Honda not too long ago revealed the WN7, its first full-size electrical bare bike, and in some way it already walked away with an iF Design Gold Award earlier than most individuals have even seen one in particular person.
And that’s as a result of as a substitute of making an attempt to create one thing so excessive and futuristic, Honda determined that the important thing to the WN7’s success could be to make it appear and feel “acquainted.” Not futuristic. Not bizarre. Not making an attempt to reinvent what a bike is. Simply… regular.
And possibly, simply possibly, that’s precisely why it labored.
Take a look at most electric motorcycles and so they both go full spaceship or they fight approach too arduous to fake they nonetheless have an engine. Pretend tanks, pretend intakes, bizarre proportions that don’t fairly add up. The WN7 sidesteps all of that by doing one thing deceptively easy. It builds the whole lot across the battery and simply lets the bike exist as a bike.
Picture by: Honda
That battery isn’t hidden or hid. In truth, it’s the core of the design and even a part of the construction. You’ll be able to truly learn how the bike is put collectively simply by taking a look at it, which is one thing designers obsess over however most individuals don’t consciously discover. It’s clear, sincere, and weirdly refreshing in an area that’s normally filled with overthinking and over-engineering.
And but, regardless of all that, it nonetheless appears to be like like a correct bare bike. The stance is correct, and the proportions look fairly good. It has that acquainted streetfighter silhouette that tells you precisely what it’s earlier than you even course of the main points, kinda like a future-forward iteration of the Honda CB1000 Hornet. And I feel that steadiness between old-school bike DNA and new-school EV packaging is what doubtless bought the judges’ consideration.
Efficiency-wise, it’s not taking part in round both. You’re taking a look at roughly 67 horsepower and about 74 pound-feet of torque, which places it proper in that middleweight candy spot. Consider it like a 600-class bare, simply with on the spot torque and not one of the traditional engine drama. It’s constructed extra for real-world using than spec-sheet flexing, which actually tracks with the entire vibe of the bike.
Charging is dealt with by way of CCS, so that you’re not caught in some proprietary ecosystem. Honda says you possibly can go from 20 to 80 % in round half-hour, which makes it viable for precise day-to-day use as a substitute of simply brief commutes weekend espresso runs. That alone tells you this isn’t only a idea sporting a manufacturing costume. It’s a completed product that’s nearly able to hit the street.
And that’s the humorous half. It’s not even out but, and it already received an award. No, you possibly can’t simply stroll right into a Honda dealership and journey one house at this time, however the bike itself is mainly performed. It debuted at EICMA as a completely realized manufacturing mannequin, and deliveries are anticipated to roll out quickly. On this planet of design awards, that’s greater than sufficient. This stuff aren’t judging gross sales numbers or long-term reliability. They’re judging intent and execution. Whether or not it is a sensible, forward-thinking piece of design.
Picture by: Honda
What Honda did right here is ready a template. Not only for itself, however for everybody else making an attempt to determine what an electrical bike ought to be. As a substitute of forcing some radical new identification, it simply requested a easy query: What if an electrical bike simply felt like a motorbike? That may sound just like the naked minimal, however proper now, it isn’t.
After all, that is nonetheless a little bit of a paper win. Awards are one factor. Actual riders with actual cash are one other. Pricing, vary, and the way it truly rides at freeway speeds and out on the twisties will matter exponentially greater than any trophy as soon as this factor lands in showrooms.
However as a press release of course, that is in all probability one of many clearest we’ve seen from a significant OEM. We’ll simply have to attend and see when the completed product is prepared for us to strive.
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