In keeping with Honda’s goal of providing motorcycling experiences to a large variety of riding styles and skill levels, Honda has announced two new dual-sport motorcycles that are beginner-friendly and affordable: the all-new 2023 Honda XR150L and the new low-seat 2023 Honda CRF300LS.
2023 Honda XR150L
2023 HondaXR150L in Black
The new XR150L is Honda’s lowest-priced full-sized dual-sport. It’s designed to be approachable for beginner riders while also being a good option for riding around the campground and exploring the countryside. It features an air-cooled 149.2cc single-cylinder engine and a 2.8-gallon fuel tank (a 0.9-gallon reserve) with for a claimed 346 miles of range. The 31mm fork and single rear shock deliver 7.1 inches of travel up front and 5.9 inches in the rear, and it rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels.
2023 HondaXR150L
The XR150L features an upright riding position and a tall handlebar for comfortable maneuverability. Ground clearance is 9.6 inches, seat height is 32.8 inches, and curb weight is said to be 282 lb. For brakes, the dual-piston hydraulic front caliper is paired with a 240mm rotor, and there’s a 110mm drum brake in the back.
The 2023 Honda XR150L has an MSRP of $2,971 and comes in White or Black color options.
2023 Honda CRF300LS, CRF300L, and CRF300L Rally
2023 Honda CRF300LS
The Honda CRF300LS is a new version of Honda’s top-selling CRF300L, featuring a lower seat height of 32.7 inches. With this new lower seat height version, the CRF300L is now an option for more riders.
2023 Honda CRF300LS
The CRF300L, which returns for 2023, is powered by a liquid-cooled 286cc single-cylinder engine. It has a fuel capacity of 2.1 gallons (with a 0.5-gallon reserve). Suspension includes a 43mm inverted Showa fork and a Pro-Link single rear shock. The standard and ABS versions of the CRF300L have 10.2 inches of travel rear and front, while the new low-seat CRF300LS has 9.3 inches in the front and 9.0 inches in the rear. Wheels are 21 inches in the front and 18 inches in the rear with black aluminum rims.
The CRF300LS’s lower seat heigh of 32.7 inches brings it 2 inches lower than the standard CRF300L’s seat height. Brakes are hydraulic single discs front and rear with 256mm and 220mm rotors, respectively. The CRF300LS comes standard with ABS, while the CRF300L comes in non-ABS and ABS versions.
2023 Honda CRF300L
Also returning for 2023 is the CRF300L Rally, featuring comfort-focused upgrades like handguards, a bigger fuel tank, and a windscreen, and it’s available both with ABS ($6,449) and without ($6,149).
2023 Honda CRF300L Rally
For the new low-seat CRF300LS, MSRP is $5,699, the same price as the CRF300L with ABS and $300 more than the non-ABS version. The LS comes in a Swift Gray colorway, while the standard, ABS, and Rally versions come in Red.
2023 Honda Navi
2023 Honda Navi in Red
Introduced in 2022 as part of Honda’s miniMOTO lineup, the twist-and-go Navi also returns for 2023. Powered by a 109cc single-cylinder engine, the Navi features a CVT transmission that requires no clutch or shifting. At $1,807, it’s the same low price as last year and comes in four colors: Red, Grasshopper Green, Nut Brown, and Ranger Green.
Cruising on the all-new 2022 Honda Navi. (Photo by Drew Ruiz)
We test the 2022 Honda Navi, the latest addition to Honda’s miniMOTO lineup. Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and step-over motorcycle, the latest mini borrows the fan-cooled, 109cc Single and CVT transmission from the Activa 6G and the Grom’s popular design language. And with an MSRP of just $1,807, it fits within any budget.
We spent a day cruising around Costa Mesa, California, on the Navi and found it to be a fun, user-friendly machine, the perfect gateway to the world of motorcycling.
Check out our video review:
2022 Honda Navi Specs
Base Price: $1,807 Website:powersports.honda.com Engine Type: Fan-cooled Single, SOHC w/ 2 valves Displacement: 109.2cc Bore x Stroke: 55.0mm x 55.6mm Horsepower: 7.8 hp @ 9,500 rpm Torque: 6.6 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm Transmission: Automatic CVT Final Drive: Chain Wheelbase: 50.6 in. Rake/Trail: 27.5 degrees/3.2 in. Seat Height: 30.1 in. Wet Weight: 236 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 0.9 gals.
