Honda will be revealing its Koraidon motorcycle at Suzuka
The Koraidon Pokémon bike features self-balancing technology, and Honda will be revealing it to the world at the Suzuka 8 Hour.
The Suzuka 8 Hours is no stranger to drama, speed and endurance—but this year, it’s getting a healthy dose of fantasy too. That’s because Honda is bringing its Pokémon-themed Koraidon motorcycle along for some on-track demo runs. Yes, really.
While details of the demo are thin on the ground, Honda’s calling it a “fully working machine”, so we’re expecting more than just a static photo op. The smart money is on a suitably kitted-out rider hopping aboard and taking Koraidon for a spin up and down the start finish straight - whether it’ll demonstrate the more magical powers from the Pokémon universe (gliding, for example) remains to be seen. Still, this is the Suzuka 8 Hours. If there’s anywhere a motorbike is going to start doing things it shouldn’t, it’s here.
If you’re not up on your Pokémon lore, Koraidon is what’s known as a “Paradox Pokémon”, first introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It’s a fighting/dragon-type beast, standing 2.5 metres tall and weighing 303kg, and in the game, it evolves various powers to aid your journey, like running on all fours, standing upright, and even gliding through the sky.
Now, obviously, sky-gliding at Suzuka might be pushing the limits of race day safety, but some of the other skills could be within reach. The bike is said to feature Honda’s self-balancing tech, allowing it to stand upright without help, and the front ‘face’ is apparently capable of changing expression depending on speed. Think animated eyebrows and digital gurning, perfect for fans of both anime and apexes.
Underneath the animated plastic and cartoon tie-in is some seriously clever tech. Honda is reportedly using a version of its Riding Assist system, which first broke cover back in 2017 at CES. Originally fitted to a modified NC750X, the system can independently steer and move the bike to maintain its balance with no rider needed. It can even ‘follow’ someone around like an obedient pet.
That system made headlines back in the day for its eerie ability to keep a bike upright while stationary. Now, it’s evolved, just like its Pokémon counterpart, and lives inside a creation that could genuinely engage a new generation of fans, and future riders.
Before its Suzuka debut, the Koraidon motorcycle had been living at the Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, drawing crowds and raising eyebrows in equal measure. Now, it’s time for the machine to stretch its legs on one of the world’s most famous circuits.
Whether you’re a Pokémon fan, a Honda tech geek, or just someone who enjoys watching fantasy and function collide at 150mph, this should be one of the more memorable sideshows of the Suzuka 8 Hours.
More details, and likely some glorious footage, will emerge as we get closer to the event. The Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race takes place between August 1 to 3 - the demo runs will take place on August 3 at between 11:00 and 11:10.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
