Honda’s Quietest Moto Steadily Bangs the Drum for a New Kind of Riding

Adding yet another jewel to its crown, the brand’s most forward-thinking bike continues to build its case.

Close-up of a black motorcycle rear wheel with a multi-spoke rim and part of the silver and bronze frame.

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Published April 16, 2026

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As gearheads know, Honda is not only the biggest player in the moto space but also among the most innovative and versatile.

That means every move they make gets plenty of scrutiny, and that’s why the WN7, the brand’s first full-size electric bike, has gotten so much attention.

Black Honda electric motorcycle parked on pavement with steps in the background. — Between its round mirrors and single-sided swingarm, the WN7 truly represents a blend of retro and modern.

The spotlight only gets brighter with the news that this bike has won Red Dot’s “Best of the Best” award, the renowned design organization’s most prestigious honor.

This accolade is yet another promising sign that if any bike can truly break electric motos into the mainstream, it’s this one.

It’s a(nother) major award!

Considering how new the WN7 is (its first public appearance was at the big EICMA moto show in Milan last fall), it is kind of wild to think this is not even its first big honor, nor its second.

The first would be the Red Dot award it garnered as the EV Fun concept bike last summer. The second is the one it picked up last month, iF Design’s Gold Award, arguably the pinnacle of product design.

Three Honda electric motorcycles in black and silver parked on a waterfront promenade with a city skyline and ship in the background. — Styled as a naked street bike, the WN7 is available in three distinct colorways.

Yet this latest triumph may be the most special. Founded in 1955 and administered by the esteemed Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany, the Red Dot Award has evolved into one of the world’s most respected design honors.

Then again, it was a One Battle After Another kind of night for Honda, as the brand also snagged a “Best of the Best” trophy for the UNI-ONE hands-free seated personal mobility device, while the Miimo 1500i/2200i robotic lawnmower and the all-new electrified Prelude sports car were each named Red Dot winners.

That aside, all three of the WN7’s most notable citations are fitting because it really is the design, more than any raw specs, that distinguishes this two-wheeler.

Black electric vehicle charging plug inserted into a glossy black car charging port. — Electric moto charging gets better every day, but wide adoption really depends on the infrastructure catching up.

Not that the specs aren’t, ahem, respectable.

The WN7 boasts a liquid-cooled motor offering 50kW peak power and 100Nm torque, driven by a belt and fueled by a 9.3kWh High Voltage Battery Pack with a potential range of 140 kilometers (87 miles).

The peak power is equivalent 600cc gas bike, while the peak torque is more comparable to a 1,000cc motorcycle.

Person wearing black helmet and jacket riding a black Honda electric motorcycle by the ocean at dusk. — The WN7 has the panache and power to be an excellent daily commuter that’s plenty of fun on weekends, too.

Within the existing car charging infrastructure, it can charge from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes. Charging fully at home takes 2.4 to 5.5 hours, depending on the cable used.

Of course, there’s also modern tech: smartphone connectivity synced up with the 5-inch TFT display, which also features a USB-C socket, plus LED lighting, dual projector headlights, Daytime Running Lights, auto-canceling indicators and emergency stop signal tech.

Points of difference

However, more unique features include the frameless chassis: the battery case forms part of the frame, while the head pipe supporting the steering and the pivot bracket supporting the rear are both directly connected to the centrally located power unit.

This approach sheds weight and increases layout flexibility, enabling the bike to carry such a lean and mean profile.

Black Honda electric motorcycle with gray seat parked on a concrete surface partially in sunlight. — As sharp as its aesthetics are, the WN7 continues to prove that the steak lives up to the sizzle.

Another notable distinction is the braking modes, which Honda says offer something completely different: “Riders can adjust the level of deceleration using the Deceleration Selector on the left handlebar switch, enabling smooth low-speed control with minimal brake operation or a gliding sensation with reduced deceleration — offering a new riding feel distinct from ICE motorcycles.”

Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the bike looks pretty flippin’ sweet, too.

Availability and pricing

The Honda WN7 is available in Europe for £12,999, which converts to just under $17,500. The brand says the bike is not coming to the US yet due mostly to our limited charging infrastructure. Siiigh.

Sleek black Honda electric motorcycle with minimalist design and visible battery compartment.

2026 Honda WN7

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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