Electric scooters (escooters) and electric bikes (ebikes) have been getting a lot of attention lately, even before and after the pandemic. While there are numerous options available on the market, today we’re introducing a new contender – the Honda Sundiro S07.
Introduction
But first, let me give you a quick background about the company. The Honda Sundiro company was established in 2001 by Sundiro Holding Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of US$ 129 million. Sundiro Holding and Honda Motor each hold 50% of the shares.
The company has specialized in the R&D and manufacture of motorcycles and ebikes for over 13 years. It has launched more than 50 models of motorcycles with Honda’s advanced technology, including the CBR300R, CBF190R, E-Ying 110 (FI), WAVE110S, DIO (FI), etc., and a variety of ebikes like the M8 and A8. It has achieved accumulative sales of over 10 million units and exports to more than 60 countries and regions.
One of their latest offerings is the Honda Sundiro S07. We had a chance to take it for a spin, so here are our hands-on and first-ride impressions.
Design and Aesthetics
Undoubtedly, the Honda Sundiro S07 is a head-turner. Once you see it in person, you’ll love the design. It’s a curvy, petite-sized scooter bike with a blend of a futuristic look, but it’s not too aggressively cyberpunk or Cybertruck-inspired. Plus, you’ll love the different, vibrant colors available. The unit we tested was in teal, which I absolutely adore.
Size-wise, it’s actually portable, measuring 1,725mm x 685mm x 1,020mm. You can compare it to most escooters or ebikes out in the market, but it has a more premium feel. The seat height, at 725mm, is very low; anyone around 5 feet tall can easily sit on this scooter. Plus, the wheel is large enough to pass over high humps in your subdivisions or barangays, given that its 14″ tubeless both front and rear (80/100).
The Honda Sundiro S07 is still classified as an ebike. As you will see on the side, it has a pedal assist feature which we will discuss more in our full review. The good thing here is that it is classified as an L1B by the LTO, so there’s no need for a Certificate of Registration or Driver’s License; you just need to wear a proper helmet. This is why a lot of people are considering it as their daily commuter ebike.
This ebike has a small LCD display for its instrument cluster to monitor your speed and battery level, among other nifty features. Then, we have a UV Resistant LED headlamp up front plus signal light indicators above it. Even at the back, we have signal indicators. But do take note that the review unit have has a add-on topbox which are usually sold separately.
Its body is made out of ABS plastic and has a glossy texture finish, but they also offer a semi-glossy finish if you don’t like too much reflection. The seat is covered in faux leather and is surrounded by thick foam. The ebike also has a compartment under the seat for the storage of the battery (48V, 24A).
Once you sit on the bike, you’ll have an average-sized footrest. Looking in front, you’ll see a USB port on the left side for charging your smartphones and other gadgets. In the center, there’s a small hook, and on the right side is the ignition key.
Moving on to the levers, you have all your standard buttons like high beam/low beam, horn, helmet lock, throttle, brake lever, light intensity switch, and speed mode button. We will dive more into each of these in our full review.
Technology and Features
Moving onto the tech features, the ebike boasts an IP56 rating, which means it can withstand harsh rainfalls – just avoid submerging it in deep water. The motor is powered by a 400W, 48V BOSCH brushless hub.
It has an anti-theft feature – a key remote – which means that even if you don’t have the key, you can still power on the unit as long as you have the remote key.
The models available in the Philippines have been modified to achieve speeds of up to 50km/h, although originally they could only reach up to 25km/h. You can adjust the speed by pressing the button below the light switch, which offers three modes. The first mode limits the speed to 25km/h. A second press will switch it to 40km/h, and a third press unleashes the full speed of 50km/h.
We’ll share more about our experience with the speed settings in our full review.
Acceleration and Performance
At first, it took me a while to get used to this ebike because in order to accelerate, you need to first apply the brake before you can push the throttle. Initially, I was a bit disappointed, but after using it for a couple of hours, I realized that it’s a safety mechanism. Given that most buyers of this machine will likely be first-time riders, this additional step to accelerate creates a sense of security to prevent accidental acceleration.
In terms of acceleration power, I can attest that it has substantial force once you press the throttle hard, and the fact that it’s dead silent makes it even more impressive. However, in my initial test, I found that you need to press harder for it to accelerate faster. It doesn’t function like a regular motorcycle where a gentle throttle press will initiate acceleration right away.
Handling and Maneuverability
Being very lightweight at 54.7kg, moving around with this ebike is a breeze. You can easily park it, maneuver it, and navigate tight corners with ease. In my initial test, it didn’t wobble or vibrate even when pushed to its limit of 50km/h. It’s so smooth and lightweight that I found myself wanting to use it almost everywhere, compared to my standard motorcycle.
The brakes are a bit soft, as this bike was designed for speeds of around 25km/h. However, once you get familiar with the ebike, you’ll become accustomed to its braking and stopping capabilities.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The bike’s suspensions are a bit bouncy when you go over some humps, but on a regular flat road, it’s very comfortable. The seats are quite soft. The footrest is a bit small for my size but still manageable.
Even the front hydraulic suspensions are pretty good – not too hard, nor too soft. The positioning of the levers is well-done, suggesting that using this for a long ride would still be comfortable. However, we’ll have to test that further in our full review.
Safety and Braking
The Honda Sundiro S07 uses a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the back. With our test unit, I felt that I needed to press the brake lever harder to fully engage the brake. I’m not sure if it’s just the test unit, but overall, it didn’t really bother me. Given its speed, it seems to handle well.
Battery and Range
Since this was just our initial hands-on, we couldn’t exactly gauge how much power the bike consumed during our few hours of riding. However, based on my observations, the battery level barely dipped, which I find really impressive. But don’t worry, this is one aspect we will explore in-depth once we complete our full review. So, make sure to stay tuned for that.
Overall Riding Experience
Alright! That concludes my initial hands-on and first-ride experience with the Honda Sundiro S07. There’s still a lot to talk about; even as a seasoned motorcycle rider, I found myself amazed at how far ebikes have come. Based on my initial test, I can confidently say that it’s very comfortable and easy to use. With no noise, it’s just pure enjoyment. I was able to appreciate the beauty of the city fully.
Rest assured, we will thoroughly explore every aspect of this machine in our upcoming review. From its range to its full potential, we will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision before purchasing. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We will gladly incorporate them into our comprehensive review, which will be published in the next few days.
Honda Sundiro S07 Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,725mm |
| Width | 685mm |
| Height | 1,020mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,220mm |
| Seat height | 725mm |
| Weight | 54.7kg |
| Battery | 48V 24Ah lithium-ion |
| Motor | 400W 48V brushless Bosch |
| Top speed | 50kph |
| Range | 60km |
| Front brake | Disc |
| Rear brake | Drum |
| Instrument cluster | LCD display |
| Headlamp | LED |
If you’re also interested in a test ride, visit Electric Cyclery 33at Greenhills San Juan and feel free to say ‘Hi’ from us as well.
will this e-bike last for years ? compared to ordinary gas powered motorcycles?