Yuichi Yokoyama

Redesigning motorcycles unbounded by existing mindsets

Mr. Yokoyama, as a designer, what kind of projects have you been in charge of so far?

Yokoyama
I have been designing mainly concept models. These are models meant for unveiling at mobility shows and such. I was in charge of the three-wheeled sport hybrid vehicle NEOWING unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show in 2015 , among others. I also designed mass production models such as the Dax 125 launched in 2022.

Yuichi Yokoyama
EV Fun Concept

How do you go about designing motorcycles?

Yokoyama
We define the applications, use environment, and such that are required of that model, then determine the specifications so as to meet the necessary functions and performance. It is a task of putting the functional components, such as batteries and motors, into a single motorcycle while working on the layout.

Honda has positioned 2024 as the first year for the global launch of its electric motorcycles and has begun full-scale entry into the electric motorcycle market.

Yokoyama
That's right. As such, those of us in the design department are also studying a new direction for the designing of electric motorcycles. Among the various directions being considered, we designed the two models this time as an embodiment of one such direction.

Specifically, what design direction are you referring to?

Yokoyama
The design theme is "Precision of Intrinsic Design." The goal is to achieve an intrinsic design born from being precise in functions.

At the same time, other than the product perspective, we are also seeking designs that resonate and cooperate with people and society. Honda seeks to reduce environmental impact and fatal traffic accidents , so how should future motorcycles coexist with people and society? We are exploring quiet and smooth rides unique to electric motorcycles, evolution of production technologies and materials toward reduction of environmental impact, advancement of connected technologies that collaborate with urban areas through Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) , the ideal electric motorcycle for society, and new world views that can be achieved because of electric motorcycles.

To also coexist with internal combustion engines (ICE), it was necessary to redesign electric motorcycles from a totally new perspective without being bounded by existing categories and concepts while keeping in mind the differences between them, such as having engines or batteries.

EV Fun Concept

Urban model designed for use in urban areas of the future

Let's start with the EV Urban Concept, how did you go about designing it?

Yokoyama
We put aside the traditional ICE approach and designed from scratch, including the locations of the battery and motor. First, based on assumptions such as the environments in which the motorcycle will be used, we defined various conditions, such as the rough size of the battery and whether it would be capable of storing a helmet. Then, designers brainstormed ideas under the theme of "Precision of Intrinsic Design" and created the styling.

The most prominent feature of the design, which is obvious with one look, is the shape of the body that is centered on horizontal lines.

EV Fun Concept
EV Fun Concept

The new design direction we seek is not founded on creating designs with futuristic styling that totally ignores the incorporated functions, components, and materials and has nothing to do with functional components. To be precise in functions to express the intrinsic, it was necessary to exploit the shapes, such as the large battery, using horizontal lines and elevate them into styling.

At the same time, a composition using horizontal lines alone will not be able to express the dynamism and smooth riding of a moving motorcycle. Therefore, to the trapezoid proportion that took into account the front and rear wheels, we added lines giving a sense of momentum to the various parts to create a dynamic stance as a moving body that is different from products such as household appliances.

In addition, the contrast between the precise body shape and the long wheelbase and thick tires achieves a confident appearance offering a sense of ownership while ensuring mobility in urban areas. This approach is different from existing commuter models.

It gives a feeling of being unprecedented and has the aura of a near-future vehicle.

Yokoyama
In fact, we sought to create an impression of it being used in urban areas of the near future. Using the excellent torque found in electric motorcycles, it will whiz through the streets. At the same time, we also had in mind a personality with two aspects, where it can also be used for laid-back cruising, ridden in a relaxed manner with legs stretched.

EV Fun Concept

Did you face any difficulties?

Yokoyama
Designing from scratch is the biggest difference with our previous approaches. For ICE models, there are standard practices in planning and design, such as how the engine should be and beautifully expressing the flow from air intake to exhaust. However, we are in the early days of electric motorcycles, and manufacturers are trying out different things with no standard established yet.

There is the huge advantage in riding, turning, and stopping performance nurtured by Honda through many years of developing motorcycles. How do we retain the functions and elements needed to achieve this performance while exhibiting novelty as an electric motorcycle without being bounded by existing methods of expression? This trial-and-error was the biggest difficulty faced in design.

The horizontal signature light is also very iconic.

