Honda may not have had any new cars eligible for MotorTrend’s 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year showdown, but it still managed to score a notable victory with its innovative electric folding moped, the Motocompacto. Serving as MotorTrend’s official pit bike during the event, this modern tribute to an ’80s cult classic proved to be an essential tool, simplifying logistics and transportation around the racetrack.
Navigating racetrack facilities quickly can be a hassle during track days. The pit and paddock areas are usually far from amenities like classrooms, bathrooms, and garages, necessitating frequent trips that can add up to a significant amount of walking. This is why pit bikes, often small dirt bikes or scooters, are a common sight in racetrack paddocks.
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The Honda Motocompacto, with its lightweight, electric, and foldable design, may well be the best pit bike on the market. Unlike most pit bikes that need to be transported in a truck bed or trailer, the Motocompacto folds up to the size of a large briefcase, similar to a Razor scooter. This practical feature means it can fit easily in the back of an Acura Integra Type S or even behind the fixed bucket seats of a Porsche 911 Dakar. In a pinch, it can ride shotgun in the passenger seat of a McLaren 750S or Ferrari 296 GTB.
Once unfolded, the Motocompacto boasts a driving range of 12 miles, sufficient for a full day of heavy use. It features a storage slot in front of the seat large enough to hold water bottles, sunscreen, and laptops. Its tiny front-mounted 0.6-hp electric motor quickly accelerates the bike to its 15-mph top speed, making it perfect for quick trips around the paddock.
The Motocompacto isn’t just practical; it’s also incredibly fun to ride. Its small size and maneuverability make it unintimidating, and every editor who tried it out couldn’t help but smile. The bike even provided entertainment during downtime, with judges sneaking in laps on Chuckwalla’s 2.68-mile road course, discovering that the Motocompacto’s downhill top speed is 19 mph. It even faced off in a drag race against the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which, in its electric-only Shuttle mode, matches the Motocompacto’s top speed. Curious about the race’s outcome? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
At just $995, the Honda Motocompacto is not only a practical addition to any racetrack but also an affordable and enjoyable one. It’s clear that Honda’s little electric moped made a big impression at MotorTrend’s event, proving that sometimes, the smallest vehicles can have the biggest impact.
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