Released in Shetland White, Daisy Yellow and Caribbean Red variants, the Motocompo was introduced as a "trunk bike" (トランクバイク / トラバイ, toranku baiku / tora-bai) to fit inside subcompact cars like the Honda Today and the (then new) Honda City; it was inspired from the World War II-era British Welbike folding motorcycle.

[6] The scooter was marketed in conjunction with the City in television ads featuring British ska/2-tone band Madness.

[7] Although discontinued in 1983, Honda has revisited the idea since with several concept vehicles such as the 2001 e-Dax[8] and e-NSR,[9] and the 2011 Motor Compo electric scooter.

It is tucked away at the back of her partner Miyuki Kobayakawa's Honda Today police car when not in use.

A Motocompo is the inspiration for the character Sou in the Kino's Journey —the Beautiful World— anime and manga series.