These days, people are keeping their money closer to heart than they used to. And when it comes to getting from point A to point B, especially if you live in a major metropolitan city, simply hopping in the car isn’t always the most economical answer. What do you do, then, when taking a car seems like overkill but it’s too far to walk, too hilly to bicycle, and public transportation is inconvenient? Oh, and you’re also strapped for cash.
Honda believes it has the answer in the 2013 Metropolitan. Powered by a 50cc SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled four-stroke Single, the new version ditches the carburetor in favor of fuel injection. This makes for a reliable little scoot that meets future emissions regulations while gently sipping fuel: Honda estimates this setup can return 117 mpg!
Introduced as a worldwide model, the all-new 2013 Honda Metropolitan is practical transportation the whole world can afford. |
From the cockpit, the rider is still graced with a 22-liter under seat storage area big enough to stuff a three-quarter helmet. A new inner storage unit incorporated within the leg shield has ample room for a number of items, including a water bottle. A larger convenience hook has also been added to help bring home groceries.
The Metropolitan stakes its claim in the scooter world for being easy, gentle and inviting. With a listed curb weight of 179 pounds, 28.3-inch seat height and 46.5-inch wheelbase, the little scoot isn’t the least bit intimidating.
However, once on the road one can’t help but feel vulnerable to the traffic around you. The Metropolitan tops out at just 40 mph and doesn’t get there quickly. There’s only so much power that can be expected from an EPA-legal 50cc engine. Throttle response is relatively sprightly, with smooth fueling from idle throughout the rev range, feeling on par, if not slightly less powerful, than the Yamaha Zuma 50F I rode a few months ago. Off-the-line torque felt better on the Yamaha, but I would give the top speed advantage to the Honda, according to my seat-of-the-pants dyno.
For a single occupant, the Metropolitan has ample room. The saddle is large and comfy, and the footwell can accommodate big feet. |
Bumps in the road are absorbed by a twin-downtube fork and single shock with 2.1 inches and 2.3 inches of travel, respectively. Ten-inch wheels are fitted to each end. The ride is relatively comfortable over most surfaces, despite the meager components. Poorly maintained roads or big pot holes do tend to bottom the suspension.
Zipping around town is the perfect environment for a little scoot like the Metro. |
Still, for a scoot that comes in under two grand, there’s little to complain about. Our ride route saw plenty of open stretches of tarmac and prolonged wide-open-throttle opportunities. Despite my shenanigans, the fuel gauge moved just a tick. While our experience has shown scooters to miss their advertised mileage claims, under normal, sensible, riding conditions the Metropolitan should return impressive numbers.
A fun activity Honda planned, with the help of Alpinestars’ parking lot, was a ‘slow race.’ Each rider had to complete a short course as slowly as possible. Keeping balance and modulating the controls was key, and with the Metro’s light weight and smooth fueling, yours truly was able to record the second-best time. |
WIth the new Metropolitan, Honda delivers a reliable, practical and economical mode of transportation perfect for downtown dwellers. All for under two large. And in some states, you don’t even need a motorcycle license to ride one. If you live in a big city and are tired of walking or taking the subway, the Metropolitan deserves a look.
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