HRC-backed Honda CR Electric Proto motocross racer leads international off-road race series

Honda are competing in this year’s E-Explorer FIM World Cup, fielding a battery powered factory motocrosser called the CR Electric Proto.

The bike is being ridden in an official two-rider Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) squad, with the next round of the championship taking place in Oslo, Norway on Saturday, May 4.

The international series is open solely to electric competition, with teams made up of one male and one female rider. Fellow bikes competing include Caofen FX, and Stark Varg – with brands such as Sur-Ron also in the mix.  

Although details are extremely limited, the bike currently leads the series – having made its competitive debut last October in Saitama, Japan.

“By taking on the challenge of a new electric motorcycle racing series, HRC will hone its technology in a real-world setting, accumulate know-how and knowledge, and further accelerate development of human resources. We hope you will look forward to Honda’s efforts,” HRC President Koji Watanabe said.

What we do know though is that it uses a water cooled electric motor, housed within an aluminium twin tube chassis. This is suspended by Showa springs at both ends, with a set of USD forks up front, complete with a 310mm stroke. You’ll find a further 310mm in the rear shock, too.

Being a race bike, we won’t get horsepower or torque figures, however Honda have confirmed an 21in front and 18in spoked rear wheel shod with Dunlop tyres. Up front, braking is also catered for by a single 300mm disc and twin piston caliper.

Honda have been toying with the idea of an electric off-roader for a number of years, previously revealing a CR-E MX concept bike at the 2019 Tokyo Motorcycle Show.

Whether the technology will eventually filter down to a production bike remains to be seen, however Honda have previously committed to 10 electric bikes by 2025 as well as carbon neutrality in all motorcycle products in the 2040s.