Yamaha Teases Electromagnetic Steering Damper

Oct 19, 2023
by Dario DiGiulio  
photo

Last week was the opening of 2023's Japan Mobility Show, a showcase of novel and futuristic mobility concepts that may or may not see production down the line. Though the potential reality of these designs is uncertain, the concepts behind them are quite real, so there are always interesting morsels to pull out of the displays. Amongst the utopian array of motorcycles, electric cars, and e-bikes, Yamaha's Y-00Z MTB looks fairly close to a real-life concept, albeit probably still far from production.

The feature that stood out to me on the Y-00Z is the steering damper. In their literature for the event, Yamaha refers to this as an "Electric Power Steering system," and it utilizes a device called a magnetostrictive torque sensor. Magnetostriction is a very cool principle within physics, and is a property of magnetic materials by which they can slightly change shape due to variances in the applied magnetic field. The results of this change are highly accurate, repeatable, and can be done without direct contact. The principle is absolutely position sensitive, and theoretically has no wear on the magnetic element. The only active part is that which generates the electric signal, making for a relatively simple object compared to some mechanical solutions to the same problem.

photo
Essentially this would be the device installed, with the "shaft" representing the steer tube of the fork.



photo
All packaged in that little doodad under the stem. Pardon the potato photo quality here.

Yamaha already employs this in some of their motocross and superbikes, fitting the system to a couple YZ450F and YZ250F motocross bikes. The theories behind the handling of a fully-powered moto and those of a powerful eMTB aren't terribly dissimilar, so the crossover makes sense to me. No news on whether this will make it to market, but we reached out to Yamaha to see about procuring a device to try out. Stay tuned.


That's not the only bike Yamaha brought to the show though, there was also a very special monstrosity that they're calling the Y-01W AWD. This drop-and-aero bar two wheel drive fat tire inverted fork rack-equipped dropper post e-bike is truly a sight to behold, and probably gets you to your coffee outside meetup faster than anyone else.

photo

While the steering damper is quite intriguing, and the all-terrain commuter bike is sure to take the market by storm, there's one other invention in the Yamaha booth that really has my heart: the Rock On Me rideable music machine.

photo

Upon further investigation, I fear the speaker stack in the undercarriage is actually just some jingle bells, but in my mind they're powerful speakers that blast you with music as you rock back and forth. Make that in an adult size and you have at least one customer right here.


That's all for now, thank you for tuning into the first episode of Dario's Online Miscellanea Hour.

