Entering the electric bandwagon, the Japanese Blue team has officially announced its future plans with its new electric trials bike, the TY-E. This came just days after Yamaha filed a patent for TY-E name, which is now in its concept stage.

Setting sights on the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup races in France and Belgium, the Yamaha Factory Racing chaps have worked out of Yamaha’s ‘Evolving R & D’ unit to get on with this rad looking concept. It is a 154 lbs lightweight, low-speed high torque machine built to take on any terrains.

With electric bikes starting to become in vogue these days, KTM was the first major league player offering the Freeride E that provides new off-road motorcycle fun in one small package. The ’Freeride E’ platform revolutionized the electric enduro/dirt motorcycles with an agile, lightweight and noise-free motorcycle that broke the mold in the way enduro riding is being enjoyed these days. Perfect for the young riders who are just breaking into the enduro scene.

Yamaha has taken this up a notch with the TY-E. Thanks to its CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) monocoque frame, it offers slim styling and sufficient space for the battery-motor configuration. The high rotation-type compact high-power electric motor offers both powerful low-speed torque and extended acceleration.

With the mechanical clutch in place, the rider can access instantaneous power and control and the optimized flywheel promises excellent traction performance that is otherwise lost on a bike that weighs just 150 odd lbs. A precise motor control technology will keep motor responses at the optimal levels to give an edge at the trials competition.

All of this were achieved by the manufacturer’s 'Evolving R and D' program where employees have the liberty to devote 5 percent of their work hours towards developing innovative new concepts like this TY-E. The TY-E will be on display in the Yamaha Corporation booth at this year's Tokyo Motorcycle Show.

The TY-E will spring into action in the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Trial E-Cup which is in its second year. It is FIM’s only event where electric trial motorbikes from every other manufacturer go head to head. This year, two races are scheduled for Auron in France on July 14-15, and the Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 21-22.

Piloting the TY-E will be Kenichi Kuroyama, who is ranked 2nd in the All Japan Trial Championship IA Superclass. Yamaha has not yet released motor and battery specifications. And I doubt if one could even buy this machine off the shelves given its use of exquisite materials and engineering.