Devo commercial for Honda scooters

This c.1984 Honda commercial starring Devo makes me want to buy an original Elite instead of a vintage Vespa. But only if I can have a Devo visor for my helmet. (Thanks, Lux!)

David Pescovitz is Boing Boing's co-editor/managing partner. He's also a research director at Institute for the Future. On Instagram, he's @pesco.

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zilladon

I had one of these in 1984; the same model/color that the Devo boys are “riding” in the commercial – I called it the Sharkmobile. Pretty good scooter at the time, got me all over Southern Calif – until it got stolen. I have a Vespa as my daily ride now – I moved up in the world! ; P
http://www.mrericsir.com MrEricSir

Is there another version of this video that doesn’t have the sync problem?
scifijazznik

I still see these occasionally and they are almost all driven by what I would guess are the original owners. They are also almost always trashed. I’m guessing those plastic frames don’t hold up too well when you accidentally lay it down.

As a former scooter rider, you couldn’t pay me enough to ride an old or new Vespa. Those tiny wheels and L.A.’s crappy streets do not mix well. To anyone seriously considering getting a scooter, I’d recommend the Kymco People 150.

http://img3.classistatic.com/cps/po/100828/347r6/5885jjb_27.jpeg

They look great and are fast and dependable. Most importantly, they have 16″ wheels so the potholes aren’t deathtraps. I had one for years and never had a single problem with it. If you get a vintage Vespa, you best know how to work on it. But I admit the old Vespas and Lambrettas are the best looking bikes out there.
- Strato Head
  
  The wheels on most scooters aren’t much bigger than the 10″s you find on
  MOST Vespas (though having totaled my old Super 150 due to having the
  8″ wheels get stuck in a gap in the pavement I get the sentiment).
  
  Kymcos are AMAZINGLY reliable. though if you are on the taller side (I’m 6’4″) you want a different model that the People line has pretty cramped leg room behind the shield (until it was stolen I had a People 50, and I had to ride it legs akimbo with the passenger pegs out)
  
  so far as the Elites go, check Craigslist, you can still find older Elites pretty regular for around $1200 or so. Parts are cheap, and super easy to work on.
  I keep thinking about selling my Atomic Fireball and getting a Honda… not as “cool” style wise… but somedays you just get sick of the constant minor repairs.
Tarliman

Adam Ant and Grace Jones also did a commercial for these scooters. Adam was diffident about getting one, until Grace quit extolling their technical specs and told him, “They’re sexy”, at which point his face lit up and he said “I’ll take one!”
- http://www.gyrofrog.com/ Gyrofrog
  
  Otherwise-motorcycle-ridin’ Lou Reed (“Don’t settle for walkin’”) and Miles Davis (“I’ll play it first, and talk about it later!”) pitched Honda scooters, as well.
  
  I will have to admit that I led such a sheltered life, that I did not hear “Walk on the Wild Side” until 1985, in Lou’s Honda commercial. I didn’t know it was an actual song until I (finally) heard it on the radio shortly thereafter.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551343828 Scott Frazer

Here’s one with better A/V sync: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBCWsZX4u3I&feature=related
- David Pescovitz
  
  Updating with the better video link. Thanks!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551343828 Scott Frazer

The Adam Ant / Grace Jones one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPkZ8RopwZI

Lou Reed’s “Don’t settle for walking” on the wild side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK6y9_0gsEg

Miles Davis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1CwXz8Xidc
http://www.appliedesoterics.com bfarn

I think Mothersbaugh/Devo might be the only group to (successfully) aggressively sell out as a means of not selling out. Energy domes off to those guys!
bbonyx

“Hubie Pyatt’s a Fucker!”
Pink Frankenstein

Madness did some great Honda videos too for the Honda City which was a car that had a small scooter in the back that you could use for emergencies or something:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yrbDh9yN3k&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL4A7388F336FC83C0

plus – Get a Lambretta not a Vespa.
- Strato Head
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Motocompo
  
  The Scooter is the Motocompo (Motorbike Compact)… it didn’t come with the car.
http://www.ithompson.com ycleptShawn

A bunch of my friends had Elite scooters when I was in junior high. My mother refused to let me get one, which is why I ride motorcycles to this day. You couldn’t get me on a scooter though…all the danger and none of the acceleration.
dculberson

Yay! They’re riding an Elite 150 Deluxe. We have a 1985 model, exactly the same color and everything. It’s amazingly reliable and rides great. It’s been halfway around the world and hasn’t needed a single thing beyond regular maintenance. It’s also been dropped quite a few times, by previous owners, and has survived very well.

Before buying a Vespa, try riding one and riding the Hondas. My wife wanted a vespa really badly until she rode one and found it slower, noisier, rougher, and less comfortable than her 25 year old Honda. They sure are pretty! But she didn’t think the tradeoff was worth it – she likes riding more than posing.
http://twitter.com/webmonkees webmonkees

Aha! Weird Al’s Dare To Be Stupid has nearly the same last scene, only with cows. Had wondered what it was referring to..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhwddNQSWQ
Guest

Jerry Casale rides a Honda scooter in this banned DEVO video: http://www.vaporland.com/Devo-RUX.mpg
Guest

@webmonkees – Dare To Be Stupid – a classic sendup of a classic!
Bad Juju

Never saw the Devo commercial back in the day, but now I know why it looked so familiar! Thanks, Weird Al.
Funny thing though, I do remember the Lou Reed one, and yes it was the first time I’d heard that song too..

Honda, remember when you were cool?