Honda E4-01 Concept Scoot

Honda showed their E4-01 concept scooter at Milan, which will hopefully be offered to urban commuters within a year or two.

The E4-01 looks like a sooter but features a 903cc engine, shaft drive, auto gearbox, single-sided swingarm and an innovative screen design that channels air directly upwards, and away from, the rider.

It also gets a clear display panel that boasts built in sat-nav, a boot that opens and closes at the touch of a button with room for two lids, plus an airbag under the bars. The bike/scooter hybrid is reported to weigh around 200kgs and runs 17 inch wheels, to give motorcycle type handling.

But will it sell here in the UK? Large scooters like the Silver Wing and T-Max have done OK, but not tempted many touring riders away from conventional bikes. Arguably, you could commute cheaper and tour in more comfort on a Deauville, than an E4-01 machine - it might be cheaper to buy a Deauville then add Tom Tom sat nav for another 300 notes too..?

The E4-01 is likely to be popular in Italy and France, where maxi scooters are strong sellers, but Brit commuters might find it too expensive and lacking that familiar motorcycle `feeling.’

Production of the E4-01 is expected to commence for the 2007 model year, depending on reaction to the concept scooter/bike at various shows.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Honda E4-01 Concept Scoot

Honda showed their E4-01 concept scooter at Milan, which will hopefully be offered to urban commuters within a year or two.

The E4-01 looks like a sooter but features a 903cc engine, shaft drive, auto gearbox, single-sided swingarm and an innovative screen design that channels air directly upwards, and away from, the rider.

It also gets a clear display panel that boasts built in sat-nav, a boot that opens and closes at the touch of a button with room for two lids, plus an airbag under the bars. The bike/scooter hybrid is reported to weigh around 200kgs and runs 17 inch wheels, to give motorcycle type handling.

But will it sell here in the UK? Large scooters like the Silver Wing and T-Max have done OK, but not tempted many touring riders away from conventional bikes. Arguably, you could commute cheaper and tour in more comfort on a Deauville, than an E4-01 machine - it might be cheaper to buy a Deauville then add Tom Tom sat nav for another 300 notes too..?

The E4-01 is likely to be popular in Italy and France, where maxi scooters are strong sellers, but Brit commuters might find it too expensive and lacking that familiar motorcycle `feeling.’

Production of the E4-01 is expected to commence for the 2007 model year, depending on reaction to the concept scooter/bike at various shows.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)