Yokoyama
With this characteristic signature light, placed horizontally in a line, people should be able to immediately recognize that it is the EV Urban Concept when it approaches from a distance away. The EV Fun Concept also adopts a horizontal signature light to give a common identity as Honda's electric motorcycles.

In addition, for the handlebar switches and meters, we seek to achieve a human machine interface (HMI) that can be operated intuitively. We sought to make instantaneous recognition and intuitive operation possible through optimization of the handlebar switches, a graphical user interface (GUI) that is simple and easy to see, and other design features for a riding environment that allows the rider to focus on riding even more than before. We are trying to create new value from various perspective beyond just styling.

EV Fun Concept

Fun model that achieves emotional rides unique to electric motorcycles

Next, we have the EV Fun Concept, which is the fun model. It is Honda's first electric sports motorcycle, and it seems there are quite high expectations. Please tell us more about the design.

Yokoyama
Similar to the EV Urban Concept, the EV Fun Concept is based broadly on being precise in functions to express the intrinsic. Besides the riding, turning, and stopping performance honed through ICE models, to express the overwhelming acceleration unique to electric motorcycles and its quiet and nimble riding, we sought to create a slim and seamless design. Instead of adding pieces to create the design, it was more like carving a block to reveal the design. We seek to create a category-less model with an image that is something between a naked and a motard design.

EV Fun Concept

What are the key points of the design?

Yokoyama
A major characteristic of electric motorcycles is the lack of a fuel tank. This time, we created a new silhouette by carving away the part which would have been the fuel tank.

The market has many electric motorcycles with designs where the engine was simply replaced with batteries and motors. While such models are easy to get used to due to designs that are familiar to many people, I think they do not express intrinsically the functional components unique to electric motorcycles.

For the EV Fun Concept, we made the body—which is expected to come into contact with people—seamless with a glossy surface. In contrast to the body with its seamless surface, the battery, pivot plats, steps, wheels, and other structural parts were given the same mechanical look as in ICE models.

This combination is part of the way we express the novelty of the EV Fun Concept and the enthusiast sense necessary as a fun model.

EV Fun Concept

Without a muffler, were there any difficulties in giving shape to a balance that is different from conventional ICE models?

Yokoyama
As you can see, the EV Fun Concept is constrained by its large, squarish battery from the perspective of cruising distance. Of course, we thought about a design where the battery is covered, but based on the theme of being precise, we left the battery exposed and also incorporated horizontal shapes into the body to elevate it into a functional and lean styling unique to electric motorcycles.

EV Fun Concept

Was there anything that was used as a reference?

Yokoyama
Not at all. While we did look at various electric motorcycles for comparison, as we were creating something unprecedented, we wanted to be as far away from existing motorcycles as possible.

At the same time, a design that uses many gimmicks and pursues superficial novelty is not the direction that we seek. Today, among the various electric motorcycle designs available, as Honda, we focused on expressing novelty that is not an extension of current models while creating a design that properly captures its enthusiast sense and functional beauty as a motorcycle.

Yuichi Yokoyama

As Honda's first electric sports motorcycle, there must have been excitement and pressure.

Yokoyama
Designing something new is to keep drawing a picture when the goal cannot be seen. Honestly, there were agonizing times. However, when drawing the picture, I designed something that I wanted to ride and own without thinking too deeply. As a result, I think we arrived at a design that many people would want to ride, and I take pride in that.

In these early days of electric motorcycles with no correct answer, the model this time is one solution offered by Honda. Various models will appear in the future, and their shapes will also change as technology and performance evolve. While it was difficult to create a totally new design being unveiled to the world as our first step, it was also a truly good experience. I hope it allows customers around the world to feel Honda's commitment toward electric motorcycles.

Who do you hope will ride this motorcycle?

Yokoyama
We had in mind active, future-oriented customers seeking new discoveries and experiences. We designed this model with an image of such people whizzing through urban streets and winding roads. It has an automatic transmission and is easy to straddle as it is slim. I think the threshold is not high even for people who want to try riding a motorcycle for the first time. Of course, I also hope it will be ridden by riders of existing fun models. The acceleration and quietness, totally different from ICE models and much like warping into a different dimension, should offer unprecedented surprise and excitement. I hope people will give this experience a try.

Profiles

Yuichi Yokoyama

Yuichi Yokoyama

Motorcycle and Power Products
Product Designer