Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) motorcycles are often quite different from the versions that we received here in North America. I can’t get enough of them and have owned a few different models, and still do. This interesting 2000 Honda Gyro UP pivoting three-wheel scooter is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Allston, Massachusetts and the seller is asking $2,250. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
I’ve owned two first-year 1984 Honda NN50 Gyro pivoting three-wheel scooters, one blue and one red, and they were unique in the way they pivoted. The two rear wheels, where the engine is hiding, would stay flat on the ground but the whole front portion pivoted side-to-side as you turned. I really like the JDM version known as the UP as it has a rear cargo area.
I can picture this loaded with boxes and being used as a delivery vehicle in Japan or other countries. It appears that the three little load containers (I’m sure there’s an official name) on the edges of the rubber mat-covered load floor are missing. A good friend and motorcycle guru in New Zealand recently found a somewhat similar version but with the coveted cab, and I’m supremely jealous. Even cab-less, I’d love to own this one, despite it showing some surface rust and some general wear.
The controls and gauge cluster are similar to my former Gyros, although as almost always, the speedometer numbers may be a bit optimistic. 60 km is around 37 mph so this one may hit close to that. Mine sure seemed fast, although I probably didn’t come close to 30 mph on it. The black lever to the left of the ignition switch is the parking brake, which you’d use while stopped, of course, and it locks the scooter to keep it from pivoting. You can lock it in various tilting positions for unique photo ops. Gyro reportedly means “G is Great, Y is Yours, R is Recreational, and O is Original.”, according to a Honda press release.
There isn’t a photo of the engine as it’s located beneath all of the plastic cladding, but it should be a Honda 49-cc two-stroke single-cylinder with five horsepower. It sends power through a CVT to the rear wheels and the seller says it starts on the first kick or the push of a button. I didn’t realize these things had a kickstart and I don’t see one, and they have provided a video of it starting and running. Do any of you own JDM motorcycles that were never sold in the U.S.?
Ha,ha,ha,ha,,no,,wait, I’m an old man now, and this is suddenly appealing. As automotive repair costs continue to spike upwards, people on fixed incomes will have no choice but to pull the plug and take the old folks trolley. We’re almost there now. Something for my limited traveling like this would be perfect. My only concern would be in traffic, but no worse than a bike, I suppose. I mean, it’s one thing in Hong Kong where everybody rides these. In the USA, that RAM dually in the mirror is mighty intimidating. The author presents these unorthodox means of travel to us, almost going on thin ice in a sea of Lambos, Corvettes, and monster trucks but you’ll see, this guy had a vision of what we may be subjected to in the future. We’ll say, “we should have listened to that man”,,instead of buying that lifted diesel 4×4 now that fuel is $18/gallon,, :0
$18 a gallon… That’s why I’ve hung on to my Yamaha Morphous for all these years. I hardly ride it anymore, but I take it out and play with it a few times a year. This would be good for small trips to the store, but I don’t think I could fit a whitetail on the bed. Guess I’ll keep the F150 for those trips.
I wonder why Honda hasn’t tried it with double the power of this scooter. BTW, that would only be 10 horsepower. It seems like a good idea to try!
I remember fancying the sportier chopper-style Honda Gyro S when they were new, as previously featured here:
https://barnfinds.com/rare-pivoting-scooter-1985-honda-gyro-s/
It has been a while since I last saw a Gyro. Quirky little three-wheeled thing with the articulating frame. This one, with the cargo shelf on the back, is mysteriously appealing, LOL!
I have an 1993 Honda helix, and it’s a motorbike slightly similar to this one (much larger) but more like a full size Harley, and just about as heavy! It is like riding a cloud, and can easily go 70 mph. Over 65 mpg and fill up is less that $10 for premium, perfect for a 16 year olds starter vehicle. I work on it myself, and parts are mostly cheap and very plentiful. Love that thing even tho I’ve only had it for a few months.