Is Honda Developing a New Electric Sidecar?

Sidecars are a concept that not everyone is a fan of, in fact they are very rarely seen these days. But that doesn't appear to have stopped Honda from trying to break the mould as a new patent from the Japanese company is showing an electric sidecar in the works. 

If you’re like me and enjoy riding with passengers on a motorcycle, the need for a sidecar is unlikely to whet your appetite. Sidecars do provide a different experience for a pillion compared to a motorcycle, with increased comfort compared to some motorcycles, especially those with a more sporty character. However, you could argue that sidecars are more hassle than they’re worth as the balance and weight distribution could cause poor handling for the rider.

But Honda’s new concept is aimed at eliminating the downfalls that many of us think they might have.

According to Cycle World, this new patent from Honda is offering something very different as it reveals the sidecar in question is electrically assisted and that it would not require any changes to the motorcycle. Like you would find on electric trailers for cars, bicycles and even some smaller trucks, concepts like this from Honda show a powered wheel (one instead of two) which would provide drive and braking assistance.

Converting this patent into a sidecar, Honda is demonstrating load sensors to the two brackets which connect the sidecar to the motorcycle. The sidecar is operated by an electric motor powering its single wheel, and receives information from the two load sensors through a control unit. It’s also reported by Cycle World that the motorcycle does not need to be electric to be compliant with the sidecar.

When the load sensors in the two mounted brackets understand that the bike is accelerating, the sidecar’s wheel is driven to apply equal force. But if you slow down, the sidecar’s wheel will be able to brake accordingly.

Sidecars were first introduced on bicycles before motorcycles went through a phase of transporting passengers in such a fashion. But that was many decades ago and coupled with some four-wheel vehicles which were more accommodating, like the Ford Model T, interest in having sidecars dwindled.

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