Yamaha appears to be working on a series parallel hybrid motorcycle, the XMax SPHEV, as evidenced by a new official teaser video from the Japanese bike maker. Yamaha is the second manufacturer to develop a petrol-electric motor, following Kawasaki’s lead.
The Yamaha hybrid system employs a conventional internal combustion engine and a generator directly on the crankshaft. This generator produces electricity, powering an electric motor connected to the rear axle, propelling the motorcycle.
The Yamaha XMax SPHEV features three riding modes. It can operate as a pure electric vehicle, in a series hybrid configuration, or a performance-focused boost mode. When set in automatic mode, the bike starts in EV mode, utilizing only the rear axle motor. In the series hybrid mode, the engine drives the rear wheel via a belt and simultaneously replenishes the battery through the crankshaft-mounted generator.
Yamaha’s hybrid system offers two distinct boost modes – Dual Boost and Triple Boost. The ‘Dual Boost’ mode engages both the internal combustion engine and the rear axle electric motor for increased acceleration. On the other hand, in the ‘Triple Boost’ mode, the engine and the axle-mounted works in conjunction with the crankshaft-mounted motor generator, which directly contributes torque to the crankshaft, resulting in a significant boost to power, torque, and responsiveness.
Yamaha claims that the NMax SPHEV is a test prototype and the technology is still under research and development. So, it’s quite possible the final version could be a significantly different motorcycle compared to the one teased.
