Honda V3R E-Compressor Prototype Motorbike…..

While on the Honda stand on our recent (Nov 2025) visit to the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC in Birmingham something that caught our eye was the new Honda V3R 900 E-Compressor.
The bike is only a prototype at the moment but looking at the bike at the show and the specs from Honda it looks like it may be something a bit different and a change from the normal bikes other manufacturers were offering.

Front, back and side views of the V3R 900

The V3R has a 900cc ‘V3’ configuration engine with an electronically operated compressor (as opposed to one that runs off the crank shaft).
Honda have used V Twin (VT range, Deauville, Transalp etc) and V4 (VFR400, VFR750 etc) engines in the past, they have rarely used V3 engines. The last Honda V3 engine was used in the NSR500 2 stroke racing bike.

V3 engines haven’t really been used much in the past (in any application, not just motorbikes) due to:

• Cost – The 2 cylinder banks, 1 with 2 cylinders, 1 with 1, are totally different and have to be machined separately and use different cam and valve components.
• Balance – It is alot harder to balance a V3 engine as opposed to a more conventional shaped engine (V Twin, inline 3 or 4 cylinder etc).
• Getting it to fit into a bike – Due to the ‘odd’ shape caused by the different shaped cylinder banks, it is surprisingly difficult to get it to fit in a frame and under the tank.
• Complex exhaust system – Similar to V4 engines, V3 engines require a complicated exhaust system due to the shape of the engine (as opposed to an inline 4, which has a fairly straightforward exhaust system).
• Good alternatives already in production – Why go to all the hassle of making a new, complex engine when there are already suitable alternatives out there (v twin, inline 4, twin cylinder etc)?

Honda are hoping that the V3 will eliminate low end torque deficiency and, with the addition of the electric compressor, the 900cc engine will give similar power to a 1200cc engine.
A smaller cc engine should also be more environmentally friendly, which could help future proof the engine against stricter future emissions regulations?

Honda’s concept for the bike is the ‘Non-Rail Roller Coaster’ which aims to combine two contrasting qualities of ‘guaranteed thrill’ and ‘reassuring peace of mind’ (CBR600 anyone? lol).
This suggests the bike will offer extreme performance but with advanced electronics and handling to keep it manageable and stable.

V3R 900cc engine, exhaust downpipes and can

The V3R has the first electronically controlled compressor fitted to a motorbike…

What is a compressor? A compressor in an engine is a mechanical component responsible for increasing the pressure of the air supplied to the combustion chamber (known as ‘forced induction’).
This allows the engine to burn more fuel and generate more power than it could with air pressure alone.

• The V3R uses a system called an E-Compressor, which is an electric supercharger. This is reportedly the world’s first electronically controlled compressor on a motorcycle intended for mass production.
• Unlike a traditional turbocharger (which uses exhaust gas) or a mechanically driven supercharger, the E-Compressor is driven by an electric motor.
  This allows it to control air compression independently of engine RPM which eliminates turbo lag and delivers highly responsive torque right from low revs.
• The V3R’s engine is a 900cc, water-cooled 75-degree V3 configuration.
• Because of the E-Compressor, Honda is ‘striving to develop a 900cc engine that achieves the performance comparable to that of a 1200cc engine’ (official quote from Honda) while maintaining a smaller, more compact form and better environmental efficiency

Note – The info above and below is taken from the Honda website, none of this has actually been verified independently as yet!

V3R front wheel and Nissin brake caliper

Other interesting things on the V3R…

• The prototype features striking asymmetrical side cowls and futuristic aerodynamic styling.
• The bike had the new ‘Honda Flagship WING’ tank logo on it, which is expected to be adopted by Honda’s top of the range production models starting in 2026
• The prototype had a trellis frame and a distinctive single-sided swingarm.

The rear fairing, light and wheel on the V3R

Honda have said the V3R 900 E-Compressor is currently a ‘prototype test platform for future technology’, which means, when it’s in production, it should be loaded with LOADS of new, flashy electronic gizmos!

The petrol tank and right peg hanger

When will the V3R be available? Honda is continuing development of the bike with some sources indicating the goal is to bring a model using this technology to Europe by 2027….

Note – The bike in these pics (and at the show) is a PROTOTYPE which means alot of the fixtures and fittings (bodywork, wheels, brakes, running gear etc) may be different if and when the actual bike is released!

The information plate near the bike at the show (disappointingly there wasn’t alot of info on it though)

Disclaimer: The information on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge. But the info should NOT be taken as 100% accurate as we can, occasionally make mistakes!