Honda’s Futuristic, Anime-Esque Motorcycle Is Actually an Unexpected Callback to the ’80s
Behind the design
Following last year’s EV Fun Concept led by motorcycle and power products modeler Yuya Tsutsumi, the Outlier seeks to demonstrate Honda’s wide-open vision for electric motorcycles, allegiant not to any gas bike heritage but only the brand’s EV theme — “Precision of Intrinsic Design.”
“We aimed to realize ‘electric-specific value’ distinct from existing motorcycles and a new riding experience,” says Tsutsumi. “To achieve this, we established three elements: Gliding, Ecstasy and Low.”
Without getting too hippy-trippy, the first quality is evident in the bike’s smooth, quiet power, intended to evoke a feeling of, you know, gliding rather than riding, which you can experience second-hand in this goosebump-inducing promo video.
Ecstasy, meanwhile, emerges from the over-the-top torque only an electric drive can produce, with this one boasting front and rear in-wheel motors, transmitting energy directly into the road as the rider and the machine become one.
