Motorcycles are getting awfully expensive, aren’t they? Of course, “you get what you pay for” typically applies, but its nice to know that there are still some inexpensive options … particularly for new riders who want to give two wheel transportation a try. Enter the Honda Navi, a “miniMOTO” that joins Honda’s successful Grom and Ruckus in U.S. dealers next January at an MSRP of $1,807. This bike is about as beginner friendly as it gets, with a low seat height, 110cc engine and an automatic transmission. Here are the details from Honda:
November 16, 2021 — TORRANCE, Calif. American Honda confirmed today that the Navi miniMOTO will be offered in the U.S. market for the 2022 model year. Small, accessible, enjoyable and priced extremely competitively, the Navi appeals to a wide range of customers, especially those just learning to ride. The model has a fuel-efficient, user-friendly 110cc engine and an automatic transmission – so no shift lever or clutch lever. The look is sporty and fun, and the seat has a low, 30.1 inch height, so most riders can touch the ground with both feet. The combination is a bike that’s nimble for navigating city traffic, easy to carry on an RV bumper rack and lightweight to simplify maneuvering into tight parking spots. There’s even a storage bin for stowing a jacket, snack or textbooks. Already very popular in some markets, the Navi is now available in the United States.
“From the original Cub to the Grom, Honda has a proud legacy of producing miniMOTO models that open doors to new riders, and the Navi is set to extend that trend even further,” said Brandon Wilson, Sports & Experiential Manager at American Honda. “This miniMOTO checks all the boxes for new riders, like simple operation, a fun design, low operating costs and Honda reliability – all for well under $2,000. We’re pleased to make motorcycling possible for more riders by offering the Navi in the U.S.”
The Navi will be on display at this weekend’s IMS Outdoors motorcycle show in Costa Mesa, California, where it will also be among the models included in the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Ride With Us Moto Intro experience, giving new riders an opportunity to try motorcycling.
Honda also confirmed the return of five additional on-road models for the new model year: the Gold Wing tourer and NC750X adventure tourer, the Rebel 1100 and Fury cruisers, and the CBR600RR sport bike. Most of these models are available in multiple trim levels, and some are offered in new colors for 2022.
NAVI
Somewhat of a mix between Honda’s Ruckus and Grom (each of which is popular enough to have developed its own subculture), the Navi has the styling of a motorcycle and some convenience features of a scooter, including Honda’s V-Matic automatic transmission – just twist the throttle to go! It’s all wrapped up in an appealing miniMOTO package that’s fun and easy to personalize, for example with Honda Accessory graphics produced in collaboration with Icon. The Navi also has an amazingly low MSRP and gas-sipping performance, putting it within reach of almost any customer. With Honda’s proven quality and reliability, it’s also a dependable way to get around town – far more convenient than public transportation or carpooling. There’s never been a better way for new riders to discover just how enjoyable, convenient and practical motorcycling can be.
- MSRP: $1,807
- Colors: Red; Grasshopper Green; Nut Brown; Ranger Green
- Availability: January 2022 (February in California)
- Info
I would rather have a Monkee but I must say the tail section looks better than most other new bikes. And for some reason, it reminded me of a Honda generator.
I wish that it used the PCX 150 engine and had a hand operated rear brake. Not bad a 110cc mini moto. I guess this is supposed to compete with Ebikes and scooters. Honda should just import the entire Forza line 150-750cc.
It looks like a piece of junk. Spend a little more and buy a real motorcycle on the secondary market.
“I want you for the Navy”
This thing looks like one of those push-bikes that’s supposed to look like a motorcycle that you buy for a two year old.
I’m out.
If this is what it takes to get young folk to put down their remote controls and saddle up, I’m all for it. But since it has no Facebook interface it’s probably doomed.
Maybe in 1995, more like get the hell their phones.
I tried posting what the real price was on one of these, but didnt get past the moderator. it ended up being more than twice the listed price. Hope this one gets through.
I kinda liked this thing, then i went to the dealer. $1,807 price, plus $697 freight, $679 assembly, $85 doc fee, $175 registration, $4 tire fee, $310 tax, total for a $1,807 machine OTD is $3,757.46. More than twice its original cost. I laughed, walked out.
You must be in California.
No way a dealer here gets away with $1400 in freight and assy. Looking at the bill of sale on my last bike, a 2021 NC 750X DCT freight and set up was $380 combined bought in June of this year.
That would be the last time that dealer ever saw my face. I wonder how many customers they’ve run out of the place with those tactics?
That’s just dishonest. Freight for the Navi is $200 in the US, same for all states, or at least the lower 48 for sure. Dealer here doesn’t charge anything for “assembly.”
