Honda is so close to solving the next step in EV battery evolution!
Today, we get to have a look at what Honda’s doing about this particular conundrum while looking at a few other bits of news floating about the industry for this week:
- Honda is working on making space for solid-state batteries on a massive scale (a first for our industry).
- Zero Motorcycles’ continued support with Hero Motocorp means a fresh MY2025, as well as an “All Access” Plan for the public.
- Can-Am’s first electric “Origin” has finally rolled off the production line.
- BMW’s finally dropped the curtain on their R 12 S!
Let’s get chomping on what the data is saying about present (and maybe future) bike buys, yeah?
Industry Insider: Honda Gets Serious with Solid-State Battery Production Goals
Red Giant Aims to be Major Contender for Solid State Battery Technology
Our industry may have been toying with electric performance on two wheels for over a century, but most sources point to the 1970s as the real era when electric bikes were a mass-produced reality…. For America, at any rate.
Back then, residuals connected to the Yom Kippur War saw OPEC placing a crude oil embargo on the United States. This was a move that would result in the 1973 Oil Crisis, with Californians suffering particularly high gas prices and shortages (History.State.Gov).
Fast-forward to 1974; a small manufacturer in California called Auranthic Corp. has pushed out a small-capacity EV bike for the gas-starved masses, with WheelInWater Technologies imparting that the “Charger” likely housed a lead-acid battery capable of “a 30mph [speed] and a 50-mile range on a full charge.”
To make a long segway extremely short, Auranthic Corp’s EV “Charger” was a far cry from the current industry standard, lightweight lithium-ion batteries that boast nearly double the power ratings today (via the Charger’s Owner’s Manual on Econogics). Despite these improvements, some brands still argue that battery technology has a ways to go before they can commit to building an EV motorcycle… and, for many, this “next step” is rooted in solid-state battery tech.
According to Engineering.com, solid-state batteries have the potential to be more energy-dense than lithium-ion or lead-acid, resulting in faster, safer, and more durable energy storage units (with longer range). Even the prestigious Harvard College has cited multiple instances of success in solid-state battery tech studies, proving that the potential is there… but despite the odd company exploring solid-state batteries in concept bikes, no company has yet possessed the gonads to fund mass production of these things in motorcycles… until now.
Honda’s press release tells us that Honda has already finished building a 295,000 sqft factory building dedicated to its own solid-state battery work. Intentional use of this space is purported to be for the following benefits:
- Figuring out “technical verification” of solid-state batteries for Honda
- Nailing down mass-production processes for Honda’s solid-state batteries
- Providing a “demonstration” for future production intent of solid-state batteries
Considering Honda is still aiming to cut EV bike costs in half by 2030 (with 100% of new vehicle sales being electric by 2040), we’re excited to see what Honda gets up to in the next half-decade
What do you think of Honda’s intent to produce solid-state batteries on a mass scale for the public? Do you think they will be giving us a concept vehicle by 2030 with solid-state battery tech?
Zero Motorcycles Drops 2025 Model Year and New Business Plan
“All Access” Plan Aims to Make EVs More Attainable to the General Public
While we continue to cook on solid-state battery tech, Zero Motorcycles continues to blast forward with their tried-and-true lithium-ion offerings via the new 2025 model year!
Accompanying this new annum of zero-emission machines is something Zero’s calling their “All Access” Plan. In an industry where accessibility is king, Zero plans on releasing six new motorcycles over the next two years, each one showing off levels of accessibility and affordability to incite riders to try EV bikes.
Here’s what Powersports Business has told us about the EV bikes incubating in Zero’s proverbial lab:
- Every single one of Zero’s upcoming EV bikes will be competitively priced at under $10,000
- The categories for these bikes will have a wide range and will include off-road, dual-sport, and street bike genres.
- The majority of Zero’s X Line will be arriving in the summer of 2025…
- …and two of these bikes – the XE and XB – are officially out and about!