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177 Comments
  • 196 0
 Let's hear about the KYB fork and shock.
  • 26 2
 Straight up! Last time we saw one was the Honda project
  • 3 0
 Definitely interested what's inside
  • 8 0
 @stormracing: Honda is normally Showa...was the DH bike KYB?
  • 18 0
 @ReformedRoadie: that's what I was thinking. The RN01 was Showa.
  • 4 0
 @ReformedRoadie: actually the Honda did use KYB and Showa on those bikes. Interesting.
  • 2 1
 @ReformedRoadie: it was Kayaba, yes.
  • 22 0
 Rumor is this bike was built for Eli Tomac’s switch to E-MTB & MTB after his retirement from Supercross at the end of the 2024 season. I hear John requested the drop-bar gravel bike for the dirt roads around the Tomacs’ Cortez compound. As for the rocking moto, it’s for Eli’s 2yo and 3yo kids...and plays 4-stroke sounds from those speakers. The E-MTB even looks like his KYB-suspended Supercross moto:
www.yamaha-racing.com/ama-sx-450/teams/monster-energy-yamaha-star-racing/eli-tomac
  • 10 1
 @WRCDH: when is Dunlop jumping into mtb tires?
  • 20 0
 @ReformedRoadie: They’re still working of the surface morphology of their nano-diamond / micro-diamond friction particles...Japan has very demanding wet roots and slick red volcanic mud, so they’re still optimizing the friction and mud-shredding properties of their rubber and MTB prototype tires. With the right micro-diamond surface area / surface roughness / surface functionalization (and thus crosslinking into the vulcanized rubber), the diamond provides durable grip and mud performance without shedding the diamond particles. Apparently their graphene + diamond (both carbon) modification of their synthetic rubber is called “E-Lasti-C/C” or “ELastiCC” for e-bike-capable long-lasting elastic carbon/carbon modified rubber. I’m guessing it will be 18-24 months before it hits the market.
  • 1 1
 @ReformedRoadie: man, you’re totally right!
I was just thinking on ma toes and thought about a moto suspension company making stuff for a DH bikes and thought about the Honda but you are very much correct, they rocked Showa
  • 2 0
 @blackbeardirt: so they did actually use KYB as well? I thought they might have
  • 4 0
 @WRCDH:
I can’t tell if this is serious or not, but I remember being at a Fontana race that happened to coincide with a Superbike race at the raceway. During breakfast at the hotel the Dunlop tire techs noticed us wheeling our bikes out to the car and came over to chat. They spent about 20 minutes asking us about casing, compound, tread, and what we did and didn’t like about current tires. That was over 10 and I always wondered how serious that conversation was and if they would ever get into the game.
  • 3 5
 Why do they even put pedals on that thing! Just ride a f'ing Surron for gods sake.
  • 2 0
 @stormracing: Ya they used both. The Showa seemed to be used more but they used KYB as well.
global.honda/en/newsroom/news/2003/2030203-rn01-eng.html#:~:text=Distinguishing%20characteristics%20of%20the%20RN01,Kayaba%20Industry%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.
  • 2 0
 @blackbeardirt: they list his blood type?
  • 1 0
 @stormracing: Honda used showa
  • 1 0
 @wburnes: just because it was A. They hadn't if it were B, or 0
  • 2 0
 There's some way better pictures here.

global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/event/japan-mobilityshow-2023/ypj
  • 3 0
 @yamaha please build some kyb Downhill forks!
  • 2 0
 @ReformedRoadie: after the success of other moto tire brands, I’d guess never.
  • 2 0
 @shredddr: Maxxis makes moto tires too, but they're generally considered second rate compared to Dunlop, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Pirelli though.

