Honda readies EV FUN electric motorcycle for global launch

Honda’s first full-sized electric motorcycle is nearing its global debut, with the Japanese manufacturer conducting final testing in Europe ahead of the production model reveal.

The EV FUN Concept, first shown at the EICMA show in Milan a year ago, is a mid-sized naked electric motorcycle featuring automobile-grade CCS2 quick charging compatibility.

Leading the development is Masatsugu Tanaka, who has worked on motorcycle development for over two decades at Honda. Between 1998 and 2006, Tanaka honed the ride and handling of the CBR600F, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR Fireblade and the Gold Wing as Test Project Leader for large capacity motorcycles.

Since 2006, as Deputy Large Project Leader, he steered the development of models including the VFR800F, VFR1200F, VFR1200X CrossTourer, CRF1100L Africa Twin and NT1100.

Since 2022, Tanaka has been responsible for development and dynamic testing within Honda’s electrification department.

“We developed Honda’s first electric FUN model under the key concept of ‘Be the Wind’,” Tanaka says.

“It offers a quiet and smooth ride unique to electric vehicle (EV) models and a sense of unity with the machine that can make riders feel like the wind.”

Tanaka says Honda has applied knowhow accumulated over his 20 years of experience 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,” he says.

“A new Honda FUN EV is coming soon, and we can’t wait for you to feel it.”

Honda says the EV FUN is equivalent in performance to a mid-sized regular motorcycle and has around 100km of urban range. The battery is fixed rather than swappable.

The production-ready EV FUN is expected to be revealed within the coming weeks, with more detailed specifications to be announced at that time.