Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

Opinion: Yamaha YDX is the one

Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

Opinion: Yamaha YDX is the one

Old 07-29-20, 03:41 AM
  #1  
studbike1
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Opinion: Yamaha YDX is the one

https://electrek.co/2020/07/29/yamah...mountain-bike/

The future has arrived

This is the first full suspension ebike that I think has the design potential to reach critical mass. The current design paradigm is a hacked-together concept; either a normal downtube with a huge wart on it or a huge downtube with an inaccessible battery. Split-frame is how motorcycles have always been made and it's a natural progression, it just makes sense. It means the battery can be hot swapped, upgraded, or even just removed for a ride without assist, packaged in a way that is minimalistic and proportional to the other major components of the bicycle.



studbike1 is offline  
Likes For studbike1:
Old 07-29-20, 05:32 AM
  #2  
Hobbit712
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: God forsaken jungle of SW Florida
Posts: 53

Bikes: Gaint Rapid 2, Jamis Dragonslayer Pro, Raleigh C40

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts
While I am not in the market for an Ebike, that looks pretty cool.
Hobbit712 is offline  
Old 07-29-20, 07:24 AM
  #3  
DMC707
Senior Member
 
DMC707's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,389

Bikes: Too many to list

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,119 Times in 743 Posts
Holy Moly ! This changes the game a bit

Motorcycle manufacturers getting in on the party opens up the target audience to an even wider demographic -

They already have an e-bike class at some GNCC racing events (off-road motorcycle)
DMC707 is offline  
Old 07-29-20, 09:39 AM
  #4  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Originally Posted by studbike1
https://electrek.co/2020/07/29/yamah...mountain-bike/
Split-frame is how motorcycles have always been made
Not true. Perimeter or backbone frame using the engine as a stressed member is at least as popular for the last forty years.

Example, '80s Yamaha Virago. There are plenty more.

Last edited by thumpism; 07-30-20 at 02:10 PM.
thumpism is offline  
Likes For thumpism:
Old 07-29-20, 10:41 AM
  #5  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,049
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
I'd like it if it didn't have the motor and battery.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 07-29-20, 01:36 PM
  #6  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I wonder if folks who are lacking in physical ability to the point they need an e-bike will be comfortable bombing around on MTB trails. Probably the market will be motorcyclists who want to ride on restricted bike trails.
They are becoming more noticeable on mtb trail systems here with mixed feelings. People do bomb the trails on them though maybe not as aggressively as advanced riders.

On the one hand, if downhill is the goal, having an assist back up the hill doesn't seem to "violate " anything. A lot of people use vehicles to haul the bikes back up access roads or use chairlifts at mtb/ski parks aka Whistler. On horizontal trail systems they do seem kinda lazy.

On the other hand, electric assist creates more wear on trails because the rider can do more loops without effort (not paying the "price" for the run) and they can chew up trails as they power up portions a manual rider might otherwise walk.

I'm 50/50 on them but wouldn't invest until I knew the batteries were replaceable by a company that will be around when they fail. The proprietary nature of their designs makes me leery.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 07-29-20 at 01:40 PM.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 07-29-20, 01:53 PM
  #7  
livedarklions
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Well, there goes the neighborhood.
livedarklions is offline  
Old 07-29-20, 04:25 PM
  #8  
aclinjury
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 660
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 497 Post(s)
Liked 170 Times in 128 Posts
put a card on the rear wheel for that ultimate braaaaappp simulation
aclinjury is offline  
Old 07-30-20, 11:03 PM
  #9  
john m flores 
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
 
john m flores's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 713

Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 339 Posts
Originally Posted by thumpism
Not true. Perimeter or backbone frame using the engine as a stressed member is at least as popular for the last forty years.

Example, '80s Yamaha Virago. There are plenty more.
True. Twin spar aluminum frames became popular in the 80s with sportbikes and they still are. But there are many other frame designs.

