Honda's '80s Microscooter Is Back and Electrified For the 21st Century

Honda's new Motocompacto is a throwback all-electric ridable inspired by the short-lived scooter of the '80s. Engadget reports: The vehicle, folded up, resembles one of those Costco folding tables but with little aluminum wheels poking out the bottom. To transform it into a scooter, you extend the handlebars, seats and back wheel, and ride away on something vaguely approximating a bike. (To give you some perspective on the design, this thing is just over three feet long.)

Honda says its aluminum frame and wheels keep it "lightweight" but at 41 pounds it's firmly in the same weight class as regular e-bikes, and with a range of "up to 12 miles," it's not getting you very far either. After its 12-mile range is used up, it can be re-juiced in 3.5 hours, which is a considerable amount of time, but at least it comes with an on-board charger ready for you to plug into a 110V outlet. It'll be available starting in November priced "under $995" exclusively on Honda's website and at Honda and Acura dealers.

I want one of the originals...

[Excelcia]

12 miles on a charge, no thanks. But the original Motocompo [wikipedia.org] actually looks cool. They should have resurrected that, not brought in something you can't really use. This new one is the worst part of a cross between a small stand-on scooter and long range ride on. All the inconvenience of a ride on without the range, whereas with a stand-on scooter you can bring a second battery pack with you in a knapsack to use to get home after work.

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[paralumina01]

That looks a lot better. This version looks like it will have a significant weight imbalance.

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[CaptQuark]

One alternative is the Evercross H5. It has a 28 mile range, can reach 28 MPH, and is only $580. https://evercross.eu/collectio... [evercross.eu]

It's a touch heavier (54lbs) but much smaller, longer range, and a few other benefits.

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[markdavis]

>"This version looks like it will have a significant weight imbalance."

Maybe, the plastics make it look that way, but the weight is mostly at the bottom. However, it weighs 41.3 pounds (looks like they are trying to hide that tidbit). I think my 21 speed aluminum hybrid bike (no suspension) weighs about 25 pounds? Imagine trying to carry 41.3 pounds up stairs or down a hall.... while carrying other stuff. Hmmm. Not crazy, but it would get old pretty quickly.

I know what this thing can be used for...

[Firethorn]

I think I actually know a target market for this.

I saw the service on Top Gear(I think). But what it was was a drive-home service where if you were drunk you'd call them, they'd send a driver in a very small scooter, who'd then put the scooter in the trunk. It was quite complicated to put the ICE powered scooter into a trunk, as you had to secure the fuel line as well as disassembling the scooter.

This, it looks like you could just fold it back up an put it in like a piece of luggage or a briefcase.

Then, o

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[Waffle Iron]

12 miles on a charge, no thanks. But the original Motocompo [wikipedia.org] actually looks cool.

To me, it looks like after riding *either* version for 12 miles, your ass would be too sore, your knees would be too numb, and your feet would be too cramped to do what you planned on your trip anyway.

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[martin-boundary]

These types of designs are all attempting to solve the "last mile problem". If you're an office commuter, then typically you have to walk (or drive + park) for 10 mins to the public transport stop of your choice, then sit around while you wait to get to your destination, then walk another 10 mins or so from the last stop to your office building. In the afternoon you repeat this in the other direction.

A personal mobility device like this scooter is supposed to help you cut the walking time, while being sma

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[AmiMoJo]

This is for the Japanese and other East Asian markets, where that much range is fine. They have walkable and cyclable cities. This is basically an upgrade from a bike, gets you to the shops/work/station. You see huge bike parks at stations in Japan.

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[drinkypoo]

This is for the Japanese and other East Asian markets, where that much range is fine.

And also where those tiny wheels are fine. In this country you would break your ass riding that thing.

Given the existence of hub motors, if I'm going to have a bike that folds into a briefcase it's going to have to have fold-out swing arms and at least halfway decent size wheels. Ironically the Motocompo had about minimally acceptable wheels, while this doesn't.

