Honda’s electric trial bike for competitions, “RTL ELECTRIC
RTL ELECTRIC regards the Montesa COTA 4RT, which has contributed to Toni Bou’s 18 consecutive victories in the Trial World Championship, as the pinnacle of trial bikes, which require balance and maneuverability under extreme conditions while being both lightweight and strong, and is currently developing an electric trial bike that surpasses it.
Regarding the power unit, the battery used in the electric motocross bike “CR ELECTRIC PROTO” has been optimized for trials. The motor uses an integrated inverter unit. The aim is to achieve high output performance with an eye toward future participation in the Trial World Championship. The bike is also equipped with the clutch, flywheel, and transmission that are essential for trials.
The frame is newly developed based on the aluminum twin tube that has proven itself in Honda’s RTL series of competition trial bikes. It has been designed with optimal rigidity to achieve both stable handling and lightweight design. The swingarm, like the frame, has also been newly developed based on the RTL series, contributing to the weight reduction of the vehicle body. Furthermore, by optimizing the positioning of the EV components, the center of gravity is positioned optimally for trials, aiming for maneuverability that allows the rider to control the bike more flexibly.
Honda is working on the electrification of motorcycles as a central part of its future environmental strategy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality through all products and corporate activities in which Honda is involved by 2050, and for all motorcycle products in the 2040s. In motorsports as well, Honda made a spot appearance in the All Japan Motocross Championship (JMX) last year with the CR ELECTRIC PROTO, and from this season has also been participating in the FIM *2 E-Xplorer World Cup, a global competition for electric off-road motorcycles. By taking on the challenge of racing with an electric motorcycle in trials, Honda will further strengthen its technology.
*2 FIM is the abbreviation for Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation).
Features of Honda RTL ELECTRIC
- Development concept: Aiming to create an electric trials bike that surpasses the “Montesa COTA 4RT”
- Power unit related
Battery: Utilizes the know-how of “CR ELECTRIC PROTO” to support high output
Motor: Uses an integrated inverter unit to support high output and high rotation
Clutch: Equipped with clutch, flywheel, and transmission - Body-related
frame: Optimized rigidity design to achieve both handling stability and weight reduction.
Swing arm: Like the frame, new development achieves weight reduction under the springs.
Layout: Ideal center of gravity position set by optimizing the placement of EV components.
Main performance specifications of the Honda RTL ELECTRIC
Length x width x height (mm): 2,010 x 830 x 1,130
Wheelbase (mm): 1,320
Ground clearance (mm): 335
Vehicle weight (kg): Not disclosed
Engine type/type AC synchronous motor
Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
Battery capacity: Not disclosed
Clutch type: Hydraulic wet multi-plate
transmission type: Constant mesh
Tires: Front… Michelin COMP, rear… Michelin COMP X11
Brake type: Front… Ø183.5 4-pot, rear… Ø150 2-pot
Suspension type: Front… Telescopic, rear… Swing arm
Frame type: Aluminum twin tube
