The Yamaha Gen-RYU hybrid motorcycle

Yamaha is dropping no less than 9 world premiere models on the 39th Tokyo Motor Show coming up later this month. Of special note to us is the Gen-Ryu hybrid motorcycle prototype (damn!) which combines the YZF-R6 600cc engine with a high output, high efficiency electric motor. Combine that with some fat wheels and that long wheelbase and you've got a machine said to perform and handle like a "1,000cc class machine." Eco-power not workin' it for ya? Ok, well consider it has a vehicle-to-vehicle distance warning system, a "cornering light system" for a little night time knee-scraping action, and a noise cancelation system which is said to allow for an intercom, voice navigation, hands-free cellphone calls, and music player — damn impressive if it really works! And just for kicks, how about an LCD so you can watch those cagers mouth "what the…" as you roll on by.

[Via Gizmag]

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

It's pronounced "day-am", as in, "Day-am!!!"

:D

[Angus @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

DAMN! I'm scared of them bikes in general... but now I want one!!!!

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

DAMN!
I've never coveted a bike 'til now. It's also semi envirofriendly. I hope it's mate out of carbon fibre coz it look big for 600cc.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Next up? Kaneda's bike!

[Boynamedsue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

i question the safety of anything on a motorbike that might distract me. So no hands free phone calls, no music.

my old honda cx gets me over 90 miles on 2 gallons of gas, i can only imagine what this thing can do.

paint it red and call me kaneda.

i wonder how wide it is. Even my 500 seems kinda wide to me when i'm trying to split lanes across the bay bridge.

[G-money @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I hope the above is sacrasm.

All I can say is "fugly scooter".

[ike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

TETSUO!!!!


no seriously this is a hot bike

[Boynamedsue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"All I can say is "fugly scooter"."

all i can do is help you learn the difference between a scooter and a motorcycle.

we won't throw moped into the mix till later... so as not to confuse you.

[James Murray @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

pretty

[Juaquin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

They have the right idea. Hybrids or other alternative technologies will never catch on till they can seriously compete with traditional combustion engines in regards to performance (and in some cases, price). Nissan's 2008 Skyline that's supposed to be coming to the US is rumored to have electric motors in the front wheels...I'm sure they'll make it so you can run the car like a hybrid for around town stuff, but the real goal is that the electric motors will assist the gas engine off the line to boost performance (gas engines have a real torque and power problem when coming from a standstill, while electric motors give consistent power at all times). Should be interesting to see how they sell.

[Miranda Kali @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

To blazes with the new iPod...
Now I know what I'm REALLY asking Santa for..
;D
...Kaneda, nothin..
Hiro Protagonist, eat your heart out!

[Roflmar @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Daamn is damn right. The only thing its missing is a place to put all my buster swords.

[aprodite @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

When I got married, the wife made me promise never to ride a bike again.

This bike made me consider a divorce!

However, on further thought I'll stay married, as if I had a bike like that I'd probably never get any work done, and starve to death in the end.

[SargeMonkey @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Does it fly? Is futarama planing to sue this compony?

[Chase Bailey @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

The design looks like it's a cross from straight out of the 50's and some super cheesy sci-fi film

[Kaolin Fire @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

so, so gorgeous!

oh man.

[BigTeebo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

It looks like Judge Dredd's bike.

[Greenline @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Actually looks a little bulky, I know there is a lot of crap listed there, but it seems like the rider would get lost when sitting on it, kinda looks like a sidecar with no bike to attach to. Cool as hell otherwise.

[Dissonant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Looks heavy and uncomfortable. The padding on the seat looks really thin, those near solid wheels look like they weigh a ton (high unsprung weight) and would probably catch nasty crosswinds on the highway, and the machine looks too wide to possibly corner well, especially with what seems to be rigid mounted floorboards which could lever the bike up and cause a crash if they touch down midcorner.

In other words, it's your typical pie-in-the-sky concept ride. The styling cues are kind of nice and I could see Yamaha using this as a lead for a restyled FJS1300 sport tourer, or possibly a new model designed to compete with Honda's Goldwing.

[G-money @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I ride and know the difference between a motorcycle and a scooter and a moped.

