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MotoGP: Honda’s Working on Electric Racebikes

“We Will Explore Possibilities of Introducing Electrified Vehicles in Actual Races Where We Compete”

Honda bikes about to do what they do best. Media sourced from Swapmoto Live.
Honda bikes about to do what they do best. Media sourced from Swapmoto Live.

Recently, Honda revealed an advert for their upcoming participation in the Rose Parade, showing off several electric vehicles in the name of the zero-emissions theme, ‘Forever Determined.’

The image showed off an electric bike the brand’s simply christened ‘a Honda electric motorcycle’- odd, considering Honda doesn’t have any larger-capacity builds capable of thunder-juice (and doubly odd since the bike looked like some kind of CB500/CB750 Hornet). 

A view of the electric bike mysteriously present on Honda's Rose Parade advert. Media sourced from Motorcycle.com.
A view of the electric bike mysteriously present on Honda’s Rose Parade advert. Media sourced from Motorcycle.com.

The brand’s move to promote a machine that’s not even been premiered yet has us thinking they’re about to go electric in a big kind of way – and now, we have further proof from Honda’s Racing Corporation. 

“Honda has another critical mission to pursue in the area of motorsports – it is the realization of carbon neutrality,” explains Honda director and senior managing executive officer Shinji Aoyama in a report from RideApart

A MotoGP Honda bike leaning into a twisty. Media sourced from HRC.
A MotoGP Honda bike leaning into a twisty. Media sourced from HRC.

“Honda has already been conducting research and development of technologies for carbon neutrality while proactively leveraging the field of motorsports. From now onward, we will further enhance our initiatives to put such technologies into practical use in our racing activities.”

“Moreover, starting with motorcycles, we will explore possibilities of introducing electrified vehicles in actual races where we compete.”  

A lineup of bikes present in Honda's recent successes in competition. Media sourced from HRC's Facebook page.
A lineup of bikes present in Honda’s recent successes in competition. Media sourced from HRC’s Facebook page.

With other bike marques working advanced tech on the circuit to trickle down into production models, we’re curious to see what Honda’s next move is. 

Stay tuned, drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and as always – stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from SwapMoto Live, HRC’s Facebook page, Motorcycle.com and HRC*