Naturally, Zero’s CEO is excited to put the idea of their new “X” line into the hands of our good riding communities, commenting thusly:
– Sam Paschel, CEO of Zero Motorcycles (Powersports Business) |
Here’s a bit more about both of Zero’s new “All Access” X Line bikes:
2025 Zero XE Features
- Electric Off-Roading bike
- Category-leading rear wheel torque
- Precision throttle response
- Factory-tuned suspension
- Switchable traction control
- A swappable 4.3kWh battery
- A full-color 2.5-inch TFT dash
- Available in North America for an MSRP of $6,495 USD
2025 Zero XB
- Electric Off-Roading bike
- Category-leading rear wheel torque
- Precision throttle response
- Factory-tuned suspension
- Switchable traction control
- A swappable 2.4kWh battery
- A full-color 2.5-inch TFT dash
- Available in North America for an MSRP of $4,195 USD (€4,500 – incl. tax – in Europe)
…and a bit more about Zero’s hopes in releasing this lineup:
| “Arriving in the Summer of 2025, the new X Line will pave the way for global powersports dealer and service center growth to complement Zero’s expansive existing network.
The upcoming network expansion will increase access to Zero’s products for more riders in more locations than ever before, ensuring that owners across the globe have the support they need.” – December 3, 2024. (Powersports Business) |
What do you think of Zero’s new X Line?
Can-Am’s First “Origin” EV Bikes Rolls Out of the Factory
Welcome Back to the Motorcycling World, Can-Am!
And, just like that, Can-Am has officially re-entered the two-wheeled community!
According to a collaborated bit of coverage between Marco Ghezzi and The Pack, the very first Can-Am electric bike rolled off the brand’s assembly line in Querétaro, Mexico.
A huge congrats to Can-Am/BRP (and to whoever is in line for that spankin’ new Can-Am #0001 Origin)!
Here are some celebratory words from BRP’s Chief Design Officer and President on the momentous occasion:
– Denys Lapointe, Chief Design Officer BRP (The Pack) |
– Sandy Scullion, President, Powersports and Marine BRP (The Pack) |
For those of you who forgot, the Origin joins the Can-Am Pulse, both being EV beauties, with the former sporting the following spec details:
2025 Can-Am Origin Specifications
Power:
- Motor: ROTAX E-POWER, liquid-cooled
- Power: 47hp peak (35kW) / 27hp continuous (2kW)
- Torque: 53lb-ft (72Nm) from 0 to 4600 RPM
- Battery: Integrated, lithium-ion, 8.9kWh
Range:
- City: 90 miles (145km)
- Combined (WMTC*): 71 miles (115km)
- Sustained 50 mph (80km/h): 52 miles (84km)
Charging:
- On-board charger: 6.6kW (Level 1 & Level 2 compatible)
- Level 2 (240V): 50min (20-80%); 1 hour 30min (0-100%)
- Level 1 (120V): 3 hours 10min (20-80%); 5 hours 15min (0-100%)
- Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Suspension:
- Front: KYB 43mm inverted fork with 10” (255mm) travel
- Rear: KYB HPG shock with adjustable preload, compression, and rebound with 10” (255mm) travel
Brakes:
- Front: J.Juan 2-piston floating caliper, 320mm disc
- Rear: J.Juan 1-piston floating caliper, 240mm disc
Tires:
- Front: Dunlop D605 90/90 R21
- Rear: Dunlop D605 120/80 R18
Dimensions:
- L x W x H: 86.8 x 33.9 x 55.7” (2,204 x 861 x 1,414mm)
- Wheelbase: 59” (1,503mm)
- Seat Height: 34” (865mm)
- Ground Clearance: 10.8” (274mm)
- Dry Weight: 412lb (187kg)
What do you think of Can-Am’s electric motorcycles? Would you give them a test ride?
BMW Reveals the All-New R 12 S
Meet BMW’s Tribute to the 1973 BMW R 90 S
And just like that, we move on from the miracles of zero-emission transport to the wondrously growly world of ICE power.
Our good House of Bavaria has gifted us with a fantastic bike debut that pays homage to the R 90 S, a Daytona/TT-class-winning machine originally considered by BMW to be “the world’s first production motorcycle with a handlebar fairing designed according to aerodynamic principles.”
