Honda Navi - Jack of All Trades, Ace of Many - Honest Motorcycle Review

[@daves4386]

Bought mine last August for my 64th birthday, and I haven’t had a second of regret. I love it!

[@Niremichi]

Hi Daves! Fantastic!!!! Yes, the Navi is a great choice, simple is best. Glad you are having fun, which is what riding should be all about! All the best to you!!

[@supersharkyTTV]

Dangit, I watched this video after buying mine and now everytime I see a review I wanna go ride

[@BenjaminWSong]

Coming from bicycle at the age of 50, Ruckus was my first scooter before I traded it in for Navi. Acquired the 2024 Ruckus towards the end of '23 and rode it until recently, around six months in total. Aside from its power, really loved that Ruckus. Once I noticed a new `22 Navi collecting dust on my dealer's showroom, I offered a traded-in and left with my new Navi, grinning from ear to ear.. With my car reserved for highways and heavy loads, I rely on the Navi for simple point-to-point journeys using backroads. And it hasn't disappointed me yet. This compact wonder has taken me to more corners of town than my car ever did. Thanks to its handy storage box, I keep extra fuel on hand, turning refueling stops into welcome breaks. Thankfully, the Navi's endurance matches my own... LOL Thanks for the fantastic insights and explanations. Your video was a delight to watch, prompting me to drop a line. Cheers!

[@Niremichi]

Wow! Benjamin, thank you for such kind words!! I am glad you are enjoying the Navi! It is great how a good simple and practical machine can bring a lot of smiles. I grinned as well the first time I rode it too. All the best to you, and please take care!! 👍

[@kaicanyonellis]

Love my Navi. One of the most satisfying purchases I've ever made.

[@Niremichi]

Awesome!! Yes, there are lots of motorcycles out their, most better on paper but the Navi is simply good vibes! I felt the same way the moment I bought as well. Grinned from the first time I got one.

[@cb3391]

Agree

[@cb3391]

Love mine! My favorite bike I've owned out of 7. Fuel problem solved for me: 2 32oz fuel bottles in bottle holders on each side. Making my mini touring bike. Navi Nation! Love this bike!

[@cb3391]

5'9" , 260 lbs Carries me at 40mph , 3/4 throttle.

[@cb3391]

I would buy a 150 Navi. Subbed ☕😁👍

[@Enrique-peralta]

​@@cb3391a 150 navi would be great but then why would they have the ct 125 or the from or monkey or such

[@cb3391]

Different markets, I read that there is an upgraded Navi in india. I say why not?

[@Niremichi]

Yeah this is true. I would say the ride experience next step would be the Honda Dax 125! However it doesn't have any storage which is such a strong point for the Navi!

[@jettschenker]

2 stands, 2 ways to start all good i just wish they made an EFI model as I hate carbs.

[@Niremichi]

I recommend the new (in the U.S.) Honda Dax 125 or the Honda Trail 125 as the two next closest options.

[@marcnissen578]

I bought mine in February 2024 and it’s a 2023 model and bought it with 0 miles on it ,now it’s got 150 and it’s a blast to drive

[@Enrique-peralta]

What did you pay?

[@marcnissen578]

@@Enrique-peralta 1300 T T l out the door

[@rodlaramore]

I bought mine may 1..it's the 6 ..now it's got 170mls..great little bike...

[@Niremichi]

Glad you are having a fun!! 😁 All the best!

[@rodlaramore]

@@Niremichi you bet cha...keep the rubber to the road friends....🛵⚡️🎯

[@rodlaramore]

@@Niremichi 6 days and 177mls later....I dig it...🛵⚡️🍀

[@rodlaramore]

End of May I think it's the 27th... anyway I'm at 607...runs great..jti likes 92at the pump...rough rider but I really like this bike...

[@cool_breeze_actual9643]

I bought a 2024 Blue Navi for my house in South America. It's perfect t for my needs as a commuter and 50 mile trips is perfect. Down here top speed is about 55mph anyway.

[@Niremichi]

Awesome!! Enjoy!

[@thecarsandwatch697]

got mine October 2023 it is amazing I love it take my kids around and when it comes to traffic just throttle and leave no worries about clutch and gears

[@Niremichi]

Yes!! The Navi really shines in traffic and is incredibly nimble. As you say no worrying about constant shifting at low speeds makes it a traffic buster.

