A press release made the rounds regarding a collaboration between American Honda and Greenger, a supplier of electric Powersports product. The CRF-E2 electric motocross bike certainly looks like a Honda motocross machine and the specs are impressive. To quote the release:
Driven by a low-voltage (48-volt) BLDC electric motor with an inner rotor, the CRF-E2 produces a maximum output of 3.4 horsepower and 18.4 foot-pounds of torque. Its lithium-ion battery has a best-in-class range of approximately two hours in ideal conditions with a full charge. The battery can be fully charged in four hours, or two-and-a-half hours with the optional quick-charge system. With an available spare battery, it can be swapped out in seconds – a Greenger exclusive feature in this class.
The CRF-E2 boasts high-quality components like a twin-spar aluminum frame, tapered aluminum handlebar, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with petal-style rotors, adjustable aluminum brake levers and 12-inch aluminum wheels with Kenda® Millville K771 knobby tires. Suspension components comprise a 33 mm telescopic hydraulic fork and a DNM shock with adjustable preload and rebound damping; front- and rear-wheel travel are 3.9 and 8.3 inches, respectively. Thanks to red plastic bodywork and blue-and-white graphics mimicking those of Honda Performance dirt bikes like the CRF450R and CRF250R, kids can make believe they’re a Team Honda HRC Champion.
The little electric machine intended for younger riders will be sold only through America Honda dealers for a price of $2950US and has to be considered a genuine alternative to traditional small motocross machines. The fact that American Honda has endorsed the bike so significantly both by having the style, name and colours so closely replicate those of Honda built bikes is impressive and should provide reassurance to potential buyers of the bike. The bike certainly looks like the real thing.
But maybe the looks were just a little be too close for comfort especially with “Honda” right there on the seat as another media notice appeared the next day from Greenger wanting to established the fact that the CRF-E2 was not in fact a Honda product but an officially licensed product of American Honda. Either way, like we said, Honda wouldn’t have allowed the company name and “CRF” designation to be associated with the CRF-E2 had they not considerable confidence in the product.
Electric motocross machines are a growing segment and we can expect to see more entries as the segment is almost ideal for an electric machine given the often confined and limited use of the bikes in a competitive setting. With swappable batteries – as the CRF-E2 electric motocross machine features – there are limited downsides to going electric.