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[mobby_6kl]

It looks exactly like a modern, sleeker, electric version of the Motocompo, not sure what exactly you expected instead.

Whether or not it's actually useful is another matter, but if you want a scooter, there's already a million of those.

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[hey!]

I don't think this is intended to be a primary vehicle; it's purpose is to be an accessory to your car, a literal last-mile solution for situations where you can't or don't want to park at your destination. Just look at the gas version -- would you want to ride more than six miles on the thing?

Here's who I think this is for. Imagine you're a Japanese salaryman who rides the train for hours each day and then gets packed like a sardine in a subway car for the last mile to work. With this thing you'd drive

Looks more like an exercise bike

[HotNeedleOfInquiry]

And does not look anything like Honda built in the 80's.

There's an idea

[93 Escort Wagon]

It might actually be handy to have some wheels on those Costco folding tables...

Honda Trail 70

[RitchCraft]

I had a Honda Mini Trail 70 when I was a kid. I went everywhere on that thing. If Honda were to come out with an electric version of this I might be interested. This suitcase looking thing looks like it belongs in a B rated spy movie as a gadget.

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[networkzombie]

Heck with that. They should have already mass produced an electric equivalent to the CB175. Instead, they are making scooters and golf carts. I didn’t own a CB175 but it rode similar to my F7D which was great, but Kawasaki doesn’t make a version of that in electric either.

unbeatable combination of power and sexiness

[Walt Dismal]

"This impressive hawg will captivate every Hell's Angel out there with its imposing horsepower and engine roar. It'll attract chicks from miles around to come drink a soy margarita with you."

--- sales brochure showing two babes hanging on the neck of some guy with thick glasses and a dating IQ of 75.

Great scott ...

[Anne Thwacks]

With a 110v charger, it should be incompatible with most of the world!

Re: Great scott ...

[pitch2cv]

This ugly bugger will charge doubly as fast outside the U.S.

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[lexios]

Apparently that's intended. From https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/15/meet_hondas_newest_electric_vehicle/ [theregister.com]

For those outside the US that want to get their hands one one of these things, sorry: Honda tells us it's only planned for the US market. Consider it the Japanese motor maker's attempt to spare you all the pain of having your shins smashed in public spaces by passing waves of motorized carry-ons.

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[mjwx]

With a 110v charger, it should be incompatible with most of the world!

Erm... 110v devices work fine out here in the ROTW, it'll just come with a charging brick that'll make it charge twice as fast.

It only works the other way around, a 220v model wouldn't work in the US.

Something tells me that Honda wasn't thinking of the US, rather developing and undeveloped nations where the power grid is less than stellar, even if it's meant to be 220v.

What about an electric SuperCub?

[Qbertino]

When it comes to powered vehicles, the Honda SuperCub ist it's own league and category. With a basically unchanged build that is produced to this very day since 1958 (!), a motor and components licensed to multiple manufacturers and 110 Million (!!) sold vehicles to date, it dwarfs anything else in the world of transportation by orders of magnitude. Its fuel efficiency is through the roof with 1,5 liters of gas per 100 km and you can just about repair it with a pocket knife and likely any regular village smith in any third world country can produce spare parts for it. It's basically the Kalashnikov of transport.

If Honda could/would build an electric version of that, that would be awesome.

But the SuperCub is so good, that it's actually still still somewhat feasible in a world (that should be) decommissioning fossil fuels.

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[drinkypoo]

It would be pretty easy to make an electric version of it yourself. Bonus points if you make the motor out of an alternator, like maybe one from an Accord. But coming up with an affordable, high capacity battery is the tricky part as always.

Couple of comments

[buck-yar]

The youtube ad was kind of strange. All that spinning special effects...

The tires look like if you hit a crack in the pavement you'll crash.

Crosswinds?

[CyberSnyder]

Looks like a pain to ride in any kind of wind

Floppy disk

[p51d007]

Looks like a floppy disk.

eBikes

[dicobalt]

yea no, expensive bikes are a major target for theft