Ever puzzled how a few of the greatest bike makers on this planet suppose the way forward for two-wheeled mobility will look? Nicely, Honda gave us all a glimpse into its very personal imaginative and prescient by way of its EV Outlier Idea at this 12 months’s Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo.
The truth that the idea is electrical is maybe the least shocking a part of this reveal, contemplating that’s the place mobility is headed as a complete. However what caught my eye was the electrical motor of the Honda EV Outlier Idea positioned straight within the wheels.
That’s each wheels. So, in essence, we’re taking a look at an all-wheel-drive electrical wheel-hub motor that, by the appears of it, could be electronically managed relying on the scenario or preferences. Such a setup has each its benefits and downsides.
Honda
The primary benefit is the traction such a motor can provide, extra so in damp, moist situations. The basic draw back of the wheel hub motor is its unsprung mass on the wheel, which impacts the chassis setup, notably how responsive it’s.
To this point, Honda hasn’t revealed any efficiency information, however in a video that the corporate has launched, the EV Outlier Idea appears like it’s quick – not less than “on par” with different comparable ICE bikes. Honda’s video means that the rear wheel is used the more often than not, with the entrance motor solely being known as upon when the rider prompts most acceleration.
EV OUTLIER CONCEPT
The design of the idea appears to be based mostly on an influence cruiser, with an extended, flat, lowrider structure. Particularly with that high-handlebar driving place.
The seat options supporting upholstery, not solely on the again, but additionally on the sides. Contemplating the way in which the footrests are positioned additional ahead, you’d doubtless be stretching out your legs on the bike as you’d sometimes do on conventional cruisers.
The idea relies round an aluminum chassis and a rear swingarm. The battery pack is centrally positioned and hangs low inside that aluminum body.
Honda
There’s additionally no data on battery capability, vary, or charging time, nor on the burden of the idea. But it surely might properly be a solid-state battery, contemplating Honda has beforehand hinted at introducing the tech.
Curiously, the entrance suspension appears similar to the Hossack fork with a double trailing arm and a central shock absorber – one thing you’d discover on the Honda Gold Wing and even the huge BMW Okay 1600. For giant bikes like these that sport large plenty, the largest benefit of such a setup is the soundness it gives throughout braking.
Honda
There’s an enormous rear tire – presumably giving competitors to the one Benda placed on its inline-four cruiser, the widest on a manufacturing bike for the time being. Elsewhere, you possibly can spot a single, giant brake disc on the entrance wheel of the Honda EV Outlier Idea. However what you’d instantly discover is the way it runs on the skin of the rim ring, and that’s owing to the central wheel hub motor.
The pictures additionally present two giant shows: a large horizontal one on the handlebars and an extra vertical one in entrance of it, the place the tank could be. One in every of these shows appears to be taking good care of navigation, whereas the opposite initiatives information just like the velocity, the present experience mode, and, apparently, the lean angle. Rear-views are additionally built-in into the show by way of built-in cameras.
Honda
It stays to be seen whether or not the Honda EV Outlier Idea will actually change into a manufacturing mannequin within the close to future. If nothing else, it does a very good job at exhibiting how Honda builders envision bikes from 2030 onwards.
As of now, Honda’s first real all-electric motorcycle, the WN7, is scheduled to go on sale as early as 2026, which nonetheless appears extra like a traditional bike as we all know them.
Supply: Honda
