New Yamaha patents for leaning 4 wheeler

[maximNikenGT]

Yamaha filed patents for a leaning four wheeler which appear to be based upon the MW Vision concept from a few years back. 

Four-wheeled leaning vehicle patents from Yamaha revealed

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Patents unearthed by a Japanese motorcycle commentator show Yamaha...

 

 

YAMAHA MW-VISION | Tokyo Motor Show 2019 - Event | YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.

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Various information of YAMAHA's The 46th Tokyo Motor Show is available...

After watching the video what is really interesting is the fact that yamaha has at least prototyped a working self leveling system for three wheeled motorcycles in addition to a reverse function for what is presumably a battery powered engine. So in theory if Niken sales were promising, then a self leveling three wheeled electric motorcycle like the MW Vision concept might make sense. 

Would be interesting to know if it qualifies in the US as a motorcycle or a four wheel ATV.  I doubt that it would qualify as a car because of the open air configuration. 

[keithu]

If it has four wheels it'll be considered a car by US DOT, EPA, and most states. That means it needs to meet safety and emissions standards for cars; it can't use HOV lanes, or enjoy many of the other benefits of a two- or three-wheeler. I know some EU countries treat 4-wheel ATVs differently from cars, and a few US states do as well (Montana is one), but I don't see the four-wheeled version being a viable product. The three wheeler could work though.