Honda Brings Back the Super Cub

Reader Contribution by The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Published on August 8, 2018
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It’s official: Honda is bringing the new Honda Super Cub to the U.S. in 2019. Powered by the same air-cooled, 125cc overhead cam single used in the Grom, the new Super Cub C125 ABS is a visual direct descendent of the original Super Cub. First introduced in 1958, the Super Cub is the most popular motorcycle or motor vehicle of any kind in history, with production over the past 60 years totaling more than 100 million units built in 15 countries.

The importance of the Super Cub to Honda’s fortunes can’t be underestimated. An immediate success when it was brought to the U.S. in 1959, it was the little bike that could, inspiring the launch of Honda’s famous “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda” advertising campaign, which has been credited with helping shape American attitudes about motorcycling in the 1960s. As Honda’s fortunes in the U.S. grew, however, the Cub became less important to its U.S. sales and it was dropped from the U.S. lineup after 1973.

While the new Super Cub shows its heritage well, it’s a thoroughly modern machine. The Super Cub uses an electronic fob instead of a traditional key — complete with an alarm function — and standard features include a front disc brake with ABS, electronic ignition and digital fuel injection. The transmission is a 4-speed, with an automatic centrifugal clutch, just like the original. Honda has chosen to equip the new Super Cub with only a 1-gallon gas tank, which seems small on first blush but is probably more than adequate given the bike’s 240-pound curb weight: if past Cubs are any indication, the new Super Cub should get 80-100mpg. Honda will offer the new Super Cub in a single color for 2019, Pearl Niltava Blue, but we’d expect to see that expanded if the bike performs well. List price is $3,599 and it comes with a 1-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

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