Having worked in sales for both auto and MC dealers, dealer prep, assembly, whatever you want to call it is a warranty claim and included in the MSRP. $200-250 for shipping is normal, though with the cost of shipping going up, that will rise as well.
Remember the dealer cost on this scoot will be about $1500.
lol more comments on this than the KTM 1290 Super Duke R evo
Because it’s more interesting? I do admit not having much of a use case for either bike but it’s more charming to fantasize about having the sort of care-free time and lack of responsibility that this little bike suggests. The Duke I would picture riding to work. The Navi conjures up images of riding around campgrounds or launching it off plywood ramps with the other neighborhood kids.
All it needs is something to attached a milk crate behind the seat.
The shock disappears into the rear fender. How is it attached?
Many parts of this are covered with plastic. The single rear shock, is bolted to the frame at the top, and the engine CVT case at the bottom. This engine is from the Activa, a 125 class scooter. interestingly, the alternator also acts as the starter motor. This was designed/made in India, after 5 years coming to the US market. Most scooters have the open space between your legs. This has the all in one engine/CVT and the fuel tank is between your legs, what we all take for granted is a motorcycle. Unlike the Ruckus, which keeps to form having nothing between your knees, this has the fuel tank (0.9 gallon), and a storage box.
It’s a single off-center shock mounted on the left side.
no traction control? This thing could be a hand full
KEK
Just looking it my first thought was it’s an electric bike. Then it looks like it uses a scooter type engine/trans centered around the rear wheel. So what’s the boxy pod under the fuel tank, storage?
It’s a removeable storage bin.
its just a storage box. This little scooter has been sold in India for the last 5 years. Designed and built in India. It uses an already proven scooter frame/engine, that has CVT so just gas it and go. You can unbolt the box, and just have empty space.
I’m glad to see so many positive comments about this bike, however I don’t get the appeal at all. There isn’t anything about it that makes me want one, not even the price tag.
That said, I’ll probably see a lot of them in downtown Colorado Springs.
I’d love to have one to be honest, I’m really into small electric vehicles nowadays and this would be cool to have while batteries are charging and what not. The only bad thing about it is these damn price gouging dealers are gonna want to add $600+ for freight/setup/doc etc…
I don’t care for the Gen 1 Grom style puss filled zit of a headlight. The price is great. They must pay the workers like the Chinese. A bowl of rice and a fish head.
It needs a beak.
Would it support a 300 lb person? Asking for my MIL.
I would think that is above its GVWL, I dont know, really. If she could ride it, it would handle it, if you put 40 psi in the tires.
I remember full size adults riding around on QA 50s and Z 50s, CT 70s etc. Probably over the weight limit but they never broke down
My understanding is that it will, however the pegs will drag. Unless you have a boner to pick with your MIL, I would recommend the Grom.
It looks like when it sold in India the weight limit was 330 to around 375 lbs.
Cable operated brakes, so no brake bleeding. No coolant system to deal with. Low maintenance, just gas and oil.
It has a purpose, especially for city dwellers. Should hit 50mph. I like it.
Correct, the version in India had a top speed of 50.33 mph (translated from 81 KPH). This assumes they don’t bog it down with a lot emissions reducing stuff for US use. It looks like it’s probably good for 110 mpg or so on average. I agree, it should really appeal to city dwellers.
It better do at least 50. My 1969 Trail90 would do an honest-to-God 55 mph with 5hp. My 1970 Yamaha 90 twin would do around 70 mph with “10hp”, more like 7.
Not doubting you, but how would you know what the genuine speed was in those days without today’s satnav confirmation? Maybe you timed yourself between roadside markers?
“Those days”, as in the last decade? I’m nowhere old enough to have bought those two bikes new.
Sorry; I thought you were talking history! Reading classic magazines, it’s always amusing to see how top speeds were higher in the early road-tests than now with the same machines rebuilt…
Part of the problem is modern gas. Having no lead and a bit of alcohol makes an engine run lean, hot, and requires the compression to be lowered, ignition retarded, and carbs to be re-jetted. Modern gas is probably responsible for a 5-10% reduction in power of a vintage vehicle. Another thing is restoration empathy; an original tester would wind an engine out in every gear. Someone who is testing a bike that was just fully restored it going to be a little more gentle on the tachometer and the throttle.
I’ve thought it might be nice to have a Grom or the Kawasaki bike that competes with it, to carry in the bed of my F-150 when I’m towing a camper. The Grom is an inch or two too long (if pulled in at a 90 degree angle with the tailgate closed) and the Kawasaki is borderline, but might fit. I bet this thing will, and it’s dirt cheap. I don’t necessarily like not being able to see the motor, but otherwise this looks like a winner. Maybe more parents will buy these for their kids and bring more people into motorcycling.
