2018 Yamaha Updates for Interbike

Admin · Sep 14, 2017

Hi guys, there has been a lot of excitement around the new Yamaha systems debuting at Interbike and they sent me this press release to share. Mikey (of Blue Monkey Bicycles) is also going to the show and will be interviewing them so if you have questions for us please chime in!

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, Entering U.S. Electric Bicycle Market
All-New Prototype Models to be on Display at Interbike

CYPRESS, Calif. – September 12, 2017 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, announced today it will enter the U.S. electric bicycle market in 2018.

Yamaha will launch its “Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles” brand to the U.S. at Interbike, the largest bicycle trade event in North America. Yamaha invites bicycle retailers to visit its booth at Interbike in Las Vegas, September 20-22, 2017, for a first opportunity to view prototype models, as the company establishes relationships with specific retailers currently servicing cycling consumers.

“Yamaha has been a pioneer, inventor, and innovator in electric bicycles for more than two decades,” said Terry Okawa, President, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd. (YMC) launched the world’s first electrically power assisted bicycle in 1993 and has since produced more than 4 million drive units and sold over 2 million Yamaha power assist bicycles. YMC supplies class-leading e-Bike Systems to select OEM partners worldwide.

“Everyone at Yamaha is excited to be entering the rapidly expanding U.S. e-Bike market and sharing Yamaha’s passion for exciting products and legendary product performance, innovative design, quality and reliability with the growing e-Bike audience,” said Rob Trester, Division Manager, New Business Development Division which is launching the Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles brand.

Yamaha’s Power Assist Bicycles are scheduled to be available at U.S. dealers starting in 2018.

Learn more starting September 20, 2017, at www.yamahabicycles.com and follow @yamahabicycles on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, (YMUS) headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, is a leader in the outdoor recreation market. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Power Assist Bicycles, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more.

Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles, visit www.yamahabicycles.com.

George S. · Sep 17, 2017

Haibike mentioned back in July that the XD and SD designations would no longer be related to Yamaha and Bosch. Bosch said they would have a lower cost set of motors. Is Yamaha still going to supply to Haibike?

Yamaha is a huge global presence. Being #2 supplier to a little niche company must not be comfortable. They seem to be tailoring this set of announcements to the US. Wonder what their vision is. Someone pointed out how murky trail riding is in the US.

George S. · Sep 18, 2017

I think Dapu is a Japanese company that manufactures in China. Obviously, Haibike is part of Accell, which is a huge company, and it's hard to say why they have all these little companies under the main company. Pon was trying to buy Accell. Pon bought Faraday and Santa Cruz, some others. The trend is pretty obvious. Do you think the extreme concentration of ownership with multiple brands that really aren't separate is a good thing? What if Pon had bought Accell?

The problem in the US is that people aren't really up to speed on the European type bikes. Partly that is the difference in power, both legal and illegal. Bosch is sort of a brand. Haibike is not very well known. But Yamaha is a huge brand in the US. So I could see Yamaha wanting their brand up front. The driver of sales in the US right now is the 28 mph ebike. That's not an eMTB, generally. I will see follow they say, since they are talking to the media this week. But once Yamaha makes bikes, where does that leave people who use their drives? When does a company say "We can't buy that part because that company is too much of a competitor?

I asked Mikey at Blue Monkey, on You Tube, whether Yamaha had really made that deep an impression (in the US) off the Haibike association. And then I asked if they were going up, like $5,000 bikes, or down (like $1500), on their Yamaha branded bikes. Are they going to make a luxury type Euro bike or a mass market US bike? If the luxury Eurobike market is small in the US, why do they think they could break it open, if they are going in that direction?

e-boy · Sep 18, 2017

we'll know soon enough .
my guess is Yamaha will show high end eMTB's as a reference point to drive the market .

Admin · Sep 21, 2017

Here are some more updates from Yamaha:

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, Introduces First Power Assist E-Bike Models

All-New Prototype Models Bring Yamaha Performance and Reliability to U.S. E-Bike Market

CYPRESS, Calif. – September 20, 2017 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, (YMUS) today unveiled its all-new power assist electric bicycle (e-Bike) prototype models. Yamaha’s power assist bicycle product line is scheduled to be available at U.S. dealers starting in 2018.

Yamaha will enter the U.S. bicycle market with Power Assist Bicycles designed by Yamaha for new cyclists and cycling enthusiasts seeking alternative commuting options, a fun and casual weekend cycling adventure or a thrilling new off-road experience.

“Yamaha has been a pioneer, inventor, and innovator in electric bicycles for more than two decades,” said Terry Okawa, President, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. “And introducing Yamaha electric bicycles at this time will only add further to the depth and diversity of the Yamaha brand in the U.S.”

Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd. (YMC) launched the world’s first electrically power assisted bicycle in 1993 and has since produced more than 4 million drive units and sold over 2 million Yamaha power assist bicycles. YMC supplies class-leading e-Bike Systems to select OEM partners worldwide.

“Yamaha is excited to share our passion for power assist bicycles with riders seeking that next new adventure.” said Rob Trester, Division Manager, New Business Development Division which is launching the Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles brand.

The initial prototype models were unveiled this morning at Interbike, the largest bicycle trade event in North America. Yamaha is actively identifying and establishing new relationships with specific retailers currently servicing e-Bike consumers.

Yamaha’s initial prototype models being shown at Interbike and featured now on www.yamahabicycles.com include:

· UrbanRush, balance of power, stiffness, and speed in a sleek road bike chassis.
· YDX-TORC, agile XC mountain bike with aggressive performance and fastest response.
· CrossCore, fitness hybrid design for efficiency and ergonomic comfort.
· CrossConnect, everyday recreation-utility for those that want to take their gear with them.

“e-Bikes have created a universal re-awakening of bicycling in the U.S. and people that might have otherwise dismissed the idea of riding a traditional bike are now finding an alternative solution. That is exciting news for bicycle retail stores and they are quickly embracing the opportunity to help new customers,” said Drew Engelmann, Sales and Marketing Manager, New Business Development Division, which is launching the Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles brand.

Yamaha Power Assist bicycles provide a natural assist feel powered by drive units that have undergone constant evolution through decades of engineering and innovation based on customer feedback. Yamaha’s Triple Sensor System found in PWseries and PW-X system incorporates frictionless sensors that measure the rider’s pedal-torque, bicycle speed and crank arm cadence in real-time with tremendous precision. This design results in a drive unit that provides one of the most refined and natural rides available. Interbike has awarded the PW-X motor with a “2017 Interbike Electric Product Innovation Award,” which will be on display for the duration of the tradeshow among winners in other categories.

Learn more at www.yamahabicycles.com and follow Yamaha at www.facebook.com/yamahabicycles and on @yamahabicycles on Instagram and YouTube.