It seems only a short time ago I was mentioning how the Honda Cub had reached the 50 million mark in production and it actually was only 2 years ago, but in those 2 short years, they’ve put another 10 million Cubs out the door and as of the end of April, they’re over 60 million. Just like that Energizer Bunny, these Cubs just keep going and going! I guess if they’ve sold that many, they must be doing something right.
Honda press release:
When Super Cub was originally launched, the 2-stroke engine was the mainstream power plant for motorcycles. However, the first generation Honda Super Cub C100 was equipped with an innovative and high-performance 50cc 4-stroke engine which was highly economical and durable. Super Cub C100 also achieved creative and unique designs including the low-floor backbone frame which enhanced the ease of getting on and off, a centrifugal clutch system which required no clutch operations, and the installation of a large plastic leg shield which reduced the amount of dirt splatter and wind experienced by the rider. Since the introduction of the first generation model, the basic design and concept have remained virtually unchanged, and the unique style has been passed on even to current models.
In regions outside of Japan, such as Asia, the Honda Cub series has evolved to accommodate the unique culture and diversifying customer needs in each country. In Japan, an electronically-controlled fuel injection system, Honda’s PGM-FI*2, was installed on Super Cub in 2007, enhancing the environmental performance of the model. Demonstrated by these examples, Honda Cub has been continuously advancing throughout the world.
Exports of Super Cub began in 1959 with the first destination being the U.S., and production in regions outside of Japan began in 1961 in Taiwan, with production based on component parts sets. Since that time, based on Honda’s long-standing commitment to “build products close to the customer,†local production began in many other countries. The Honda Cub series is currently being produced in 15 countries around the world.
Related: Honda 50 Gas Mileage Champ
Mr. Tanshanomi says
Honda last imported the cub as the C70 Passport in 1980-84. I recall that at point during that time even the safetyniks at Consumer Reports were forced to admit that the C70 was the smartest choice for short neighborhood errands — superior to a motorcycle or scooter for a dash to the corner store, and much more economical than a car.
Considering that fuel costs and economic conditions are now eerily similar to that period, you can’t help but wonder if Honda might resume importing the little guy to America, if only to have something to fight the tide of Chinese scooters.
Phoebe says
Retro is definitely in, as it has been for a while. I *know* the Cub would be a hit with young women (especially hipsters) who don’t want to shell out the bucks for a Vespa. I speak from experience…I started off on scooters and then moved up to motorcycles. I also have many female friends who are interested in scooters. Perhaps it’s time to bring it back to the US?
B*A*M*F says
I bet even men would hop onto a Honda Cub. I would. The first bike I ever rode was my little brother’s C70. He hot wired it so we could ride it when mom and dad weren’t around.
An acquaintance of mine bought one not that long ago and let me take it for a spin. Just as much fun as I remembered.
John J Redmond says
That bike as our biggest competitor in the mid 60’s when my dad and I had a Suzuki dealership.I’d buy one today if they were sold here in US-Hawaii-kind of a different country.The would be all over Oahu – Honolulu. Just put an add in the paper park the container ship service them as they roll off the boat!Take the cash and retire after the 5 ship. Any takes I’ll help run the operation.
P.T. Anderson says
Hey Paul, what do you think about starting a petition to send to Honda about getting these imported again. Especially that PGM-FI*2 version. I have a ’01 FZ1 and I would still be interested in getting one. My commute is about 5mi each way and the big bike just seems like too much. I don’t even get over 45mph the whole way. Lets start a petition and then pass it around to other websites and then the magazines and then on to Honda!
reddog says
John J-
You can’t import a vehicle without the manufacturer’s cooperation, too much red tape. I wanted to bring in a few containers of Sonic 125s from Thailand.
Don’t hold your breath for the return of the CUB. Honda still has plenty of super economical mini cars they could bring to this market and sell for 15-20 grand. For every Cub they would sell, that’s a much higher profit margin vehicle they don’t.
America is the goose that lays japan’s golden eggs.
Denis Martyn says
There can be no doubt that the Honda Cub is history’s most influential motorcycle. The “Nifty Thrifty Honda 50” put thousands of Americans on two wheels in the 1960s, and has provided affordable transportation in markets around the world. There was a time when the step through Hondas were everywhere in the United States, so I can’t help but wonder where are they now? I guess many of them were scrapped. They didn’t cost much to buy, so it wasn’t a great hardship to throw them away when they stopped working, or needed more than usual repairs. However, I also know many motorcycles of all kinds are stuffed into the back of home garages where they may not be useful, but aren’t taking up much room, either, so there’s no compelling reason to throw them away.
I met a man some years ago who had a mid 1920s Harley-Davidson peashooter tucked under a tarp in the back of his garage. It had been well used, but it was as compelete as it could be, and I really tried to buy it. The owner didn’t ride, and had no particular interest in the little Harley, and it hadn’t been started in years, but as he explained to me “it was Grandpa’s bike, so I think I’ll just keep it.” That’s only one case. I’ve also known a man who had a 1968 BSA Lightning stored in his garage, and another with a mid 60s Yamaha Big Bear Scrambler. Neither of them were going to do anything with those bikes, either, but they were determined to keep them. There must be many more awaiting discovery in garages everywhere, and since there were so many Honda Cubs on the road at one time, there must be many of them hidden away as well.