The 2022 Honda Navi is the newest addition to the miniMOTO lineup. (Photos by Drew Ruiz)
Like any great team, Honda’s miniMOTO lineup has a little something for everyone. The Grom favors sporty styling while the Monkey opts for retro-cool. The Super Cub adds urbane sophistication to the mix and the Trail 125 counters with rugged utility. With each member filling a niche, Team Red’s miniMOTO family may seem complete. However, the new 2022 Honda Navi is by far the most affordable and user-friendly bike in the lineup.
The 2022 Honda Navi borrows its 109cc from the Activa 6G scooter.
Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and step-over motorcycle, the latest mini borrows the fan-cooled, 109cc Single from the Activa 6G and the Grom’s popular design language. Honda hopes that mix of practicality and performance will carve out a new niche in the miniMOTO range, one that caters to students, commuters, and scooter converts. To prove the Navi’s moto meddle, Honda invited us to Costa Mesa, California, to put the newest mini to the test.
Honda Navi custom by Steady Garage
Honda Navi custom by MNNTHBX
Before we climbed into the saddle, long-time Honda collaborators Steady Garage and MNNTHBX (man in the box) showcased their custom Navi creations for the crowd. From a Tron-inspired, cyberpunk dragster to a stereo-equipped road racer, the two builds put the Navi’s custom potential on display. Honda wants Navi owners to follow in those footsteps, offering accessory TrueTimber and Icon Motorsports graphics out of the gate.
Even in stock form, the Navi’s Red, Grasshopper Green (shown), Nut Brown, and Ranger Green colorway give customers more than enough options to express themselves. All four liveries were in attendance when we threw a leg over the Navi. As expected, the 30.1-inch seat height proved agreeable right away. Very few riders will struggle with the perch’s height, especially when considering the Navi’s 236-pound curb weight.
The Honda Navi’s accessible seat height, short wheelbase, and low weight make it very maneuverable.
After releasing the left-hand emergency brake and squeezing the front brake lever, the little thumper purrs to life. The automatic CVT transmission shifts into neutral at stops, so the emergency brake helps the Navi stay put when parked. With the Single fired up, users simply twist to go. The CVT relieves riders of friction points or shifting gears. While the automatic drivetrain offers the approachability of a scooter, it delivers comparable acceleration as well.
The Honda Navi’s 109cc Single is mounted to the swingarm.
The Navi pulls away from a stop easily, and torque quickly peaks at 6.6 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. It takes the thumper more time to reach its maximum 7.8 horsepower at 9,500 rpm (there’s no tachometer on the instrument panel). With its leisurely pace, the Navi obeys all posted speed limits, but on the backroads, riders can wind the miniMOTO all the way up to 50 mph. In full tuck, with the throttle pinned, and a light tailwind, the Navi even touches a top speed of 55 mph. Of course, you can’t take yourself too seriously on a 109cc motorcycle, and the gentle powerband ensures those antics remain harmless fun.
With drum brakes front and rear, the Honda Navi has limited stopping power.
The drum brakes help with those efforts, and they’re predictably soft. Light on initial bite and overall stopping power, the brakes require a heavy hand and extra distance to do the deed. The linked system does maintain the Navi’s stability, but only compounds the vague feel at the lever and pedal when used in tandem. On the bright side (especially for newbies), the drum units lack the power to lock up. Despite stomping on the brake pedal with all my might, the rear wheel refused to brake traction. The “old school ABS” of the Navi’s drum brakes match its minuscule mill and $1,807 MSRP.
An inverted fork and a single rear shock handle suspension duties, and they provide a decent ride.
(Why the odd price point? Why isn’t it $1,799 or an even $1,800. Honda reps told us the price stands out, not just for how low it is – most electric bicycles cost more – but because it makes folks stop and think.)
Unlike the brakes, the basic suspension exceeds expectations. The 26.8mm inverted fork only offers 3.5 inches of travel and the rear shock lowers that figure to 2.8 inches, but the soft suspension soaked up most road irregularities. Only the harshest hits unsettled the chassis. Luckily, those instances were rare. Along with the supple suspension, the 27.5-degree rake made the Navi eager to tip in and the 50.6-inch wheelbase preserved that agility without sacrificing stability at top speed.
At best, the top speed of the Honda Navi is 55 mph, so it’s suited for around town and backroads but not freeways.
