“Make hay while the sun shines ‘cuz we’re on our way and we’re bringing some serious rain,” is the message Honda and Yamaha are sending to the new electric motorcycle companies that have been springing up like daisies. Only one of the two long-established Japanese brands has shown off battery-powered concepts in the recent past and neither has offered any for sale to the public. This has allowed new start-ups like Vectrix to begin establishing a strong presence. No more. Well, in a year or two, no more. Maybe.

Honda and Yamaha have reportedly both set launch dates for electric motorcycles. YaMoCo is looking at 2010 to offer a bike with 50cc-like performance with a 100km (62 mile) range. Not too impressive, but it’s a start. HoMoCo Honda, for their part, is targeting a model for a 2011 launch that is suited for the Japanese postal service who are said to be moving their 90,000-strong bike fleet to electric power. Lithium ion seems to be their battery chemistry of choice for the Japanese firms. While not seemingly overwhelming in the performance department, we suspect the two may be able to offer their wares at very competitive prices.

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Finally, after all that talk about Honda’s Prius-fighter, the Japanese automaker has released the first photos of its all-new dedicated hybrid model that will bear the name Insight after Honda’s first hybrid model. Although the Japanese company has labeled the Insight as a concept car, don’t expect to see many differences on the production model that’s slated to go on sale globally in mid-2009. Clearly, the stylistic inspiration for the Insight was Honda’s fuel-cell powered FCX Clarity. As with all cars of this sort, the Insight’s design is more about aerodynamics and function than it is about style. We must say though that we we’re expecting something a bit more futuristic and adventurous from Honda.

The dedicated hybrid vehicle that will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers is built on a newly developed platform. Power will come from an improved version of the Civic’s IMA hybrid drive system mated to a petrol engine, details of which will be announced at a later date.

The Japanese automaker’s engineers have mounted the compact control unit and the conventional nickel metal hybrid battery beneath the boot space to give the Insight both a low centre of gravity and the practicality of a conventionally powered hatchback

According to Honda, the Insight will benefit from a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components resulting in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. Sources state that the Insight will be priced in the U.S. from around $18,000 undercutting the Prius by several thousands of dollars

“The original Honda Insight launched in 1999 was the pioneer of hybrid technology in Europe and remains an iconic symbol of Honda’s environmental innovation,” said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. “This new Insight will also break new ground by providing an affordable hybrid to an expanded number of customers craving great fuel economy and great value.”

The new Insight will be built alongside the Civic Hybrid at Honda’s Suzuka factory in Japan which recently expanded its hybrid motor production line. The Insight will go on sale in Europe, Japan and North America during the first half of 2009.

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When Honda introduced the OSM concept at the British Motor Show in July, many people saw it as a styling exercise for the next-generation S2000. However, truth is that the OSM is a roadster concept of Honda’s next hybrid sportscar, the CR-Z, due for launch in 2010 –see details of the CR-Z here and of the OSM here. A member of the Greek forum 4Troxoi that goes by the alias “Morpheus” decided to prove this by showing us what the OSM Concept would actually look like if Honda’s intentions were to preview the second-generation S2000. Simply by changing the OSM’s overall proportions and especially with the low slung, elongated front-end, the artist actually managed to transform the concept into a RWD-like roadster that could indeed pass for the future S2000. Not bad, wouldn’t you say?

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First Honda said it was going to press the reset button on its hybrid efforts and come out with something bolder than the Civic Hybrid. Then it laid out plans for a number of hybrids that would be priced considerably more aggressively than the Toyota Prius. One of the concepts, the funky CR-Z, has already got people abuzz.

More details have emerged about the first hybrid to appear, a 5-door hatch with unique styling that’s based on the Fit, but three inches taller and one inch wider. It will use the Civic Hybrid’s Integrated Motor Assist technology and mate that car’s 1.3-liter engine with 94 hp to a 15kW electric motor powered by a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Fuel economy, according to insider predictions, will be somewhere around 71 - 82 miles per gallon, but that’s based on Japanese domestic use. Expect a drop for U.S. comparison.

Honda is considering a return to the name “Insight” for its first new hybrid, which we’re all for. The Insight was a brilliant little ride, and we never understood why Honda let it go. Though it was low on practicality with only two seats and not much storage, it was a purpose-built vehicle for big mpg numbers. This potential new Insight will be Honda’s global hybrid, and the company expects to sell 100,000 of them in the U.S. annually. Add this to the other three hybrids Honda is planning, and Honda’s hybrid future — assuming it delivers as promised — looks quite bright.

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Many motorcycles in today’s market feature anti-lock brakes, including models from Honda like the Interceptor and Silverwing scooters. Now, though, the red-winged manufacturer of motorcycles has announced a new system which completely removes the rider’s direct connection with the front and rear brakes. Instead of a cable connection, the system uses brake-by-wire technology and allows an on-board computer to apply pressure to both the front and rear brakes as it sees fit. This new system is expected to debut on sportbikes first, which raises some eyebrows in the cycle-riding community. The highest performing bikes have ridiculously powerful brakes which are capable of locking up the front tire very easily. Still, hardcore riders have proven very reluctant to give up any control to computers, especially on race tracks, where supersport bikes are expected to thrive. Being Honda, though, there is a prevailing sense that the technology will work. Expect the new combined ABS system to proliferate to all of Honda’s two-wheelers in the near future.

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Danica Patrick will reportedly be testing with Honda’s F1 team after the end of the 2008 season. Patrick was offered a ride with the Honda team earlier this year but turned down the opportunity wanting more than just a test drive to be on the table. The full scale test, rumored to be taking place in November, will be held at either Jerez or Barcelona, the two F1 courses in Spain.

“We will put her into our car after the season at the latest and see how quick she is,” said Honda team executive Nick Fry.

Patrick scored her first IndyCar victory this April at the Honda constructed Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan.

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Honda S2000

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