Honda Motocompo
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Manufacturer | Honda Motor Company |
---|---|
Also called | AB12, Trunk Bike |
Production | 1981-1983 |
Engine | AB12E 49 cc (3.0 cu in), air-cooled, two-stroke, single[1] |
Power | 2.5 hp @ 5,000 rpm[1] |
Torque | 0.38 kg-m @ 4,500rpm[1] |
Transmission | single-speed, automatic clutch |
Tires | 2.50-8-4PR |
Dimensions | L: 1.185 m (46.7 in)[1] W: 0.535 m (21.1 in) H: 0.910 m (35.8 in) |
Weight | 42 kg (93 lb)[1] (dry) 45 kg (99 lb) (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 2.2 L (0.48 imp gal; 0.58 US gal) |
Oil capacity | 1.0 L (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) |
Fuel consumption | 70.0 km/l @ 30km/h |
Turning radius | 1.3 m |
The Honda Motocompo is a folding scooter sold by Honda 1981–1983.[2]
Released in Shetland White, Daisy Yellow and Caribbean Red variants, the Motocompo was introduced as a "trunk bike" (trabai) to fit inside subcompact cars like the Honda Today and the (then new) Honda City.[1] The City's baggage compartment was actually developed around the Motocompo. The handlebars, seat, and foot-pegs fold into the scooter's rectangular plastic body to present a clean, box-shaped package of 1,185 mm × 240 mm × 540 mm (46.7 in × 9.4 in × 21.3 in). It is the smallest scooter ever built by Honda. The company's initial monthly sales projection for the domestic market was 8,000 City and 10,000 Motocompo.[3] The City surpassed its targets, but in all only 53,369 Motocompos were sold by the end of production in 1983 (no more than 3,000 per month).[4] The scooter was marketed in conjunction with the City in television ads featuring British ska/2-tone band Madness.[5]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Honda_City_and_Motocompo_display_at_Honda_Collection_Hall_in_Motegi.jpg/220px-Honda_City_and_Motocompo_display_at_Honda_Collection_Hall_in_Motegi.jpg)
Although discontinued in 1983, Honda has revisited the idea since with several concept vehicles such as the 2001 e-Dax[6] and e-NSR,[7] and the 2011 Motor Compo electric scooter.[8]
The Motocompo maintains a cult status among compact bike enthusiasts for its unique design, stylized logo, and highly customizable potential. Bike meet-ups devoted to the Motocompo continue to engage with fans both young and old alike as a passionate community bonded by their enthusiasm for the retro vehicle.
In fiction
The Motocompo is used by Natsumi Tsujimoto in You're Under Arrest. It is tucked away at the back of her partner Miyuki Kobayakawa's Honda Today police car when not in use. It was released as a Bandai model kit.
A Motocompo is the inspiration for the character Sou in the Kino's Journey —the Beautiful World— anime and manga series.
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Motocompo (1981)". honda.co.jp (in Japanese). Honda Collection Hall, Honda. 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ "Years made". honda.co.jp (in Japanese). Honda. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
- ^ "Initial sales projection". honda.co.jp (in Japanese). Honda. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
- ^ "Total sales". ne.jp. Yasu.Tanaka. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
- ^ CM Honda City (television) (in Japanese). Honda.
- ^ "Honda City and Motocompo study in 2001: the Honda e-DAX". Banpei.net. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ Cycle World Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ "tokyo motor show honda motor compo foldable electric scooter". designboom magazine. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Folding Video at honda.co.jp (in Japanese)
- Motocompo Owners Gallery at honda.co.jp (in Japanese) (archived)
- Honda Motocompo brochure at Product Design Data Base
- Flickr photo results for 'Honda Motocompo'