Honda Australia’s New WN7 Subscription Could Point to the Future of Motorcycle Ownership

Buying a new motorcycle has traditionally been a straightforward transaction. However, with the rise of electric motorcycles, the value of these vehicles becomes a significant concern.

The Honda WN7 is an expensive electric motorcycle that costs £12,999 in the UK. It has a claimed range of 87 miles under WMTC testing and produces up to 67bhp. In comparison, a CB1000 Hornet SP costs less, goes faster, and has a longer range.

The value of electric motorcycles is uncertain, and their depreciation can be difficult to predict. New models with improved specifications are constantly being released, making it challenging to determine the value of a three-year-old WN7.

Honda Australia has introduced a subscription service for the WN7, which allows customers to access the bike without necessarily treating conventional ownership as the only option. This raises the question of whether subscribing to an electric motorcycle can reduce the risk of depreciation.

With a subscription, customers pay for access to the machine for as long as they want it. If they decide the technology has moved on, they can hand it back and move on too. This approach changes the calculation, as customers are no longer responsible for the bike's depreciation.

The subscription service in Australia costs $400 AUD a month, which includes the bike, registration, and insurance. There are no lock-in contracts, allowing subscribers to cancel or change the subscription with just two weeks' notice.

The motorcycle industry has already seen the success of personal contract purchase, leasing, and salary-sacrifice schemes in the car and van market. Honda itself is already selling the WN7 through PCP in Britain, with prices starting from £199 per month.

A subscription model could work just as well for a petrol-powered motorcycle. It could allow customers to access a bike for a short period without having to worry about selling the old one.

The difference is that electric motorcycles have a more compelling reason to adopt the subscription model. With their uncertain value and rapid technological advancements, a subscription service could make it easier for customers to try the technology without taking on significant financial risk.

The industry has spent years trying to make new bikes more affordable through PCP. The next logical step could be to move even further away from the idea that the customer needs to own the machine at all.

### Subscription Model for Motorcycles

| Model | Price (AUD) | Deposit | Optional Final Payment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | WN7 | $400 | - | - | | CB1000 Hornet SP | - | - | - |

### The Future of Motorcycle Ownership

The introduction of a subscription service for the Honda WN7 in Australia could be a sign of things to come in the motorcycle industry. With the success of PCP and leasing schemes in the car and van market, it's possible that the industry will move towards a subscription-based model.

This could allow customers to access a bike for a short period without having to worry about selling the old one. It could also make it easier for customers to try out different types of motorcycles without taking on significant financial risk.

The subscription model could work just as well for petrol-powered motorcycles as it does for electric ones. It's an idea that's worth exploring, and it could have a significant impact on the way people own and access motorcycles in the future.

### Conclusion

The introduction of a subscription service for the Honda WN7 in Australia is an interesting development in the motorcycle industry. It could change the way people own and access motorcycles, and it's an idea that's worth exploring further.

As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the subscription model develops. Will it become a standard way of accessing motorcycles, or will it remain a niche option? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the future of motorcycle ownership is looking more exciting than ever.