[@123edwardzpad]

If you want the 100- 110 miles per gallon keep it between 21 and 29 miles per hour.

[@Niremichi]

Hi Edward, yes! You are correct, that is definitely the optimal range in terms rpms, and you can literally hear it sipping efficiently as you ride the Navi at that speed. Ppl whose use case will keep them primarily in that range will definitely see the best mpg performance. Unfortunately, intermittent suburban riding on the routes at 45-50 mph and/or climbing hills will dent the Navi's mpg, so from an actual day to day mpg I found it to vary between 70 to 80.

[@marknice2793]

I love my Navi, no regrets at all. Always starts even after sitting a few months.

[@Niremichi]

Yup!! In the winter turning on and running it at least once a month for a good 10 minutes to get it good and hot is a good idea though!

[@jessi5853]

I just bought mine, and so far I love it, haven't really use it, because of work and just git my permit not a full license, but so far is good, I am planing to take it to work since I work in a airport, but there are back roads that takes me there as well, thank for your content, and just wanted to pint something out, this is my first motorcycle, again thanks.

[@Niremichi]

Glad you like it! Yes, definitely get the license and you will be good to go!! Have fun!

[@jessi5853]

@Niremichi thanks man, working on it just got the permit.

[@irishadventurer9759]

I agree the Navi is a great value. It's a Honda. So easy without the gears. Very nimble and peppy. Climbing uphill is much better than expected. Pretty quiet. Fun! I'm guessing I'm averaging 80-90 mpg. I think a lot of people don't factor in the reserve fuel is almost a third of the tank, and underestimate the mileage because they're hitting Empty on the gas gauge after 50-60 miles. Just did my first oil change and cleaned out the oil filter screen and found that process very simple and easy. Drum brakes are fine on this thing. My complaint is withe the seat. Comfy for short trips, but big butthurt for riding and hour or more. Part of that is probably bad posture. If you really sit upright properly, not only is it more comfortable, but you're more centered on the bike, have a better feeling of control, and the bike handles rough road better. Sure, its built cheap, but it's not shoddy. Just don't be stupid with it, take the time to check all the bolts once in a while, and I have no doubt this thing will last for many years. My other complaint is performance in high winds. Traveling at over 40 mph with a 20+ mph crosswind, the bike feels very unstable. Reduce speed down to 30 and it feels much better, but that's not always possible. Anyways, great, solid review. See you on the road.👍

[@Niremichi]

Well said! 😀 Navi is fun!!

[@joshthemediocre7824]

good stuff.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I've wanted one for about a year now and when i find the right one i'll be a Navi owner. I live and work in a very small town and in the summer i currently daily a mint 1986 Honda Spree, you can only get those to 35 tops downhill and it's still enough, but with a Navi i wouldn't be afraid to go anywhere, i've rode a few and love them. Great information buddy.

[@Niremichi]

Hi Josh! Glad to help and hope you get one soon to enjoy!!

[@banpitbulls2553]

Think they sold it in India for about $700 (USD) but nobody wanted it there.

[@Niremichi]

Ironically the bike designed for India's needs has been a bigger success abroad!

[@kamolhengkiatisak1527]

This one can be compared to Honda C50, 60 years ago. Easy to ride, cheap to own and maintain, no need to learn how to use hand clutch. And it is a Honda.

[@Niremichi]

Indeed! Keep it stock and just dump on the miles! 👍

[@jasonmulvey3650]

Best purchase I’ve ever made

[@Niremichi]

Navi is fun!! 👍 That is awesome the hear!

[@silverfang612]

Just got into motorcycles and wanted something light, cheap. Boy does this deliver on that and is a fun little thumper. Hell I've used it for quick city cruising and jumping around in off road trails. Now what I will complain about is the stock tires. Really have no grip and entirely too thin, the best mod you can do to the Navi are good tires.

[@Niremichi]

Yes! Light, cheap and simple. I agree the tires, while fully adequate, are for better or worse "budget". That said I drove many times in the rain with them for decent distances, albeit very carefully, as aggressively movement would be irresponsible.

[@SuperHeroFX]

That looks like it would be the perfect work commuter 👍 The speed limit on the roads around me doesn’t go above 45 mph

[@Niremichi]

Yes it definitely works well as a commuter solution, I used it in that capacity as well! The storage compartment is great to put work bags etc. as well and don't have to worry about it getting wet.

