The Motorcycle Times - November 2018

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issue 10

NOVEMBER 2018

Sprockets

Yamaha brings Power Assist ebikes to the U.S. for the first time Road cyclists, mountain bikers, and bike commuters looking to purchase their first ebike now have some new options to consider courtesy of Yamaha. The company’s Power Assist line of ebikes have begun making their way into specialty bike shops across the U.S., marking the very first time that the Japanese company’s electric bicycles have made their way into the American market. The Power Assist line consists of four different ebikes, including a drop-bar road bike called the UrbanRush ($3,299), a commuter version dubbed the CrossConnect ($2,999), and the fitness/utility model called the CrossCore ($2,399). The YDX-Torc ($3,499) rounds out the lineup, offering mountain bikers a full-featured off-road edition complete with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and an integrated rear hub speed sensor. Yamaha was one of the first companies to actually experiment with putting electric drives on bicycles way back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That long history of creating drive systems for ebikes has resulted in a new generation of 250-watt high-torque, mid-drive motors that are powered by 500-watt-hour lithium ion batteries. This gives road riders four levels of pedal assist (Eco+, Eco, Standard, and High) that allow them to ride at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. The off-road YDX-Toc comes equipped with a slightly modified motor known as the PW-X, which has a fifth mode that provides even more power. One of the biggest challenges that Yamaha has faced in getting its line of Power Assist bikes into the American market is working with bike shops that aren’t necessarily familiar with the brand. While the company has sold hundreds of thousands of bikes in Japan and elsewhere, it isn’t a known quantity amongst cyclists in the United States just yet. But since the bikes were officially announced this past spring, Yamaha has been working closely with bike dealers to build an extensive network of retailers that can offer both online and brick-and-mortar options for customers. There is even a store locator on the company’s website for those looking to take a Power Assist bike for a test drive. All four Power Assist models come in three sizes – small, medium, and large – and are available now. Find out more on the Yamaha Power Assist ebikes website.

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Zero Boasts More Power, Longer Range

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., (October 23, 2018) Zero Motorcycles, the global electric motorcycle sales and innovation leader, today announced the release of its 2019 model line. With more powerful base models, brand new tech features, extended range and bold new styling, this year represents the strongest lineup of motorcycles in Zero’s history. “At Zero Motorcycles, we’ve defined the electric motorcycle industry over the past 13 years by developing a diverse lineup that features the world’s most

power and energy dense EV tech,” said Sam Paschel, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “Having sold more electric motorcycles annually than all our competitors combined, we continue to be the driving force behind two-wheeled electrification. This is going to be a very exciting year for Zero Motorcycles.” For 2019 Zero focused on its dual sport line to support the surging demand that the brand has been experiencing. The entry price point Zero DS ZF7.2 is designed for those seeking the electric dual sport

experience and who don’t need, or want, a larger battery. In a major breakthrough, the exceptionally nimble model now boasts an impressive 35% more horsepower and an 8% higher top speed. At 96 lbs lighter than its longer-range counterpart, this model is going to be even more fun. The new longer-range Zero DS ZF14.4 now leverages the same battery as the premium Zero DSR to extend its range by 10% over last year. This allows the 2019 Zero DS continued on PG. 03

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