Honda MB/T/X Series

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In 1979, Honda introduced a series of light motorcycles in the US and in Europe.

Both the Honda MB road-model and the Honda MT offroad-model motorcycles were released in Europe. The MB was released in the U.S. in 1982 only. It would be produced for one year. In Europe, production would last until 1981.

Both models were 80 and 50 ccm, two-stroke motorcycles. Honda left its four-stroke program temporarily because it aimed at the European moped market for 16-year aged, the legal age at which someone can drive a 50 cc motorcycle in most European countries.

The MB model was sporty and complete. It was standard equipped with a speedometer, rpm counter, front disc brake and Honda Comstar wheels. Because of its sucess Honda released the MT series on the European market. A naked offroad version of outstanding quality.

The result of this move was that the sales in Europe boosted up sky high. The MT series earned its popularity because of the large numbers of original and imitation parts that were available. By means of these parts the owner was able to create a unique state of the art model. Another very important issue was that with a reasonable amount of money it was very easy to gain extra enginepower. The result was a tuned up MB or MT easily exceeding the legal enginepower.

The MB and MT successors, the MBX and MTX, were released in Europe only. The MBX was produced from 1983 to 1986, and the MTX from 1982 to 1985. There are 80 cc and 125 cc variants of both the MBX and MTX and a 200 cc variant of the MTX as well.

Thanks to the hi-quality value of these machines many of these 80 or 50 cc motorcycles are still in use in Europe today. There are still many spareparts available at the aftermarket and nowadays many people are busy restoring their old MB and MT models. Often an old frame is used as the base and with lots of other parts a model looking as good as brand new is made. Together with an overhauled engineblock these Hondas will be good again for years of driving pleasure!

Sources and links:

Honda Corp Japan

Link to Honda motorcycles [1]

Link to US Honda MB5 homepage [2]

Link to Dutch Honda 2stroke homepage [3]

Link to Dutch Honda 50cc modelpage [4]