New Yamaha bike

[Miles]

Yamaha's Hybrid Bicycle Minutely Controls Electricity -- Tech-On!

 

[flecc]

Thanks for the info Miles.

Despite being claimed as "sporty", sadly it once again complies with strict Japanese law in that the power declines from just over 9 mph, so in practice it's the Panasonic system all over again.

It would be good to see an export version following that doesn't have phased down power reduction with speed. I'm not holding my breath though.
.

 

[Miles]

A few more details here:
Translated version of http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/news/2008/07/30/pas-brace.html

Seems the best looking one, of its type, to me.... but nothing much that's new, as you say, flecc.

 

[flecc]

Yes, it's certainly a good looker, but of course Panasonic have also launched their very classy sporty model over there recently, equally blighted by their laws.

Exactly the weight and fairly short range of the original Lafree Twist Lite and identical power control methods, but I wish we could by it at that £593.
.

 

[jac]

maybe yamaha are trying to regain ground lost to panasonic as a few years ago they were top seller in europe and japan but now seam to be lagging behind

jim

 

[flecc]

I'm sure that's true Jim, but copying Panasonic step by step in both the drive and control systems and a copy sports model is a bit cheeky.
.

 

[jac]

hi read in sunday times that yamaha were going to introduce this bike to europe wonder if it will happen or is it just talk

jim

 

[flecc]

Could be Jim, they were successful with their earlier venture until the Panasonic motored Lafree killed it's sales.

Being just like the Panasonic now, it might succeed if it's sufficiently "Europeanised". They may leave out Britain's smal market though, since they carried on in Europe after withdrawing it from us last time.
.

 

[spike]

Has anyone succeeded in buying the Yamaha PAS Brace L outside of Japan yet?

Cheers

Spike

 

[eddieo]

Decent enough to look at, appearance more like Kalkhoff Impulse drive then Panasonic.

But if performance not good a bit pointless....

 

[flecc]

The Brace L is certainly a good looker, but currently Yamaha only sell their power unit this side of the world, fitted in the Hungarian Gepida models

 

[spike]

Thanks. It's not pointless in Australia. There isn't a Panasonic choice (I've tried) and the Gepida shipping costs would be painful even if they respond. Just wondered if anybody had found a way to buy the BraceL from Japan or China.

Cheers

Spike