It's cool to see Michelin and pirelli trying their best to make bicycle tires, finally.
  • 2 0
 @Glory831Guy: Michelin has been doing it forever and makes good tyres. Pirelli and Goodyear - may the lord have mercy on your soul should you choose to ride them
  • 1 2
 @Three6ty: someone sounds jealous as a result of affordability. The world is moving on. Deal with it Smile
  • 89 13
 The main research we need right now, is how to stop all this "progress" in the bike industry!
  • 58 0
 They can research whatever they want, we need to teach people not to buy useless stuff...
  • 9 1
 vote with your dollar. its the loudest vote you have.
  • 12 0
 @winko: oh....I see you don't understand America! LOL
  • 3 2
 So your a degrowther..got it.
  • 5 0
 @Mtbdialed: I already mailed Yamaha my credit card.
  • 4 1
 @jrocksdh: not all growth is positive growth my guy. Think of San Francisco.
  • 1 0
 @winko: the thing is, they stop producing useful stuff
  • 2 1
 The people have voted with their money. Ebikes are here to stay. Please don’t assault anyone on the trails. Although putting one of you animals in jail would make me laugh Big Grin
  • 37 0
 these bikes are nuts
low top tube gravel bike with drop bars+integrated tri bar addons with a gold upside down KYB suspension fork and wireless drivetrain with integrated racks and lots of build in lights? is that a dynamo hub on an e bike? I cannot think of a single use for this bike, yet i sort of want one for some sick twisted reason. paint job on the MTB is, uh, bold?
  • 21 0
 It's all wheel drive (2nd motor)
  • 4 0
 @steflund: crazy
  • 9 0
 It looks like something Batman would ride!
  • 7 1
 This thing would absolutely set fire road climb speed records
  • 3 2
 @charmingbob: looks like something the Joker would give the finger to.
  • 3 3
 @charmingbob: Then I want to be Batman!
  • 2 1
 I'm reminded of a bikesnobnyc blog. Unfortunately I can't find the entry but something along the lines of "if you want to travel over rough ground on your own at night whilst carrying your shopping then this is the bike for you"
  • 5 0
 That E-mtb-grav-rando-tri-awd-bike is the coolest thing I've ever seen.
  • 2 1
 The 2000’s are alive in that paint scheme lol
  • 3 1
 @GeorgeHayduke: The turducken of ebikes...
  • 2 1
 @steflund: I feel they missed the opportunity to go 'all out' and fit a 3rd motor in the rear hub - gotta leave something for the mod'ers I guess - ROFLMAO @charmingbob Batman would def' mod it!
  • 2 0
 Front wheel motor opens up new possibilities, like riding nose wheelies backwards. This is the future, just so you know.
  • 1 0
 The weird part is the ebike part. Since it seems like an expedition bike but you can't recharge your battery in the wild
  • 2 0
 @spaced: It may have regenerative braking. If so, you could recharge the battery simply by riding with the front brake applied.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: yeah they have also invented the perpetuum mobile
  • 1 0
 @FloriLori: What's that got to do with it? I've got a bunch of coils and magnets inside my Shimano Nexus front hub (of my commuter). When I ride, both front and rear light go on. The motor in that bike is probably much heavier so it could provide a lot more resistance, hence also charge the battery. You only have to pedal a bit harder, that's all. But if the goal is to charge the battery, it can be done.
  • 3 1
 All these bikes look like they where generated by AI.
  • 1 0
 How did this insanity got signed off is a miracle but I’m happy to see it. Aero bars and drop bars on a ~60lb e-mtb with luggage racks… what the hell??
  • 1 0
 @Chondog94: this guy gets it
  • 37 1
 The Y-01W AWD looks like chat gpt made it
  • 3 0
 Wouldn't bet $5 against that.
  • 24 0
 I feel like we are slowly reinventing motorcycles at a higher price point, while gutting the sport we all fell in love with years ago. And before you say don’t buy it, just know that I can only buy what is available. All brands stopped making 26ers years ago and most stopped on 27.5 now. Kinda hard to vote with my wallet when I’m being pushed to choose between vanilla or vanilla.
  • 12 0
 Banshee Spitfire is still being made and is set up for 26ers. Even has modern geo. Go buy one.
  • 10 1
 This is my main complaint about ebikes in general. This evolution happened before, we all want ALL the power if it's powered. And it shouldn't cost this much. When a bicycle costs what a Ducati motorcycle does its gotten insane. Let's keep bicycles as bicycles.
  • 2 0
 Your argument doesn’t check out; what’s the equivalence between wheel size and electrification of bikes?
  • 2 1
 @blackthorne: I was just preemptively rebutting the played out “vote with your wallet” claim. I agree with you that adding a motor is not the same as changing the handlebar diameter, but the point was if they primarily only make 29er and Mx bikes how can I vote for 26ers? Ofc someone was quit to point out there are still 1 or 2 remaining options, but the point remains that the industry is pushing the tech and not the consumer.

Did we beg for cables through the headset for years and then the industry caved? Or was it that we opposed it and they pushed it anyways? In 5 yrs will there be just 1 or 2 hold out brands not doing cables through the headset?
Are we still going to have a choice for cable actuated drivetrains?

Thanks for your response.
  • 21 5
 kill it with fire
  • 9 0
 Before it starts laying eggs, it's the only way to be sure.
  • 4 0
 @skylanebike: Side note, I hear Ridley Scott is giving Fede Álvarez’s Aliens film three thumbs up. Sounds awesome.
  • 3 0
 @j-p-i: haha im psyched. Fede rules
  • 2 0
 Take the fork and shock off first, I called dibs
  • 2 0
 @j-p-i: Yeah but Ridley also did that awful Prometheus and Covenant,so...
  • 1 0
 @j-p-i: I am excited now as well. I had not been paying attention.
  • 11 0
 There's also a prototype KYB single crown inverted fork and coil that looks to be designed for MTBs/E-MTBs.