I'm just thinking that looks like the most metrosexual scooter I've ever seen even if it's a bike.

[Dissonant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Looks heavy and uncomfortable. The padding on the seat looks really thin, those near solid wheels look like they weigh a ton (high unsprung weight) and would probably catch nasty crosswinds on the highway, and the machine looks too wide to possibly corner well, especially with what seems to be rigid mounted floorboards which could lever the bike up and cause a crash if they touch down midcorner.

In other words, it's your typical pie-in-the-sky concept ride. The styling cues are kind of nice and I could see Yamaha using this as a lead for a restyled FJS1300 sport tourer, or possibly a new model designed to compete with Honda's Goldwing.

[Son of Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Boynamedsue you've really put your foot in it. Bikers often refer to motorized 2 wheelers as scooters. Anyway, this isn't a riders bike, more of a concept (and ooh aah publicity to a clueless public). Does this thing even turn? It wasn't listed as a feature so I was wondering, seeing as it's for all practical purposes a space ship.

[Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That has to be the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen (*). How come so many people like it? I'm truly at a loss.

(*) OK - second ugliest. After the pontiac grand prix.

[Blacknimbus @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

It makes a Harley look svelte. Knee-scraping action? Maybe .5 secs before it grinds into the asphalt.

Seriously, that is an unattractive barge. Only a Goldwing lover could admire that pig.

[Homer J @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Judge Dread?

[dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I like the overall shape of the thing, how it's all sleek. But when I look a little more closely, I think that it's pretty ugly. The rear end reminds me of a motorboat, and the front doesn't come together very well. At least it's good for the environment while (supposedly) being powerful.

[Rory Bigger @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

can someone please explain why they spent the time putting a hybrid in a motorcycle which should already be pretty fuel efficient anyway even in the case of a big 1000cc twin when compared to say the majority of cars on the road?

[Boynamedsue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Son of Sam, i am a "biker" i'm not sure where you are that you come across the vernacular, but we don't call motorcycles "scooters" we call scooters scooters.

[mustafa @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

y would they do this to a perfectly good concept.y does this bike look like a crossover between a boat a scooter a bike and a car

[Red Hot Chili Pepper @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Dude? This is like, kinda ugly. It's got no shape at all, it's way to wide to lane split or "knee scraping action" or simply finding a parking space quickly (or anything else for that metter). If I'm buying death on wheels, it should sound like death, and LOOK LIKE IT, not like some pimped lawnmower.

[Caz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"Gen-Ryu hybrid motorcycle prototype" : that's a lot of Y's.

Well this baby could have it's part in the next Batman movie as-is. Not only for the looks of it, but a 1000cc equivalent power could allow for some nice action sequences as well...

This said, i'll be among the first buyers of the first officially available hybrid bike when it comes out (As soon as my own personal wealth and the announced price will be compatible, that is...)

[Oddmanout @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Numbers 4 and 7 beat me to the puch, but I'll chime in...


KANEDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roberto @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

why do hybrid things have to be ugly??

[sine~language @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

is it just me, or is anyone else wondering how the front wheel connects to the bike?

[MMagic @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

for those that see it as ugly its all in your head , i think it looks prety damn cool, like somebody mentioned earlier wonder where i can fit my buster swords LOL
these are the new breed of motorcycles/scooters they are actually called super scooters for those that want the right term , since the US populous has a problem with people riding scooters (think they are for geeks, HA what do they know) the industry has crossed the scooter with the motorcycle to get one of these babies . also check Honda's Silverwing, and Yamaha's Majesty. damn i would like one (i am guessing it does double the gas mileage a regular 1000cc) so we are looking at maybe 130 m/g that pretty damn good better than my tacoma thats for sure.
overall its still a concept lets see if they actually make one that will be interesting

[DREAD @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I AM THE LAW!!!! need I say more?

[GeneMack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Boynamedsue - It is very common around here (Metro Detroit) for people to call their motorcycles "scooters". Actually, it is more of a Harley thing than other street bikes.

It is also common for a person to call their snowmobile a "sled". And I was in the Navy on air craft carriers, but we always called them boats.

