Perhaps it's due to their hand in lawnmowers, or because they started off with motorcycles, but Honda has never really left the world of two wheels despite their success with their normal cars. And thank goodness! The low-cc mopeds of the '80s to today are strangely... just what we want!
Even when they make a three-wheeled moped it leans for added stability. While never necessarily fast, the small things go just as fast as we need. Either they have the right storage space, miles per gallon, or zip-around spirit that appeals to us. There are even gangs, like car clubs, based around affordable and reliable scooters.
One such gang boasts 50 members that ride around L.A. on their Honda Ruckus bikes, modded and stock. When you have the option to fold up a moped into a little rectangle and stick it into your trunk, how can you say no? NSXTRA on YouTube did just that with his Acura NSX with a trailer, box, and even a Motocompo that rides along. After all that, how could you not long for a little indestructible Honda-powered machine to cruise the town on?
10 1993 Honda Cub EZ90
The Cub EZ90 was a pure 90's minibike. The engine was a decent 90 cc, and while it looks like pure plastic, it can hold its own and is made purely for off-road, typically strapped to the back of campers as a runabout. They hopped on the Snowhawk trend, too.
The EZ-Snow was a kit with a ski and a track that lets you turn the little thing into a powered sled, and with the hand protectors, it's great for winter riding. Unlike most small mopeds, this thing could really haul, getting a top speed of 48 miles per hour. That's not a joke, that's actually... pretty fast in the small scooter world. Also, it's fully automatic so anyone can drive it!
9 2021 Trail 125 ABS
The Trail 125 ABS may look like a moped from the '80s, but this is actually Honda's entry-level dual-sport bike, right before the CRF300L. It costs just $3,899 and unlike most mini motorcycles or mopeds this size, it does come with ABS which means you can't lock up your wheels on loose gravel, a real hazard on and off the street.
The air-cooled 125 cc motor can go up to 56 mph on the road, and the old look hides modern tech like LED headlights and a digital speed display.
8 1990 Honda Zook
This Zook was just made in the year 1990. It goes up to 25 miles per hour on 8" tires that came with footprints on the tread in case you go through snow or mud; everyone will know a Zook was there. The fuel gauge sits on the 0.5-gallon tank under the seat, a seat that isn't very comfortable because it's designed to be small enough to hold your helmet.
No battery here; just a kick start to save space for the storage that can fit a small Hydroflask between your feet. It has nothing but a small speedometer, blinkers... somewhere, and two little mirrors. Throw on the optional basket and you have yourself what's basically a two-wheeled jazzy.
7 Ruckus 2003 to Current
The Ruckus hasn't changed much since 2003, and neither has the price; around $2,000. A 2022 Ruckus gets around 100 mpg and will cost you $2,799. The only change, really, is the amazing new color combinations (below).
A used one costs almost the same as a new one because they never ever break down unless you do what many JDM car guys do; build a stretch Ruckus. The original makes 49 cc so you don't need a motorcycle to drive it in most states. It has an electric start and room under the seat for hammocking gear.
The stretch Ruckus kit (above) most people use is called the GY6, a Chinese engine, and it boosts it up to 150cc and generally takes the lame 38 mph top speed to 60 or 70 if you really have at it. It's a common side piece for guys who own the likes of right-hand drive GT-Rs and Supras because of the Japanese heritage, customization, and its ability to zip to AutoZone and back for parts. They're also not bad on trails!
6 2022 Metropolitan 49 cc
The Honda Metropolitan is Honda's answer to the Vespa, only this one is actually reliable and it has a cupholder. Like the Ruckus, it makes 49cc so most states let you drive it without a pesky motorcycle license. It has a... glove box of sorts up front and plenty of room under the seat for a gallon of milk.
It costs just $2,499 new and is fully automatic, going into neutral automatically to walk it back or roll it around. It only has a speedometer and a little digital display inset. The combination of two storage compartments, the cupholder, and a hook for groceries makes it perfect for a milk run.
5 Motocompo (Plus City II)
This moped was released to go with Honda's smallest car ever; the Honda City Turbo II. The Motocompo was only made in the early '80s and it folded into a clean box shape that fits perfectly in the City's trunk just in case you came across an unusually narrow ally that somehow the Honda City Turbo II couldn't fit through. The 2.5-horsepower 49 cc engine hid in the boxy body and it could go 35 miles per hour.
Unfolded, the seat stands just 22" high. It can fit just over half a gallon of gas giving it a range of 30 to 100 miles depending on driver weight. Although it died in 1983, Honda has teased us with concepts of an electric "Moto Compo" and simply a modernized version to fit in a Honda Fit.
4 1983 FC50 Beat
This strange moped from the '80s was trying to be a car, and we don't just say that. It had two headlights, a car-like tinted windshield that really doesn't help the moped rider unless they have a dog riding with them, and a tachometer. What really makes this a hit, you're not gonna believe this, is that it has a TORQUE VECTOR DISPLAYED ON THE DASH.
Granted, it was just a picture but how wild is that for a moped that only makes 50 cc and goes 37 mph. It's not even a manual! Even cooler was a manual turbo-like featured called the V-TAC system that increased torque (also shown on the torque vector display). It was only made for Japan so good luck finding one in the states, though you can easily import them now.
3 1984 Road Fox/Gyro
The Honda Road Fox just doesn't make any sense. It's a three-wheeler that allowed you to lean by a pivot just above the back two tires so it could drive... kind of... like a moped? There's no official statement about whether or not it's safe or stable but it doesn't look like you ought to take it to the Isle of Man.
It's not hard to see where they're coming from. The taller seat is easier to get in and out of and the bike thing springs itself upright when not in use, making it so the less-abled can scoot around without worry of falling over. Like many of their mopeds, it was automatic, 49 cc, and topped out around 35 mph.
2 Ch80 Elite
You may recognize this as the Vacuum Scooter. Honda went bold on a design that was boxy and wide, and the moped itself performed pretty well for the era. It came in a 50 cc two-stroke or four-stroke and had models up to 80 cc. It's so reliable that you can see them putting around just as well as in the '80s when they were made.
The 80's version had a front storage compartment like a front trunk and even had a little light for the feet. Some came back circa 2007 but just didn't look as ridiculous, and therefore don't warrant mentioning. A clean used one will run you $2,500, the exact same cost as when they were new, though some can be found for $1,000 running.
1 Monkey 1961 to current (Z-series)
The Honda Monkey Z-series has existed longer than any Honda moped and keeps getting reborn. The 2022 Monkey looks almost indiscernible from the original in 1961, but this one does have fancy things like ABS and LED lights.
Despite being so small, it runs an impressive 125-cc fuel-injected engine. Look at that tiny thing and picture, if you can, someone going 56 miles per hour on it! While the original topped out at 29 miles per hour, this one is actually geared towards off-roading and acts a lot like the Honda Grom, and it even runs the same engine!