“Small bikes, big character. Sometimes the tiniest machines take you the farthest—especially when they come with attitude.”
When I first saw the Honda Navi in person, I had to do a double take.
From afar, it looked like a toy vehicle, something a kid would ride around the barangay for fun.
But up close?
It was charming, and dare I say, downright cool?
And here in Davao City, where the streets are a mix of unpredictable traffic, jeepneys that swerve like dancers, and potholes that sneak up like surprise quizzes, the Honda Navi actually makes a whole lot of sense.
It’s not quite a scooter.
It’s not quite a motorcycle.
It’s something in between. Something new.
Something that’ll probably turn a lot of heads when it finally hits the streets of Davao City.
The Honda Navi — A Hybrid Between Fun and Function
The Honda Navi is Honda’s answer to people who want a city bike that’s fun, functional, and very, very affordable. Coming in at a launch price of PHP 55,900 (until August 31, 2025), this bike is small in size but big in attitude.
That price is just a little more than what you’d pay for if you wanted to get a Yamaha YTX 125. I know… I had one back in the day. In fact, here’s what I did with that bike because I wanted to have a café racer/scrambler so much.
Yamaha YTX 125 – Easy Low-cost Café Racer Build
Let’s call it what it is: a mini bike, or if you grew up in the 2000s, you might call it a pocket bike. It’s in the same spiritual family as the Grom, Monkey, and even the classic Yamaha Chappy.
It’s a small displacement motorcycle that doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
It’s not trying to be a 150cc trail monster or a 400cc cruiser. It’s just here to make your everyday Davao commute more enjoyable—whether you’re going to Magsaysay Park or heading to Matina for a quick meetup.
Throwback to the First Love: Yamaha Chappy and an Accident
When I was 18, I fell in love with the idea of small bikes thanks to the Yamaha Chappy. That bike was weird and wonderful. A scooter mixed with off-road dreams. I used to ride one around Tacloban City until one night, after too many “refreshing drinks”, youthful bravado, and ignorance, I lost control of the bike and had a terrible spill.
I was showing off to my bandmate that I could do a “Superman” and… well that’s a story for another day.
I crashed.
I stopped riding.
My knees healed but my pride took longer to recuperate.
But that memory came rushing back when I first saw a Honda Grom in Thailand in March 2019.
It was parked outside a food stall in Bangkok. Custom paint, chunky tires, lowered seat. It looked like a toy but felt serious enough for a grownup to play with. That was the moment I started obsessing over small displacement scooters again.
I almost wanted to get one as a birthday gift but transporting it back to the Philippines would have been rough on the pocket.
So, when the Navi showed up in the Philippines? I knew I had to check it out.
Immediately.
Looks Like a Toy for Boys and Big Boys
Let’s talk aesthetics.
Up close, the Honda Navi really looks like something pulled straight out of a cartoon—but in the best way possible. Angular lines. Chunky plastics. A scooter’s engine in a minibike’s frame. The design screams barkada trip, but it’s practical enough for daily life.
Back then, we had large groups of kids riding around town in noisy Yamaha Chappys. Thanks to the quiet engines of the Honda Navi, we can still have that albeit in a less obnoxious way.
The white variant is easily the best-looking of the bunch—clean, crisp, and matches everything. The Ranger Green R? Eh, maybe not for everyone. That’s a hard sell for me, personally. It reminds me of army toys. But that’s just me.
There’s also Patriot Red and good ol’ Black, so there’s something for everyone.
Surprise, Surprise, There’s Enough Storage Space
One thing I was most excited about was the integrated storage.
Yeah… I think that really makes me an old guy now.
The Navi has about 15L of storage space right in the middle of the frame, where a typical motorcycle engine would be.
It’s not massive, but it can carry small items like your lunch, documents, or a rolled-up raincoat.
Practical?
Yes.
Cute?
Double yes.
For me.
Technical Specs that Fit the Urban Rider
Here’s the lowdown on the Honda Navi’s technical specifications:
- Engine: 109cc, 4-Stroke, 2-Valve, SOHC, Air-Cooled
- Transmission: Automatic (V-Matic)
- Maximum Power: 5.89 kW @ 7,500 rpm
- Torque: 8.91 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
- Fuel System: Carburetor
- Fuel Consumption: 48.4 km/L (WMTC)
- Brakes: Mechanical Leading Trailing Drum (Front & Rear, CBS)
- Tires: 90/90-12 (Front), 90/100-10 (Rear), both Tubeless
- Weight: 104 kg curb weight
- Seat Height: 762 mm
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.5 L
If you’re wondering if this can survive the sometimes flooded, often pothole-ridden roads of Davao, let me say: yes, but keep your speed within the limit.
One thing I’m also not happy about is the carburetor type fuel system which is very outdated if you compare it with other small displacement bikes that already have fuel injection.
Why the Navi Makes Sense in Davao
In a city where lane splitting is a must, parking is a nightmare, and gas prices continue to rise, a small displacement scooter like the Navi becomes a very logical choice.
It’s perfect for quick trips to Bankerohan, short rides to SM Lanang, or for weaving through the chaos of San Pedro traffic during lunch hour. You don’t need a beast. You just need a bike that’s easy on the budget and fits in your life.
Plus, it’s super fuel efficient. At nearly 50 km/L, you’ll probably spend more on coffee in a week than on fuel.
Comparison with the Honda Grom
While the Grom offers more performance, fuel injection, disc brakes, and a higher price point, the Navi is its budget-friendly cousin with its own kind of swagger.
Quick Side-by-Side
| Spec | Honda Navi | Honda Grom |
| Engine | 109cc | 124.9cc |
| Transmission | Automatic | 5-speed Manual |
| Brakes | Drum (CBS) | Hydraulic Disc |
| Fuel Tank | 3.5 L | 5.5 L |
| Price | PHP 55,900 (promo) | PHP 99,900+ |
If you want to play and customize, go for the Grom. If you want a low-maintenance daily navigator, stick with the Navi.
Small but Mighty — The Rise of Toy-Style Bikes
What used to be considered toy vehicles are now becoming serious players in the urban mobility game. And here in the Philippines—specifically in Davao—people are starting to catch on.
The mini bike scene is growing, and scooters like the Navi, Grom, and even throwbacks like the Monkey are gaining popularity among riders who value simplicity and style.
Who’s going to release the next big classic bike with modern practicality? We’ll have to wait and see. But for now, Honda has delivered something special with the Navi.
Looks like this is the scooter everyone will be riding on in the next few months.
I could be wrong though…
Final Thoughts — Who is the Navi For?
- Young professionals who want to skip the car payments.
- Students who want something cooler for commuting to school instead of riding a tricycle.
- Budget commuters who want fuel savings and low maintenance.
- And, of course, riders like me, who are just rediscovering the joy of riding.
If you’re in Davao City and looking for something small, nimble, and unique, the Honda Navi might be the answer. It’s a refreshing alternative to the usual scooter, with a price that makes it accessible to many Filipinos.
A little weird? Yes. A little wild? Also yes. But in a city as diverse and colorful as Davao, weird and wild are kind of perfect.
Let your style ride. Let your story unfold. Let yourself #BeWhoYouWANNAVi!
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