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Yamaha debuts wacky 01Gen all-terrain three-wheeler [w/video]

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Yamaha really seems to enjoy imagining three-wheeled vehicles. The company recently patented an electric trike concept and it introduced the Tricity in Europe this year. For the 2014 Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, German, the Japanese company is taking the idea in a sporty direction with its 01GEN concept to envision a future dual-sport model capable of going just about anywhere.

The company calls the 01GEN's angular design language "Refined Dynamism." The top half is supposed to look like a sport bike with sharp lines and an aggressive look. However, the lower half is meant to be utilitarian to suggest the trike's on- and off-road abilities. Yamaha claims that this is just the beginning, with plans for more GEN concepts in the future.

Unfortunately, the company isn't saying much about the trike's mechanical parts. The front suspension clearly uses forks for each wheel to allow it to lean. The point is to offer riders with the stability to cross tough terrain and still be usable on the road. According to Ride Apart, the rear is belt driven. However, the rest of the drivetrain remains a mystery.

Yamaha also isn't saying whether the 01GEN concept is ever going to evolve into a production trike, but it certainly has a cool look about it. Scroll down to read the company's full release about the vehicle and watch a teaser video that provides a few more glimpses of it.


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New multi-wheel crossover concept model on show at Intermot 2014

On 30th September 2014 at Intermot, Yamaha Motor will exhibit the 01GEN*, a new multi-wheel "on & off crossover" concept vehicle inspired by the design philosophy of Refined Dynamism**.

The "on & off" refers to this multi-wheel vehicle's unique manoeuvrability and inherent ability to cross a variety of terrain, both on and off the road. At the same time it also refers to the "on & off" nature of the rhythm generated by mood shifts when switching between the enjoyment of demanding riding, and liberated, relaxed riding.

The 01GEN is a proposal for a personal vehicle that enables enjoyment of two modes in one chassis. The narrative behind this concept involves surface information being transmitted to the rider from the two front wheels, with the rider conveying their intentions to the machine, and power being transmitted to the rear wheel as drive force.

The body line flowing through the 01GEN makes no distinction between front and back, and the seamless design that sees the outer surfaces overlap and interlace is a feature that suggests "on & off crossover".

In addition, the body construction makes the most of light and shade, which highlights the powerful advance of the machine in synergy with the pitch of the rider's moods. A variety of themes are woven into the element "on & off crossover": the upper half of the 01GEN reflects the exhilarating flow of on-road riding, while the lower half's wheels feature a powerful and dynamic spoke shape that emphasizes the sense of power.

The colour scheme features a combination of blue and silver. Blue is used for the "backing" of the upper half, and the pale blue reflected in the silver surfaces projects a world of calm, refined riding. On the lower half, the blue and silver on the wheels are sharply divided to strike a balance with the dynamic riding demanded by rough off-roading.

To make the most of the presence and volume of the two front wheels, the 01GEN's body has a sexy profile, and gives a unique and attractive image that could not be achieved by any existing two-wheel vehicle. By interweaving the flowing body with the mechanical framework, the 01GEN concept model expresses a new and attractive direction in multi-wheel vehicle design.

* The name is inspired by the two words 'genesis' and 'generate', that together express both the 01GEN's original Yamaha design and the new values that it represents - now and forever.

** Refined Dynamism refers to the way Yamaha captivates users and helps create vibrant lifestyles through unparalleled beauty and dynamism.

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