Honda will unveil Riding Assist-e concept at the Tokyo Motor Show

Super Cub 110, C125 and Monkey 125 concepts to be shown

At the beginning of this year, Honda revealed the Riding Assist self-balancing motorcycle concept at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. An electric version of the concept bike has been announced for the upcoming 45th Tokyo Motor Show later this month. Honda’s self-balancing motorcycle technology features electronics evolved from the UNI-CUB personal mobility device and trickled down from Honda's humanoid robots.

The Riding Assist-e, like the original Riding Assist, is built around the Honda NC700 frame. Instead of utilizing the NC700’s parallel twin engine, the new Riding Assist-e is powered by an electric motor located under the seat. A low-mounted battery pack keeps the center of gravity close to the ground, and final drive is delievered via shaft through the bike's single-sided swingarm.

The Riding Assist technology is housed entirely inside each front end of the self-balancing motorcycle concepts, making the system theoretically adaptable for any extant motorcycle platform. At slow speeds, a small electric motor makes micro adjustments to the steering, while another motor adjusts rake and trail on the fly to increase stability — allowing the bike to maintain balance without rider input. The self-balancing act, as seen on the first Riding Assist concept, even works at a standstill.

Honda hopes that the new Riding Assist technology will turn motorcycling easier and more fun, while the addition of the electric powerplant in the Riding Assist-e communicates Honda's vision for a carbon emissions free society.

The Japanese manufacturer plans to show a new Super Cub C125 concept and a Monkey 125 concept at the exhibit as well. A special version of the Super Cub 110 will also make an appearance, commemorating 100 million Cubs produced.

The 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017 will take place on October 25 to November 5, 2017 at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) in Koto-ku, Tokyo.