the rider’s legs straddling the fuel tank and their feet placed on side-mounted pegs, rather than the scooter-style stepthrough/floorboard design of the Ruckus. The rear brake is actuated by a foot lever on the right, as opposed to a left hand-lever as with scooters.” That said, the engine is located at the rear like a scooter, freeing up space in front of the seat for a convenient, lockable storage pod. Perfect for tooling around Back Bay and Balboa Island or strapping onto the bumper of an RV. “Small, accessible, enjoyable and priced extremely competitively, the Navi appeals to a wide range of customers, especially those just learning to ride,” added Miller. However the seasoned moto-journalists at the press launch seemed to be having a hoot with the little Honda, too.
NAVI LAUNCHES
Mini-Moto Movement Expands By Gus Stewart Photos By Drew Ruiz
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orget Flight Of The Navigator for a feel-good story that appeals to people of all ages, the launch of Honda’s new Navi is set to navigate new markets for Honda dealers and aftermarket innovators like Steady Garage! Blurring the lines between a scooter and a motorcycle and fitting in the middle of its own cult classics Ruckus and Grom, the Navi is tough to pigeonhole, but Honda believes it will have some real appeal. “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,” explained Brandon Wilson, Sports & Experiential Manager at American Honda, during the press launch ride around Newport Beach, California. “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 twist-and-go approach of an automatic seems to appeal to scooter customers in India — which surpassed China as the #1 powered two wheel market in the world a couple of years ago — when it rolled out in 2016. However Honda has shifted allocation of the 2022 Navi to the U.S. because of the potential they see here. With the prospect of $10 gallon gas looming on the horizon, this course correction makes sense. Delivering a claimed 110.3 miles per gallon, range is right around 100 miles from the .9 gallon tank… even when twisting the throttle to the stops at every opportunity like a bunch of junior hooligans! Between the Ruckus, but with a bit more beans (110cc) and even more ease of use than the Grom, Honda sees the Navi’s sweet spot as U.S. customers. “Scooters have historically been a tough sell in the U.S.,” admits Honda’s Colin Miller. “So the Navi was designed with a motorcycle look and feel, with
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“The model has a fuel-efficient, user-friendly 110cc engine and an automatic transmission – so no shift lever or clutch lever,” noted Wilson. “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.” Speaking of light weight, the little Honda tips the scales at 236 lbs, with a full load of fuel! For the pundits predicting Navi will only cannibalize existing Grom sales… there would appear to be some meat on the bone. For the record, Honda sold around 15.1 million motorcycles worldwide in the 2021 fiscal year. Of that big number, the little Grom has been Honda’s top selling streetbike in the U.S. and nearly 800,000 have been sold globally since it was introduced in 2014. With an $1,807 MSRP, there was already a waiting list for the Navi even before the pandemic pushed deliveries back this spring. And it isn’t just bargain hunters or entry level riders… We know of a number of seasoned industry folks who are still waiting for theirs, in fact. Certainly the aftermarket has noticed the potential as everyone from Icon to Vance & Hines has announced trick bits of kit for the new Navi. Cover dealer Steady Garage already had 100 accessories in stock the day of the press launch!