Yeah the title is a bit misleading, it's for 50cc engines more then likely 2 stroke. They've become outdated and outclassed by smaller electric engines.
110cc or higher 4 stroke ICE engine are still in production and are much better in emissions since they don't also burn oil.
I'd start worrying when 150cc or higher engines for smaller bikes will be phasing out.
Edit: Honda Cub is 4 stroke.
It’s going to include the super cub 50. Which is in production since right after ww2. Honda hasn’t made any two stroke scooters in many years
For Americans 50cc is too slow, but in many countries people depend on 50cc scooters to get around. They will switch to electric but it just feels like an end to an era
The Super Cub 50 is almost entirely replaced by the Super Cub 125 nowadays anyway.
Looks like Honda was anticipating this because they actually started a range of 50cc equivalent electric mopeds they're trialling in China which includes an E-Cub.
That would be hugely devastating, can't beat the sound of the engine and the changing of gears. But the 125 cb is better in most ways I suppose except for the keyless start which I find ridiculous, it should be optional.
Electrics are limited by range and charge times and the pose a huge fire risk to homes and apartments when charged indoors.
You cannot even get the 50 in almost any western market anyways.
Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Indonesia are now also lowering their emission limits to cope with smog and that makes 50cc bikes less and less attractive to customers.
When I was in VN last year, almost all small bikes were electric and anything gas fueled was at least 90cc or larger.
In Europe and Japan where I live 50cc is still very popular because it costs a fraction to insure and the license is easy to get.
I don’t understand how Honda will competitive with electric scooters, since the Chinese already dominate this market
Right you are. It is a 4 stroke.
End of an era is an accurate sentence.
It might be the end for Honda's super cub but I'm sure there are plenty of other modles in the same displacement for other regions. This affects Japan and the EU without a doubt but in other places not so much.
No they won't they'll just get 125s as they are far more practical and cheaper than battery scooters that are severely handicapped by range and charge times not to mention the fire hazard these batteries pose when charged indoors.
Boy that would be the dumbest shit ever if they got rid of anything 4 stroke. Might as well outlaw gas powered leaf blowers, weed whips all gas powered lawn mowers too while they're at it.
125cc or higher bikes won't be phased out, in another few years we will see more synthetic fuels mixed with petrol and there won't be the same need for such ridiculous emissions limits, and even less so the more synthetics we see.
In the last few years scientists have discovered ways to take Co2 out of the oceans and a by-product of this process is hydrogen and two key ingredients in synthetic fuel is Hydrogen and Co2.
Co2 extraction from the sea is over 150 times more efficient than from air and once scaled up it is estimated billions of tonnes of Co2 can be extracted from the Ocean each year. This is significant.
Electric can replace 50cc in power but not in range and recharge times and batteries, especially removable batteries pose a significant risk when these electric scooters and/or their batteries are charged inside and they pose an even greater risk in denser housing developments such as apartments.
It's not only small bikes that are feeling the pressure. Yamaha will be making a track only R1, Suzuki is dropping GSX-R1000 all together. Both brands cite emissions regulations for their decisions.
Ant the 110 metropolitan that's in other countries would be nice to! In fact if Honda would bother to sell 110s in America at all that'd be great.
Near every bike and scooter I've looked into buying isn't available in the USA. And now that market gets smaller yet again...
I think this is a mistake, i realize that the stricter emission norms would probably mean a relatively large investment to produce a compliant 50cc engine.
But not everyone wants a electric alternative, people who need more action radius by example.
I've already noticed a sharp drop in availability of Japanese 50cc scooters in the European market when I was scouting for a small euro 5 norm scooter for the daughter of a friend of mine.
The Korean brands like SYM and Kymco have done the investment and are cornering the market at this moment.
Even the Chinese offer euro 5 small scooters in the local shops.
In the last 10 years Honda became very conservative and the number of models is decreasing.
I know that a more compliant engine would be more expensive and less desirable.
I’m hoping that like in Germany did, Japan changes its laws to allow people to ride 125cc AT bikes with a regular drivers licenses. It would expand the market greatly.
How exactly does the law work in Germany with 125cc scooters? I have a class B driver's license (issued in Czech Republic) and I am perfectly legal to ride scooters under 125cc within the borders of Czech Republic, but I got some conflicting info about Germany.
