| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | Honda Cub, Honda C50, Honda C100 |
| Production | 1958-present |
| Predecessor | none |
| Class | Underbone |
| Engine | 49 cc SOHC 2-valve 4-stroke air-cooled |
| Power | 4.0 PS (2.9 kW; 3.9 hp) @ 7,000 rpm (2007 spec.) |
| Torque | 4.7 N·m (3.5 lb·ft) @ 4,500 rpm (2007 spec.) |
| Transmission | 3-speed |
| Suspension | Front: Leading link Rear: Swingarm |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal) |
| Related | Honda C70 |
Honda Super Cub, (originally the Honda C100 or Honda 50) also known as the Honda Cub, is an underbone motorcycle with a 49 cc four-stroke engine in continuous manufacture by Honda since its 1958 introduction. With more than 60 million manufactured worldwide,[1][2] the Super Cub is the best-selling motor vehicle in history.[3][4]
Contents |
The following refers to current 2007 model line: note: earlier models differ.
| Total length | 1,800 mm (71 in) |
|---|---|
| Total width | 660 mm (26 in) |
| Total height | 1,010 mm (40 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,175 mm (46.3 in) |
| Dry Weight | 75 kg (170 lb) |
| Engine type | AA01E air-cooled four-stroke SOHC single-cylinder |
| Displacement | 49 cc (3.0 cu in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Bore x Stroke | 39.0 × 41.4 mm (1.54 × 1.63 in) |
| Max Power output | 4 PS (3.9 hp) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 4.7 N·m (3.5 ft·lbf) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Max speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Carburetor type | PB3L; Honda PGM-FI (Japanese market only) |
| Lubrication | Forced pressure wet sump combined use system |
| Fuel tank capacity | 4 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal) |
| Fuel Consumption | 0.6849 L/100 km (412.4 mpg-imp; 343.4 mpg-US) (30 km/h fixed area travelling test value) |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate, operated both by centrifugal action and by gear-lever. |
| Transmission type | 3-speed rotary type (4-speed some models) |
| Gear ratio | 3.272, 1.764, 1.190 |
| Reduction gear ratio | 4.058/3.076 |
| Starter | Kick (electric start optional on some models) |
| Ignition | Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI Magneto) system (earlier models Flywheel contact-breaker points) |
| Front Suspension | Leading link (also known as Bottom link) |
| Rear Suspension | Swinging fork (also known as Swing arm) |
| Tire sizes (F/R) | 2.25-17 33L / 2.50-17 38L |
| Front Brake | Drum, cable operated |
| Rear Brake | Drum, rod operated |
| Frame type | Low floor backbone pressed steel tube system |
The Honda Super Cub debuted in 1958, 10 years after the establishment of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (The original Honda Cub had been a clip-on bicycle engine). It was decided to keep the name but add the prefix 'Super' for the all-new lightweight machine.
Honda had discovered how to increase the power and efficiency of four-stroke engines by increasing engine speed (RPM). In certain markets, Honda used the slogan You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
In 1964, two larger-engined versions were offered, the CM90 (OHV 87 cc) and C65 (OHC 63 cc) with slight alterations to frame and styling.
Around 1967, the cycle was uprated, the 50 cc engine going from pushrod 4.5 bhp to SOHC 4.9 bhp (a bored-down C65 engine) called the C50, and similarly the 90 cc was redesigned with an OHC engine called the C90. Though the basic design of Cub remained unchanged, new styling and improvements included enclosed front forks. In the 1980s, Honda fitted a new capacitor discharge ignition system (CDI) to replace the earlier contact points ignition, thereby helping to meet emission standards in markets such as the US.
In the 1980s, a larger 100 cc GN-5 engine model was introduced especially for Asian markets. The newer 100 cc model branched off from the Honda Cub model design, with new features such as a telescopic front suspension to replace the older leading link suspension, and a 4-speed transmission to replace the older 3-speed transmission used in Honda Cubs. These changes were not incorporated into the Honda Cub lineup, not interfering with the timeless and dependable design of the Cub, but rather, were integrated into new models such as Honda Dream in Thailand and Honda EX5 in Malaysia.
In the late 1990s, Honda introduced their newer NF series motorcycles, known as Honda Wave series (Honda Innova in some markets) which use steel tube frames, front disc brake and plastic cover sets in various displacement options: 100 cc, 110 cc and 125 cc. Though not Cubs, these bikes sold consistently well particularly in European countries, where the production of Honda Cub models had been previously discontinued. However, the production of Honda Cubs in Asia, Africa and South America still continues today even though the newer Honda Wave Series and other designs have been introduced alongside the Cub.
In 2007, Honda began installing their PGM-FI fuel injection system for the Honda Cubs in the Japanese market for even lower smog-forming emission.[1]
Sales for Super Cubs have increased in Japan[1] with upgrades on the engine and the installation of fuel injection for Japanese domestic market models starting from 2007, making it more powerful, more economical and cleaner. With respect to newer, plastic body underbone designs, such as Wave, the original Cub remains popular.
In Vietnam, the term "xe Honda" (meaning: Honda motorcycle) has become a Genericized trademark or Metonymy. In Malaysia, the word kapchai (a Chinese-Malaysian word from the Cantonese and Hokkien term "Cub仔", which means "little Cub", which in turn derives from an agglutination of the words "Honda Cub" and the Chinese "仔" [pinyin: zai]) is used to refer to all underbone motorcycles.
In 2006, on the Discovery Channel's The Greatest Ever series, an episode on motorcycles placed the 1958 49 cc Super Cub in first place.[5]
Brian Wilson and Mike Love composed the song "Little Honda", which was a reference to the Cub model.[6] The song was released by The Hondells in 1964, followed by the original recording by The Beach Boys.
James May, a co-presenter on the popular television program Top Gear, bought a Honda 50 Super Cub for the Season 12 special in Vietnam, which aired in 2008.[7]
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