Engine tuning company Mugen Motorsports announced it will compete in the TT Zero electric motorcycle race at the 2012 Isle of Man TT.

Though not officially a Honda company,Mugen was founded by Hirotoshi Honda, son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda, and the company is best known for its work as an engine tuner and parts maker for Honda vehicles. The Mugen entry to the TT Zero represents possibly the closest connection so far between a traditional motorcycle OEM and the relatively new realm of electric motorcycle racing.

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We’re still waiting for any technical details but here are initial photographs Honda has released of its new RC-E electric sportbike concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. (Updated with six more high-resolution images.)

Honda describes the RC-E as an electric version of a supersports bike, claiming a powerful and smooth ride for an electric vehicle within the compact form of a 250cc-class motorcycle. The images clearly show Brembo calipers and Ohlins suspension, and we especially like the LED headlights and the retro styling.

The RC-E remains at this moment purely a concept, presented in Tokyo beside Honda’s EV-STER electric sports car concept.

Colum Wood, editor of our sister site AutoGuide.com is at the Tokyo show, and he sent us some hi-res shots. Check them out along with Honda’s photographs after the jump.

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