Honda Opens a New Chapter with the All-New RN0 e-MTB
80 years after its first motor-assisted bicycle, Honda enters the electric mountain bike (e-MTB) segment with the all-new RN0. Developed with premium e-MTB specialist ROTWILD and component giant Shimano, the full-carbon RN0 brings decades of motorcycle know-how to the trail.
Weighing just 23.5 kg, the RN0 is built to deliver premium all-mountain performance, combining stability, efficiency and control across a wide range of terrain. At its core is a motorcycle-inspired carbon monocoque frame paired with Honda’s distinctive Gullwing swingarm, FOX Factory Kashima suspension, Shimano XT brakes and Shimano’s all-new 100 Nm drive unit with a removable 720 Wh battery.
New Terrain, Same Dream
Honda’s journey to becoming the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer began in 1946 with the ‘Batabata’, a simple motor designed to be fitted to bicycles. Electric-assist bicycles followed, from the 1995 Raccoon to the MTB-styled Raccoon CX. In the early 2000s Honda launched the RN01 downhill racing project, which won multiple UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup races and peaked in 2005 when Team G Cross Honda took the overall World Cup title.
The RN0’s name pays tribute to that pioneering RN01. “New Terrain” refers both to the trails it was built for and to Honda’s move into a new mobility category; “Same Dream” reflects Honda’s unchanged ambition to deliver the joy of control, exploration and challenge.
Development was led by Large Project Leader Yusuke Muto, a lifelong mountain biker since 1995 with a background in cross-country, downhill and BMX racing, whose rider’s perspective shaped every stage of the project.
Model Overview
Following the Honda WN7 full-sized electric motorcycle, the RN0 is Honda’s next electric model and joins a growing European electric line-up alongside the EM1 e: moped and CUV e: scooter. Three frame sizes (S, M and L) cover almost all riders, each with size-specific geometry for consistent all-mountain handling.
Carbon Monocoque Frame & Gullwing Swingarm
- Motorcycle-inspired carbon fibre monocoque frame and Gullwing swingarm
- Balances pedalling efficiency with terrain-smoothing suspension performance
- Distinctive Honda design language
- Three frame sizes: Small, Medium and Large
Developed from a ROTWILD foundation and benchmarked against leading premium e-MTBs, the frame creates a direct load path between the head tube and rear axle. This gives riders clear feedback from the terrain while delivering the strength, stability and responsiveness needed for demanding off-road riding.
Compared with a conventional frame, reduced lateral stiffness adds compliance for better cornering and composure, while increased vertical stiffness improves strength, stability and braking performance. The result is confident handling on everything from flowing singletrack to technical descents.
Suspension, Wheels & Brakes
- FOX 36 Float Factory Kashima fork with 160 mm travel
- FOX Float X Factory Kashima rear shock with 145 mm travel
- DT Swiss H1900 wheels: 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear
- Schwalbe Albert EVO Trail TLR Soft tyres
- Shimano Deore XT M8200 four-piston brakes with 203 mm rotors
- Crankbrothers Highline 3 dropper post (125–170 mm travel by frame size)
Both FOX units are air-sprung and specifically tuned for the RN0. The fork offers independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment, while the rear shock has rebound and low-speed compression adjustment plus an open/firm lever for climbs and smoother surfaces.
The mixed-wheel ‘mullet’ setup balances stability, agility and traction. Cockpit components come from ROTWILD (BD280 bars and S140 stem) with Ergon GDH Team grips and an Ergon SM10 saddle, while the Acros MOD56 headset offers optional head angle and reach adjustment.
Shimano Drive Unit, Battery & Drivetrain
- New Shimano drive unit: 100 Nm torque and 750 W peak power, weighing just 2.3 kg
- Assistance maintained up to 160 rpm cadence
- AUTO ASSIST and AUTO SHIFT for the ideal combination of gear and assist level
- Assist Carry Over maintains support briefly after you stop pedalling
- Removable 720 Wh 43.2 V Shimano Swing-In battery
- Shimano Deore XT Di2 12-speed drivetrain
- 2.2-inch colour display with USB-C charging port
- Shimano CONNECT app works as a smart key to lock and unlock the bike
More compact, lighter and significantly more powerful than Shimano’s current EP801, the new drive unit sits behind a magnesium cover with integrated cooling fins. It provides assistance up to 160 rpm (previously 120 rpm), giving consistent support whether spinning up technical climbs or pushing through fast trail sections.
Three riding modes – ECO, TRAIL+ and BOOST – let riders tailor assistance. In TRAIL+, AUTO ASSIST continuously reads rider input and gradient to increase support progressively as slopes steepen, reducing rear wheelspin and front-wheel lift. AUTO SHIFT automatically selects gears to keep cadence between 70 and 160 rpm, while FREE SHIFT allows gear changes while coasting and Lift and Shift selects a lower gear when restarting on steep climbs.
The SC-EN700 display is neatly integrated into the top tube, with controls via Shimano’s wireless SW-UT600-LR switch. The drivetrain combines an FC-M8200-E crankset with a 34-tooth chainring, e*thirteen chain guide, RD-M8290 Deore XT Di2 rear derailleur and a 10–51T cassette.
Accessories & Connectivity
Variable Headset: the optional adjustment kit allows head angle adjustment of ±0.6° and reach adjustment of ±5 mm (sizes M and L only) to fine-tune riding position.
Shimano CONNECT App: connects automatically to the RN0 for ride tracking, system customisation, motor tuning and software updates. The bike locks automatically when powered off and unlocks when the paired phone is nearby.
