Funky, Folding Portable 'Suitcase' Motorcycles:

Reaganite Republican ^ | 24 October 2015 | reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

I find most all vehicles interesting somehow -historically, artistically, or the technology- but was always more of a 'car guy' than into bikes. I've ridden a little but never actually owned a street bike of any sort.

So forgive me if I'm out-of-it but I never even heard of the 1981-83 'Honda Motocompo' portable motorcycle until last week, just stumbled across it on the net. 

Seems to have quite a following, and the dandy lil' 50cc scooter-ish thing was meant to be ordered along with new cars (in Japan) too, where it could be purchased as an option- it fit neatly right in the trunk of even the smallest Honda hatchback. 

In fact, the luggage compartment of the then-new microcar 'Honda City' was built specifically around the dimensions of the Motocompo when folded, and they intended for the new product to represent an entire new category of 'trunk bikes'. 

The design is really quite clever, with the large rubber strip running down both sides so it could just be leaned against a wall -or whatever:

And you thought the Japanese black-burger thing was new!

More/video at Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

**PING***

[Bullish]

Yeah, I’m thinkin’ no.

[Haiku Guy]

I love it.

It would be a great boat bike, to use when you’ve in port.

[Drago]

With the matching car:

http://maydaygarage.com/nostalgic-wednesdays-honda-motocompo/

[shibumi]

If it aint got at least 30 cubic inches, it’s only pretending to be a bike.

Caught dead on one of these things you will not find me.

[Reaganite Republican]

Depends where you live

[4Liberty]

Would be easy to set up a Farraday cage for that.

[ETL]

Might be a good idea to keep one in the trunk if you drive something like this. This way you won't have to walk or hitch to the nearest gas station.

[moovova]

It's not too late. Get'em while the gettin' is good...for a measly $6500 (plus shipping)...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/231608317446

[moovova]

Or, say you just need a replacement taillight lense...for $350 (plus shipping).

http://m.ebay.com/itm/181906094860

[ClearCase_guy]

Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes our way

Yeah, darlin’
Gonna make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

I like smoke and lightnin’
Heavy metal thunder
Racing in the wind
And the feeling that I’m under

[W.]

A couple of staffers at Motorcyclist magazine [Ford and Karr] put two of those through the wringer for an article, back in the mid-80's. I miss those guys, they were hilarious.

[Flick Lives]

Wow. Awesome car.

[Reaganite Republican]

I would kill for this car... many people, not just one- whatever it took lol

[Reaganite Republican]

Day late and a 100 Yen short- story of my life lol

[Reaganite Republican]

Well, none of that’s going to happen on a Motocompo

[ETL]

[Raymann]

They’re meant to be a ‘last mile’ transportation option. In many cities there is a considerable gap between where you can park and where you need to go. I just bought an electric kick scooter to get to the no parking metro station two miles away. And my job is right on top of a metro stop. If I had to drive in then I gotta deal with rush hour traffic both ways and pay $24 a day to park.

So yeah, options like this work for a lot of people.

[PGalt]

Good thinkin’ 4Liberty. I was thinking of it as a device for liberty when the car breaks down, but your thinking makes it even more appealing.