For just $1,807, Honda is willing to sell you happiness. Or at least, that’s what I gather from the addition of the Honda Navi to the company’s lineup.
Nicely splitting the difference between the Grom and the Ruckus scooter, the Navi is a fully automatic, 109.2cc engined motorcycle designed to get you around town and put a smile on your face.
Let’s take a closer look at this fantastic little motorcycle.
Honda Navi – Little Bike, Big Smiles
I’m a sucker for little motorcycles, so Honda might as well deduct $1,807 ($200 destination fee) from my bank account right now. The Honda Navi is perfect. Priced right, the little bike looks cool and is just about the easiest little machine to ride on the road thanks to its electric start with a kick-starter backup and a fully automatic CVT.
Okay, let me give you the numbers: 109.2cc single-cylinder engine (canted 80 degrees forward), 236-pound curb weight, 110 mpg, 3.6-quart fuel capacity, 30.1-inch seat height. The Navi can do a top speed of 55 mph. There’s a small storage compartment housed within the frame, making it an even better option for commuters. And you can ride two-up if you have to, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing so on such a small bike.
The bike is carbureted (16mm carburetor), and the V-Matic CVT with a belt final drive means you just twist the throttle to go. It has drum brakes on it because, well, it’s small and doesn’t need anything else. The drum brakes are both mechanical and 130mm. There is a parking brake, too, which is a must-have for an automatic motorcycle.
Another important point is that there’s not going to be a ton of maintenance on this little bike. You’ll have about 2,500 miles between oil changes, 10,000 miles between air filter changes, and drum brakes and the simple mechanical speedometer won’t take much care either.
The tires are MRF Zapper tires and the front measures 90/90 x 12 and the rear tire measures 90/100 x 10. Those tires may sound small, and they are, but they’ll get the job done for around town, commuting riding duties.
For suspension, you’re looking at a non-adjustable 27mm inverted fork up front with 3.9 inches of travel. Out at the back wheel, you’ll find linkage-free, non-adjustable single shock with 2.8 inches of travel. That’s not a lot of suspension travel, but you don’t need anything more with a bike like this.
Honda is going to sell it in a variety of colors, including Red, Grasshopper Green, Nut Brown, and Ranger Green (my favorite). There are also some options, including Icon and Viper Urban Camo. I’d expect the aftermarket to blow up with additional options for this bike much like it has for the Honda Grom. You can expect to seek new and interesting paint jobs and other aesthetic upgrades soon.
With the price point being so low, I can’t see how Honda won’t sell the crap out of these. It’s cheaper than most scooters out there. Yes, registration and insurance fees will come into play, but in some states now, that’s the case for scooters and even some electric bicycles.
Honda finally went and did what I’ve been waiting for a company to do, come out with a seriously inexpensive motorcycle with yesterday’s technology. There’s nothing fancy about the Navi, and that’s precisely the point. It’s simply a fantastic and smart move by Honda.
In the age of everyone looking for the next best mobility solution, Honda may have taken a giant leap forward by looking to yesterday’s technology.
Check it out at Honda’s website.