Also the motor design is pretty wild. global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/event/japan-mobilityshow-2023/ypj
[Reply]
  • 3 22
flag G-Sport (Oct 19, 2023 at 11:45) (Below Threshold)
 This is the part that caught my eye. It's like a Rocky Mountain system but with none of the ridiculous chain retention wokeness and two fingers up to chordal action. That 8 tooth drive sprocket and the 60 degrees of chain-wrap on the front ring will be plenty....
  • 29 4
 @G-Sport:

When did "wokeness" start meaning "anything I didn't like" and why is it almost only used by people who virtue signal by claiming others are virtue signalling.
  • 41 0
 @PhillipJ: chain retention is part of the woke agenda. Don't you know that it adds Drag??
  • 9 0
 @j-t-g: drag=queens=woke. Gotcha.
Fabulous!
  • 3 5
 @PhillipJ: Wow, I had heard that sarcasm was a difficult concept for some people but had no idea it was this bad. So much for humor...
  • 5 3
 @G-Sport:

"it's just a prank bro."
- every halfwit ever.
  • 2 0
 @PhillipJ: Not a prank, what I thought was fairly obvious sarcasm, of course you want chain retention, and of course you want to avoid the chordal action associated with such a small drive sprocket, having a chain under motor AND rider load on an 8 tooth (therefore essentially octagonal) sprocket, is dubious as hell.
  • 14 0
 > Akira gravel bike isnt real

**** akira gravel bike ****
  • 4 0
 "Twin ceramic rotor drives on each wheel! And these look like computer controlled anti-lock brakes! Wow, 200 horses at 12,000 RPM." -Tetsuo
  • 14 5
 Steering dampers have been used in moto for a LONG time and those dampers really do work wonders. I understand people are upset about more "innovation" but this is a legitimately decent product if it works well and as intended.
  • 10 6
 And amp linkage works great on planes,anti lock brakes are great on cars and so on. Comparing apples to oranges isn't an argument
  • 14 3
 @lenniDK: This is the same kind of pushback bicycle suspension of any sort received back in the 90s.
  • 6 2
 Right, but aren't steering dampers meant for sorting out vibration and other issues caused by disturbances to your front wheel at higher speeds? I'm not sure mtbs have the weight or speed generally to justify this tech.
  • 1 0
 @gtill9000: Yes, change of most sorts seems to get a lot of people going on default.
  • 11 5
 @jayacheess: u sound slow
  • 2 0
 @lenniDK: I think some companies would looooves to make ebikes that fill the gap between apples and oranges. If those pesky motor power restrictions would just go away then buyers would absolutely want steering dampers on their eeeebs.
  • 2 3
 @owl-X: DH world cup riders aren't slow and the best DH teams haven't all switched over to steering damper systems. You'd have seen it there a long time ago if it were effective.
  • 1 0
 @jayacheess: Danny Hart uses the same glue on his tYres as he does down his headset.

get familiar.
  • 2 0
 @jayacheess: So you've never had a tank slapper on your mtb?

