07 with twelve-speed Shimano XT rear derailleur for 5499 euros. The model name refers to a region in Japan and perhaps also to the wolf goddess of that name. The two digits serve a little as a distinction from the US model 05. The Moro comes with full suspension. A design feature is the upper dual-twin frame tube that splits above the Rockshox shock absorber. Unlike the other two pedelecs, the mountain biker gets the new PW-X3 drive unit. The engine is more compact and lighter, also allows more ground clearance. He brings it to a lush 85 Newton meters of torque. The Magura brakes are correspondingly strong, almost aggressive.
Thanks to the automatic mode, which automatically provides the currently required support level, even beginners can quickly get to grips with the Moro, especially since, thanks to lean angle sensors, some power is also reduced before corners so that nobody overshoots the target too quickly. However, the Interface X control unit is a science in itself. It only uses light bars as a display, which also change color in a clearly recognizable way, sometimes more, sometimes less. And before the battery can be removed, the plastic protection must first be removed, which is not possible without tools.
Motorcycle dealers participating in Yamaha’s e-bike program will have all three models available for test rides. However, the bikes themselves have to be ordered online and are then either sent to the dealer to be picked up or sent straight to your home.
Since Germany is the largest e-bike market in Europe, Yamaha starts here. The Netherlands and Switzerland will also be supplied in the first quarter before other EU markets follow. Austria, for example, is next year’s turn in the third quarter. (aum/jri)