Honda is making waves in the E-Explorer FIM World Cup this year with their entry, the CR Electric Proto, a battery-powered factory motocrosser. Competing in the electric-only series with a two-rider Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) squad, the CR Electric Proto is set to race in the upcoming round of the championship in Oslo, Norway.
Exclusive to electric competition, the series features teams consisting of one male and one female rider, with notable competitors like Caofen FX and Stark Varg alongside brands like Sur-Ron.
The CR Electric Proto has already made a significant impact in the series, currently leading after its competitive debut last October in Saitama, Japan. HRC President Koji Watanabe expressed the importance of Honda’s participation in this new electric motorcycle racing series, emphasizing the opportunity to refine technology, accumulate knowledge, and foster talent.
While specific details about the CR Electric Proto are scarce, it features a water-cooled electric motor housed within an aluminum twin-tube chassis. Suspension duties are handled by Showa springs at both ends, with USD forks up front and a rear shock with ample stroke.
Although horsepower and torque figures are undisclosed, Honda has confirmed the presence of 21-inch front and 18-inch spoked rear wheels fitted with Dunlop tires. Braking is addressed by a single 300mm disc and twin-piston caliper up front.
Honda has been exploring the concept of an electric off-roader for some time, previously unveiling the CR-E MX concept bike at the 2019 Tokyo Motorcycle Show. While the transition of this technology to production remains uncertain, Honda has committed to introducing 10 electric bikes by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality in all motorcycle products by the 2040s.