[@Enrique-peralta]

Most of the roads around me leading farther than 15 miles from my home are 45 minimum

[@armyofninjas9055]

A 150cc with abs and fuel injection would be an instant buy.

[@Niremichi]

Honda is bringing the DAX 125 to the U.S. starting 2025. It has ABS and is fuel injected. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for their next step from the Navi.

[@varmentnabber2018]

@@Niremichi 4k tho oof

[@Niremichi]

Yeah... Price creep on motorcycles is rough... And all brands have their product tier options strategically priced to incentivise "buying up". Dax 125 is a great option tho, although I personally would go with the Trail 125 as I need the storage, but the Dax can have a 2nd passenger ride just like the Navi

[@varmentnabber2018]

@@Niremichi been my thoughts for a couple of years now as well. 17 inch wheels and a kickstart on the trail 125 too. Anyway at these prices I'd rather just wave to ya from the sidewalk.😃

[@jonneet2126]

I will never buy another scooter that doesn't have a kick starter. You can't bump start a scooter with CVT, and no-one makes scooters with manual shifting anymore. Don't want water cooling. Added complexity and more systems to have problems. I am 100% fine with carburetors. I don't understand them and can work on them myself, and have over my 60+ years of riding. I like the big storage compartment on this scooter. It appears that easy access to check and adjust valves, once the storage box is removed, is a plus. No shims on the valves, just good old screw type adjusters. It looks nice. Bad points? It's slow but still beats a Ruckus or Metro. I hear the rear tire wears out super fast. Tires are different sizes front and rear. Honda corporate is ignoring the hellacious price gouging on the Navi. An $1807 msrp, but out the door for $3500? This really pisses me off, bad enough to maybe never buy another Honda. All in all, at 70, I am seriously considering a new Navi, but the price gouging!! This from an old geezer who has owned about 30 motorcycles and a few scooters over my 60 years of riding. I have also heard that the Navigation is super easy to inbox and get ready to ride, so the setup may be where the biggest gouge is.

[@Niremichi]

Yes sir, gotta love that kick start, and the storage is great on the Navi. Maintenance is super minimal. I never had it serviced, just change the oil and cleaned the filter myself. I never touched the carb either. Eventually the drive belt will die around 8k miles but a new one costs like 15 bucks. I didn't have any issues with tire wearing down fast but that might depend a lot on weight of the rider and/or if someone put a additional storage box on the back. Gouging is an issue for all Honda bikes bought new unfortunately, particularly the minimotos. They will throw out a real high quote first just to see if u take it, but calling around or making a hard offer "I can do 3k flat" etc. might do the trick.

[@landeRUCK]

Navi was a good value but the mileage I get on my wife’s metro and my ruckus is double mpg. I do miss the riding feel of the Navi and out the box the Navi is quicker but now a few hundred dollars later my ruckus is quicker then my Navi ever was. Still 49cc GET engine. I might trade the ruckus in for a white Navi down the road or next season. But I might just get a grom also. Not sure yet

[@Niremichi]

Hi! 👋 I understand your feeling on this. It makes sense Ruckus and Metro get better mpg since they are fuel injected. If you have already experienced Navi and now see the benefit of the more modern powertrains on the Metro and Ruckus, considering the Honda 125 cc lineup (Grom/Monkey/Super Cub/Trail125) might be the best direction.

[@ellaandrioaie5731]

When talking about the maintenance you forgot to mention the valve clearance check that needs to be done after first 1,000km and then every 4,000km. Ignore that and you could possibly ruin the engine. On a different note, the reason people would buy Ruckus or other scooters which are obviously much worse options than Navi, and not the Navi is that one needs a motorcycle licence to ride the Navi (109cc) but a car licence would suffice to ride those under 50cc scooters, at least here in Canada.

[@Niremichi]

Indeed as you say on the valve check and the 50 cc's!

[@flyinphil42]

Would be nice to see a dual sport version of the Navi, with bigger tires and a 5 speed transmission, something like the motor out of the trail Honda 110 and the body of the Navi.

[@Niremichi]

I agree! The two concepts you describe sort of have been actualized, albeit not in total but half and half at the (1) Honda Trail 125 (2) Honda Dax 125. Unfortunately, the Dax 125 is still yet to come to the U.S., but I saw it at the dealer in Japan last month and man it is a great looking bike.

