Honda's Electrifying New Ride: The "EV Fun" Concept
Image Credit: Honda.
Honda finally decided to join the electric motorcycle party. And no, I'm not talking about those one-off scooters they've been teasing us with for ages. I'm talking about a proper electric motorcycle – the EV Fun Concept. "Fun" is actually part of its name. Before you roll your eyes, let me tell you, this thing actually looks like it could live up to its name.
Unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, the EV Fun Concept is a naked sportbike with the kind of sleek, smooth lines that would make even a dolphin jealous. There's a little bit of a Honda CBR650R going on in there, with a dash of cyberpunk thrown in for good measure.
Image Credit: Honda.
Honda says the Fun Concept will perform like a middleweight motorcycle. That means it should have no problem keeping up with its gas-sipping cousins. And while the exact specs are not available yet, I got a feeling it'll likely have a comparable output to a 650cc engine. So, yeah, it should be pretty quick...
But here's where things get a little… interesting. Honda has decided to go with a fixed battery instead of a swappable one. Honda seems to think they can squeeze more performance out of a fixed battery setup. I guess we'll have to wait and see how that plays out.
On the bright side, the EV Fun Concept is CCS2 charging compatible. That means you can plug it into almost any fast-charging station out there. When you're on a road trip and need a quick juice-up, you won't have to spend hours searching for a compatible charger. Just pull into the nearest Electrify America station and you're good to go.
Speaking of charging, the range on this thing is a bit… underwhelming. Honda claims it'll go about 62 miles on a single charge. That's about enough for a quick jaunt around town, but it's not exactly going to get you across the country.
Image Credit: Honda.
On a serious note, maybe Honda is onto something? Maybe this motorcycle is for city dwellers who only need a bike for short commutes. After all, who needs to go more than 60 miles in one go anyway? I mean, your bladder can only hold out for so long, right?
The EV Fun Concept features a single-sided swingarm, which is a fancy way of saying the rear wheel is only attached on one side. It also has radial front brake calipers, which are basically the Ferraris of the brake world. And to top it all off, it has inverted front forks, which are not only functional but also look incredibly cool.
But the best part of it all is the connected tech. Honda says you'll be able to link your smartphone to the bike and get all sorts of information about the motor, battery, and overall condition. If you're the kind of person who likes to obsess over every little detail, this bike is definitely for you.
Oh, and did I mention that Honda is also releasing an electric scooter called the EV Urban Concept? It's basically a smaller, more city-focused version of the EV Fun Concept. A Vespa of the electric world, but with a much cooler name.
So, Honda is finally taking electric motorcycles seriously. And while the EV Fun Concept might not be perfect, it's definitely a step in the right direction. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go for a ride on my trusty old Sportster. After all, there's nothing quite like the rumble of air-cooled V when riding into a sunset, is there?
