Honda Motocompacto Electric Scooter Review

[Hugh Janus]

The $995 Motocompacto is proof that fun (and practicality) comes in all sizes. (Bert Beltran/)

The most refreshing thing about Honda’s Motocompacto is that it wasn’t born within the dreary walls of a corporate conference room. Honda management didn’t sit their design team down and ask for “the next big thing.” The Motocompacto started life as a passion project, led by employees who wanted to create something innovative and fun—a folding e-scooter that paid homage to the original Motocompo but made sense from a modern urban mobility standpoint.

Carrying case turned urban explorer. Or beach cruiser, in this case. There’s no rule on how or where to use the Motocompacto. (Honda/)

That’s not to say there weren’t benefits to mass-producing the Motocompacto, which Honda describes as “an unexpected facet of [its] larger electrification strategy.” The concept was pitched at a time when significant focus was going into Honda’s electric vehicles and as the company was looking to bring more eyeballs to its efforts in that space. Consider this a fun way to get people talking about Honda: “Maybe I’ll get a Prologue SUV and throw my Motocompacto in the back.” In some ways, the Motocompacto might even be the thing that gets them into a Honda auto dealership.

A closer look at the Motocompacto in folded and unfolded form. Notice the strap on the handlebar post, which is how you carry around the 41-pound scooter. Notice also how the rear wheel slides into the body to keep the scooter as compact as possible when folded. (Honda/)

History buffs will draw a stronger connection to the beloved Motocompo folding scooter sold between 1981 and 1983. Honda’s Powersports division has been immensely successful in bringing equally iconic legends back to life, and the sales success of bikes like the Super Cub, Trail 125, and Monkey likely encouraged the company to take a chance here. Nostalgia sells.

Mind you, the Motocompacto is nothing like Honda’s “full size” minimotos. It’s a first- and last-mile mobility solution—something that doesn’t require an M1 endorsement but can be used for getting around the city or college campuses. It weighs 41.3 pounds and has a 12-mile range. Max speed is 15 mph, and it charges in 3.5 hours via a 110V outlet.

A peek behind the “curtain.” The Motocompacto has an aluminum frame that takes up little space. The remaining void can be used for storing personal items like a jacket, (covered!) laptop, or anything else that might need to go with you, in addition to the charger. (Honda/)

The scooter is 29.2 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 21.1 inches tall when folded, meaning you can store it just about anywhere. Think closet, trunk of the car, or in the corner of your cubicle at work. It can be folded or unfolded in under a minute, has on-board storage (when unfolded), and two ride modes with varying max speeds.

More important to Honda—and where this scooter will stand out against other first- and last-mile solutions—are the durability standards set in place. Honda build quality extends all the way down to the Motocompacto, so don’t expect to find rickety latches or flimsy footpegs on this pint-sized electric. Sensors ensure power is not delivered to the motor until the scooter is fully unfolded.

An LED display shows battery charge, speed, selected ride mode, and more. (Honda/)

The remaining features list includes things like an LED headlight and taillight, stylish synthetic leather cover for seat and grips, plus bicycle-esque lock loop for when storing the scooter in public.

Worth mentioning is that the design is purposefully minimal; think of the white panels like the shell of a laptop, which most people will slap stickers on or buy “graphic kits” for. The point? Honda wants the Motocompacto to be unique and fun, just as much as it wants the scooter to be safe and practical.

The Motocompacto is small enough that it won’t take up all the trunk space in your car. (Honda/)

Unfold and Go!

The Motocompacto ($995) is being sold at motocompacto.honda.com, and at Honda and Acura automobile dealers, but as part of the prelaunch buildup, we were able to throw a leg over one and bounce around American Honda’s campus in Torrance, California. Unfortunately, “bounce” is used literally here. Notice there’s no mention of “suspension,” which means the scooter can be a rough ride if you don’t miss every pothole or lip between street and sidewalk. This is more about convenience than comfort.

It takes less than a minute to fold or unfold the Motocompacto, and all hinge points are quite sturdy. Honda says it was important for the scooter to be well-built and not be flimsy. (Bert Beltran/)

Unfolding and folding the Motocompacto is a simple process that’s easy to commit to memory and only really takes about 50 seconds. The biggest surprise once it’s unfolded? How narrow the scooter is, but at the same time, how surprisingly comfortable it is for all body types (this test rider is 6-foot-3). No, the seat is not overwhelmingly large, but the dimensions work, and there’s no need for taller riders to worry about their knees hanging up on the handlebar.

One of the more surprising things about the Motocompacto is how skinny it is. Despite this, taller riders will still feel plenty comfortable. (Bert Beltran/)

As mentioned, the Motocompacto was developed with Honda ingenuity (and its legal experiences) in mind. You notice this first in the build quality, but also in things like Mode 1, which doesn’t deliver any power to the front wheel at 0 mph. This means you’ll need to push off with your feet, but also that someone won’t accidentally hit the thumb throttle when you’re sitting on the scooter and send you flying off the back. OK, maybe “send you flying” is a stretch, but you get the point. Top speed in Mode 1 is reduced to 10 mph.

Top speed increases to 15 mph in Mode 2 and can be reached in around seven seconds, depending on rider size. It’s fast enough to be fun, as evidenced by the constant laughs and grins on the face of every person who threw a leg over the Motocompacto.

