IN
THE
WIND
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Japanese Brands
Plugging In
H
onda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki are reportedly coming
together on their electric motorcycle plans to coordinate cer-
tain elements of development. None of the brands currently have
a production electric motorcycle, but the plans of moving in that
direction are coming clear, especially as Honda recently unveiled
its electric-powered CR prototype motocrosser. Yamaha might be
even a step closer, with a strong background in supplying electric
motors for things like mopeds and pedal-assist bicycles. Last year
Yamaha revealed its TY-E concept trials bike—a niche area to be
sure, but a significant revelation for the brand as a herald of their
electric development. Read our First Impression of the Yamaha
TY-E Prototype published last year.
According to ElectricMotorcycle.News, the purpose of their
collaboration is to come up with standards for things like charging
stations and infrastructure. The goal is to unify their efforts, rather
than each brand from creating its own charging systems, ultimate-
ly helping to entice consumers and grow the space by making it
easier to own an electric bike. Faster charging is a very quickly
progressing aspect of electric power, and Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki
and Kawasaki are making efforts to form a "consultative body" to
create the best way for motorcycle riders to plug in.
No specific plans have been revealed, but by all indications,
some new hardware is in the works. CN
Dakar Rally Headed To Saudi Arabia
I
t's official. The announcement
came last week that the 2020
Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi
Arabia. In a release titled "Da-
kar – Chapter III" on the Dakar
website (Dakar.com/en), Rally
Director David Castera weighed
in, along with members from
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's
General Sports Authority and the
Saudi Arabian Motor Federation.
"Our country is extremely
passionate about sport and our
strategic goal is to feed that
appetite as we move further
towards achieving Vision 2030,
of which sport is a basic pil-
lar," explained His Royal High-
ness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki
AlFaisal Al Saud, Chairman of
the Saudi Arabia General Sports
Authority.
The site also teases a "Save
the Date" for Thursday, April 25,
where more "more details about
this adventure will be announced."
Jean Turner
The Dakar Rally is headed to Saudi Arabia in 2020.