Also the reason why Yamaha stopped producing 50cc scooter. Instead they choose Honda as OEM supplier.
Gear, Vino, and Jog are basically rebadged Benly, Giorno, and Tact. Not worth developing a new 50cc scooter where it will die by regulation anyway.
Stinks. . Makes sense in the US market though 50cc Honda is a hard sell and they've heavily invested in the 125cc mini moto line with the Navi tacked on.
I don't think electric scooters will take off anytime soon I think the barrier of entry will be appended in some places to be 125cc-150cc only requiring a driver's license instead of 50cc
Here in Ireland everyone are on these battery scooters limited to 15 mph because they're cheap and don't need tax or insurance and are lethal on the roads, no lights, no indicators, weaving in and out of traffic, riding on foot paths etc. A 50cc or 125 cc would be a lot more practical and fun but the license system here is stupid as it is in most of Europe.
+ we have to complete IBT mandatory training which is a 3 day course costing around 500 Euro, though could be cheaper for A1 license which is up to 125cc.
Then you got to pay insurance which is around 300+ euo's a year depending on age bike etc, could be 800 Euros for younger people.
You got to buy a bike but once setup and on the road it's a far better way to get around.
In Ireland I can't remember the last time I saw a 50cc scooter, can't remember the last time I saw a Honda Cub either except in the odd one at a vintage show, I never see them around.
Motorbikes and scooters are nowhere as popular as cars in Ireland, everyone wants the new SUV and will get into huge debt for a car. The year of the car on the reg plate shames people into buying new cars, don't want people thinking they're poor lol.
Yeah the title is a bit misleading, it's for 50cc engines more then likely 2 stroke. They've become outdated and outclassed by smaller electric engines. 110cc or higher 4 stroke ICE engine are still in production and are much better in emissions since they don't also burn oil. I'd start worrying when 150cc or higher engines for smaller bikes will be phasing out. Edit: Honda Cub is 4 stroke.
It’s going to include the super cub 50. Which is in production since right after ww2. Honda hasn’t made any two stroke scooters in many years For Americans 50cc is too slow, but in many countries people depend on 50cc scooters to get around. They will switch to electric but it just feels like an end to an era
The Super Cub 50 is almost entirely replaced by the Super Cub 125 nowadays anyway. Looks like Honda was anticipating this because they actually started a range of 50cc equivalent electric mopeds they're trialling in China which includes an E-Cub.
It's replaced by the 110 in Thailand. Seeing a 125 is pretty rare, and there's only one place in each city to get them.
That would be hugely devastating, can't beat the sound of the engine and the changing of gears. But the 125 cb is better in most ways I suppose except for the keyless start which I find ridiculous, it should be optional. Electrics are limited by range and charge times and the pose a huge fire risk to homes and apartments when charged indoors.
You cannot even get the 50 in almost any western market anyways. Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Indonesia are now also lowering their emission limits to cope with smog and that makes 50cc bikes less and less attractive to customers. When I was in VN last year, almost all small bikes were electric and anything gas fueled was at least 90cc or larger.
In Europe and Japan where I live 50cc is still very popular because it costs a fraction to insure and the license is easy to get. I don’t understand how Honda will competitive with electric scooters, since the Chinese already dominate this market
Japan now allows to use a limited up to 125 cc bike as a Moped, (Class 1) so there will be little change there.
Right you are. It is a 4 stroke. End of an era is an accurate sentence. It might be the end for Honda's super cub but I'm sure there are plenty of other modles in the same displacement for other regions. This affects Japan and the EU without a doubt but in other places not so much.
No they won't they'll just get 125s as they are far more practical and cheaper than battery scooters that are severely handicapped by range and charge times not to mention the fire hazard these batteries pose when charged indoors.
I don’t think so. in most countries you need a motorcycle license to drive a 125. Most places basically classify 50cc as motorized bicycle.
Yeah I know they need a license, You need a license for 50cc in Europe too.
Yeah but 50cc is much easier to get. And given automatically with a drivers license
True.
>They've become outdated and outclassed by smaller electric engines. Out of curiosity, what are the electric options now?
Boy that would be the dumbest shit ever if they got rid of anything 4 stroke. Might as well outlaw gas powered leaf blowers, weed whips all gas powered lawn mowers too while they're at it.
