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[Richard230]

And here they are. Don't get too excited: https://www.motorcycle.com/features/honda-announces-electric-motorcycle-plans.html

[wavelet]

Actually, if they do it, this is finally progress.
I've found better-res images of the 3 "Fun" models for developed markets.
https://www.plugmag.co.il/honda-will-launch-10-ev-bikes-by-2025/ (2nd pic from top)
 
As the source article (sorry, it's in Hebrew) says, the right-hand profile is definitely a version of Honda's X-ADV maxi-scooter (doesn't look like it's sold in the US -- it's a 750cc scooter, essentially an SUV take on a scooter)
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/x-adv/2021/
The other two bikes in the pic look like a cruiser & naked (UJM) BEV versions of the CB series.
In the  motorcycle.com  article, the Honda rep is quoted saying performance equivalent to "mid-range displacement sizes", whichc means 600-750cc (in developed markets). That's real motorcycle territory, not 50cc-equiv urban moped  or  125cc suburban commuter.

Let's hope...

[TheRan]

I would imagine they will something more like the CB300R and A2 licence friendly (sub 47hp continuous), competitors to the Zero S/DS/FXE and going after BMW's CE-04 with the scooter.

[wavelet]

I would imagine they will something more like the CB300R and A2 licence friendly (sub 47hp continuous), competitors to the Zero S/DS/FXE and going after BMW's CE-04 with the scooter.

Maybe (e.g., maybe the X-ADV one will be a BEV version of the upcoming ADV350 rather than the 750), but then it wouldn't really be middleweight-equivalent.
I don't think Honda would enter the market unless it's expecting decent volumes (50K+ per model or model family).
 

[TheRan]

The X-ADV may be a 750 but it's barely above the A2 limit (53hp). However when someone says 600-750cc I'm thinking more like the 75-100hp level, like the MT-07, KTM 690s, Triumph 675, all the 650 P-twins, etc. If Honda did that it would have their bikes competing with the likes of Zero's Gen 3 bikes and I don't see that as being a good idea for their first proper electric bikes.

[Richard230]

Honda's idea of what makes a "mid-range displacement" motorcycle might be different than ours if they are thinking of the Asian market.

[TheRan]

For the proper bikes they're targeting Japan, USA, and Europe. For the latter they need to take into consideration the license brackets, so anything over 47hp continuous is going to get rid of a significant portion of their customer base (and if they can get a 15hp continuous rating but have peak power closer to that 47hp then they'll open it up to A1 licence holders). In Europe and Japan less powerful and shorter range bikes are more viable than in the US, and of course the lower cost associated with that is always a good thing. Looking at their Japanese site they sort bikes into the cc categories of 125-250, 250-400, and 400+.

[wavelet]

Honda's idea of what makes a "mid-range displacement" motorcycle might be different than ours if they are thinking of the Asian market.

Again, the Motorcycle.com  article says the "mid-range quote" explicitly applied to the "Fun" series of bikes which is for the developed markets (incl. North America & Europe). In those markets, "mid-range" always means 60hp-100hp. Mainstream bike buyers in those markets will not accept a <50HP bike as mid-range.

[wavelet]

For the proper bikes they're targeting Japan, USA, and Europe. For the latter they need to take into consideration the license brackets, so anything over 47hp continuous is going to get rid of a significant portion of their customer base (and if they can get a 15hp continuous rating but have peak power closer to that 47hp then they'll open it up to A1 licence holders). In Europe and Japan less powerful and shorter range bikes are more viable than in the US, and of course the lower cost associated with that is always a good thing. Looking at their Japanese site they sort bikes into the cc categories of 125-250, 250-400, and 400+.

Not an issue.
Many popular midrange bikes can be bought in a reduced-power 47hp A2-friendly version in the EU, UK and other similar tiered markets (Suzuki V-Strom 650, Kawasaki Versys 650, Triumph Tiger 900, BMW F750GS, etc.); nowadays it's just a firmware limit.
There's no reason Honda couldn't offer a reduced version of its BEV bikes as well, that the owner could legally upgrade the firmware of later, after s/he upgrades the license to a full A. Honda already does this for the CB650R, NV750X, CBR650R, X-ADV750, Forza 750 etc.

