Honda Provides Update on EV FUN Concept Electric Model
More info to come Sept. 19
After teasing us with news about its first full-sized electric motorcycle, we expected Honda to provide more details on the production version of its EV FUN Concept today. Even though we now have an idea what the production model will look like, Honda is continuing to drip out information slowly, providing us instead with a development update including footage of the bike undergoing testing on public roads in Europe.
While it wasn't the news we were hoping for, we did get to learn more about the EV FUN Concept, or whatever the eventual product will be called. We now know that the development is led by Masatsugu Tanaka, who has previously worked as project leader on other Honda motorcycles such as the CBR1000RR, CBR600RR, Gold Wing, and CBR600F, plus as deputy large project leader on the VRF800F, VFR1200F, VFR1200X CrossTourer, Africa Twin, and NT1100.
That's an impressive resume for anyone in the motorcycle industry, so we know the EV FUN Concept is being guided by experienced hands. It's Tanaka himself that appears as the test rider in the video.
We also see Tanaka charging a prototype through a CCS2 charging port, and a shot of the TFT display showing a range of 44 km at a 34% charge to the fixed battery. By our rough calculations, we estimate of about 129 km, or 80 miles on a full charge, with the caveat that this is based on a prototype, and we don't know if this factors in any potential ride modes or regenerative braking settings. Interestingly, photos of the screen supplied by Honda shows slightly different information.
Honda says it will have more information on September 16, though at this point, we expect it will be another tease with more details rather than a full reveal. For that, it's looking more likely that we'll have to wait until EICMA in November.
Begin Press Release
Honda releases European test riding footage of EV FUN Concept
- First full-sized electric motorcycle from Honda has been extensively tested throughout Europe
- Development led by veteran engineer with experience across a range of high profile ICE models
- Set to deliver a new emotional experience unique to EV motorcycles
Honda has released new imagery of its EV FUN Concept machine being tested on the roads of Europe during its development.
First shown at the EICMA show in Milan in 2024, the EV FUN Concept is a mid-sized naked equivalent, that features a fixed battery pack and automobile-grade CCS2 quick charging compatibility. The bike marks another front in Honda’s multi-faceted approach to zero emissions mobility.
The development has been led by Masatsugu Tanaka, who appears as the rider in the video and has a long and storied career with Honda, working with motorcycles for over two decades. Joining Honda straight from high school, Tanaka-san has carried with him the ambition of making the ‘number one bike in the world’, and his resulting portfolio of models speaks for itself.
Between 1998 and 2006 Tanaka-san honed the ride and handling of the CBR600F, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR Fireblade and the Gold Wing in his role as Test Project Leader for large capacity motorcycles. Since 2006, as Deputy Large Project Leader, he steered the development of hit models such as the VFR800F, VFR1200F, VFR1200X CrossTourer, CRF1100L Africa Twin and NT1100.
Since 2022, he has been responsible for development and dynamic testing within the electrification department. The transfer of Tanaka-san’s extensive knowledge and experience, together with a passionate team of young engineers dedicated to developing fun EV bikes, means that the EV FUN Concept has the same balance, poise and fun factor for which Honda is widely known.
“We developed Honda’s first electric FUN model under the key concept of “Be the Wind". It offers a quiet and smooth ride unique to EV models and a sense of unity with the machine that can make riders feel like the wind,” explains Tanaka san.
“Building on my 20 years of experience with Honda’s ICE motorcycle models, we have applied the knowhow accumulated over these years to the EV motorcycle, to create a model that is genuinely exciting to ride. We have done extensive testing in Europe - where our customers are - to evaluate riding performance, charging, and daily usability, carefully refining every aspect of the model to ensure that our customers have a reliable ride that lets you focus on pure enjoyment. A new Honda FUN EV is coming soon, and we can’t wait for you to feel it.”
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The "Be the Wind" design philosophy strikes me more as "Breaking Wind". Electric bikes seem like solutions in search of a problem. But I'm definitely open to new technologies. The real challenge for Honda will be in making E-Motos COOL. They all look like toasters to me.