Yamaha concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show

Though the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show was predominantly about four-wheelers, a few motorcycle manufacturers managed to outshine their automotive counterparts with their fascinating concept bikes and technological innovations, Yamaha being one of them. Besides unveiling the new Sports Ride concept car, Yamaha unveiled a new trike, three concept motorcycles and an intriguing robot which can ride motorcycle. Check out the photo gallery of the Yamaha concepts from the Tokyo Motor Show –

1. PES2

While electric-powered motorcycles still seem like a thing of the future, the Yamaha PES2 (Passion Electric Street) takes electric mobility on two wheels a notch up. Powered by a new electric motor called Yamaha Smart Power Module, the PES2 gets a secondary electric motor for the front wheel apart from one for the rear wheel, essentially making it a two-wheel-drive motorcycle.

2. PED2

The Yamaha PED2 (Passion Electric Dirt), as the name indicates, is a dual-sport version of the PES2. Though it misses out on the secondary electric powertrain, the oodles of low-end torque of an electric powertrain should make it an ideal motorcycle to explore the wild. A successor to the PED1 shown at the previous Tokyo Motor Show, the PED2 has been developed for beginners.  

3. Resonator 125

Built for beginners with a soft spot for vintage motorcycles, the Resonator 125 is a tribute to the motorcycles from the bygone era. The wooden inserts, brushed aluminium panels and the chromed fuel tank all evoke a sense of nostalgia to the Resonator 125, while the exceptional level of craftsmanship and detailing give it a highly enticing sense of appeal.   

4. MWT-9

The MWT-9 (Multi-Wheel Technology) is a state of the art trike aiming to start a whole new genre of sports riding. Terming as a ‘Cornering Master’, Yamaha says that MWT-9, with its high level of performance, offers cornering capabilities never seen on trikes before. Powered by an 850cc three-pot engine from the FZ-09, the MWT-9 beautifully blends Yamaha’s characteristic design philosophy to accommodate the trike’s larger footprint.   

5. MotoBot

In the past few years, Tesla and Google have made big several breakthroughs in autonomous driving technologies for four wheelers. But seeing a robot ride a motorcycle isn’t exactly what anyone expected. Meet MotoBot, a humanoid robot that is capable of riding a motorcycle in ways better than us normal mortals can. Complete with precision welded ‘arms and feet’, throttle, brake and gear operating capabilities and a creepy electronic voice, the MotoBot’s ultimate goal is to beat nine-time world champion - Valentino Rossi.