Honda patent suggest it’s working on an electric Fireblade

Documents have surfaced online suggesting a new Honda could be in the works, with patents seemingly hinting at an electric Fireblade.

Patents were recently filed with JPO for the arrival of a new CB1000R E-Clutch model, which could potentially lead to the CB1000 Hornet getting the same treatment in the future. Then, more patents surfaced regarding a small-capacity electric bike, based on the Honda Shine that’s available in India.

But if these most recent documents are indeed true, then this could be the biggest of the lot as an electric Fireblade would give Honda somewhat of a groundbreaking presence in the electric superbike segment.

Where this gets particularly interesting is that Honda once backed the Mugen Shinden race project at the Isle of Man, as part of the TT Zero category. The Japanese brand was victorious six years in a row from 2014 until the class was discontinued in 2019.

And based on these patents there are similarities between the construction of the Mugen Shinden bike and the electric Fireblade in question.

The most obvious similarity between the two is the motor and transmission, both of which are positioned very far back. The last incarnation of the Mugen Shinden adopted a similar look, which creates more space in the chassis for batteries and electronics. It also allows for a longer swingarm and shorter wheelbase.

But in true Honda style, the new patent shows a more developed idea of this, and in doing so presents an image of the motor, swingarm and rear suspension all fitting together in a single unit.

This means it can be bolted to various chassis designs in a modular manner. A shock absorber is found above the engine, and is integrated centrally into the swingarm.

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