Innovations in electric motocross: the challenge of transmission and energy
The progression of electric motocross bikes is redefining the competitive landscape. New entrants to the market, such as the Stark Varg, show performance that easily rivals modern 450 bikes.
Their instant 80-horsepower power from the start is so impressive that the FIM has banned them from competing in the same category as their traditional counterparts. However, one element still differentiates them from combustion bikes: the absence of a clutch.
This feature represents a challenge for riders looking to master obstacles in supercross or keep the front wheel in the air on rough terrain.
The Stark Varg case: performance and limitations
The Stark Varg, in the absence of a clutch, reveals certain limitations in situations requiring precise power manipulation. Riders express the need for a solution that allows them to replicate the action of a clutch for better control of their machine in technical sequences.
Yamaha and transmission innovation
Yamaha’s response to this issue could well be a game-changer. Recent information indicates that the company has filed a new patent concerning an electric motocross bike and its transmission system.
This patent suggests abandoning the conventional clutch and flywheel in favor of a set of springs located between the engine and the transmission. The role of these springs is essential. They are intended to soften the often abrupt response of an electric motor and temporarily store energy.
An ingenious transmission
The system described in the patent indicates that during acceleration, the springs compress to accumulate energy, then relax to release it gradually, adding a surge of power that mimics the effect of a conventional clutch.
This would allow riders to perform front wheel lifts similar to those achieved with a mechanical clutch, providing a technical solution to one of the few weaknesses of electric motocross bikes.
Future prospects for electric motocross
This innovation could signify a significant step forward in electric motocross competition, making these machines not only more competitive but also more familiar to riders accustomed to the nuances of clutch management.
Yamaha, through this potential technological advancement, reveals a part of its vision for the future of the discipline where electricity takes a competitive leap without losing the essence of this mechanical sport.
