(How the Super Cub looked when it was a fresh-faced little… um… cub)
(The refined lines of a Noped that’s reached 50,000,000)
Fifty Million is quite a feat… here’s a brief history from Honda:
The first-generation Super Cub, developed under the direction of company founder Soichiro Honda, was designed to be a new type of versatile scooter that anyone could ride with ease. At a time when 2-stroke engines were the norm, the Super Cub was fitted with a revolutionary, high-performance 50cc 4-stroke engine that offered superb economy and durability. The creative design also featured a low-floor backbone frame for easy mounting and dismounting, large plastic leg shields to protect riders’ legs from dirt and wind, and other innovations.
Since then the Super Cub has undergone many improvements, resulting in remarkable increases in both driving performance and fuel economy, but the basic design and concepts remain unchanged. Its original styling has made it the scooter of choice for business use-in fact, the name “Cub” has become synonymous with working scooters.
The Super Cub was first exported to the U.S. in 1959, and since then has been popular with customers in more than 160 countries worldwide. Currently manufactured in fourteen countries centered in the expanding motorcycle market of South-East Asia, the Super Cub is a practical scooter that enjoys a strong reputation around the world.
Sweet. Well done Honda! But… where can you even BUY this new in the USA? We must not have contributed to that 50 Mill. as much as other countries did. Have you seen a 2005 or 2006 Super Cub in a local shop? Tell me where to find one!
11. February 2006 at 5:34 am
In the USA these were most recently called the Honda Passports. It’s tough to google because of the SUV of the same name (just like the Honda Odyssey! Silly company!) 80ccs of raw power, I believe. My neighbor had 2 for sale a while back, but I already spent my money buying an Elite 125 off of him. Fine bikes, indeed. I wouldn’t say no to one at all! (The Beach Boys wrote “Little Honda” about one, and Yo La Tengo’s cover of it is rad.)
11. February 2006 at 5:27 pm
I have 4 motorcycles in my garage, 3 dirt bikes and one classic Honda street bike that is registered with antique plates so it cannot be ridden a lot. I would like to have some kind of scoot to ride to work during the warm months, something that protects my clothes from street grime. I don’t like current crop of scooters but this Super Cub is nice, clean and appeals to me. Why can’t I buy one, do I have to travel to Mexico or Canada and bring one back?
11. February 2006 at 7:17 pm
I love the Super Cub. My little brother used to have a little Passport 70 with the clutchless 3 speed. Red and white. It was fun.
11. February 2006 at 8:52 pm
Yeah, you know motocrossed… I was starting to look into that as well. I’m not sure what would be involved in bringing a scooter/’ped from Mex or Can. I was thinking that if I could get someone to buy one… truck it across the border… then sell it to me, I would just have to get the title transferred. But who knows how that really works. I’d like to find out though… Get a Honda Super Cub and a Honda Eterno.
13. February 2006 at 9:40 pm
The subject of importing a Cub from Mexico has come up several times on the Yahoo! C70 group, but no one has done it. There would be no way to title one here since it is not “on the list”. To get it across the border, it has been proposed that it be “parted out” and brought over without the stamped frame… something like that. Anyways a search on the Yahoo! group would answer your questions. Or… get a used C70 Passport (up to 1984)! I love my ’80! It’s 72cc, btw.
18. July 2006 at 2:56 am
there’s got to be a way to buy the world’s most popular scooter in the US. this is the largest market in the world! i can think of no reason short of a conspiracy.
26. August 2007 at 9:51 am
Man you got to love those old Cubs. I just completed a full restoration of a 1966 C100 to working condition and I really enjoyed the project. I also restored a 1972 C70 and working on a 1984 C70 Passport. Great little bikes and a treat to ride.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/4shorts/thisone.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/4shorts/thisone2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/4shorts/alltogether6.jpg
5. March 2008 at 3:11 am
i’ve got thousands of them in vietnam for anyone willing to purchase them. contact me for more info.
tslc04 at yahoo com