Electric propulsion is also arriving for sportbikes, and Yamaha might be working on an electric version of the R1 – at least judging by patents accessed by Motociclismo magazine and published at the European Patent Office.
The Iwata manufacturer describes in the documents a cooling system for a battery pack, integrating it into a super sportbike with design features similar to the R1.
The block only partially bears the load, hanging on a tubular frame. Additionally, there are aluminum plates for the transmission system, which serve as supports for the motor and the swingarm. The motor is positioned centrally and mounted high on the frame, with at least one transmission ratio or gearbox. The drive is to the rear wheel.
The rear suspension appears to be less than optimal, with a direct shock absorber articulation: resulting in a bike performance that leaves something to be desired, as manufacturers like Ducati or KTM now opt for progressive suspension link systems.
More complex is the liquid cooling for the battery cells (a total of eight modules, easily replaceable). With a design of horizontal cooling plates, the cooling is expected to be at the cell poles, indicating high performance. The size of the battery block suggests that the capacity is around 20 kWh and the voltage between 700 and 800 volts.
