Back in the 1980s, Honda presented the Motocompo, a foldable petrol-powered scooter that could be stowed in the boot of the Honda City. Despite never hitting the US market, Honda marketed it as a “trunk bike” intended for short-distance travel post-parking the City in an assigned space.
In response to the rising interest in electric vehicles, Honda has now unveiled the Motocompacto, an electric adaptation inspired by its predecessor. The Motocompacto encompasses a compact battery offering a range of up to 12 miles and a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour. While these specifications may not appear astounding, the key advantage lies in its quick full recharge time of merely 3.5 hours. Picture yourself commuting to work on the Motocompacto, and during your work hours, effortlessly recharging it from a nearby 110-volt socket, ensuring a full battery for your return trip home.
The Motocompacto boasts a sleek design, measuring slightly over 38 inches in length, 35 inches in height, with a seating elevation of 24.5 inches. Its folded dimensions shrink to 21.1 inches in height, 3.7 inches in width, and 29.2 inches in length. Weighing a mere 41.3 pounds, it is incredibly portable and fits snugly in your car’s boot.
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Preparing the Motocompacto for a ride is a straightforward task. Transitioning from its folded state, simply affix the seat, extend the handlebars, and pull out the rear wheel, a task easily accomplished in under a minute. It also features a compact brake light and headlight to enhance road visibility.
As a Honda creation, the Motocompacto efficiently utilizes its confined space. While unfolded, it provides a small compartment in the center, ideal for holding a laptop or a small bag. Moreover, it comes equipped with a digital display facilitating seamless ignition and enabling you to select between two riding modes. Mode 1 restricts speed to a walking pace, requiring a push off before engaging the throttle, whereas Mode 2 allows for immediate acceleration from a standstill to its top speed of 15 mph.
Housing a single front electric motor, the Motocompacto delivers peak performance of 490 watts and 11.8 pound-feet of torque. Despite these seemingly modest power figures, a trial run around Honda’s head office in Torrance, CA revealed the Motocompacto to be an exhilarating and pleasant experience. Its low riding stance adds to the enjoyment factor and imparts a sense of safety compared to standing scooters, allowing you to firmly plant your feet on the ground in case of any mishaps.
Though our test ride mainly traversed smooth surfaces, rougher terrains might yield a bumpier experience due to the absence of suspension. Nevertheless, this is a prevalent trait in electric scooters and should not come as a surprise.
Among the standout qualities of the Honda Motocompacto is its affordability, retailing at just $995. This price point renders it accessible to a broad range of consumers. Honda’s goal is to captivate the interest of younger demographics with the Motocompacto while also accommodating urban commuters reliant on public transit. Picture yourself riding the Motocompacto to a train or subway station, compactly folding it up, and seamlessly continuing your journey. This eradicates the need for walking, thereby enhancing convenience.
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