Once e-motorcycles selling a bit more, I expect the loophole of selling what is essentially a 70hp bike as a 15hp bike to be closed, so the manufacturers will need to offer two variants anyway.

[TheRan]

Honda's idea of what makes a "mid-range displacement" motorcycle might be different than ours if they are thinking of the Asian market.

Again, the Motorcycle.com  article says the "mid-range quote" explicitly applied to the "Fun" series of bikes which is for the developed markets (incl. North America & Europe). In those markets, "mid-range" always means 60hp-100hp. Mainstream bike buyers in those markets will not accept a <50HP bike as mid-range.

It says mid-range displacement, not necessarily middle of the power range. Either way it's a very vague statement so I'm basing my guess off what makes the most sense market wise.

For the proper bikes they're targeting Japan, USA, and Europe. For the latter they need to take into consideration the license brackets, so anything over 47hp continuous is going to get rid of a significant portion of their customer base (and if they can get a 15hp continuous rating but have peak power closer to that 47hp then they'll open it up to A1 licence holders). In Europe and Japan less powerful and shorter range bikes are more viable than in the US, and of course the lower cost associated with that is always a good thing. Looking at their Japanese site they sort bikes into the cc categories of 125-250, 250-400, and 400+.

Not an issue.
Many popular midrange bikes can be bought in a reduced-power 47hp A2-friendly version in the EU, UK and other similar tiered markets (Suzuki V-Strom 650, Kawasaki Versys 650, Triumph Tiger 900, BMW F750GS, etc.); nowadays it's just a firmware limit.
There's no reason Honda couldn't offer a reduced version of its BEV bikes as well, that the owner could legally upgrade the firmware of later, after s/he upgrades the license to a full A. Honda already does this for the CB650R, NV750X, CBR650R, X-ADV750, Forza 750 etc.

Sure they could, but a more powerful electric bike requires more expensive components. You're not going to get 100hp out of an FXE and no one would buy an SR/S restricted to 47hp. The biggest complaint people have with electric bikes is cost, even the range issue is solved for most people with a top of the line Energica but few people have the money for that. If Honda want to have a good entry to the electric market it needs to be something that will sell well.

[Richard230]

Honda announces three new electric city scooters/motorbikes for the Chinese market: https://thepack.news/honda-motor-china-announces-honda-cub-e-dax-e-zoomer-e/

I guess it is a start, but still nothing for you and me. 

[wavelet]

Honda announces three new electric city scooters/motorbikes for the Chinese market: https://thepack.news/honda-motor-china-announces-honda-cub-e-dax-e-zoomer-e/

I guess it is a start, but still nothing for you and me. 

Unfortunately, it's also nothing for the Chinese market, which already has millions of sales of e-mopeds & e-scooters.
Notably, all 3 of these models are of the lowest of the 3 local categories, "EB": Speed is limited to 25 km/h (16mph), and they all have bicycle pedals (!).

[Richard230]

Honda announces three new electric city scooters/motorbikes for the Chinese market: https://thepack.news/honda-motor-china-announces-honda-cub-e-dax-e-zoomer-e/

I guess it is a start, but still nothing for you and me. 

Unfortunately, it's also nothing for the Chinese market, which already has millions of sales of e-mopeds & e-scooters.
Notably, all 3 of these models are of the lowest of the 3 local categories, "EB": Speed is limited to 25 km/h (16mph), and they all have bicycle pedals (!).

So infant steps instead of baby steps? 

[TheRan]

Okay that Dax is pretty bloody cool, I'd totally ride one around town (no helmet, insurance, registration, tax, or licence required). Unfortunately I imagine it will probably be a couple grand at least and a petrol Dax is only £3.7k.