Bye Bye Super Cub

[The Spin Doctor]

Hot on the heels of news that Honda intend to end production of all petrol engined motorcycles by 2040 - as reported two weeks ago on Elevenses - the first machines to get the axe will be the company's 50cc models.

Honda have indicated production will cease in 2025 and that means it's the end of the line for the iconic Super Cub 50 and the other 50cc machine, including the Cross Cub and the Benly scooter.

There are several likely reasons. Tougher emission regulations around the world are making it tougher to build small capacity machines that can meet the standards. Meanwhile, thanks to the boom in e-bicycles, the sales of moped class bikes has slumped.

The original Super Cub has been a huge part of the Honda's heritage, with more than 110 million examples manufacturered making it - I think - the best-selling motor vehicle on the planet. Not surprisingly, it's also been voted the world’s greatest motorcycle many times.

Which leaves me wondering which bikes will be phased out next?

[weeksy]

i'm surprised it's 2040 to be honest, i'd have thought it'd be a lot sooner.

[Skub]

I'd imagine I'll be phased out long before any of that eco-bollix comes into play.

The Innova is my fav Cub evolution.

[Count Steer]

i'm surprised it's 2040 to be honest, i'd have thought it'd be a lot sooner.

Probably still 16 years worth of decent sales in 'developing' countries ie where the electrical infrastructure is a tad worse than ours.

Might be worth buying a couple of crated ones as an investment for, ooh, 2124.

[The Spin Doctor]

Probably still 16 years worth of decent sales in 'developing' countries ie where the electrical infrastructure is a tad worse than ours.

Might be worth buying a couple of crated ones as an investment for, ooh, 2124.

You might be surprised... some of the African nations are leaders in green energy.

[Count Steer]

Probably still 16 years worth of decent sales in 'developing' countries ie where the electrical infrastructure is a tad worse than ours.

Might be worth buying a couple of crated ones as an investment for, ooh, 2124.

You might be surprised... some of the African nations are leaders in green energy.

Never really thought of it as an African mode of transport tbh. More SE Asia, Philippines, Brazil etc. My guess is that the versions produced under license in other countries will carry on considerably longer than Japanese built ones.

[Whysub]

Honda never sold the C50/70/90 in Spain or Portugal, probably due to the import rules back in the 70's. Not sure what other countries in Europe that got them, apart from the UK.

The Honda 125 Cub is sold here, but I can't say I have ever seen one out on the road.

On my recent visit to Morocco i saw thousands of Cubs, not Honda's, but Chinese knock off replicas.

[Count Steer]

Honda never sold the C50/70/90 in Spain or Portugal, probably due to the import rules back in the 70's. Not sure what other countries in Europe that got them, apart from the UK.

The Honda 125 Cub is sold here, but I can't say I have ever seen one out on the road.

On my recent visit to Morocco i saw thousands of Cubs, not Honda's, but Chinese knock off replicas.

Might not all be unofficial knock offs. Honda licensed production of variants to 2 or more Chinese companies. One of them does 10 variants! (2 of them look like the 1958 version).

[Scootabout]

The Honda 125 Cub is sold here, but I can't say I have ever seen one out on the road.

You move in the wrong (or right?) circles. I know three people who have them.

[Whysub]

The only C90 I have seen here in 5 years was on UK plates. Only ever seen a 125 Cub in dealers show rooms