New Honda Motra patents reveal petrol and battery-powered variants
Honda patents reveal a new Motra-style motorcycle with a petrol engine or electric drive, a tubular steel frame and chunky tyres.
Honda seems to be exploring the idea of reviving one of its more oddball models from the 1980s, as patents show new petrol and electric versions of the Motra.
If Tonka had ever turned its hand to making motorcycles, the Motra is probably what it would have come up with. Originally released in Japan in 1982, it was designed as a recreational machine with the kind of go-anywhere appeal of a two-wheeled Jeep.
It featured a three-speed gearbox, similar to the Honda C90, paired with an additional two-speed range selector offering high and low ratios, much like an old Land Rover.
Despite its chunky, toy-like appearance, it tipped the scales at just 76kg. Production ended after 1983, making the original Motra a relatively rare sight today.
The new patent drawings show a design that retains the original's utilitarian approach while allowing for two different powertrains.
The central feature is a tubular steel frame designed to accommodate either a petrol engine and gearbox or an electric drive system. Removable mounting points allow the two configurations to use the same basic chassis, according to the patents.
In the petrol-powered version, the drawings show a single-cylinder engine and transmission arrangement based on the units used in Honda's C125 Super Cub, Monkey and MSX125/Grom models. These motorcycles use air-cooled, four-stroke engines with a capacity of 125cc.
The patents do not confirm the final engine specification, power output or gearing for the proposed Motra, so it remains unclear which components would be used in a production version.
The electric variant uses a different arrangement, with a battery pack occupying the space taken up by the combustion engine in the petrol model. It also features a swingarm with an integrated electric motor, rather than the conventional swingarm shown on the petrol-powered design.
The patent drawings do not disclose the battery's capacity, the electric motor's power output or the range available from a charge. They also provide no confirmed charging specifications. Each of those remains to be seen.
Both versions retain the compact, boxy design associated with the original Motra, including chunky tyres and luggage racks at the front and rear. The racks are positioned to provide carrying space, while the exposed tubular frame forms the basis of the motorcycle's structure.
Honda has not officially announced a new Motra, and the patent documents do not confirm whether either version will reach production. They do, though, at least prove Honda is looking, or has looked, at the idea. Which is exciting enough in itself!
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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!
