Yamaha showed a new hybrid scooter at last week’s Tokyo Motor Show and it’s thought the clever petrol and electric technology may well make production in 2010.
The concept bike was kept mysteriously out of the main talk of the Yamaha bosses on stage but it appears this bike is the latest evolution of the Gen-Ryu bike we saw a couple of years ago.
The HV-X combines a 15KW electric motor with a 250cc four-stroke single and uses both manual and auto shut off of the petrol engine to increase fuel efficiency.
When stopped or at low speeds, the petrol engine stops making the bike a purely electric vehicle for up to a reported 12.5 miles, before the engine sparks to life again.
Just Ian thats ok then I can sleep safe at night
Electric motors aint lite and with the extra batteries as well.
Think there are other technologise out there that would be better suited but then that would upset the oil companys
I can't see the point on a bike. If it's anything like a Prius, it won't be any more economical than a petrol. The only advantage of a hibrid car is getting through congestion areas free of charge. This doesn't apply to a bike.Plus it's going to be heavier with poor eceleration. That's my viev anyway.
Developing new technology has to be a good thing.
But petrol engines have 100 years development behind them, and have all the benefits that mass production brings.
Saving fuel bills is no incentive (currently) to Joe Public, if the vehicle costs twice as much to buy.