Honda is making waves in the electric motorcycle market with its new “EV Fun Concept.” This bike is part of Honda’s ambitious plan to launch 30 electric motorcycles by 2030, aiming to become the leading company in electric motorcycles. The EV Fun Concept is Honda’s first electric sports motorcycle, featuring a sleek, naked design with sharp lines and an exposed battery pack.
The EV Fun Concept promises performance similar to a mid-sized internal combustion engine motorcycle. It is expected to offer over 96 kilometres (62 miles) of range on a full charge. The battery is fixed in the frame and can be recharged using a standard CCS2 charger, similar to Honda’s current electric cars. This concept previews Honda’s very first EV sports bike, with a production version slated for release in 2025.
Honda has few details available on the EV Fun Concept, but it assures that the bike would have performance equivalent to a “mid-sized internal combustion engine motorcycle.” The lightweight battery, designed using Honda’s experience with electric cars, ensures a “quiet, vibration-free ride” typical of electric motors.
The bike’s design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, two four-piston radial Nissin front calipers, an upside-down fork, and a single-sided swingarm hinting at strong performance. The bike’s physical size is substantial, with a longer wheelbase than a CB750 Hornet, pointing to a high-performance machine.
ALSO READ: Honda Developing New Airbag System for Bikes
The EV Fun Concept uses CCS2 charging, a standard for EVs in Europe, allowing both rapid DC charging and slow AC charging. This means the Honda EV Fun should be able to refill its battery quickly at public rapid chargers. The expected cruising range of over 100 kilometres (62 miles) suggests it’s designed primarily for city use, though a smaller battery means less weight, potentially improving handling and acceleration.
The bike reveals a unit built into the front hub, with thick electrical cables running to it. This suggests some form of regenerative braking system to feed electricity back to the battery when braking. There could even be a motor/generator unit, adding the potential for two-wheel-drive.
ALSO READ: Honda Unveils Its First Electric Scooter in Pakistan
The rear wheel is driven by a toothed belt, often preferred for electric bikes due to the reduced noise compared to a chain final drive. The lack of a gear shifter or clutch lever, with a conventional layout for the brakes, makes the bike user-friendly, especially for those new to motorcycles.
Honda isn’t the pioneer in this field, with competitors like Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire already on the market. However, these have remained niche products. Honda’s entry could be a tipping point for the industry, encouraging other major brands to follow suit.
The EV Fun Concept was unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan, alongside another electric concept bike, the EV Urban Concept. The EV Urban is a large scooter sharing elements with the EV Fun, including the same unit on the front hub, single-sided swingarm, and belt drive. However, unlike the EV Fun Concept, Honda hasn’t made any promises about whether the EV Urban will become a production machine.