The Yamaha does looks nice. Sur Ron did something similar. I’m looking forward to ebikes with 80 mile range and around 200# to hit motorcycle trails with.
john m flores is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 06:54 AM
  #10  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
Originally Posted by john m flores
True. Twin spar aluminum frames became popular in the 80s with sportbikes and they still are.
Ah, moved on from your "split-frame" stance.
thumpism is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 07:12 AM
  #11  
john m flores 
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
 
john m flores's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 713

Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 339 Posts
Originally Posted by thumpism
Ah, moved on from your "split-frame" stance.
Say what?
john m flores is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 07:14 AM
  #12  
c_m_shooter
Senior Member
 
c_m_shooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 2,087

Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsley, Salsa Fargo, Schwinn Klunker, Gravity SS 27.5, Monocog 29er

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 166 Posts
Those things are just going to get more trails closed off. I'm fine with pedal assist for commuters, but they should be registered and plated as mopeds.
c_m_shooter is offline  
Likes For c_m_shooter:
Old 07-31-20, 09:35 AM
  #13  
DMC707
Senior Member
 
DMC707's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,389

Bikes: Too many to list

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,119 Times in 743 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I wonder if folks who are lacking in physical ability to the point they need an e-bike will be comfortable bombing around on MTB trails. Probably the market will be motorcyclists who want to ride on restricted bike trails.
The market is anyone who wants to broaden their range and have more fun. Im an experienced cyclist but even so, if I travel to a place like Bentonville AR , having to haul myself up the hills for 3 hours a day so I can enjoy 45 minutes of downhill is a drag
And yes, they are popular in the motocross community - with Jeremy McGrath, Travis PReston, Travis Pastrana and many others enjoying the benefits of them. They just help people stay on the bike longer
DMC707 is offline  
Likes For DMC707:
Old 07-31-20, 09:36 AM
  #14  
DMC707
Senior Member
 
DMC707's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,389

Bikes: Too many to list

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,119 Times in 743 Posts
Originally Posted by c_m_shooter
Those things are just going to get more trails closed off. I'm fine with pedal assist for commuters, but they should be registered and plated as mopeds.
Don't see how -- a well trained cyclist on a conventional XC bike can keep up with a regular guy on an e-bike just fine. You should try one. Most of my local trails are allowing them with no issues
DMC707 is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 09:43 AM
  #15  
mackgoo
Senior Member
 
mackgoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: San Clemente
Posts: 668

Bikes: 87 Bianchi X4, 95 Bianchi Ti Mega Tube, 06 Alan Carbon Cross X33, Gold plated Columbus AIR Guerciotti, 74 Galmozzi Super Competizione, 52 Bianchi Paris Roubaix.

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 259 Post(s)
Liked 530 Times in 165 Posts
If I were to, which I'm not.

https://www.bianchi.com/bike/ultegra...1sp-compact-3/

https://cdn3.volusion.com/efwyc.gveu...che=1568945565
mackgoo is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 09:49 AM
  #16  
Thomas15
I think I know nothing.
 
Thomas15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NE PA
Posts: 711
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 233 Post(s)
Liked 290 Times in 204 Posts
I personally think this is the "Honeymoon" era of the ebike in general. Something like this will only shorten the honeymoon period. Already there are elected officials looking to regulate ebikes. For the sake of clarity I don't care what machine people ride as long as they stay out of my way but human nature being what it is there is always going to be those who push the limits of what is commercially available. As soon as that happens and the kid of some elected official gets killed on one of these bikes soon after will follow "xxxxxx's law" to ether restrict them and require licensing and insurance or an outright ban.