Any vehicle that doesn’t have an 8 foot box is a car in my universe. I wish those people ruining the pickup truck would move to some other universe. I think Ford still offers an extended cab half ton pickup. GM and Ram only offer them as cars. So after buying seven new pickups from GM I bought a used truck when I returned to the US from Europe.
I bought a big ol’ deleted one ton rattler crew cab. I really like the thing. Darn thing gets much better fuel economy than the my last gasser. And it pulls the toy hauler like it ain’t even there.
No way would I deal with a truck with a DEF system. So it’s used deleted rattlers forever.
Thanks GM for turning your back on me and in turn turning me to the dark coal rolling side. May you never see another of my dimes.
You consider a 1/2 ton a “truck”?
So glad this isn’t Pickup Truck Daily lol
Mechanical Odometer and speedo ? Who would have thought they still are fitted to a ‘road’ bike in 2021 ? Pull my other leg and tell me it’s got a carby too.
mechanical choke, drum brakes, no radiator, fan cooled 4 stroke 110cc, wait… centerstand! Made in India, so the China haters dont have to worry. and yes, it does have a carburetor. My wife looking over my shoulder, “you want me to buy that for you”, I love her. I would have to buy 2 now. Brown and Green. one will be on display this weekend in Costa Mesa, but thats really really far to drive, traffic. its been in India for 5 years or so now, maybe the new model bugs are worked out.
Uh “China hater” is not the correct nomenclature Dude. “China realist,” please.
Ah, now the criticizer doesnt like how someone catagorizes HIM. Hypocrisy at its best.
I made the ride and Honda weren’t offering rides on these. Kawi wasn’t offering rides on the W800, and Guzzi didn’t show up. RE did let me ride the 350, so my 600+ mile round trip left me 1 for 4. I only used 1 day of my 3 day ticket, and Ortega Hwy was closed. I did make it through Julian twice with light traffic, so the visit was fun.
It’s a scooter. And it’s 1800 bucks. So yes, it has all those things. You could buy a Grom for twice the price and have all the “modern” parts.
I want a Rambo version with high fenders and (tiny) knobby tires, camouflage wrap and a scabbard.
Reminds me of my childhood riding up dirt roads near campgrounds in the summer. Minibikes were my introduction to the experience of motorcycle riding. I always look twice at them for the memories.
Nowadays I see young people riding Coleman minibikes. Sometimes in groups. They often customize them to look cool with high handlebars, forward pegs, and springy solo seats. One kid had a stretched out frame. There are also clubs of guys on Groms or similar bikes. It would be a good start for a young beginner to ride. Or as a last resort for me. Just please change those awful colors they are using now.
“The seat has a low, 30.1 inch height”
My exact inseam, but for a minibike this is NOT low. I fear that for most kids their feet will not touch the ground.
$3000 out the door.
For less than $1k (based on your $3k assertion) more I think a PCX150 is a much safer, capable and more practical choice. Even a Metropolitan would be more practical though I understand the appeal of his one’s “Grom like” styling. Kids are going to like it.
I cant say for sure, but more like $2,500 OTD. Tax, license, the $200 destination charge, it all adds up. But you get that on any vehicle you buy.
Tank is right. It’ll never be $2500 OTD. Especially in California. They all quoted me $4400 OTD for $2800 Ruckus 50. They don’t budge neither.
Add the “added dealer markup” and the Navi ain’t navigatin’ anywhere.
Am I the only one who would love to see a racing series for one of these little bikes? If I could actually fit on one (6′ 6″) I might even participate! Low cost, lower speeds so lower chance of serious injuries. Limit the modifications to keep the racing equal and competition high. Think ‘King of the Baggers” series, but the opposite end of the spectrum!
Back in the day a bunch of us put scooter tires and BMX bicycle bars on XR50s and used to “race” them on empty parking lots. Good times!
Add the $300 freight charge and you’re into used Grom money.
your not going to find a used Grom for $2100. Anywhere near me, in so cal.
One more reason not to live in Cali I guess.
I dig it. I like it, I may just buy one. Grom and Monkey are just too expensive. I have dozens of other bikes. VFR800, CB1000R, VFR1200, a bunch of sixties and seventies 2 strokes, GS1100 a 1st year Katana, this might be the little foo foo scooter to run to the mail box i want. It doesnt have to have front disc brakes, or adjustable suspension, “that’ll do Pig”, or “this is the droid, I am looking for”. you see. I’ll paint the frame covers to look like a baby Kat. there is hope yet.