$1,000 Suitcase-Sized Ebike
An image of the Honda Motocompacto parked on a Venice Beach boardwalk.
Honda’s inspiration for the newly unveiled Honda Motocompacto came from its famous 1981–83 Motocompo design exercise. What would a new Motocompo look like today, given the massive popularity of electric scooters, ebikes and “EV-ification” of everything? The resulting Motocompacto is a radically different answer to the same question the Motocompo took on. To hear Honda tell it, the Motocompacto “revolutionizes personal mobility.” Are we experiencing a B.C./A.D. moment in history? Let’s dive in.
The revolution will not be televised, but it can be recharged next to your desk. The Honda Motocompacto being recharged in its folded state, as rendered by Honda artists.
Unlike the classic (and very sought after) Motocompo, the Motocompacto isn’t designed to fit neatly into an existing Honda car. It’s designed to fit anywhere a medium-sized suitcase can fit, which is a lot of places. And it’s clearly designed for bike lanes or even sidewalks (depending on local traffic laws) more than asphalt and centerlines.
In its folded state, the Motocompacto is just 3.7 inches wide, 21.1 inches tall, and 29.2 inches long. The handlebar and stem fold into the body or “fairing,” as does the seat once disconnected. The rear wheel disengages via a pin lever, and folds inward to complete the compact, portable design. That’s assuming you’ve folded the footpegs in. You can leave them out if you feel like riding a suitcase anywhere for comedic effect.
What lurks inside: 32 exclusive patents went into Honda’s new Motocompacto. Note the traditional front wheel motor layout.
Once unfolded, these dimensions become 17.2 inches wide, 35 inches tall, and 38.1 inches long. Non-Californians, your introduction to lane-splitting could start here. It rides on an aluminum frame, with LED lights front and back. A steel sidestand comes with a bike-lock-compatible loop to make thieves earn their filthy lucre.
The charger fits neatly inside the body and fully charges the Motocompacto from a standard 15-amp outlet in 3.5 hours once you’ve lugged it to your office or workplace. It weighs in at 41.3 pounds, which puts it squarely in the median weight for electric scooters, folding or otherwise. As for the rider, if you and your stuff are under the official weight capacity of 265 pounds, you’re good to go.
WESWMMR? It’s hard to know what electric scooter Marc Márquez would ride, but a telltale No. 93 offers a clue in this Honda-drawn artist rendering of the new Motocompacto.
Top speed is claimed to be 15 mph, while range comes in at 12 miles. Both are fairly unexciting figures. To be fair, the original Motocompo with its air-cooled single cylinder 49cc two-stroke engine barely beat 15 mph. Various ride modes for the Motocompacto come via Bluetooth connectivity. Could one of them unlock a few more mph? We can only speculate.
But really, the “revolution” in design mobility isn’t about performance numbers. Honda usually revolutionizes the relationship users have with their products. In that spirit, the Motocompacto costs just $995 and will be available exclusively at Honda and Acura dealerships. They want to reach new users, not existing ones. Honda’s all about growing the pie, not fighting for market share.
Minimalism at work in the new Honda Motocompacto display.
So while you could talk about the 32 exclusive patents that went into the new Motocompacto, the real story is practicality, price point, and a canvaslike ability to showcase a rider’s personality. Decals, stickers, or vinyl skins, your Motocompacto is a billboard for your personality, small business, or whatever else you feel like sharing with the world. If you’ve never thought about integrating an electric scooter into your life, you’re exactly the buyer Honda has in mind.
Will the Motocompacto be revolutionary? Along with the 10 new electric motorcycles Honda plans to release by 2025, perhaps. It all depends on how many new riders plunk down $995 to throw a leg over it. Honda plans to release the Motocompacto to dealerships in November of 2025. Stay tuned!
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