You need to ride faster!
  • 1 1
 @jayacheess: I run dampers on all my bikes. I get the most benefit at slow speeds, when climbing.
  • 1 0
 @gtill9000: “I don’t have any more points to make, oh wait, I’ll mention suspension and 29” wheels and disc brakes, that’ll show em!”
  • 3 0
 Ive had a few tank slapper crashes and they always ended badly. What I dont get is why they dont just build a hydraulic damper like on a motorcycle. Instead we get electronics and springs inside the toptube.
  • 1 0
 @fewnofrwgijn: and dropper posts, and tire inserts . . .
  • 2 0
 @gtill9000: I actually have a picture of a 1900’s velocipede, I’ll just send that to anybody who disagrees with me and tell them “I’ve got ur perfect bike bro” it’s a foolproof plan
  • 1 0
 I spoke too soon. When looking for a new headset I discovered the cane creek viscoset, a hydraulic steering damper.
  • 1 0
 @endoplasmicreticulum: There is also the Hopey steering damper, which is hydraulic, and has been around for ages (20ish years). If I remember correctly, it's a clever design, where the steering is only damped as it moves away from center, but is not damped on the return. Some DH riders used it in the early 2000s, but that was back when head tube angles were a lot steeper, so I think modern geometry may lessen the need for added stability.
  • 13 0
 Seems a bit early for April Fools.
  • 1 3
 Stole my joke
  • 11 2
 This just in... New research has found that riding acoustic non-ebikes is good for your health and the environment.
  • 3 0
 acoustic non-ebikes
"Bike"
  • 8 0
 Just here for the KYB suspension...
  • 5 1
 28mph eGravel bikes are insane. I have about 6 miles logged on one of those Canyons with the biplane drop bars and I think about it a few times a day...more than you dingdongs think about the Roman Empire...absolute hooligan moves, terrifying.
  • 2 0
 6 miles, very impressive.
  • 2 0
 @blackthorne: that’s the point—it was the gnarliest fifteen minutes in recent memory! 23mph across a shitty soccer field was scarier than racing down Schleyer. EGravel bikes are bananas.
  • 10 3
 Sorry.. is this still mountain biking ??
  • 3 0
 Its just motorbiking with extra steps
  • 3 0
 Yamaha...don't waste engineering time on problems nobody has. If you want to be recognized in the MTB space just release an E-MTB motor w/ integrated gearbox before Pinion does.
  • 1 0
 ...Oh wait !
  • 2 0
 Steering stabilizers are kind of like oval chainrings, people either love or hate them. And even though they’ve been around in moto for years, most people do not run them. I’m not against them, but would like to see this as an option, vs. part of an OEM build.
  • 5 0
 I'm just waiting for the hands-free innovation.
  • 7 2
 Motocross, not motorcross!
  • 1 0
 I like their crossplane motors
  • 5 1
 The eMTB looks sick honestly, but the egravel thing is a monstrosity than nobody asked for.
  • 5 1
 It's too early for April 1st...
  • 3 2
 that’s so Yamaha, it’ll ride really nice, but the middle ground between that bike and current enduro bikes worries me, do we really want our mountain bikes to turn into electric motorbikes?
  • 2 0
 That 2nd 'bike', that unholy accumulation of things, is the one case where cable tourism makes sense. And of course, it's not there. I am offended in the most confusing way.
  • 7 2
 Belongs on Pinkmoto.com
  • 5 0
 I just want the KYB
  • 1 1
 Do you need the KYB?
  • 1 0
 I just want the KJB
  • 3 0
 So that's power steering, automatic shifting and ABS. Were not that far off driverless ebikes are we.
  • 1 0
 I feel like a link to Richard Cunningham's article on the history of gas pedal bikes would be good here.
Enjoy!
www.pinkbike.com/news/history-and-deception-opinion.html
  • 3 0
 I'll finally be able to ride my XT250 on the MTB trails.
  • 3 1
 Can’t wait to see these being ridden around my local town by people riding to job centres.
  • 2 2
 Meanwhile the header article on Escape Collective is about reducing our footprint from needless "advancements" in the industry and turning to more sustainable ways to produce the products that drive our hobbies.
  • 4 1
 That "gravel" bike is one of the worst things I've ever seen.
  • 8 4
 On the contrary, it’s amazing. I’d ride it. why not? Life’s too short to be core and shit.
  • 4 1
 Hurray, more electronics for stupid useless stuff for most people!
  • 3 0
 You don't need a steering stabilizer on a mtb....
  • 3 0
 No cables through the headtube, I'm out.
  • 3 0
 Does Yoshimura make a pipe for this?
  • 2 0
 Pedals, I guess
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: LOL
  • 2 0
 @collintimmermans: Shit, just recognized your screen name now too.
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: hahahahahahahahhaha
  • 2 0
 Forget the steering stabilizer. If they Market the KYB inverted fork and coil shock, they'll sell out overnight!
  • 1 0
 Is there some Christini riders out there that have one of their AWD bicycles, curious if it'd be compared to the Y-01W AWD in some ways.
  • 1 0
 Figured someone had made a 3 motor 2wd ebike by now and found this.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kv0bTXfSUc&pp=ygUNMyBtb3RvciBlYmlrZQ%3D%3D
  • 1 0
 Steering damper is interesting. The e-gravel bike may be the most hideous bike I've ever seen.
  • 3 3
 I would like to know:
1. More about KYB's mountain bike forks.
2. How much Yamaha is paying for this much front page placement.
  • 13 0
 1. This is the only picture I've seen, time will tell if it's even real. 2. Not a cent, I just saw some weird pictures while drinking coffee this morning.
  • 2 0
 the idler of that eMTB is very tiny
  • 2 0
 I just crank my headset bearing up super tight, works great.
  • 2 0
 And probably more $ than yz250.
  • 1 0
 did yamaha just google "cool mountainbike" and just use the first thing that showed up?
  • 2 0
 The blue one looks pretty decent.
  • 1 0
 They had a downhill bike around the turn of the century, and it still looks sweet today.
  • 1 0
 William racing products are testing a hydraulic one that seems super interesting!
  • 1 0
 On the way to power steering and complete automated riding. Then you can be a total mindless blob riding. Lol.
  • 16 15
 Stick to motorcycles Yamaha
  • 29 0
 And drums, guitars, pianos, and boats, and snow mobiles, and jet skis, and delay pedals.

