There are days when I love walking the streets of Manila.
Today was one of those days.
As I was walking towards Binondo, I chanced upon a Honda Gyro parked along the sidewalk.
I never thought I’d ever see a functional one again since the last time I saw one was back in the 90s.
For those who don’t know what a Honda Gyro is, it’s a weird, wonderful, three-wheeled trike that’s been quietly doing real work since the early 1980s. And yes — it’s as charming in person as it is in pictures.
And the Gyro was so successful in its day that there were many variants that popped up to build the variant line. Much like Yamaha’s Mio range.
And each one from the Stream to the Canopy to the Luck and the Road Fox oozed quirkiness and fun despite being primarily no-frills work or commuter vehicles.
In short: these were small machines with big personalities.
And the teenager in me came screaming back out wanting one out of nostalgia.
What is the Honda Gyro?
The Honda gyro is a family of tilting three-wheel scooters built for urban deliveries and tight streets.
Think of a scooter that leans like a two-wheeler while the two rear wheels stay planted.
Genius design.
First introduced in 1981, the lineup includes the Gyro X, Gyro Up, and the roofed Gyro Canopy — each optimized for hauling, stability, or weather protection. These variants made the model a favorite for businesses that need compact utility with true cornering agility.
And for me, it seemed like a more practical ride to school with the roof, three wheels, and cargo space.
Good thing I never got to get my hands on one or I’d never get laid like ever.
Why People Hated It
The Gyro, especially the Canopy and the Up variants were designed for work. Looks were not a priority for these bikes.
People hated the way these scooters looked like.
But for me, I think it was because their reason for hating it was misplaced.
These were not meant to be fun scooters. So, they were not meant to appeal to regular scooter drivers. On the other hand, it was meant to attract businesses who had specific hauling needs for small streets or short distances.
How the Gyro Works
Mechanically, the Gyro has a very clever but simple design:
- The front assembly and rider lean into corners like a normal scooter.
- The rear axle, with two wheels, stays level and provides traction and cargo support.
- These tiny trikes used 49cc engines which was more than enough to get you from point A to point B.
That tilting link — linked steering and tilting — is the Gyro’s secret to success. With that combination, you get the steering feel of a bike and the load stability of a tiny truck. Brilliant.
Here are the tech Specs for the Gyro which I got from Wikipedia:
| Manufacturer | Honda Motor Company |
| Also called | NJ50, BB-TD01 |
| Production | 1982–present |
| Engine | TA01E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke |
| Power | 4.6 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 0.45 kg/m @ 7,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable Transmission |
| Tires | 3.50-10 41J, 130/90-6 53J |
| Wheelbase | 1.205 m |
| Dimensions | L: 1.7 m W: 0.640 m H: 1.030 m (1.405 m) |
| Seat height | 0.735 m |
| Weight | 95 kg (93 kg) (dry) 100 kg (98 kg) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 L |
| Fuel consumption | 44.6 km/L @ 30 km/h (45.5 km/L @ 30 km/h) |
| Turning radius | 1.7 m |
The Gyro Line — Canopy, Up, X (and the new electric)
The Gyro X and Canopy are the lines that best represent the Gyro line.
But, the Gyro line also included the UP, the Stream, the Joy, Just, and Road Fox. None of those ever reached our shores. Or if they did, I haven’t seen one in person yet.
Here’s what they look like and their tech specs:
Honda Joy
| Manufacturer | Honda Motor Company |
| Also called | NM50 |
| Production | 1983–1984 |
| Engine | TB08E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke |
| Power | 3.7 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 0.47 kg-m @ 5,000 rpm |
| Weight | 46 kg (dry) |
Of those, it is the Road Fox that I am most interested in.
| Manufacturer | Honda Motor Company |
| Also called | TG50, A-TB10 |
| Production | 1984 |
| Engine | TB08E 49 cc air-cooled 2-stroke |
| Power | 4.0 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 0.49 kg-m @ 5,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 2-speed automatic transmission |
| Tires | 3.00-8-2PR/4.50-6-2PR |
| Dimensions | L: 1.595 m W: 0.605 m H: 0.915 m |
| Weight | 59 kg (dry) 63 kg (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 L |
| Fuel consumption | 72 km/L @ 30 km/h |
All of those variants were discontinued but modern reimagining of the Gyro X and Canopy are now available in the market after they were released in 2021. They’re basically the Gyro e and Gyro Canopy e which share the same platform and design.
So… there’s still a chance for me to relive my teenage dream of having a Gyro in my possession albeit a more modern one instead of the vintage variety.
The Gyro looks even better up close
I’ll say it plainly: the Gyro is handsome in real life. The canopy version has angles that look purposeful, not awkward.
The bare Gyro is compact and almost cute — a vintage trike vibe that’s more functional than retro-pose. Seen parked under a sari-sari store or lined up for a shift at the wet market, the Gyro has presence.
People smile when they see one.
It’s a street scene in motion.
Could the Gyro be a fun “toy” or a proper daily ride?
Absolutely both.
For enthusiasts, a well-kept Gyro is a playful collectible — a true vintage trike experience that’s easy to maintain.
For businesses, a Gyro is a serious appliance: reliable, maneuverable, and low-cost to run. I’d happily own one for short routes or as a second urban vehicle. It’s nimble, cheap, and weirdly satisfying to drive.
That accidental sighting in binondo stuck with me.
And I know it will be nearly impossible to get my hands on a vintage Gyro based on availability and probably the price but getting the e varieties might be easier to do and probably cheaper.
One of these days I’ll get my hands on one and I’ll have a blast riding it from point A to point B.