The practical in me say's that if it is a dirt bike you really want, get the dirt bike.
Thomas15 is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 10:18 AM
  #17  
c_m_shooter
Senior Member
 
c_m_shooter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 2,087

Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsley, Salsa Fargo, Schwinn Klunker, Gravity SS 27.5, Monocog 29er

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 166 Posts
Originally Posted by DMC707
Don't see how -- a well trained cyclist on a conventional XC bike can keep up with a regular guy on an e-bike just fine. You should try one. Most of my local trails are allowing them with no issues
Our trails do not allow them. I know what they will be capable of. I used to race Hare Scrambles and Cross country motorcycles. I ride mountain bikes now because there is no place left to trail ride motorcycles. 3 seperate 100 acre parks across the whole state of Texas does not make for much motorcycle riding.
c_m_shooter is offline  
Likes For c_m_shooter:
Old 07-31-20, 10:55 AM
  #18  
DMC707
Senior Member
 
DMC707's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,389

Bikes: Too many to list

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,119 Times in 743 Posts
Originally Posted by c_m_shooter
Our trails do not allow them. I know what they will be capable of. I used to race Hare Scrambles and Cross country motorcycles. I ride mountain bikes now because there is no place left to trail ride motorcycles. 3 seperate 100 acre parks across the whole state of Texas does not make for much motorcycle riding.
Funny you mention this -- some of the GNCC races now have an e-bike class
DMC707 is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 11:28 AM
  #19  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,217
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 872 Post(s)
Liked 795 Times in 603 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I wonder if folks who are lacking in physical ability to the point they need an e-bike will be comfortable bombing around on MTB trails. Probably the market will be motorcyclists who want to ride on restricted bike trails.
Not to argue, but there are individuals (my friend rides with one who had a surfing accident) who can barely walk, but can ride pretty strenuous trails on an eMTB. It has changed his life.
2old is offline  
Old 07-31-20, 12:17 PM
  #20  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,662 Times in 2,496 Posts
Moved to ebikes from General. ebike threads go in the ebike forum. There may be some anti-ebike comments in this thread. Please don't report them.
unterhausen is offline  
Likes For unterhausen:
Old 07-31-20, 12:50 PM
  #21  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,453
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3634 Post(s)
Liked 5,310 Times in 2,698 Posts
I've deleted a couple of posts since this thread is now where it belongs. I'm in favor of letting the ebikers have their own happy place.
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 08-05-20, 03:18 PM
  #22  
chas58
Senior Member
 
chas58's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863

Bikes: too many of all kinds

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times in 335 Posts
Yamaha is making some great stuff. Their gravel ebike is pretty sweet for the price point, and now this thing.

Re: honeymoon - its been a ball having a stealth ebike over the last 7 years, but its no longer and uncommon site on the roads.
chas58 is offline  
Old 08-06-20, 07:07 AM
  #23  
alloo
Full Member
 
alloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 490

Bikes: 2022 Priority Coast, 2022 Priority Current

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times in 99 Posts
Here is update for the Yamaha with videos and pricing.

https://electrek.co/2020/08/05/yamah...lectric-bikes/
alloo is offline  
Old 08-06-20, 08:26 AM
  #24  
Robert C
Senior Member
 
Robert C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,248

Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times in 48 Posts
At these prices, I am not a customer.
Yamaha’s first full-suspension electric mountain bike is available in two models, the Desert Yellow YDX-MORO and the Blue/Nickel YDX-MORO Pro.The former gets a price tag of $4,499 while the latter is a bit pricer at $5,499. The bikes share the same frame, dropper seat post, and 500Wh battery/motor setup, so the difference is in the specs.
That said, flagship models frequently lead the way for less expensive, more pedestrian, models. I hope this happens here.
Robert C is offline  
Old 08-06-20, 08:48 AM
  #25  
chas58
Senior Member
 
chas58's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863

Bikes: too many of all kinds

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times in 335 Posts
Yeah, custom builds for ebikes tend to be expensive. Bolting stuff on to a mass produced frame is cheap and ugly. But its getting better. Integrated ebike builds used to be $7000. Now you can find some nice ones nearer $3000.

Here is a $3500 Yamaha Wabash that looks like a winner (although at this point it may be getting a little dated) https://electrek.co/2019/03/18/yamah...c-gravel-bike/
chas58 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.