Honda's striking "RC-E" concept...
Honda's striking "RC-E" concept bike has many excited about the prospect of the company making an actual production machine.
Causing quite a stir by releasing info and photos on its upcoming Tokyo Motor Show display was Honda with its “RC-E” concept bike. Part of the company’s booth concept of "What makes people feel good?" at the 42nd annual show scheduled for December 3-11, 2011, at the Tokyo "Big Sight" convention center, the RC-E has many wondering if Honda will be finally tackling the e-bike equation.
Up to this point, most of the motorcycle OEMs (with the exception of KTM) have shown a casual disinterest for the most part in the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. The Honda RC-E may be a watershed of sorts in signaling that at least one of the major manufacturers is looking into a serious street-going electric motorcycle. Although with Honda—which has always prided itself on not only its technological prowess, but also its eco-friendly reputation among the manufacturers in both the automotive and motorcycle industries—this wasn’t an entirely surprising move.
The RC-E certainly looks impressive....
The RC-E certainly looks impressive. Whether that can translate to real-world performance in production form is the question.
The obvious reason that the RC-E is much more interesting than your average two-wheeled EV concept is the nicely designed bodywork and running gear. The RC-E has all the right boxes ticked: Nice, curvaceous sport/race paint and styling—check. Stout-looking twin-spar frame and swingarm, with primary drive axis right at pivot point—check. Öhlins suspension—check. Brembo brakes and full-size wheels/tires—check.
Unfortunately, there were virtually no details on the RC-E from Honda. The press release only states the RC-E is “an EV version of a super sports bike that pursues the joy of riding. A powerful and smooth ride unique to an EV model is achieved with the 250cc-class compact body.” Some are speculating that the electric motor from the company’s Insight hybrid automobile is used; the problem is that motor is only rated at 10kw (about 13 horsepower), so it would hardly suffice as a standalone powerplant in any production motorcycle of this type. Needless to say though, it wouldn’t be that difficult for a company with Honda’s resources to find a suitable motor.
The big problem with any EV is that the more powerful an electric motor you use for performance, the more energy is required. And that means either a means of regenerating energy, or a stout battery(s) package capable of providing that energy (and for extended periods), or both. This has forced a compromise between performance and range that has stifled any real appeal with the motorcycling public—especially the sportbike side—at large. The costs to manufacture the complete motorcycle have also put the price tags of current electric motorcycles well above the norm to generate any profit, and not only has this discouraged many potential customers, but it has persuaded many EV companies to switch from plans on producing a motorcycle to the more lucrative option of licensing the technology developed through those efforts to larger industrial concerns for other purposes.
Honda could obviously overcome the manufacturing costs with its own resources and economy of scale. But would they be able to produce a bike that would have enough performance and range without letting the price tag get inflated too far? Time will tell. But underestimating Big Red is often done at one’s peril.