Like an all-wheel drive car, the 2WD motorcycle offers more stability and traction than its rear-wheel cousins, and may even be easier to learn for the beginner rider. Honda's not alone in the 2WD space, nor is the space really that new—at least for concept vehicles. Big names like Yamaha have also been working on 2WD bikes for the better part of the last decade.

But it's Honda that appears ready to commercialize a 2WD motorcycle, or at the very least an all electric one. The company expects to have an electric bike on the market by the end of 2010, which may or may not be the EV-Cub seen here.

Honda's also preparing a nifty looking communications system called LOOP that will allow riders to communicate with one another on those long, silent jaunts through the countryside (no engine noise, remember?). The device is palm sized and leads me to believe Honda hasn't gotten the memo about the whole texting while driving thing. [Gizmag]

The Zero S is the followup to the earlier Zero X, the dirt bike with a smaller, 20 horsepower engine, which wasn't allowed on the road. The clutchless, one-speed bike has a battery that will let you roam for 60 miles before having to charge it (4 hours 'til full). It uses aircraft-grade aluminum for the body and a custom "Z-Force" power pack for enhanced accleration. On the more techie side of things, the Zero S also has a digital speedometer as well as a special, "projector beam" headlight, which apparently emits more "focused" light.

The Zero S will cost $10000, and can be yours with a $1000 down payment. It starts shipping in May. [Hell For Leather Mag]