Pretty crazy portfolio, really.

My partner has a Yamaha system on her e-bike and it’s pretty good!
  • 4 0
 @pmhobson: they are out of the snowmobile game
  • 2 0
 @pmhobson: fishing reels!
  • 3 1
 @MarioandKristie: hmm. Their (US) website says otherwise (2024 models on display).

In any case, the point that their breadth of products is astounding (considering their quality too) still stands.

Seriously: if you want to get into drums, a Yamaha Stage Custom is *still* like $650 for the shells and they are great.
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: agreed.
  • 5 0
 For any old heads who remember the original "On Any Sunday"...the old tymey footage of the Catalina Gran Prix (no affiliation to the F#$king Catalina Wine Mixer) with the first Yamaha moto competing and the announcer makes reference to them as a piano company from Japan...
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: arctic cat was making their chassis, but since they have a new platform and it doesn’t work with the Yamaha 4 stroke engine, 2024 will be the last year of Yamaha production.
  • 2 0
 @pmhobson: and engines for late 80's/early 90's Ford performance sedans
  • 2 0
 @pmhobson: don't forget the outboard boat motors
  • 1 0
 @ReformedRoadie: good times! It's a must see for any offroad motorist.
  • 1 0
 @pmhobson: you forgot swimming pools and clean water systems LOL
  • 2 0
 @vhdh666: HiFi equipment too.
  • 1 0
 Can't wait to see the price on this.
  • 1 0
 just came for the inverted forks...
  • 1 0
 Should have saved this for the 30th. Truly horrifying.
  • 1 0
 Is it April 1st already??
  • 1 0
 That chain will stay on for about 13 seconds...
  • 1 0
 The Yamaha Cristini 2wd motorcycles we’re pretty wicked.
  • 1 0
 Fake news, nothing to see here, that fork is photoshopped.
  • 1 0
 Great. Bikes were getting too cheap these days
  • 1 0
 That gravel bike is nightmare fuel.
  • 1 0
 This is junk. I just use my muscles.
  • 1 0
 burn it with fire
  • 1 0
 Please no.
  • 1 0
 My eyes.....
  • 1 1
 nerdy af I cant even read this
  • 1 1
 KYB PLease!!!! Instant Bye bye to Fox and RS
  • 1 0
 take my money now
  • 1 0
 no one needs that shit







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