Like any great team, Honda’s miniMOTO lineup has something for everyone. The Grom favors sporty styling while the Monkey opts for retro-cool. The Super Cub adds urbane sophistication to the mix and the Trail 125 counters with rugged utility. With each member filling a niche, Team Red’s miniMOTO family may seem complete. However, the new 2022 Honda Navi is by far the most affordable and user-friendly bike in the lineup.
Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and step-over motorcycle, the latest mini borrows the fan-cooled, 109cc Single from the Activa 6G and the Grom’s popular design language. Honda hopes that mix of practicality and performance will carve out a new niche in the miniMOTO range, one that caters to students, commuters, and scooter converts. To prove the Navi’s moto meddle, Honda invited us to Costa Mesa, California, to put the newest mini to the test.
Before we climbed into the saddle, long-time Honda collaborators Steady Garage and MNNTHBX (man in the box) showcased their custom Navi creations for the crowd. From a Tron-inspired, cyberpunk dragster to a stereo-equipped road racer, the two builds put the Navi’s custom potential on display. Honda wants Navi owners to follow in those footsteps, offering accessory TrueTimber and Icon Motorsports graphics out of the gate.
Even in stock form, the Navi’s Red, Grasshopper Green (shown), Nut Brown, and Ranger Green colorway give customers more than enough options to express themselves. All four liveries were in attendance when we threw a leg over the Navi. As expected, the 30.1-inch seat height proved agreeable right away. Very few riders will struggle with the perch’s height, especially when considering the Navi’s 236-pound curb weight.
After releasing the left-hand emergency brake and squeezing the front brake lever, the little thumper purrs to life. The automatic CVT transmission shifts into neutral at stops, so the emergency brake helps the Navi stay put when parked. With the Single fired up, users simply twist to go. The CVT relieves riders of friction points or the need to shift gears. While the automatic drivetrain offers the approachability of a scooter, it delivers comparable acceleration as well.
Dustin’s Gear:
Helmet: Shoei RF-1200
Jacket: Dainese Air Crono 2
Gloves: Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2
Pants: Pando Moto Robby Arm 01 Jeans
Boots: Dainese Persepolis Air Shoes
The Navi pulls away from a stop easily, and torque quickly peaks at 6.6 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. It takes the thumper more time to reach its maximum 7.8 horsepower at 9,500 rpm (there’s no tachometer on the instrument panel). With its leisurely pace, the Navi obeys all posted speed limits, but on the backroads, riders can wind the miniMOTO all the way up to 50 mph. In full tuck, with the throttle pinned and a light tailwind, the Navi even touches a top speed of 55 mph. Of course, you can’t take yourself too seriously on a 109cc motorcycle, and the gentle powerband ensures those antics remain harmless fun.
The drum brakes help with those efforts, and they’re predictably soft. Light on initial bite and overall stopping power, the brakes require a heavy hand and extra distance to do the deed. The linked system does maintain the Navi’s stability, but only compounds the vague feel at the lever and pedal when used in tandem. On the bright side (especially for newbies), the drum units lack the power to lock up. Despite stomping on the brake pedal with all my might, the rear wheel refused to brake traction. The “old school ABS” of the Navi’s drum brakes match its minuscule mill and $1,807 MSRP.
Why the odd price point? Why isn’t it $1,799 or an even $1,800? Honda reps told us the price stands out, not just for how low it is – most electric bicycles cost more – but because it makes folks stop and think.
Unlike the brakes, the basic suspension exceeds expectations. The 26.8mm inverted fork only offers 3.5 inches of travel and the rear shock lowers that figure to just-2.8 inches, but the soft suspension soaked up most road irregularities. Only the harshest hits unsettled the chassis. Luckily, those instances were rare. Along with the supple suspension, the 27.5-degree rake made the Navi eager to tip in and the 50.6-inch wheelbase preserved that agility without sacrificing stability at top speed.
The balanced chassis not only remained composed at lean but also stayed steady at slow speeds. Combined with the user-friendly throttle response, the poised chassis allows riders to pick through rush-hour traffic with confidence. The Navi’s motorcycle-style ergonomics only enhance that feeling. Mid-mount pegs keep the knee bend at a 90-degree angle and the reach to the bars is short. Compared to a sportbike, the riding position is neutral and relaxed, but compared to a scooter, it’s much more commanding.
The Navi’s aesthetics and ergonomics may resemble a motorcycle, but the ride is closer to a scooter. The rear-mounted engine contributes to that quality, shifting much of the weight to the back. That configuration leaves an engine-sized hole in the frame, which Honda fills with a lockable storage box.
In pictures, the cubby’s capacity looks nominal. In the flesh, the storage area proved much more spacious than anticipated. I easily fit two water bottles, a notebook, snacks, and a hat in the compact box. Most students and commuters will have no problem packing textbooks and light jackets into the lockable storage.
At $1,807, the Honda Navi presents an affordable gateway to Honda’s miniMoto lineup as well as the motorcycling world. The model’s tractability appeals to beginners while its simplicity keeps things enjoyable for experienced riders. Its unintimidating 109cc Single and no-brainer automatic CVT transmission help the newcomer carve out a new niche in the miniMOTO range. Despite its practicality and user-friendly nature, the Navi is fun first and foremost. If there’s any qualification for joining Honda’s miniMOTO, it’s fun factor, and the Navi more than lives up to that standard.
