Yamaha marks the 60th anniversary of its birth as a motorcycle manufacturer. Motorcycles have been developing not only for victories in world races but also as tools for living people.

Yamaha produces the engines for motorcycles, boats, racing carts, and automobiles; in addition, it produces the engines used close to daily lives like generators and snow plows.
And one more. You may know there are products using electric motors, not the engines. Of such products, Yamaha produces many electric bikes that support everyday commutes.

Assistive technologies that do not exceed human efforts in any circumstances

Webike editorial staff took on a test ride of electric bike PAS and would like to report on this. The test bike is 2015 PAS Natura with beautiful red frame.
Yamaha PR staff Shin Iwasaki, who offered PAS to us, told us about the electric bike.

Mr. Iwasaki came to a meeting place by PAS! He told us precautions and each part information before the ride.

“If you haven’t ridden an electric bike before, please be careful when you first push the pedal because the pedal-assist works pretty hard.”

Present electric bikes are defined as follows: “pedal-assist” is to assist a rider and must not exceed the rider’s efforts in any circumstances.
The proportion of motor power to human power (called assist-proportion) is at most 1:2 in a low-speed range under 10 km/h. When it goes beyond 10 km/h, the pedal-assist is gradually decreasing and reaches zero at 24 km/h. Then ordinary bicycle riding continues.

In order to draw a distinction from motor scooters, electric bikes stick to “a ride by human power.”

Bicycle that delivers a smile

Webike staff members took the test rides. Every member had a smile on the face on the first pedal push-down.
This is a human-friendly vehicle. Anybody can use it without hesitation. Just thinking that the vehicle close to me in everyday life assists me with motor power… I become happy! Even female members easily go uphill!
However, as the speed is increasing, the assist power is gradually decreasing and we come to realize “this vehicle is not for seeking speed.”
Slowly yet easily. Electric bikes smoothly carry you uphill with stuff on the front and rear.

Developing PAS

Control technologies providing best assist not to exceed human power are most important in electric bikes.
On the left handle of PAS, there are a switch to change the assist power and a panel to display battery charge remaining and speed.
“GREEN CORE” mark is on the power unit. “GREEN CORE” is a name of the next generation drive unit since 2015. Small, lightweight, and having a low center of gravity, PAS is an eco-friendly product that uses selective materials and has sufficient torque at a low revolution.

Assist as pushes the back gently

The pedal-assist is controlled with responding to leg-power, pedal speed, and vehicle speed. So, such a pedal-assist as pushes gently the back starts at the moment you start pedaling.
Yamaha’s technologies are recognized in this control technology and the drive unit.

For carrying a large thing, high-intensity wheel hubs and tires are used. PAS is not just a bike adding a motor to a bicycle, the each part is designed suitably for the chassis and the motor power.
Just like a motorcycle! Indeed a good YAMAHA handling!?

Electric motorcycles have shown up these days. As announced in this year’s motor show, the day will come when technologies cultivated through PAS would apply to motorcycles.

>>>Go to Yamaha Electric Bike PAS (*Japanese)

Original source [ YAMAHA Motor Co., Ltd. ] (*Japanese)