The Honda Motocompo
The other day I was going to Globe (which will be featured in the Restaurants section of 3Yen no doubt, as soon as it is created), and I saw this little wonder parked on the sidewalk, among other bicyles and bikes. Ok, it is not really a “new” gadget as such, but who said everything here should be new? Besides, even though the Motocompo was born in the 80’s, it is still so much ahead of its time, we still have a few minutes to talk about it. If you are tired about mp3 players, here is a sci-fi thingy from the past.
The Honda Motocompo is a little toy for adults who were too old when Transformer robot toys first appeared. It is a motorbike, but it is also a toy. It is a statement. People who bought a Honda Motocompo at the time were cool, those who still have one are even cooler. Think 1960’s VW Beetle…
Designed as a companion to the Honda City series (aka Jazz in Europe), this minibike folds up and fits in the trunk of your minicar. When you live in Tokyo and you understand the value of space, both in the street, in your home, and everywhere you spend some time, you really value the designers at Honda who came up with this little guy. The City car spawn many babies worldwide, such as the Polo, the Smart and so on. Yet, the Motocompo died and got forgotten. Sure, half of the bicycles you see in the street of Tokyo are foldable, but in the times of portable music, portable computing, portable gaming, and portable video, where is the portable bike??
Sometimes, you can even buy some on eBay and the prices don’t even look like it’s a collector’s item. And if you don’t want to burn money yet be a hipster, you can always build your own in folded paper (Japanese style all the way), or just steal the favicon from the Honda MOTOCOMPO Comminuty (sic) Website and use it on your homepage (if you spend enough time on this page, you will even see the funky logo get animated).
And if you think pictures are worth a thousand words, scroll down and feel the real coolness of the Motocompo.
(ads via)
(Don’t you want one already?)
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April 4th, 2005 at 1:05 am
Could this new Yamaha be the 21st-century Motocompo?
April 7th, 2005 at 12:21 pm
how do i get one?
how much are they?
April 7th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
GaijinBiker: They can try all they want, nothing beats the Motocompo ;)
Garrett: You do realize they stopped making them in the 80’s don’t you? Tried eBay? If you live in Japan, I guess Yahoo! Auction would be your best bet…
July 23rd, 2005 at 4:19 am
where can i get parts for the motocompo?
September 24th, 2005 at 11:43 am
i have one for sales, $1500 , i am from Canada.
bike import from Japan long time ago.
purple color.
October 6th, 2005 at 3:05 am
http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search?sb=desc,cat&desc=%a5%e2%a5%c8%a5%b3%a5%f3%a5%dd&cat=0&auccat=0&acc=jp&f=0×92&alocale=0jp&mode=1
January 15th, 2006 at 2:16 am
Where can you get parts for a MOTOCOMPO, e.g. gas tank?
September 20th, 2006 at 5:29 am
i have a 1983 motocompo it has only done 100 miles from new and has been stored in a bedroom for many years has anyone got any idea what it is worth it is like new
September 30th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
If someone has one for sale, please email me at blurado@yahoo.com
Thanks
May 18th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Wow it’s good, how to get it ???
October 11th, 2007 at 4:44 am
Here’s the modern equivalent and it’s ugly as hell http://www.diblasi.co.uk/Folding_Scooters.asp?Prd=R7&Pag=Prodotto&Lng=en
October 12th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
since 25 years riding nearly every day.no break downs,only tires exaust and break renewal.my most beloved vehicle.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Great post about the Honda Motocompo! Here’s a YouTube video we just made riding on one. They are FUN to ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wTnhyBBb_A
March 1st, 2008 at 5:19 am
Hello
i just bought a motocompo in germany last week.
Now lets find parts
greatings
ronny
nice video