MILAN, Italy, November 3, 2026 - Honda unveiled its first high-end electric-assist mountain bike (e-MTB), the Honda RN0, at EICMA 2026 (Milan Motorcycle Show; Press days: November 3–4; Public days: November 5–8) in Milan, Italy.

Developed jointly with ROTWILD, a German manufacturer of high-end e-MTBs, the Honda RN0 combines Honda’s extensive motorcycle development expertise with the latest e-MTB technologies, which continue to evolve, particularly in Europe.

Weighing approximately 24kg, the lightweight Honda RN0 features a proprietary carbon monocoque frame and gull-arm swingarm. By combining a highly stable frame with an electronically controlled electric-assist drive unit, the Honda RN0 delivers the fun of riding expected of a next-generation e-MTB. It also combines high pedaling efficiency with excellent terrain-following performance, delivering outstanding riding performance across a wide range of conditions, from technical trails to long-distance rides.

The concept behind the Honda RN0 is “New Terrain, Same Dream.”

“New Terrain” ^*1 represents Honda’s first venture into the premium e-MTB market and its entry into a new field.

“Same Dream” expresses Honda’s enduring commitment to expanding people’s possibilities and delivering the joy of riding, the spirit of exploration, and the excitement of taking on new challenges, regardless of changes in product categories or the environments in which its products are used.

Honda began researching and developing mountain bikes in the 2000s, and in 2005, its RN01 won the overall series championship in the UCI^*2 Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup.

Although Honda did not subsequently introduce another mountain bike to the market, the passion for mountain biking, which was developed through its research and development activities, has been passed down.
The Honda RN0 carries this legacy forward into a new model. Its name embodies two ideas: “Ride Natural,” expressing a sense of connection with nature, and “Reach New Peaks,” representing the pursuit of new heights.

The Honda RN0’s most distinctive features are its proprietary carbon monocoque frame and gull-arm swingarm. An efficient structural layout extending from the head tube to the rear axle delivers high rigidity and excellent feedback from the riding surface. This allows riders to intuitively understand terrain conditions and enjoy outstanding stability and control across a variety of surfaces.

The combination of the carbon monocoque frame and gull-arm swingarm provides the high rigidity characteristic of motorcycle chassis design, delivering exceptional straight-line stability. At the same time, carefully engineered flexibility allows the frame to deform slightly, improving tire contact with the ground during cornering.

The Honda RN0 is available in three frame sizes—S, M, and L—to accommodate riders of different builds. The geometry of each size incorporates ROTWILD’s extensive mountain bike development expertise and is optimized for the wide range of riding conditions encountered in all-mountain riding, from steep climbs to descents.

The rear suspension uses a single-pivot swingarm with a linkage system. This configuration minimizes unwanted suspension movement during pedaling while allowing the suspension to respond smoothly to impacts from the terrain, achieving an effective balance between pedaling efficiency and shock absorption.

The frame features a two-tone color scheme combining Pearl Moon Ash Gray and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic. The premium finish gives the Honda RN0 a distinctive presence, even against the backdrop of natural outdoor environments.

The Honda RN0 is equipped with industry-leading components.

The front suspension features a FOX 36 FLOAT Factory Kashima fork with 160mm of travel, while the rear suspension uses a FOX FLOAT X Factory Kashima shock.

The front and rear wheels are DT Swiss H1900 SPLINE units designed specifically for e-MTBs. A mullet configuration^*3, combining a 29-inch front wheel with a 27.5-inch rear wheel, delivers an outstanding balance of stability and agility.

Schwalbe Albert EVO Trail tires and SHIMANO DEORE XT four-piston disc brakes provide excellent grip and braking performance across a wide range of terrain conditions.

The Honda RN0 features a new SHIMANO drive unit. Despite weighing just 2.3kg, the lightweight unit delivers a maximum torque of 100Nm and maximum output of 750W, supported by a 720Wh battery. It provides powerful assistance across a broad range of riding conditions, from steep climbs to high-speed trails.

The AUTO ASSIST function automatically adjusts the level of assistance according to the gradient of the terrain and the rider’s pedaling effort.

The AUTO SHIFT function automatically changes gears to maintain an optimal cadence,^*4 allowing riders to concentrate on the trail ahead.

In addition, the Assist Carryover function smoothly maintains drive power for a short period after the rider stops pedaling, helping the motorcycle maintain momentum when negotiating obstacles and other challenging terrain.

A 2.2-inch full-color display is integrated into the top tube, providing clear information on speed, remaining range, assist mode, and other riding data. The system also supports device charging through a USB-C port. Integration with the SHIMANO app allows riders to customize the SHIMANO drive unit’s settings and lock or unlock the bike’s electronic systems.

Since its founding, Honda has supported people’s mobility and their pursuit of new challenges through a wide range of products and technologies, including the Honda A-Type, which combined a bicycle with an auxiliary engine, the Honda Racoon series of electric-assist bicycles, and the RN01 mountain bike developed exclusively for downhill racing.

The Honda RN0 represents a new challenge that builds on this history.

Honda aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all products and corporate activities in which it is involved by 2050 and is advancing electrification in its motorcycle business. Going forward, Honda will continue to deliver the joy and freedom of mobility to more people through products that meet increasingly diverse customer needs, while contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

*1      “Terrain” refers to a field or area of activity.

*2      UCI: Union Cycliste Internationale (International Cycling Union).

*3      A bicycle configuration that uses different wheel sizes at the front and rear.

*4      The number of pedal revolutions per minute.