The Cub a story of a bike that never grew up.
It’s Peter Pan on two wheels
HONDA SUPER CUB C125 - the world’s best-selling motor vehicle is returning to Europe.
If you love it or hate it, then you’ve been one of the few that hasn’t tried to ignore this machine, yet, I'm sure the image remains firmly in our minds from our distance past. Maybe our granddad, dad, brother or sister could have been the proud owner of this functional means of transport, even ourselves if we care to admit it.
I can remember this being my brother’s first bike back in the 70’s, much to the “Old man’s bike”, jibs from my friends, yet it was a reliable workhorse for commuting. It also seems to be the amazement of many, watching whole families travel on these meagre machines in foreign countries, such as South East Asia.
The very first Super Cub C100 was introduced in 1958, Honda’s 10th year of existence. Designed by Soichiro Honda and his long-time business partner Takeo Fujisawa, its stated aim was straightforward: ‘to provide the joy of playing a useful part in people’s lives’.
There has been little change over the last 60yrs as the 100 millionth Super Cub was built, making it the most popular motor vehicle the world has ever seen. And along the way the Super Cub’s simple attributes of style, reliability, frugality and sheer usability have never gone out of fashion; it has quietly achieved exactly what Soichiro and Takeo wanted - to get people mobile and keep them mobile.
Mr Tadamasa Maeda Large Project Leader (LPL) Super Cub C125:
“We know our customers, male or female, take their personal style seriously and we want our new Super Cub C125 to enrich their lifestyle. Its timeless design expresses value and universality, and we have added a new level of performance to the engine and handling ability to the chassis. Just like it was for our founder, our biggest joy is to play a positive part in daily life – and also put a big smile on the face of every Super Cub owner whenever and wherever they ride it.”
I herald the compulsory wearing of crash helmets in the UK to mask our identity whilst riding these machines. If you see anyone on dark glasses, they may have just parked up. Maybe I scoff, but I have to admire the popularity of The Cub that never grew up.