Spree

HONDA SPREE (NQ50)

The Spree is a remarkably small scooter produced by Honda from ’84 to ’87. The Spree was powered by a 2-stroke 50cc engine that used just a belt drive without a multi-ratio variator like Honda’s other scooters. Accordingly, a properly running Spree tops out at 30mph and thus is moped legal in quite a few states. Since the spree is so tiny and slow, it’s got a cult following of owners who hop them up. Tim Lewallen is one of these enthusiasts and you can see his Spree at right. You can find Tim and many other Spree fans at HondaSpree.net. If you’re looking for a scooter for regular day to day use, you’re probably better off getting something a little faster like an Aero 50 or Salient (or pretty much any other 50cc). However, if you’re driven by the idea of making something really tiny and slow go fast, then the Spree is a fun scooter to get.

There are almost no aftermarket parts for this scooter but Honda did sell a decent range of accessories for this scooter. Check out the image at the bottom of this page for a

look at these accessories.

One of the unique things about the Spree is that it does not have a belt driven CVT/variator drive train like most scooters do. Rather, the Spree uses a single speed belt drive. The lack of a transmission makes performance modifications harder because your stuck with one gear ratio. Honda’s ’83 - ’84 Aero 50’s used a similar engine which did have a CVT (continuously variable transmission) and you can swap one of these engines in relatively easily if you are set on going faster. It may also be possible to retrofit the variator parts but it would require a big list of parts (some of which are likely no longer available) so you’d be best off to start with a complete used engine.

Living with the Spree is a mixed bag. On the downside, it has zero storage except for the chrome rack on the back. Honda did add a glovebox for ’87. On the plus side, the Spree is ridiculously light (86 lbs) so it’s very easy to toss into the back of your pickup truck or yank around the garage. It also gets pretty good milage for a 2-stroke. 70-75mpg is what you can expect under normal usage.

Colors
1984 Sparkling Red (USA only), Cortina White, Vista Blue (Canada only)
1985 Sparkling Red, Black
1986 Sparkling Red, Black, Shasta White / Lollipop Green (only available on ‘Special’ version)
1987 Sparkling Red, Black, Kriti Blue

Changes
1985 New larger Spree logo
1986 Logo again changed and a handy kickstarter was added
1987 New blinkers and a glove box was added.

After the Spree was discontinued, Honda introduced the ‘Elite E’ scooter as a replacement. Like the Spree, the Elite E was tiny and capable of only 30mph. The Spree is a fun scooter but I don’t think it makes a lot of sense for use as a daily driver around town. The Spree is really too slow to keep up with traffic and it lacks enclosed storage space (except the ’87 models). As well, only smaller riders will find the Spree large enough to ride comfortably.

Pros:
* Cute look
* Fairly popular so OEM parts aren’t too hard to find.
* Great milage

* Beautiful gauges

Cons:
* Slow (30mph)
* Limited aftermarket parts
* Not suited for bigger riders
* Lack of storage on ’84-’86 examples

Links:
MotorscooterGuide Forums - Visit the forum on this site to chat about your scoot.
HondaSpree.net - A great forum that will help you get your Spree going.
Jason Carr’s Spree Page
Guides to Common Spree Repairs
'84 - '87 Service Manual - Download this before you start working on your Spree.
'86 Owners Manual - Provided by the fine folks at HondaSpree.net
Spree on Wikipedia - Lots of Spree specifications.

If you have any info to add, email me at dandurston@hotmail.com

Key Specs:
* Engine: 49cc Air cooled 2-stroke single cylinder with a 15 degree incline from vertical
* Bore & Stroke: 41.0 x 37.4 mm (1.61 x 1.47 in)
* Compression Ratio: 7.2:1 (’84, ’85), 6.8:1 (’86, ‘87), 7.0:1 (Iowa)
* Lubrication: Oil injection
* Engine Weight: 22 lbs (’84, ’85), 24 lbs (’86, ’87)
* Idle: 800 +/- 100 rpm
* Carburetor: PA29C (’84 - ’85), PA29H (’86 - ’87), PA29L (Iowa)
* Air screw settings: 1⅞ turns out '86: 1½ turns out After '86: 1⅜ turns out
* Float level: 12.2 mm (0.48 in)
* Frame: Backbone Shaped
* Front Suspension: Telescopic fork, 56 mm (2.2 in) travel
* Rear Suspension: Swing Arm 58 mm (2.3 in) travel, After '86: 45.5 mm (1.79 in)
* Maximum Weight, 82 kg (180 lb)
* Tires: 2.50-10-2PR (front and rear)
* Tire PSI: 18/24 (front/rear)
* Brakes: Drum (front and rear)
* Fuel Capacity: 2.5 L (0.66 U.S. gal)
* Caster Angle: 27 degrees
* Trail: 76 mm (3.0 in)
* Length: 1,530 mm (60.2 in) After '86: 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
* Width: 590 mm (23.2 in)
* Height: 925 mm (36.4 in) After '86: 950 mm (37.4 in)
* Seat Height: 27.6” / 700 mm
* Wheelbase: 1065 mm (41.9 in)
* Ground Clearance: 105 mm (4.1 in)
* Dry Weight: 86 lbs (’84, ’85), 92 lbs (’86), 94lbs (’87)