It’s rash to suggest that patents will inevitably become a production reality but the documents give a fascinating insight into projects that are being worked on. The latest from Suzuki is this electric sports bike, which appears to combine its futuristic power source with retro styling.
Of course, the bodywork outlined here has little bearing on the patent itself, so probably isn’t representative of any machine we’ll see either as a concept or in production. But the design does appear to capitalise on the old-school, cradle-type frame that was once a signature of the GSX-R series.
Where the Suzuki design really differs from the electric prototypes and production bikes we’ve seen before is its motor layout. Instead of being mounted transversely, the electric motor lies lengthwise in the chassis. It then drives through a bevel gear into a six-speed manual gearbox. While a gearbox is normal to most of us, it’s unusual for an electric bike. Electric motors have masses of low-rev torque, largely eliminating the need for multi-speed transmissions.
The addition of the transmission will allow for added flexibility as well as a level of familiarity that many riders might welcome. The addition of the gearbox also means that, unlike most electric bikes, this one has a clutch.
A longitudinal motor means that there’s space between it and the bodywork for batteries to be mounted. Above it lie a pair of electronic control boxes, and the ‘fuel tank’ is actually a handy storage space big enough to swallow a helmet.
The cradle-style chassis harks back to 1980s and early 1990s GSX-Rs and also leaves more space inside the fairing for battery packs. On this patent, the old-fashioned looks are compounded with the use of three-spoke wheels and a fairing and seat shaped like an early GSX-R.
Will Suzuki ever make a production bike like this? It’s not likely in the near future. But it’s easy to imagine that the firm could show a concept bike including these ideas, maybe at the Tokyo show later this year.