curved electric motorcycle ‘outlier’ comes with hooded front panel and bucket-style seat

Honda reveals electric motorcycle EV Outlier Concept

During Japan Mobility Show 2025, Honda presents its EV Outlier Concept, an electric motorcycle with a sloping front panel and a bucket-style seat. Instead of the typical short or frontless face, the concept two-wheeler puts an umbrella at the front, a semi-translucent hooded panel, which makes the body look flowy. This theme continues through the seat, and if viewers look closely, the seating and the engine panel are merged into one, as the designer only places bucket-style backrests to complete the setup.

The project is part of Honda’s entry into the electric motorcycle market, led by designer Yuya Tsutsumi, who worked on the idea, the structure, and the production model. The EV Outlier Concept follows the earlier Honda electric models called the EV Fun Concept and EV Urban Concept, which were announced and shown at the international motorcycle exhibition EICMA in 2024.

all images courtesy of Honda, unless stated otherwise

Low-height seat to make the rider closer to the ground

The design of the EV Outlier Concept follows a Honda design theme called Precision of Intrinsic Design, which focuses on making the shape of the electric motorcycle match its function. In this case, the battery is placed in the center black section of the frame while other electronic components are kept separate. This design gives a clear layout and shows how each part works. The vehicle has in-wheel motors on both front and rear wheels so the motors are built directly inside the wheels instead of being in the center, giving more control to the rider and using the power of the motors directly on the road.

The frame and body use a mix of lightweight metal and plastic materials. Then, the horizontal suspension is placed under the main body to allow a lower seat height and change how the rider feels when sitting on the bike. The front area has added volume to highlight the low seating position, and the body panels use smoked transparent material that reveals the inside parts. If viewers take a closer look, the seat height is lower than on normal Honda motorcycles because the designer wants the rider to be close to the ground when riding the electric motorcycle EV Outlier Concept, changing their overall view and control. 

the rear light is attached to the backrest of the seat

Side mirrors replaced by cameras in the concept two-wheeler

The steering area includes a thin, wide digital meter, and the mirrors are replaced by cameras. The display shows riding information, with two separate screens: the upper display shows regular driving data, while the lower display shows motor power, front and rear torque balance, and riding modes. The rider can switch between driving modes. When doing so, the sub-display shows how the motors change power in real time. 

The design team used trial models to test proportions because electric motorcycles have different internal parts and old design rules for gas bikes couldn’t apply. The wheelbase, seat height, and overall size were tested repeatedly to find the right balance. For the electric motorcycle EV Outlier Concept, the Honda team uses modular components for the body to make the vehicle flexible for future development or maintenance. While the company plans to expand its electric motorcycle lineup, the EV Outlier Concept is not (yet) a production model but a test for future designs. 

there’s a singular frame connecting the front and the seat

the hooded panel at the front gives Honda’s concept electric motorcycle a flowing look

side view of the vehicle

the company reveals the vehicle at Japan Mobility Show 2025 | image © designboom

image © designboom

view of the bucket-style backrest

detailed view of the hooded panel at the front

designer Yuya Tsutsumi leads the Honda team for the creation of the concept model

so far, the EV Outlier Concept is not (yet) a production model | image © designboom

project info:

name: EV Outlier Concept

company: Honda | @honda

event: Japan Mobility Show 2025 | @jama_jpn

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