Honda’s electric RTL machine has made another step towards proving that battery-powered bikes can genuinely compete with petrol rivals off-road, after Miquel Gelabert finished inside the top six overall at the opening round of the 2026 TrialGP World Championship in Japan. The Spaniard took the Honda RTL Electric to sixth overall on day one at Mobility Resort Motegi, before improving to fifth on day two.
The electric-versus-petrol debate still rumbles on in road riding, but off-road competition is increasingly becoming the place where battery-powered bikes are finding their feet. We’ve already seen the Stark Varg shake up motocross and enduro competition over the past couple of years, and now Honda appears keen to prove the same can happen in trials.
The Honda RTL electric trials bike in the pits, showcasing its potential as a competitive off-road motorcycle. Trials riding, with its focus on torque, balance and low-speed control, arguably suits electric power better than most motorcycle disciplines.
Gelabert’s performance at Motegi suggests the RTL Electric is now moving beyond being a development curiosity and into something capable of fighting towards the front. The 28-year-old from Barcelona spent the 2025 season in the Trial2 category helping Honda refine the machine, narrowly missing out on the title in the process.
That progress convinced Honda to move the project into the top class for 2026. The move to TrialGP was the logical next step for the project after the bike proved it could already challenge for strong results in Trial2.
The Honda RTL electric trials bike is well-positioned to capitalize on its strengths, which include instant drive and near-silent running. These characteristics are particularly beneficial in off-road riding, where agility and control are paramount.
For electric bikes in off-road riding, the results at Motegi serve as a significant reminder that while the road market still has questions to answer, the dirt world may already be finding some convincing use cases. As the competition continues, it will be interesting to see how Honda’s electric trials bike holds up against its petrol-powered rivals.
The future of motorcycle technology looks increasingly bright for battery-powered bikes, and Honda's success in TrialGP is a key indicator of this trend. With its focus on torque, balance, and low-speed control, the RTL Electric is well-suited to the demands of off-road riding.
As the sport continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how electric trials bikes continue to improve and compete with their petrol-powered counterparts.
The success of Honda's electric trials bike marks a significant milestone for battery-powered motorcycles.
