No Handlebars Needed on Yamaha's Self-Balancing Motorcycle

The iconic motorcycle manufacturer experiments with riderless operation in their latest electric prototype.

Welcome to Ride Review, your weekly digest of the latest innovations and new vehicle announcements in the world of micromobility.

Heads up: Our Holiday Sale is ending soon. Enjoy an incredible 85% discount on your Micromobility Europe ticket before this deal expires next week. Book now, then join us in Amsterdam on June 5-6 to see our industry’s most cutting-edge developments.

As well: The Semifinals of the Rider’s Choice Awards have officially begun. From 3,000 original contestants, only ~500 remain. Vote now to ensure your favorite company wins.

What You Need to Know Today

Paris-based company Upway specializes in the refurbishing and resale of electric bikes, having refurbished over 20,000 models and expanded to several new countries since their beginning in 2021. James Gross and Oliver Bruce get the full story from CEO Toussaint Wattinne in the latest episode of the podcast.

German manufacturer YT Industries has a new and improved version of the Decoy MX Core, their popular enduro eMTB. New features include a larger battery pack and drivetrain equipped with Shimano Freeshift, which can automatically shift gears while coasting.

Rilox EV is bringing two new electric mopeds to India. The Spark Elite is designed for ease of use with a quick-swappable battery and quick charge capabilities, while the Bijli is a utility machine with a modular cargo bay.

Where are the handlebars on this thing? The Motoroid 2 is Yamaha’s new electric motorcycle prototype, used to test cutting edge technologies and radical new ideas. It may also signal Yamaha’s moving into the electric motorcycle sector, as the company has previously focused more on mopeds.

yamaha motoroid 2 electric motorcycle concept

Texas-based manufacturer Denago announced two new electric bike models, and they’re exactly what you would guess based on their names: The Compact Cargo 1 and the Hunting 1.

Velocifero’s new electric moped has charming retro vibes. Launching in Europe in March of 2024, the Tennis-E is an electrified version of the popular Tennis 125.

Up next is the I AM, a futuristic electric minibike from Chinese startup Naxeon. Targeting the European market with an initial launch in France and Belgium, the I AM features fast-charging capabilities and has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

Yet another e-moped is coming to India, courtesy of Maharashtra-based manufacturer Jitendra EV. Their latest model, the Primo, has a starting price of Rs. 79,999 ($602 USD) and a top speed of 52 km/h (32 mph).

Renowned Spanish bicycle manufacturer Berria announced the Cayman Electric Mountain Bike, a premium offering powered by Bosch’s Performance Line CX Race motor and a price tag of $6,370 USD.

Also new on the e-MTB scene is the IKKI, made by UNNO (who also happens to be based in Spain). Based on the brand’s popular MITH model, the IKKI is more lightweight and features the efficient TQ HPR50 motor.

UNNO IKKI Race

The US is lacking in electric moped choices compared to Europe, but that is slowly changing. California-based CSC has begun deliveries of the ES5, a high-speed moped powered by three smaller batteries that can be easily removed for charging indoors.