Everyone ’ s jumping on the electric bandwagon , and while we don ’ t think e-motorcycles aren ’ t quite there yet , we ’ re definitely fans of e-mountain bikes . Pop into your local Yamaha dealership and you ’ ll notice Yamaha MTBs lining up alongside the dirt bikes . We took the brand ’ s YDX Moro-07 for a spin to see how it shapes up .
Everyone ’ s jumping on the electric bandwagon , and while we don ’ t think e-motorcycles aren ’ t quite there yet , we ’ re definitely fans of e-mountain bikes . Pop into your local Yamaha dealership and you ’ ll notice Yamaha MTBs lining up alongside the dirt bikes . We took the brand ’ s YDX Moro-07 for a spin to see how it shapes up .
Having ridden many examples of the tuning fork brand ’ s motorcycles over the years ( and currently owning a couple ), I found myself quite excited at the opportunity to try out Yamaha ’ s new foray into the burgeoning world of e-mountain biking ( eMTB ). I say new , but actually Yamaha is a trailblazer in the world of e-MTB , having developed the world ’ s first production e-bike some 30 years ago . In fact , Yamaha has been building e-bikes for the Japanese market for the last three decades , as well as supplying the electric motors for other bike manufacturers . Here in NZ this is most prevalent in the popular Giant e-bike range .
YDX MORO-07 The bike that arrived for a temporary stay in my MTB stable was the new YDX Moro-07 , resplendent in Icon Blue . While it ’ s not sporting the most catchy name , the Moro-07 is a key model in Yamaha ’ s ‘ Switch ON ’ strategy , which spearheads the company ’ s move into the world of ‘ electric personal mobility ’. It ’ s currently the only model in Yamaha NZ ’ s line-up , but watch this space as further models are on the way later this year . A quick google and I see there ’ s a large Yamaha e-bike range available in other parts of the world , from road to gravel models and five different MTB options . I ’ m not surprised Yamaha are going down the e-bike path . Global bike sales , especially e-bikes , are on the up and the bottom end of off-road motorcycle sales are being affected by the explosion in eMTB take-up . Furthermore Yamaha , like any other ICE-powered transportation device manufacturer , has a carbon-neutral future in its sites , so development of e-powered bicycles , motorcycles , ATVs and the like are a given . The Moro-07 sits mid + in the spec level of its current MTB offerings . Yamaha terms it ‘ All Mountain Class-1 Offroad Trail ’ in use , which essentially means it ’ s suitable for most offroad tracks , is a pedal assist-only bike ( there ’ s no throttle ) limited to 32km / h assist , and the geometry and components place it in the ‘ Trail ’ category .
MOTORCYCLE INSPIRED The first thing I noticed on the Moro-07 was the frame geometry – in this case the ‘ Dual Twin Frame ’. Yamaha ’ s marketing material states the aluminium frame has been developed using advanced chassis technology inspired by Yamaha ’ s race-winning motorcycles . The frame features twin top tubes and twin down tubes which Yamaha claim provide an ‘ idealised balance of flex and rigidity for confident handling together with accurate surface feedback ’. Bicycle makers are always looking for a unique approach to traditional frame design and shock linkages , they like something they can patent and market as their own . Yamaha ’ s approach with the Moro-07 certainly is unique , with the rear shock pivoting within the twin top tubes , while the twin down tubes house the battery , nicely nestled between them .
COMPONENTS Up front , the forks are quality . Beefy Rockshox Lyrik Select Chargers with 35mm stanchions and 160mm travel , while the rear end has 150mm of travel and Rockshox Super Deluxe Select + shock . This puts it firmly into the trail , rather than enduro , category . There ’ s rebound and compression adjustment on both the forks and shock , so it ’ s easy to set the bike up to suit your riding style and type of terrain you ’ ll be