Just earlier this month, Kawasaki debuted their 2024 Ninja 7 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), touting this machine to be the “world’s first mass-production strong hybrid motorcycle.”
Apparently, it pays to be able to title a motorcycle as “world’s first,” because White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) has also punted out a hybrid offering to the masses… only this one is a tilting trike with the title of “world’s first consumer hybrid motorcycle.”
…At some point, all of these titles are bound to cross territories, but in the meantime, let’s see what WMC has published to the Powersports community, yeah?
Coverage from Phil West at MCN tells us that the new aero-electric bike has been christened the “WMC300AE;” only ten of these leaning trikes are being made, with the machine sporting the same underpinnings and engine as Yamaha’s Tricity 300 (meaning that riders will only need a car license to give this bike a go).
Speeds under 40mph will have the WMC300AE making use of her 5kW electric motor / pair of 56V 12Ah rechargeable batteries; anything higher, and the 298cc ICE heart takes over – but the biggest perk has got to be that specialized venturi carbon fiber duct.
At higher speeds, the WMC300AE reduces air drag by having aerodynamic front fenders force-feed wind into the WMC300AE’s air duct, minimizing drag and touting a 50% reduced emissions usage.
Handy, huh?
A “titanium/carbon fiber Akrapovic Slip-On, Ohlins YA 241 shock absorbers, EBC Greenstuff brake pads, and Hel Performance braided brake lines” complete the list of top-tier componentry, with WMC’s CEO proudly stating the following to MCN:
This is the first application of our duct technology available to the public and offers a limited number of individuals the chance to purchase this very special motorcycle.”
– Rob White, CEO, White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC)
WMC’s ten-piece WMC300AE fleet went on sale amount a month ago, on September 30th.
What do you think of the “‘world’s first consumer hybrid motorcycle?”