At the Japan Mobility Show, Suzuki plans to display two ideas based on the Suzuki Burgman, including electric and hydrogen-burning variations.
As both hydrogen and electric power are being investigated at Hamamatsu, two new models of the Suzuki Burgman are planned for exhibition at the approaching 2023 Japan Mobility Show (formerly the Tokyo Motor Show).
The slogan “Answers for Excitement Throughout the World” will be displayed at Suzuki’s stand at the Japan Mobility Show, coupled with the following message: “Present to our Customers with Diverse Initiatives Toward a Carbon Neutral Future in Mobility and Unique Suzuki Services.”
The two Burgmans are without a doubt the main attractions in the Suzuki display from the perspective of motorcycles. One has an electric drivetrain, while the other runs on hydrogen fuel.
Hydrogen Powered Suzuki Burgman Concept Revealed – Details
Suzuki Burgman hydrogen concept
The Suzuki Burgman hydrogen idea is referred to as having a “hydrogen engine,” which means that this is bike-burning hydrogen rather than employing reverse electrolysis to create power like a fuel cell. The Hamamatsu brand will present this concept in Tokyo at the beginning of next month.
Two factors make its fuel source obvious. The first is its extraordinarily long wheelbase, which almost gave it the appearance of a dragster scooter and was likely incorporated into the design to avoid the type of “canister panniers” Kawasaki has suggested for its high-performance hydrogen bike, and the second is the word “hydrogen” splashed across the bodywork.
The bike is operational as well; the stand where it will be on exhibit will also feature a video of the bike being test-ridden, showing “Suzuki’s initiatives for hydrogen engines,” according to a news statement from Suzuki.
With its twin front discs, wide two-up seat, and massive front bodywork and screen, the hydrogen bike is built more closely on the Suzuki Burgman 400 than the more undersized Suzuki Burgman 125EX Street. It will also have a hydrogen tank set at a pressure of 70MPa.
Toyota, a fellow Japanese automaker, has also been experimenting with hydrogen combustion, and the two companies have even collaborated on projects and trials. However, there are barriers standing in the way of either motorcycles or vehicles using hydrogen combustion in manufacturing. It’s yet to be determined what the future holds for this concept since there are many significant drawbacks, including consumption (the fuel burns eight times as rapidly as gasoline) and confinement (thus the Burgman’s wheelbase and Kawasaki’s canisters).
Suzuki e-Burgman
The Suzuki e-Burgman is an electric variation of the regular Burgman, as the name suggests. Suzuki describes it as a 125cc equivalent, which is supported by the fact that it is much smaller than the hydrogen bike.
It makes use of the Gachaco battery-sharing service, which Suzuki and the other “Japanese big four” (Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki) established in 2019. It was utilized as the start of a demonstration project in April of this year.
The purpose of the project for which the bike has been created is to collect information that will help Suzuki manufacture better electric motorcycles in the future.
Other exhibitions
Suzuki has also shown an electric SUV that looks dubious, a boxy minivan, an electric commercial van, and two additional boxy automobiles under the moniker “Spacia.” Suzuki describes a strange robot-dog-looking object as a “Proposal for next-generation mobility utilizing wheels and four legs for those who face barriers in transportation such as steps.”
A little more intriguing than those are the 50cc-equivalent e-PO (above), an electric folding pedal-assist moped developed in collaboration with Panasonic, and the e-Choinori (below). This electric 50cc-equivalent scooter is based on the original Choinori scooter that was first introduced in 2003 and uses the battery and powertrain units of Panasonic Cycle Technology e-bikes.
Along with Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha have already made announcements about their Japan Mobility Show exhibits. Yamaha will be bringing a bike that can detect its owner’s approach, while Honda will be showing off some electric scooters.
