Honda’s patent filings give us a good look at their plans for a very affordable electric motorcycle. This involves using a well-known motorcycle frame with a simple electric motor and battery. It shows how the biggest motorcycle maker will compete in the growing electric motorcycle market.
The patent drawings show a bike based on the popular Honda Shine 100, a best-selling commuter in India. This bike is being redesigned for a more cost-effective future of urban transportation.
According to *Cycle World’s* Ben Purvis, Honda’s patent sketches show a design that uses the sturdy frame and mounting points of the Shine to house an electric motor and a compact battery. Where the engine used to be, a mid-motor drives the rear wheel with a single-speed gear and chain – similar to the original gasoline-powered commuter bike.
Instead of a traditional fuel tank, the design uses two lithium-ion battery packs, angled forward on either side of the frame and fitting into the existing space.
What’s interesting about this bike isn’t just how it’s designed, but the platform it uses. By using the proven Shine chassis, Honda can reduce development costs, manufacturing complexity, and the price of the bike significantly. This is a big deal because markets like India demand simplicity and reliability. Using an existing platform also speeds up the time it takes to get a new product to market.
The design still looks similar to the Shine 100, even for the gas cap-like shape on top of what’s likely a faux fuel tank. Some electric motorcycles have used this area to hide a charging port, keeping the overall look similar to old fuel tanks. It’s not clear if Honda intends to do this.
It’s unclear what power level Honda might be aiming for, but the Shine 100 has a 99cc engine producing about 7.3 horsepower (around 5.5 kW) and a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph). This places it in the commuter category of motorcycles.
The electric motorcycle in Honda’s design would likely not be very powerful, as it would require a large battery. A top speed of around 80-85 km/h (50-53 mph) would seem likely.
There doesn’t appear to be any active cooling, which would also limit the amount of power Honda could continuously use. The patent shows a channel between the battery packs that leads to the speed controller, creating ducted cooling to remove heat from the batteries and electronics without using extra power.
I’m Rohan Mehta, the voice behind KhelRe—a trusted and steadily growing blog dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs) in India. With over five years of experience as a tech and automotive blogger, I turned my frustrations with owning an EV into a mission: to help others make more intelligent choices in this fast-evolving world of electric mobility.
I’ve been an early adopter of EV technology—I repurchased my first electric scooter in 2019. That experience opened my eyes to both the promises and the pitfalls of this new mode of transport. From slow charging times and range anxiety to misleading specs and hidden costs, I’ve faced it all. But instead of walking away, I decided to write about it.
That’s how KhelRe was born—a no-nonsense, hands-on blog where I share practical, real-world reviews of EV cars, bikes, and scooters. I break down features, range, performance, and pricing from a user-first perspective. I take pride in simplifying complex tech into clear, valuable insights—offering tips, ownership stories, and advice you won’t find in flashy press releases or sales brochures.
Whether you’re a first-time EV buyer or just a curious auto enthusiast, my goal is to help you navigate the EV landscape with confidence. My motto: “EV knowledge should come from experience, not just brochures.”
When I’m not test-driving the latest e-scooter or comparing charging networks, you’ll probably find me tinkering with my garage EV setup, chatting with fellow enthusiasts online, or sipping chai while writing my next blog post from a cosy local café.
