The big Japanese motorcycle brands are looking to enter in full force in the electric motorcycle world. To that end, the so-called Japanese “Big Four” agreed on working together. The consortium of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha will allow for faster development of electric solutions.
Now, a new set of patent files were made public. Yamaha is working on finding different charging solutions for electric motorcycles. In the process, Yamaha also reveals the schematics of an electric R1 superbike and a naked MT-07.
These patent drawings show three different charging systems.
On the bike that looks much like the PES2 concept, Yamaha installs the charging port on top of the fuel tank. Offset to the left, this charging port is also installed at an angle. The objective is to make it easier to use the charging cable while the bike is leaning on the side stand.
Then there are the surprises!
The first big surprise is that Yamaha uses the front fairing of the R1 to show a charge port behind the headlight. That might mean nothing or might mean that Yamaha is actively working on an electric superbike. Maybe an electric R1 is on the way?
The second surprise makes much more sense. Yamaha decided to use their naked MT-07, install an electric engine, and then use a charge port under the passenger seat. The seat is a “flip-up” system and protects the charge port when not in use.
As always, the doubt remains. Will we see these patents become a reality?