It looks a bit like an oversized Apple charging device. Or maybe a folding picnic table, or even a piece of luggage. But in reality, the Honda Motocompacto is one of the most innovative modes of transportation you’ll see cruising the bike lanes and sidewalks of your community in the near future.
Photo credit: Honda
The Motocompacto went on sale in November 2023 as an all-electric sit-down scooter, priced at around $1,000. This minibike fits squarely into Honda’s aggressive long-term strategy around electrifying its entire fleet; the company’s goal is to have 100% zero-emission automobile sales by 2040, with many electric vehicles launching in the meantime between now and that date.
Not your ordinary bike
As its name implies, the Motocompacto is a two-wheeled, motorcycle-like vehicle that can be folded — compacted — for ease of storage and transport with a carrying handle. The design harkens back to the Honda Motocompo bike of the early 1980s, which had a gasoline-powered motor and was designed to collapse and store in the hatchback of an economy car. The new Motocompacto weighs 40 pounds and is rated to support up to a 265-pound rider.
Cruising range on a full battery charge is 12 miles. A smartphone app, which includes an odometer and route planner, uses a map-based interface to estimate battery life upon arrival at a destination. When in ride mode, there is a small storage compartment that would fit a purse or small incidentals, but don’t plan on doing all your grocery shopping with it.
Instrumentation includes a digital speedometer, a headlight indicator, a speed level indicator and a mechanical bell mounted to the handlebar. There are two speed settings; the fastest will propel the bike to a maximum 15 miles per hour. At that low speed, the Motocompacto is not street-legal; rather, it is designed for use on sidewalks.
The all-white “body” is a blank canvas for customization. I upgraded mine with some emblems, but people are already making wraps and decals to personalize their Motocompactos.
Photo credit: Tyson Hugie
Product registration and warranty communications go to the same location at Honda headquarters as its vehicle correspondence. In fact, the Motocompacto even has a 17-digit serial number like full-size cars and trucks.
Ready to roll
I acquired my Motocompacto about a month after the initial on-sale date in early November. It was delivered to my local Acura dealership parts counter, and it came precharged with about 50% battery life. Set-up was straightforward; there was no assembly required other than learning the step-by-step of getting the bike into riding mode by folding it out.
Photo credit: Tyson Hugie
Though not complicated, there are a number of ride-readiness steps involved.
- Extending the rear wheel
- Pivoting the front handlebar assembly up and out
- Installing the seat
- Folding out the foot pegs
- Stowing the kick stand.
From there, you hold down the power button that is incorporated into the gauge display, and the machine powers up.
First impressions
The learning curve is short with this one. After a few iterations, I had the unfold-and-collapse process down to just a couple of minutes.
Photo credit: Tyson Hugie
The lever-type throttle near the right side of the handlebar is forgiving in the sense that the bike is smooth to accelerate, even at full-throttle. I found the ride to be predictable and stable, although the tires are a little hard (they are made of solid plastic as opposed to air-filled pneumatic). Any impact from sidewalk gaps and other roadway imperfections can be jarring. There is no suspension on the Motocompacto, after all.
The brake is easy to operate and swift to engage, although it is a little bit loud. I found the scooter easy to balance and fun to zip around in overall. Even though the handlebar and seating positions are not adjustable, I invited friends of various shapes and sizes to give the bike a try, and they were all able to make it work with ease.
Photo credit: Tyson Hugie
Cruisin’ the burbs
Have you ever thought about getting a scooter to cruise around the neighborhood in? For the price, you may be hard-pressed to find a more fun and engaging e-bike. Best of all, the Motocompacto could also serve as a back-up vehicle to keep in your trunk in case of emergency. Don’t forget to pick up a helmet while you’re at it.
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