[@flyinphil42]

@@Niremichi the Honda Dax is the revamped CT 70 with a 125 cc engine . Nothing much good comes to North America for some reason, it’s mainly south east Asia , India etc that get the good ones . The only reason we got the Navi is because Honda decided to make them in Mexico. But the US epa and the dot are too stringent , as well as the duty probably prevent the importation of the Dax and others. I just don’t like the automatic transmission, much prefer the hi low speed gears on the Honda 110 , I haven’t taken a good look at the trail 125 yet.

[@Niremichi]

@@flyinphil42 I'm the terms of the new Dax, my understanding is it hasn't come here yet as a business decision, not because of U.S. rules, because it has the same engine as the Grom, super Cub, Hunter Cub and monkey, all of which are already here. I agree it is a shame none of these "modern retro" minimotos have the hi-low functionality, and it is frustrating as that is a downgrade particularly if you experienced it previously. Most ppl buying these bikes now were probably babies or not even born yet when the original series were available though and don't know about it however.

[@indysteve4969]

I love the Navi, and the baby coos. Giving me baby fever over here😂

[@Niremichi]

Hahaha good ear thank you!

[@Kevvrs]

the navi is a killer deal but something about the ruckus got me in the dealersip

[@Niremichi]

Ruckus is awesome too!

[@Jones-xx2gc]

Nice one. I wish they were available officially in the UK.

[@Niremichi]

Come on over to the frontier! Navi's can be found in the wild from Hudson Bay to beyond the Darian Gap!

[@crooked_river_pyro]

Great video. Thank you for the extensive monologue. I am a first time rider who is looking to take classes and get my license. I've been riding some fast e-bikes for the past couple years on the streets. I have a bit of an odd question (for any Navi owner) - how wide is the Navi at its widest point? I'm configuring storage, which is an issue for me. Thanks!

[@Niremichi]

Hi! That is a good question. I know for sure the widest point would be the handlebars themselves. I apologize I sold mine and am not able to measure it directly, but I believe you might be able to find the details on the Honda website. The body of Navi itself is not very wide. Another quirk is the stock muffler is a bit unique on sticks out a bit on the right side of the bike. The Navi is definitely easy to store in my experience, but you shouldn't expect it will never match a e-bike in this area as many e-bikes can be physically folded, some in half and others partially.

[@crooked_river_pyro]

@@Niremichi Thank you for the timely response! Yea, my e-bikes don't fold and are easily stored indoors (townhome). I was looking into purchasing a small-er plastic-blend type shed to put on my back porch. Just figuring everything out, ya know? Thanks again.

[@Niremichi]

@@crooked_river_pyro I see. Yes a small shed would be adequate to fit the Navi. If you have the time, it might be worth it to actually just visit any motorcycle dealer near you and take a look at the Navi in person, as you can only get so far with measurements, and have a direct "feel" might help you get the right size shed (you might want to get a shed with a little extra space in case you decide to trade up to slightly bigger bike at some point as well)

[@snoopy3388]

The baby's voice sounds cute ❤️

[@Niremichi]

Thank you!!

[@cb3391]

I say again For the first time ever. I will buy an upgrade.

[@PaintMatters201]

When u hit the handle break does it control both rear and front?

[@Niremichi]

My understanding is that the foot break is linked and the right handle break is front only. As a result when I rode the Navi, I mostly used the foot break, and pumped the hand break as necessary.

[@NainGeantMiniature]

This seems like a less practical Moped/Scooter for more money. A 150-200 CC can provide the same functionality with significantly more utility/storage. Aside from the motorcycle form factor, I don't see the point of this.

[@Niremichi]

I understand your take on this. It is true for many a scooter could be a better starting point in terms of value or in terms of not needing to later trade up, but the Navi fits the "good enough" sweet spot broadly and is not intimidating, which helps get a lot of ppl enjoying and learning how to ride. The price paid for a Navi will vary based on dealer and state, but if one shops around a fair price can be had. Of course, one could go get a dirt cheap and reliable Chinese 150cc scooter online, but not everyone is comfortable with that.

[@seanmorden7411]

Ive got 1500 miles with no problems 😊

[@Niremichi]

Awesome! 👍