[Webike News Chief Editor: Kenny Sagawa]

YAMAHA has published latest information of LMW on their website.
LMW (Leaning Multi Wheel) is a three wheeled motor scooter that makes banking turns like all other YAMAHA models. The TRICITY 155 scheduled to be released in Europe adopts these functions from the first TRICITY 125.

*TRICITY 155

YAMAHA is putting a lot of work in LMW in the aim that it will become a leading product following automobiles and motorcycles. TRICITY is a three wheeler with two front wheels and one rear wheel. The most unique aspect is that it banks when turning.

LMW feature the maneuverability of two-wheels and stability of three wheels and therefore will offer safe and secure rides to beginners who are not yet used tor riding motorcycles and to frail elderly persons.

The video that I’m introducing today is very interesting because it will show you excellent characteristics of the LMW that have advanced rapidly. You must check it out.

1)LMW Technology on Slippery Roads

The first video shows the efficiency of LMW on slippery roads. The moment the inner front wheel runs over the smooth iron plate, the vehicle starts to lose balance but in an instant the outer tire makes a firm move and continues to travel as if nothing happened.

A high speed camera shows how the load transfers in a split second to the outer side of the vehicle and how tires crush and grip. All riders know how dangerous an iron plate is on a rainy day and this video is very convincing.

2)LMW Technology when Riding Pillion

The second video shows the stability the LMW offers when accelerating on hills and turning at low speed when riding pillion.

As a matter of fact the rider is a small woman. If a man is riding on the back he’d be left in an awkward position to see a woman making such an easy turn. Which is a joke of course but LMW will indeed increase opportunities for female riders to take their parteners on pillion rides.

3)LMW Technology when the Scooter is Exposed to Crosswind

The vehicle keeps its stability through tests conducted using 15 meter crosswind taking advantage of the charactersitics of its two front wheels. It continues travelling without getting disengaged from the straight line.

15 meter speed wind is equivalent to the speed wind experienced during typhoons that cause signboards to blow away. If you’re on a normal motorcycle, you’d change your mind to continue travelling. It shows how strong LMWs are against bad weather.

4)LMW Technology at Stops

There are times when you have to make a sudden stop. Due to the braking power of the two front wheels, the vehicle will keep secure during sudden brakes. The double grip of the two tires shorten braking distance which is one of the big advantages of LMW.

It is also tough against wheel locks that occur due to sudden braking. TRICITY 125 is available with ABS and synergistic effects are likely to be expected.

5)LMW Technology when Riding Over Steps

In the test where the LMW rides over a step to enter a parking lot, the characteristics of the LMW are most clearly expressed. The test is conducted using a step as large as the pavement in an intense situation with the front wheels facing forward diagonally.

Normal motorcycles would most likely get the front wheel stuck and collapse in such a situation.

But the links on the right and left side of LMW move differently and absorb the shock from the road surface independantly which allowing the vehicle to keep a stable position and enable it to overcome steps.

It gives you a great impact when you actually see it.

The Potential of YAMAHA’s New Vehicle

From the video you will be able to feel the high potential of LMWs when you see how easily it goes through difficult tasks which only expert riders with high techniques would be able to accomplish on a normal motorcycle.

These aspects give us high hopes for the LMW concept model MWT-9 that was reference exhibited at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and also for the four-wheel motorcycle laboratory model OR2T which video has been released.

*The MWR-9 reference exhibited at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

*The OR2T (Code Name) that was used as laboratory model

We musn’t take our eyes off the new vehicle that YAMAHA is trying to incarnate which is not a motorcycle nor an automobile nor a Trike.

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