In the meantime, though I agree with the others who say they’d like to have one. I didn’t buy one back in the 60s, but I’d like to find an old one now to play with.
todd says
Honda’s CT90 “Trail 90” was more popular in the US and still trades well today. I sold my ’69 K1 for $1500. It’s now nearly 40 years old and showed no signs of letting up when I sold it. The average going price for a good one is $1000. Considering this I don’t think the Super Cub would do too well here in the US. I think the market of Trail 90s and 110s more than satisfies the need for a little Honda runabout. A dealer would be hard pressed to sell a $3-4000 Cub when a perfectly good running, clean, reliable Trail 90 can be picked up for so little. Besides, I think Honda’s scooters have a wider appeal.
I’m all for bringing in the Cub, don’t get me wrong. This is the sort of bike I think America should be riding, not Hyabusas and BMW GS’s. I wish we would get over this “bigger is better” problem of ours.
-todd
Tom says
$3000 or $4000 Cub? Basic models are sold brand new for well under $1000 in many markets around the world. Even a top line EFI unit could make good margin at $1500USD.
The Cub was/is brilliant. Hybridizing design elements from motorbikes and motor scooters, it has the ease of use (step thru, no clutch, splash shield) of scooters and the superior ballance and handling (forward engine, big wheels) and greater economy (geared transmission) of motorbikes.
But of course the world had seen that all before Honda in the Moto Guzzi Galletto. What Honda did was add superior execution in manufacture: better quality, the inexpensive pressed steel monocoque frame, and a ground breaking use of plastic for the fender and shield. 60,000,000 later and Moto Guzzi is standing there asking, “Wut happin’d?”
Our image today is an Asian farmer with three pigs on the back of his Cub, but in the big step-thru countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philipines, there are racing series for Cubs and the young men have hot rodded sport models and even make choppers from them.
American Honda will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in the USA in 2009. I imagine they will commemorate this with a new fender treatment for the VTX1800. What a shame they won’t return the Cub!
Tom
Jim says
I’d love to the Cub or the CT90 back in the US, but Honda has a lot of bikes and cars that they refuse to bring into this market so I’m not holding my breath.
Perhaps one of the Chinese or Korean manufacturers will copy the concept. Kymco are you listening?
Phoebe says
I’ve seen at least one Cub clone, but I don’t remember the manufacturer…something Chinese, of course.
Phoebe says
Oh actually…duh…I lived in Korea for a year about 10 years ago teaching English. Cub clones were everywhere. I think they might have been Daelims, now that I think about it.
taxman says
the Honda Ruckus is fairly similar. they have a few other scooters over here already. i can see why they won’t bring the CUB back.
if i could bring a bike back from the past it would be the small displacement honda CB line. i’d love a CB250, with fuel injection.
Tom says
Many other manufcturers build step-thrus.
Sym, a Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer with a world wide presense and a good reputation is considering bringing their step-thru model to the USA, which they exhibited at the Indy Dealer pow-wow in February.
Komoto Motors is currently offering Americans their Chinese built Hi-Bird 125 step-thru.
Tom
Tom says
Let’s see: the Ruckus has 10″ wheels and the Cub has 17s. The Ruckus has a CVT automatic transmission and the Cub has a 3/4 speed shift box. The Ruckus seats one, the Cub two. The Ruckus has a floor board but no shield, the Cub a shield but no floor board.
IMHO the Ruckus is less like the Cub than the Shadow ACE 750 is like the Interceptor!
Tom
Ry says
I had a 67 cub for my first motor bike. I could drive it for a week on a gallon of gas , I took it off road and in any weather you dream up, I even had the hard saddle bags. I wish I still had it. Mine had a bit of an oil leak and on a couple of occasions I ran it out and seized the motor , but if i got some oil and let it cool down it would fire up and run good as new. After having owned 50 or so motorcycles since, I talk about my cub the most.
Mr. Tanshanomi says
There are plenty of clones, but they lack the Cub’s class.
todd says
Honda sells the Elite scooter for $2400 and it is also a very high volume model. I assume Honda would want to consider the step-through Cub a step up from the basic Elite and price it accordingly.
But hey, if they chose to price it around $1000 they’d sell millions of them here in the US too.
-todd
OMMAG says
The more I see that picture the more I’m inclined to want one again….shades of 1966…
A person could do a lot worse than spend their time on a little bike under the right conditions. It would be cool just see my kids go off to school on one.
todd says
I was looking at some of Honda’s production numbers (2004) that are pretty interesting.
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1075/releases/2616
The US buys twice the number of motorcycles that Europe does but Honda give Europe at least twice as many models to choose from. Go figure.
-todd
mike says
You can buy a C90 in Mexico for 21,750 Pesos ($2000)
USD. I have know idea how difficult it would be to
buy one from a dealer and import it into the US.
I’m thinking of giving it a shot.I have a friend from Mexico who say’s they’re less than MSRP
at the dealers, he say’s $1600 would do it.
Josip Roncevic says
How i can import ,personaly in Croatia, one Honda Super Cub C100 or last version of that popular model , becose by representative of Honda , Ruting d.o.o.in Rijeka ,Croatia, they do not import that fantastic moped for Croatian market.
Could you pleas give me one adrress of dealer in Europa (or somewhere) from whom I can order that moped to send me.
I am also interested to buy one a NEW chooper Honda -Fury next year, it is excelent engineered chooper type of motor.
Thank you so much , Josip
Rumen says
Hi I am also interested to buy new, or used Honda Fury, but so far I cannot find one in Europe. I am personally from Bulgaria (Europe)
Thank you in advance for you help. Regards to all
R.
peter lowes says
cas ssn anyone tell me can i import a HONDA 90 MOPED or does a UNITED KINGDOM supplier deal in these .iwould prefer a new one.