It is much like nicknaming your 400 lb. friend "Tiny".

[mark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I think that may be the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

And I don't know about the other motorcyclists here, but I don't want a hybrid powertrain in my bike. If 50mpg out of my current bike becomes too inefficient for me, I'll either buy a 500cc single and get 75mpg, or one of the new diesel bikes and get 100+.

[south @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

big scooters are to japan what harleys are to the USA, so they'll sell thousands... hell, i'd like one and i'm not even japanese.

but then, i'm not american either...

[Pork Rind @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Jesus! It looks like a Goldwing had sex with a zeppelin. Nasty.

[hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

nice, realy nice.
i will never understand the apeal that the crotch rockets have where your chests on top of the tank most of the time.

to say that one can do knee scapeing turns with this one is, i think, marketing spin at best. this kinda bike is not designed for high speed turning by a long shot. this is in the same user group as the honda goldwing, and the a lesser degree the harlys and their lookalikes.

totaly diffrent market segment, my kinda marketing segment, and i want one!

[boynamedsue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

MMagic, this is not a hybrid of scooters an motorcycles. Nothing about this has any scooter characteristics. You don't ride it in a sitting position, it has nothing in common with scooter layout, and has a 600 cc engine.

a motocycle scooter hybrid would be a large touring scooter with a decent sized engine, but i don't think there are any with a 600 cc engine. if there are, its a novelty.

this is a motorcycle.

GeneMack, I live out in the Bay area of CA, and i haven't heard that. BUT, there are a lot more actual scooters out here than there are in detroit. that probably has something to do with it.

[Caz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Couldn't agree more, Boynamedsue. Just because it's "long" make people think "scooter"?

I don't think anyone who's into large "long" scooters will ever buy this as their everyday vehicle. No storage space. Not convenient to sit on. Not an automatic gearbox (or at least i hope it isn't!)

I don't think anyone at Yamaha's ever thought of the scooter market when designing this. Judging by the riding position, and the retro-looking seats and the fact that Yamaha already released the custom-style V-Max, i see this thing as a futuristic custom-cruiser on steroids.

I also don't get why people say that "bikes are already fuel efficient" so there's no need for hybrid. So what, better is not better?
Also, think pollution. Bikes are not that efficient yet on that side.

[mmagic @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

boynamedsue they have 600cc check the super scooters honda has , beleive you me scooters with power are out their even ones that look like ninjas and kawasaki's unfortunately we will probably never see those in the USA very popular in japan and europe though, not even close to novelties.
the tmax 500 is 500cc's , and the honda silverwing is close to 582cc

[boynamedsue @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

the silverwing was the touring scooter i had in mind, and was the largest i was aware of.

[Bert @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Rory Bigger is exactly right, this bike is probably just a publicity stunt

lol, yeah it's interesting to see the differences in comments.

Basically everyone who ACTUALLY RIDES motorcycles thinks this bike is ugly, which I think so to.

To be honest it looks pretty cool, and maybe 20 years in the future styling like this woule be chique, and it's a great geek toy I would buy if I had a billion dollars, but I don't think people would ride this around in real life...

[BHigh @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

In response to #34 - Yamaha has released bikes with a single-sided "swingarm". I can't remember the name of the bike off the top of my head though.

[Molly @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

i want it. i cant even legally drive other people yet. but i want it.

my friend has some neughtbors with that noise cancelling thing on their bike. it looks so sweet, its got a full on cd player/stereo system in it. i just would love to be on a bike blasting "born to be wild". i would be sweeeeeeet.

[Caz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

BHigh, most likely you're thinking of the GTS-1000. I happen to own one actually. The front wheel's arm is on the left side of the bike, making the wheel look like it's magically floating in place when looking at the bike from it's right side; just like the picture above.

[magoo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

> And I was in the Navy on air craft carriers, > but we always called them boats.

As every dolphin knows, there's only two types of vessel in the navy - boats and targets.

PS its ugly, but its different.... and yes some riders do need hands-free phone (otherwise the Harley goes into a massive tank slapper whenever your mobile rings)

PPS only joking about the Harley riders - I ride an old model Triumph, so what do I know about handling ?