Inspiration from this prized bit of history is carried over to BMW’s new 2025 R 12 S in the form of the following nods:
- A red “90” on the engine
- A handlebar-mounted cockpit fairing with a tinted windshield
- Contrast stitching in the saddle
- A Lava Orange Metallic paint finish
- A red-laid ‘S’ on the side covers
- A red double coach line
- Brushed and clear-lacquered aluminum surfaces of the tank and seat hump
Should riders choose an “R 12 S Daytona Package,” they’ll also get the following fixings (pulled from BMW’s press release):
- That same Lava Orange Metallic Paint
- Cockpit Fairing
- Short rear tail with integrated LED lighting
- Black license plate frame attached to swing arm
- Option 719 Classic II Wheels
- Hill Start Assist
- Headlight Pro
- Shift Assistant Pro
- Single Seat and Rear Hump Cover
- Heated Grips
- Cruise Control
- Billet Pack (Shadow)
- Milled Shadow ignition coil covers
- Oil filler plug
- Avus Black Metallic Matte cylinder head covers
- Billet Pack (Shadow II)
-
- Milled shadow foot shift and brake levers
- Rider and passenger footrest systems
- Hand brake and clutch levers
- Brake reservoir cover
- Bar end mirrors
As for the bike itself, BMW tells us that this R 12 S houses a new 1,170cc, air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer heart capable of 136hp (101kW) @ 7,750rpm and 92lb-ft (125Nm) of torque @ 6,500rpm. The engine purportedly shows great low-end yank and mid-range power, with ShiftCam Technology optimizing performance across the rev range.
Electric goodies that come as standard also include Hill Start Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Heated Grips, and of course, Cruise Control.
If you’re in the United States, BMW says you’ll be getting a standard short rear tail with a swingarm-mounted license plate frame.
Here’s a view of the bike’s full technical sheet, should you be in the mood for a more detailed gander:
R 12 S |
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Engine |
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| Capacity | cc | 1,170 | |
| Bore/stroke | mm | 101.0 x 73.0 | |
| Output | hp | 109 @ 7,000 rpm | |
| Torque | ft-lbs. | 85 @ 6,500 rpm | |
| Type | Air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer motor | ||
| Compression | 12.0:1 | ||
| Fuel | Premium unleaded 95 RON | ||
| Valves per cylinder | 4 | ||
| Ø intake/exhaust valve dia. | mm | 39.0 / 33.0 | |
| Ø throttle valve | mm | 50 | |
| Engine control | BMS-O with throttle-by-wire | ||
| Emission control | Closed loop 3-way catalytic converter EU5+ | ||
Electrical system |
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| Generator | W | 660 | |
| Battery | V/Ah | 12 / 10 | |
| Headlight | LED Headlight Pro | ||
| Rear light | LED | ||
| Starter | W | 1,200 | |
Power transmission |
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| Clutch | Single-disk dry clutch, hydraulically operated | ||
| Gearbox | Constant-mesh 6-speed manual, cardan drive shaft | ||
| Transmission ratios | I | 2.375 | |
| II | 1.696 | ||
| III | 1.296 | ||
| IV | 1.065 | ||
| V | 0.939 | ||
| VI | 0.848 | ||
| Primary ratio | 1.737 | ||
| Secondary ratio | 2.910 | ||
Chassis |
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| Frame construction type | Steel trellis frame | ||
| Front-wheel suspension | Upside-down 45 mm forks, compression, rebound, and spring preload adjustable | ||
| Rear wheel suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with Paralever brace, central progressive shock, rebound, and spring pre-load adjustable | ||
| Spring travel, front/rear | inches | 4.7 / 4.7 | |
| Wheel castor | inches | 4.35 | |
| Wheelbase | inches | 59.5 | |
| Steering head angle | degrees | 27.7 | |
| Brakes, front | Twin 310 mm floating disks with 4-piston monobloc radial brake calipers | ||
| Brakes, rear | Single 265 mm disk with 2-piston floating caliper | ||
| ABS | BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, partial integral | ||
| Wheels | Option 719 Classic II aluminum spoked | ||
| Wheel size front/rear | inches | 3.50 x 17 / 5.50 x 17 | |
| Tire size front/rear | inches | 120/70 ZR17 / 180/55 ZR17 | |
Dimensions and weights |
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| Total length | inches | 83.8 | |
| Total width incl. bar end mirrors | inches | ||
| Seat height | inches | 31.3 | |
| DIN unladen weight, road ready | lbs. | 485 | |
| Permitted total weight | lbs. | 948 | |
| Fuel tank capacity | gallons | 4.2 | |
Performance figures |
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| Acceleration 0-62 mph | seconds | 3.6 | |
| Top speed | mph | 134 mph | |
Are you keen on riding BMW’s new R 12 S?