2022 Honda Navi Specs
Base Price: $1,807
Website: powersports.honda.com
Engine Type: Fan-cooled Single, SOHC w/ 2 valves
Displacement: 109.2cc
Bore x Stroke: 55.0mm x 55.6mm
Horsepower: 7.8 hp @ 9,500 rpm
Torque: 6.6 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
Transmission: Automatic CVT
Final Drive: Chain
Wheelbase: 50.6 in.
Rake/Trail: 27.5 degrees/3.2 in.
Seat Height: 30.1 in.
Wet Weight: 236 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 0.9 gals.
Drum brakes? Yeah, no. Pass.
Dude. The bike weighs 250lb and is $1,800. You probably couldn’t stop it hard enough to even engage ABS. Were you expecting cruise control and a seat warmer too?
Even slow scooters need to be able to stop. I grew up with vehicles with drum brakes, and had recurring nightmares of being unable to stop.
My cheap little Chinese scooter had a small, single piston front disk and a rear drum brake, and stopped decently from its 50mph top speed. There’s no good reason to have a front drum rather than a disk on this thing.
The aftermarket will provide
Ugly. Like really ugly.
Hi Dave here. The new Navi is perfect in many ways. My wife, 74 years old, 5’2,at 100 pounds is slowly getting away from her ’06 250 Rebel. As much as we love the Rebel, this new idea is perfect for the person who wants to ride to the local Hot Dog stand then around the outskirts of town to the lake and back. We have a ’13 Wing, but is like riding a Dairy Cow when in Key West or Geneva on the Lake. There is a bike for everyone and every purpose, anyone can have fun on this bike in the right situation, not many bikes can do that especially two up! My thought and sticking too them……..
As a big bike owner who rides for the joy of riding and not just to look cool and try be to macho,i call it a winner. For the price It’s a hit.
For $1800, what’s not to like??
My bicycle cost me $6,000 and I have to pedal.
You know what P. T. Barnum famous quote was?
Doesn’t a moped or scooter do everything this bike will? But better and with more storage? I don’t see the appeal of this thing.
Great to see that the manufacturers are finally recognizing that there is a market for smaller, lower priced bikes. As we all know, it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.
Scooters won’t have any storage, and standing up isn’t nearly as safe. You don’t have full control over the vehicle. And mopeds won’t get as much fuel economy. Also, Honda’s are reliable and well known. They’ll still be humming for many years down the road.
Put a deposit on a Navi the other day. 74-year-old with a history of diversified bikes. Garage has a Honda 300 Forza and 4 Chinese scooters. When the Navi arrives, the Chinese scooters are history. Honda dependability and the Navi price point will make me a two bike Honda owner for the rest of my riding years and still have a nice resale value when time to stick to my recliner and relive the two-wheel memories.
Honda has so many cool small rides outside of the USA. This stop selling well in India and I believe Honda is just trying to empty the warehouses. I believe ( speaking for myself ) they brought the wrong small ride in. If they wanted to get new riders a hassle free twist and go experience they could have brought in the Zoomer X. Same engine size , no hassle fuel injection ( carbs for a periodic rider will quickly turn into a nightmare scaring some off from new upscale purchases ), a front disk ( safer stopping ) and USD forks for a more comfortable ride.
I bought a “budget ebike” for my 30 mile round trip commute that cost $1,600.
The Honda is cheaper than many decent electric bicycles!
I want one to turn into a little trail bike when camping.
I personally am attracted to the park brake which can be used in low speed maneuvers, unlike so called motorcycle look with no lever at all on the left grip. If you find the need to possibly put your right foot, isn’t it nice to still have rear brake control. The lever does not lock automatically. My Bergman 400 is nice, but I think this is the answer to “look like” bike with no gears to worry about. Thanks, Honda
I got a Grasshopper Green fun for what it is. Like a legal Mini bike
I think Honda product designers are ingesting some real potent stuff ! Great mini bike designed to look at home on Mars. Where are two-wheeled machines that look like the real thing, scooters that look like REAL scooters ? Why are the true and tested products dropped ? Too much success, maybe. I am so disgusted with the Canadian line-up that I have switched to other brands. So long ! See you on Mars…..not !
Why 109cc? Makes it a motorcycle in Michigan and many states. Therefore you need cycle endorsement. Maximum cc for a moped is 100cc. Seems they’d loose very little performance at 100cc’s and gain market for moped riders. No license, insurance required for mopeds.
A lot of jurisdictions have insurance brackets that go 1cc up to 110cc’s, 111-400cc’s, and so on. Many parts of the world have graduated licensing as well. Where I live, this scooter still requires a Moto license, but is as cheap as a 50cc scooter to insure. It’s a big world that exists outside of the USA.
Bought mine 4 days ago. Been riding for over 50 years… Harley, Yamaha and Honda. Honda is dependability. 35 mph is the smoothest ride @ 💯 MPG 🤗. Handling is motorcycle, acceleration is scooter, price and bang for the buck is singular. A1A in FL and US 1…leave highway 🛣️ out, unless you want to become road pizza 🍕. Exceptional storage. Thanks, Honda!!!
I wish I had done more research prior to spending $1200 on my ebike.
Honda navi