Motorcycles

Yamaha gives 04Gen concept scooter wings

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Lifting the side panels of the Yamaha 04Gen provides access to the scooter's inner workings and gives it a distinct dragonfly look
Yamaha
The handlebars and headlight design of the Yamaha 04Gen is as elaborate as rest of its body
Yamaha
At first glance the Yamaha 04Gen looks like a stylish, yet typical scooter
Yamaha
The influence of the typical Vespa design is quite evident in the Yamaha 04Gen's styling
Yamaha
The 01Gen concept was an exercise based on the Yamaha Tricity 125 front suspension setup
Yamaha
The electric-powered wheelchair that was Yamaha's 02Gen concept veered far from the typical motorized two and three-wheelers
Yamaha
The 03Gen-f was conceived as a sport roadster version of the Yamaha Tricity
Yamaha
Another version of the 03Gen, the x-concept investigated an off-road application of a tilting three-wheeler
Yamaha
This is the only image of the 04Gen's braking system that Yamaha has disclosed, showing what appears to be a disk brake enclosed in a hub
Yamaha
Sometime in the near future all motorcycles and scooters will come with digital touch screens as instruments
Yamaha
This sketch reveals the Earles-type fork of the Yamaha 04Gen, with the rear part of the front fender as part of the triangular joint structure
Yamaha
The solid frame structure of the Yamaha 04Gen seems to take its cues from the typical Vespa frame
Yamaha
Futuristic LED headlights and semi-transparent plastic bodywork for the Yamaha 04Gen concept
Yamaha
The single seat unit of the Yamaha 04Gen incorporates the LED tail light
Yamaha
The massive exhaust can is part of the Yamaha 04Gen's design
Yamaha
The 04Gen concept could well be the a sign of the scooters to come from Yamaha in the future
Yamaha
Lifting the side panels of the Yamaha 04Gen provides access to the scooter's inner workings and gives it a distinct dragonfly look
Yamaha
View gallery - 16 images

Unveiled at the first Vietnam Motorcycle Show in Ho Chi Minh City, the fourth concept model of Yamaha's Gen series pursues an innovative approach to scooter dynamics and body structure that is based on the company's Refined Dynamism design philosophy. Instead of hiding the frame behind exterior parts, the 04Gen concept wraps them in semi-transparent parts that pivot up to give the scooter wings.

Yamaha established its latest design philosophy in 2013 in an attempt to define a unique and clearly identifiable style. Under the Refined Dynamism umbrella, Yamaha has introduced three design concepts, starting in 2014 with the 01Gen tilting three-wheeler that had two wheels at the front.

With the 02Gen concept, also unveiled in 2014, the company's design study ventured into a field somewhat removed from the typical motorcycles and scooters, assuming the form of a futuristic electric-powered wheelchair. In 2015 the third model of the Gen series was based on the Tricity three-wheeler, offering two different options – the 03Gen-f, which took the shape of a sporty roadster, and the 03Gen-x, which was designed to appeal to the off-road enthusiast.

The latest 04Gen concept is essentially a typical two-wheeled scooter, adorned with an elaborate flowing style. Although Yamaha does not disclose any specs, it is obviously powered by an internal combustion engine – as evidenced by the exhaust can on the right side of the rear wheel.

There are some interesting features that help differentiate the 04Gen from typical scooters. First of all there's the frame design, with Yamaha employing a monocoque frame that resembles the basic structure of a Vespa, where the steering column, the footboard and the whole rear section are incorporated in a solid metal construction.

At first glance the Yamaha 04Gen looks like a stylish, yet typical scooter
Yamaha

At the rear, a single shock absorber on the left side connects to the typical scooter transmission that doubles as a single-sided swing arm, but it's at the front where things get interesting. Here Yamaha opts for a setup that looks like an Earles fork, with two shock absorbers and a triangular pivot joint that includes the rear part of the fender – a design dating back to the 1950s, owing its fame to some iconic BMW models like the R50 and R60 that used it for several years.

Equally unusual is the braking system, with what appears to be typical disc brakes enclosed in hubs both at the front and rear.

Yamaha adds a finishing touch in the form of semi-transparent resin bodywork, with pivoting rear side panels that can be lifted to look like insect wings and provide access to the parts that lie beneath them.

For the time being Yamaha makes absolutely no mention of any actual production plans for the 04Gen or if any of its features will make it onto other vehicles. However, it's worth remembering that the Tricity 125 scooter sported essentially the same suspension that appeared previously on the 01Gen. The two 03Gen variants are also both based on the Tricity architecture.

In this sense, the 04Gen concept may well prove to be the forebear of a new scooter family from Yamaha. or it may just be a flight of fancy.

Source: Yamaha

View gallery - 16 images
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1 comment
Gizmowiz
It's nice but it's not electric so no thanks.