Honda’s WN7: Finally, Big Red Steps In — But Is It Enough?
- Buck City Biker
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
After years of watching nimble start-ups, innovative players, and second-tier brands push electric motorcycles forward, Honda has officially thrown its hat into the ring with the WN7, their first full-size electric naked motorcycle. It’s refreshing to see the company finally move beyond concepts and assert itself in the EV moto game. But while the WN7 has some solid strengths, there are also glaring caveats that might make serious riders pause before throwing their gloves off and grabbing their wallets.
A Bit of Background
Honda has long been a powerhouse in internal combustion motorcycle engineering—street, racing, dual-sport, commuter—you name it. Their early electric efforts have focused on scooters (like the EM1 e: and Benly e:). These light mobility products didn't offer anything new or especially innovative except for the fact that they were electric, which nowadays isn't game changing. The WN7 marks a more serious step: a “Fun” class, full-size EV aimed at riders who expect more than just transport.
We first scoped the WN7 in concept form at EICMA 2024, known then as the EV Fun Concept, showing futuristic naked EV styling and a full-sized build that looked ready to roll. But it wasn't, and they didn't pull it off the paddock stand. It was a showpiece that teased us about what they had coming, and we've been waiting patiently since then.
What’s New — And What’s Exactly The Same
In September 2025, Honda released camouflaged images/videos of what appeared to be a production-ready WN7, and speculation was high: Why camouflage when we saw the concept last year? Had things moved dramatically in a new direction since then? Well, here's the spoiler: when Honda officially dropped the WN7, it looked nearly identical to the 2024 concept—same silhouette, same basic lines, same style. The only obvious change is a fairing color tweak on the rear end. Those expecting a radical redesign might feel a little teased.
It's fair to say it’s bulky in places—especially around the battery housing and underbelly—but with modern touches that look solid and very well-built. Some have likened its look to a desktop computer on wheels. We wouldn't go that far but it definitely doesn’t echo past Hondas, maybe that’s intentional. In the EV world, you can get away with looking futuristic, even if that means breaking from your brand’s heritage mould.
The Good Stuff
Honda hasn’t held back on some specs and features. Here’s what appears solid:
Range: Claimed over 130 km (~83 miles) per charge under Honda’s test conditions.
Charging: CCS2 fast charging from 20-80% in ~30 minutes, and under 3 hours for full charge using a standard home (6 kVA) outlet.
Power / Torque: Higher-spec model is quoted at 50 kW, peak torque of 100 Nm. Honda claims performance rivalling 600cc ICE bikes in output and 1000cc ICE bikes in torque.
Weight: Kerb weight ~ 217 kg (478Lb)
Display & Tech: 5-inch TFT, LED lighting, connectivity via Honda RoadSync app.
Licence Variants: Two versions planned — one for A2 licence holders (higher output) and one for A1 licence holders (lower output).
Price: UK price is £12,999 OTR. USA price $17,700. Reservations open; deliveries early 2026.
The Problems (Because There Always Are)
Here are the warts, as of now:
Range isn’t dramatic: Honda claims around 130 km on a full charge. That’s perfectly fine if your life is mostly commuting, city riding, or the odd backroad loop. But compared to what’s already on the market, it’s hardly ambitious. India’s Ultraviolette F77 promises over 300 km, the Ola Roadster Pro boasts a staggering 579 km, and the Orxa Mantis is sitting comfortably in the 200+ km zone. These numbers will dip under real-world conditions, especially on motorways, but they’re still a big leap beyond Honda’s first effort.
In fact, the WN7’s range is more in line with the BMW CE-04 scooter, which also clocks in around the 130 km mark. The difference? The CE-04 leans into being an urban machine—it’s unapologetically a city commuter with storage, comfort, and styling that make sense for that role. The WN7, on the other hand, is being positioned as a “fun class” naked bike. Riders will expect it to hold up longer.
An upside to limited range?: Fast charging seems to be Honda's solution to all of the above. With 20-80% in 30 minutes, they're gambling that a short pit-stop will relieve any worries about longer hauls and extended ride-outs. But if we do the math, you're losing 40% of usable battery by charging at 20% for 30 minutes. That only leaves 78 km (48 miles) of usable range before needing to stop. People aren't happy.
Price vs value: £12,999 (≈ US $17,700 as reported) is average for a performance commuter. It's steep compared to ICE bikes, but the e-moto world is getting used to that. For that kind of money riders will expect either exceptional range and power, or very strong features. So far, Honda is promising mid-600cc performance but hasn’t released all the numbers or real-world testing.
Missing details: Top speed, battery capacity (in kWh) aren't clearly stated. Conditions for range (city, mixed, highway) not fully transparent. Also, riding modes, suspension specs, braking components, handling at speed—all mostly unknown. Without those, it’s hard to know how well it will behave especially above city speed limits.
Weight: 217 kg (478Lb) is on the heavy side for it's class, and fairly hefty for a naked. It stacks on the mass and handling or agility may suffer unless well-engineered.
Pre-orders before full details: Yes, they're taking pre orders, even before we know what we're buying, clearly for some, that really doesn't matter, which is a good thing and shows Honda's leverage in the sector. They'll be showcasing the WN7 at EICMA 2025, and we'll be there to get the full lowdown.
Verdict
The WN7 clearly isn’t perfect. But if you’re a fan of Honda reliability, brand support, and want an EV naked bike that feels familiar (but looks new), this is a huge step. It shows Honda really sees electrification as central—not just a side project. For many riders, the WN7 could hit the sweet spot: enough performance, futuristic style and tech, with fast charging and a strong brand name.
However, for enthusiasts used to higher range, those who ride long distances, or want swappable battery flexibility, the WN7 might feel like a compromise. It’s more “first serious EV from Honda” than “EV game-changer,” at least until the unannounced specs and real-world reviews arrive.
Ride safe, folks