Honda engineering and build quality mean the scooter feels stable and rugged. Throttle application is direct and overall easy to get used to, even if you’ve never thumbed a scooter to life before. (Bert Beltran/)

Stability isn’t an issue, a clear sign of how far manufacturing has come since the first (very wobbly) minibike was introduced decades ago. The rear brake is strong enough to skid the tire and is easy enough to actuate with the bar-mounted lever. Again, it’s these well-built, quality pieces that will help the Motocompacto stand out from some of the more inexpensive options out there. And for some people, that sense of quality and ruggedness will be worth any added cost.

A few other things for those people to consider: While the storage area is great, you might want to find an “organizer” for the compartment, as your laptop or other goods will bounce around if not secured by some type of divider or cargo net. Also, while the Motocompacto folds up neatly into its own compact and stackable carrying case, it does weigh 41 pounds and isn’t something you want to carry for more than a few flights of stairs. That’s probably OK for the person who’s carrying it through the subway station, or you college students who only need to walk it from the parking lot to class.

The Motocompacto charger is, well, compact, and takes up very little space. Charge time is 3.5 hours. Notice the LED headlight. (Bert Beltran/)

Final Thoughts

For people who don’t live in the city or work on a large corporate campus, the Motocompacto would be more like something to leave in the trunk of the car for random adventures when ending up somewhere fun. For instance, we might keep it in the car and pull it out when we’re by the beach and want to cruise the boardwalk. And that’s fine—there’s no rule for how or when to use any of the many urban mobility solutions that are popping up.

What we like most is that as more of these solutions become mainstream, the more people will begin to recognize the freedom and flexibility that anything with two wheels and a motor can bring you. Even if the Motocompacto converts a handful of people into motorcyclists, that’s a win.

Hell, even if it doesn’t, that’s OK. It’s cute, it’s fun, and was never meant to turn the world on its head. Only to offer a unique solution to those in need. If it accomplishes anything more than that, or gets people into Honda dealerships, all the better for those who helped bring it to life.

Think of the Motocompacto’s side panels as a blank canvas. Graphic kits are already available, or you might make the scooter uniquely yours by slapping your favorite stickers on there. Side benefit for companies who might add these to their fleet: free-ish advertising. (Honda/)
Honda’s Motocompacto phone app allows you to see the current state of battery charge, view information on overall battery health, and use the trip calculator to estimate battery remaining at your intended destination. (Honda/)
The Motocompacto’s control center. Clean! (Bert Beltran/)
The compact theme extends to the seat. Then again, you’re not spending hours in this saddle. (Bert Beltran/)
A cable-operated rear brake works brings the Motocompacto to a quick stop. (Bert Beltran/)

2024 Honda Motocompacto Specs

MSRP:	$995
Motor Type:	Permanent magnet, direct drive
Peak Output:	490W
Claimed Torque:	11.8 lb.-ft.
Drive:	Front-wheel drive
Max Speed:	15 mph
Battery Capacity:	6.8aH
Charge Time:	3.5 hours (110V)
Range:	Up to 12 miles
Frame:	Heat-treated aluminum
Wheelbase:	29.2 in.
Length (ready-to-ride/folded):	38.1 in. / 29.2 in.
Height (ready-to-ride/folded):	35.0 in. / 21.1 in.
Width (ready-to-ride/folded):	17.2 in. / 3.7 in.
Seat Height:	24.5 in.
Claimed Weight:	41.3 lb.
Weight Capacity:	265 lb.
Contact:	motocompacto.honda.com

Source

[boboneleg]

Has our resident bot put this on here as a joke .............

 

[Buckster]

Pete's next bike.

[busabeast]

2 hours ago, Buckster said:

Pete's next bike.

Looks more like you're next bike given the lean angle it can achieve, that's harley territory so you'd be best placed to be riding it

[busabeast]

3 hours ago, boboneleg said:

Has our resident bot put this on here as a joke .............

 

I'd say it could well be a yellow card offence 

[Pedro]

Cool contraption, something to be kept inside a car for when you park in a city. Not really a motorcycle, though 

[busabeast]

20 minutes ago, Pedro said:

Cool contraption, something to be kept inside a car for when you park in a city. Not really a motorcycle, though 

Trouble is nowadays nobody is going to park in a city, they are too expensive so it's abit of a pointless contraption 

[Buckster]

1 hour ago, busabeast said:

Trouble is nowadays nobody is going to park in a city, they are too expensive so it's abit of a pointless contraption 

Much like your garage queen then.

[busabeast]

1 minute ago, Buckster said:

Much like your garage queen then.

Are you riding in the snow?

[Buckster]

Just now, busabeast said:

Are you riding in the snow?

What snow?

[busabeast]

1 minute ago, Buckster said:

What snow?

It's about 3 inches deep here, does Edinburgh have any snow?

[Buckster]

Just now, busabeast said:

It's about 3 inches deep here, does Edinburgh have any snow?

Nope.

[busabeast]

Now that's a surprise, I thought Scotland had a fair amount this year, could well be further north than you at the moment then

[Buckster]

2 hours ago, busabeast said:

Now that's a surprise, I thought Scotland had a fair amount this year, could well be further north than you at the moment then

All the snow is south of Edinburgh.

[Pedro]

6 hours ago, busabeast said:

Trouble is nowadays nobody is going to park in a city, they are too expensive so it's abit of a pointless contraption 

The world is bigger than London.

[busabeast]

I didn't say London though every town and city is going the way of nobody wants to go to them so a town/city vehicle is pointless 

[Nute]

It will doubtless be illegal here as it’s not propelled by peddles so can’t be classed as an e-bike and we are 10 years behind the rest of the world on e-scooters.