The balanced chassis not only remained composed at lean but also stayed steady at slow speeds. Combined with the user-friendly throttle response, the poised chassis allows riders to pick through rush hour traffic with confidence. The Navi’s motorcycle-style ergonomics only enhance that feeling. Mid-mount pegs keep the knee bed at a 90-degree angle and the reach to the bars is short. Compared to a sportbike, the riding position is neutral and relaxed, but compared to a scooter, it’s much more commanding.
The Navi’s instrumentation is basic.
The Navi’s aesthetics and ergonomics may resemble a motorcycle, but the ride is closer to a scooter. The rear-mounted engine contributes to that quality, shifting much of the weight to the back. That configuration leaves an engine-sized hole in the frame, which Honda fills with a lockable storage box.
The Navi’s lockable front storage compartment is a handy feature.
In pictures, the cubby’s capacity looks nominal. In the flesh, the storage area proved much more spacious than anticipated. I easily fit two water bottles, a notebook, snacks, and a hat in the compact box. Most students and commuters will have no problem packing textbooks and light jackets into the lockable storage.
The Honda Navi is the perfect gateway into the world of motorcycling. Cheap, easy to ride, and fun!
At $1,807, the Honda Navi presents an affordable gateway to Honda’s miniMoto lineup as well as the motorcycling world. The model’s tractability appeals to beginners while its simplicity keeps things enjoyable for experienced riders. Its unintimidating 109cc Single and no-brainer automatic CVT transmission help the newcomer carve out a niche in the miniMOTO range. Despite its practicality and user-friendly nature, the Navi is fun first and foremost. If there’s any qualification for joining Honda’s miniMOTO, it’s fun factor, and the Navi more than lives up to those standards.
2022 Honda Navi Specs
Base Price: $1,807 Website:powersports.honda.com Engine Type: Fan-cooled Single, SOHC w/ 2 valves Displacement: 109.2cc Bore x Stroke: 55.0mm x 55.6mm Horsepower: 7.8 hp @ 9,500 rpm Torque: 6.6 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm Transmission: Automatic CVT Final Drive: Chain Wheelbase: 50.6 in. Rake/Trail: 27.5 degrees/3.2 in. Seat Height: 30.1 in. Wet Weight: 236 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 0.9 gals.
Earlier this year Honda updated two popular models in its miniMOTO lineup for 2022, the Grom and the Monkey. American Honda has announced that a new model called the Navi will join the family, and it retails for just $1,807.
Small, accessible, playful, and affordable (it’s less expensive than most electric bicycles), the Navi should appeal to a wide range of riders, especially those just learning to ride. It’s powered by a fuel-efficient, user-friendly 110cc single-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission, so there’s no clutch lever or shifter – just twist and go, like a scooter.
On the left side of the Navi is a storage compartment.
The engine is fan-cooled, uses eSP friction-reducing technology, has an OHC with two valves, and uses a carburetor to mix fuel and air. It has an electric starter with a kickstart backup. The V-Matic CVT (continuously variable transmission) uses an automatic centrifugal dry clutch, and power is sent to the rear wheel via belt drive.
Fuel capacity is just 0.9 gallon, but based on the EPA estimate of 110 mpg, range could be 99 miles between fill-ups.
The Navi’s modern, blocky styling is reminiscent of the Grom, and its seat height is just 30.1 inches. Weighing just 236 pounds, measuring just 50.6 inches between its axles, and rolling on 12-inch front/10-inch rear wheels, the Navi will be ultra-easy to maneuver and park, or load onto a rack behind a car, truck, or RV. There’s even a storage bin for stowing a few essentials. The Navi’s seat accommodates a rider and passenger, and passenger footpegs are standard.
The new 2022 Honda Navi is designed to be accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.
“From the original Cub to the Grom, Honda has a proud legacy of producing miniMOTO models that open doors to new riders, and the Navi is set to extend that trend even further,” said Brandon Wilson, Sports & Experiential Manager at American Honda. “This miniMOTO checks all the boxes for new riders, like simple operation, a fun design, low operating costs and Honda reliability – all for well under $2,000.”
2022 Honda Navi in Nut Brown
The Navi will be on display at this weekend’s Progressive IMS Outdoors motorcycle show in Costa Mesa, California, where it will also be among the models included in the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Ride With Us Moto Intro experience, giving new riders an opportunity to try motorcycling.
The 2022 Honda Navi will be available in January (February in California) in four colors: Red, Grasshopper Green, Nut Brown, and Ranger Green.
For more information or to find a Honda dealer near you, visit powersports.honda.com.
