Modern Vespa

https://motocompacto.honda.com/

I actually love this. It's not fast enough to be compelling (to me), but I love that Honda is exploring the outer contours of what a scooter can be.

Plus, it's the spiritual successor to the Motocompo:

I want two.

41 lbs. Pretty good. Still going to be awkward for a lot of people to lug around.

It looks like it would be classified as a Class 3 eBike (https://www.bosch-ebike.com/us/everything-about-the-ebike/stories/three-class-ebike-system), which, while not ideal, should open up some paths for it where I am. The pedal/non-pedal distinction seems odd in this case where the power is so low.

I've already signed up for announcements on this. Assuming it's rideable, I'm totally getting one. It's. So. Cute.

Would this be considered a checked bag, carry on, or personal item?

I suspect 50lbs makes it hard to fly with, unless you can remove the battery and carry it separately. Airlines don't like lithium in the cargo hold.

The battery would probably be over the FAA limits even for carry-on.

If you long for a Motocompo but can't stomach the pricing, a good alternative would be an Italjet Pack-A-Way. Folds in the same manner and they had a handle built in.

To be more Vespa adjacent, find a Pack 2. Those used a Piaggio moped power train.

They would just put a 'heavy' sticker on at check-in, and if you're 1K on United, it's no extra charge.

Class 3 ebikes are pedal assist only (i.e. no throttle) and power up to 28 mph (Class 1 is identical except only assists to 20 mph).
This has no pedal and tops out below 20 mph. So it's an electric scooter seemingly creating its own category. It is intriguing.

And if you live somewhere where the laws aren't keeping up with tech (could be most of us, if we're being honest).. there's always that risk that a cop might argue, two wheels + electric motorcycle + no pedals= electric motorcycle

Then they hit you with the no insurance ticket, unregistered vehicle ticket, unlicensed vehicle ticket.

I was this close to buying a Surron 1-2 weeks ago, but I stayed away because basically my options were put a pedal kit on it, or keep it off road only, and I want something that can be fun both on street and off, so I'll probably stick to gas, like an injected KLX250, instead. No insurance is a $5,000 ticket here, and you become a high risk driver for the next 3 yrs. Just not worth the risk until the laws become crystal clear.

Yeah, that was a complete brain fart on my part between reading and writing—I meant Class 2: "eBikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted."

It has been on my mind recently as they are opening up a lot of trails and paths around here to Class 1, but not 2 or 3. I think I get their theory for this, but I doubt people on the motocompacto are going to be much of a menace.

I agree-these riders will not be a menace. The class system being advocated is designed to go from least to most restrictive and if an ebike fails into multiple categories the most restrictive is to be used. The idea, in a nutshell, is to avoid having sedate riders being strafed by 28 mph e-bikes along, say, a rails to trails path. Because of this some Class 2 ebikes have the option of having the throttle removed. It also suggests that the way you ride assisted vehicles will go a long way to determining how much trouble you're likely to have with the gendarmes. Of course, Eagle-eyed letter of the law types exist and always will.
Ultimately it should rest on the individual to decide, I think, and I support anyone's decision. The only thing I know for sure is that these things aren't going away. Although it saddens me, I expect in 20 years the solely human powered vehicle market will be quite small.

looks like a great unit for throwing in the camper.

Early November, I got the email that they were in. I emailed my friendly local Honda dealer and they were pretty clear that one would have to buy it basically sight unseen and that there would be no test rides. Fair enough: I'd probably wheelie it right into a school bus or something. I'm guessing their car sales people would just rather not deal with it.

The reviews and videos I've seen since then have been pretty "meh" and likely small for my frame; it seems likely I'll just wait around until I run across one in person or on Craigslist

Trying to make a list of reasons why I should buy this. So far all I got is:

- It's weird.
- I like weird.

I've bought vehicles with far less justification.

You can do crazy things with the original platform. Can't wait to see modern customizations...