Road-testing the Honda Zoomer: Now for something rather different. Meet Honda's Zoomer, a no-frills moped which is claimed to "chart new territory in the quest for economical, low-impact daily transportation". Its unique styling, its name and its "go anywhere, do anything" disposition are designed to attract young riders looking for the latest in the new and cool.
It intentionally eschews elegance, the bare bones design is meant to convey back-to-basics toughness. Its twin-bug-eyed headlamps make it instantly recognisable.
This machine is the creation of Honda's "N-Project" group of young designers in Japan charged with revitalising the company's 50cc market. It quickly became a cult hit in Japan, then in America and is just being introduced to Europe. Already it has its own website: www.battlescooter.com
At first glance, so minimalist does it look that one could be forgiven for suspecting that it is crude, perhaps even "cheap". Such scanty covering as there is disguises considerable ingenuity and innovation. The engine is a 49cc liquid-cooled, PGM-F1 (Programmed Fuel-Injection) 4-valve, SOHC, 4-stroke.
The fuel injection is claimed to be the most advanced ever developed for so small an engine and offers frugal economy (50 miles to the litre are claimed) and lowest-ever emissions. Power output is 3kW at 7,500rpm and torque 4.5Nm at 5,000rpm.
There is electric starting but with a difference. Instead of having a separate starter motor, the brush-less alternator spins over the engine similar to the "dynastart" system last seen on bubble cars in the early 1960s.
It has the world's smallest electromagnetic fuel pump, which is housed inside the slim-profile fuel tank and has a maintenance-free, magnetically-driven water pump which eliminates the need for mechanical seals.
The frame consists of a two-piece die-cast aluminium front frame with an exposed steel tube rear frame. The twin downtube front forks have 49mm of travel and the rear single-sided, single-damper swinging arm has 65mm travel. Oversize 10 x MT 3.00 tyres are fitted.It is a single-seater machine, and so will quality for the 25 per cent discount some insurers are now offering. For a young rider that concession can be worth around €500pa.
Seat height is 735mm. Both front and rear brakes are cable-operated drum-type, their 95mm diameter struck us as being ridiculously small, but on the road they proved effective. Kerb weight is a mere 89kg. Transmission is through a centrifugal clutch and V-Matic belt drive.
On the road its funky, quirky looks attracted lots of attention. It is easy to ride, light and responsive, with no apparent vices. Performance is not startling, it is after all "a moped". The definition and regulations insist that a moped is of less than 50cc and that it has a "designed road speed" of 45km/h. Many a so-called moped will, in fact, do rather more than the "legal" 45km/h.
The Zoomer, though, steadfastly refused to go one notch faster than 45km/h on our test ride, though, in fairness, it was straight out of the crate and most probably, after its first service, would achieve the 50km/h we know that others have reached.
Unless you aim to do a lot of riding on fast, clear dual carriageways the performance is adequate for around the city and suburbs. The more dense and congested the traffic, the more this kind of machine comes into its own. Being so light, and with a superb, easy-to-use centre-stand, "the best of its type we have come across" parking in the smallest space is a doddle.
Its rather more macho appearance will, doubtless, appeal to those who consider the general run of today's mopeds to be rather "girlie" machines.
There is plenty of available stowage space, a carrier frame just behind the headlights and loads of room under the seat, enough to carry a skateboard as well! Plenty of optional extras, such as side panels for the seat frame and a rear carrier make for more luggage space. Other extras, such as hologram seat panels, racing footrests abound to add to the machine's "coolness".
Quite apart from the youth market at which this is so clearly aimed, we suspect that the Zoomer will find a place strapped to the rear bumper of many a European motorcaravan.
Indeed, you could fit one in the back of a lumbering SUV and so have transport between the multi-storey and office. It is expected to retail at €2,500 inclusive of VAT and VRT.
TECH SPEC
ENGINE: 49cc liquid-cooled, PGM-F1 (Programmed Fuel-Injection) 4-valve, SOHC, 4-stroke. 3kW at 7,500rpm and torque 4.5Nm at 5,000rpm.
Centrifugal clutch and V-Matic belt drive.
CHASSIS: Two-piece die-cast aluminium front frame with an exposed steel tube rear frame. Front forks 49mm travel, rear single-sided, single-damper swinging arm 65mm travel. 10 x MT 3.00 tyres.
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 1,265mm. Seat height: 735mm. Kerb weight: 89kg. Fuel: 5 litres.
PRICE: €2,500