Oct. 01--Is Honda joining Harley-Davidson, Polaris, T-Rex and Can-Am in the tricycle market?
Maybe so. The Japanese giant, by some measures the world's largest motorcycle company, will be showing showing off a three-wheeled motorcycle at the Tokyo Motor Show, as part of an exhibit that will include several other two- and four-wheeled concept vehicles.
The Neowing, which Honda says "offers the cornering feel and sporty ride equivalent to a large-size motorcycle while realizing excellent stability," will be powered by a hybrid combination of a 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a second electric motor.
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Like the Can-Am Spyder or Polaris Slingshot, it features two wheels up front and one in back -- the opposite configuration of the Harley-Davidson Trike and TriGlide, which have a traditional motorcycle wheel in front and two drive wheels in the rear.
The move might make good business sense. Three-wheeled motorcycles and motorcycle-like vehicles represent a growing segment of the powersports market. In fact, the three-wheeled Tri Glide represents the third most popular bike for Harley, the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the U.S.
The Neowing will be on display October 30 to November 8, at Tokyo's Big Sight, during the 44th annual Tokyo Motor Show.
Joining the Neowing will be a new Honda hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, tentatively but not very imaginatively called the FCV, as well as a new NSX supercar and a racing version of the new Civic -- the Civic Type R, to be sold only in Japan.
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There will also be a display of the production version of the Odyssey Hybrid minivan.
And there's more. Honda will also be showing off new versions of its historically very successful Super Cub scooter -- the EV-Cub concept. The battery electric scooter, Honda says, recharges quickly using a standard home socket.
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