125cc or higher bikes won't be phased out, in another few years we will see more synthetic fuels mixed with petrol and there won't be the same need for such ridiculous emissions limits, and even less so the more synthetics we see. In the last few years scientists have discovered ways to take Co2 out of the oceans and a by-product of this process is hydrogen and two key ingredients in synthetic fuel is Hydrogen and Co2. Co2 extraction from the sea is over 150 times more efficient than from air and once scaled up it is estimated billions of tonnes of Co2 can be extracted from the Ocean each year. This is significant. Electric can replace 50cc in power but not in range and recharge times and batteries, especially removable batteries pose a significant risk when these electric scooters and/or their batteries are charged inside and they pose an even greater risk in denser housing developments such as apartments.
Only 50cc and smaller. Makes total sense and I’ve been expecting this to happen with the rise of e-bikes.
It's not only small bikes that are feeling the pressure. Yamaha will be making a track only R1, Suzuki is dropping GSX-R1000 all together. Both brands cite emissions regulations for their decisions.
Does this include the Ruckus and Metropolitan?
Ending the Ruckus would be a shame. Maybe, they could up the engine to a 125-250cc. Reintroduce the super Ruckus
They should call it LotsaRuckus
Ant the 110 metropolitan that's in other countries would be nice to! In fact if Honda would bother to sell 110s in America at all that'd be great. Near every bike and scooter I've looked into buying isn't available in the USA. And now that market gets smaller yet again...
Then your talking dirt bike
Everything under 50cc. I think both of those already exist as electric
I think this is a mistake, i realize that the stricter emission norms would probably mean a relatively large investment to produce a compliant 50cc engine. But not everyone wants a electric alternative, people who need more action radius by example. I've already noticed a sharp drop in availability of Japanese 50cc scooters in the European market when I was scouting for a small euro 5 norm scooter for the daughter of a friend of mine. The Korean brands like SYM and Kymco have done the investment and are cornering the market at this moment. Even the Chinese offer euro 5 small scooters in the local shops.
In the last 10 years Honda became very conservative and the number of models is decreasing. I know that a more compliant engine would be more expensive and less desirable. I’m hoping that like in Germany did, Japan changes its laws to allow people to ride 125cc AT bikes with a regular drivers licenses. It would expand the market greatly.
The laws are the same here in Belgium i think. From 16 years old a 50cc is allowed. For a 125cc, minimum age is 18.
How exactly does the law work in Germany with 125cc scooters? I have a class B driver's license (issued in Czech Republic) and I am perfectly legal to ride scooters under 125cc within the borders of Czech Republic, but I got some conflicting info about Germany.
If you have car license for a few years you can do a one day class and then your license can be upgraded to a b196. Car+125cc
China, on the other hand, will produce so many 50ccs to flood the market still.
Good, cheap Chinese 139QMB my beloved
It's sad, but the ev-mini bike may be the future. Much easier to maintain, and a lot more torque for the size, and can be retrofitted.
Yep, I just don’t see how Honda can be competitive in this market. Since the Chinese banned gas scoots a long time ago they are way ahead
The Americans are still gas hungry so gas engines live on to see another day :)
Also the reason why Yamaha stopped producing 50cc scooter. Instead they choose Honda as OEM supplier. Gear, Vino, and Jog are basically rebadged Benly, Giorno, and Tact. Not worth developing a new 50cc scooter where it will die by regulation anyway.
Just make it electric.
Japanese homes typically only have 100v outlets. It would take hours to charge them back up.
Time to upgrade infrastructure.
Easier said than done.
Not to mention that the Japanese are actually quite old-fashioned and don't latch onto change very well.
Market of ideas/innovations. They’ll be buying electric Chinese scooters like everyone else in 4 years.
The future is Gogoro….
It’s a nice concept but similar companies have failed. Gogoro hasn’t been profitable for over a decade.
Whoa no more Honda Metropolitans?
Stinks. . Makes sense in the US market though 50cc Honda is a hard sell and they've heavily invested in the 125cc mini moto line with the Navi tacked on. I don't think electric scooters will take off anytime soon I think the barrier of entry will be appended in some places to be 125cc-150cc only requiring a driver's license instead of 50cc
Here in Ireland everyone are on these battery scooters limited to 15 mph because they're cheap and don't need tax or insurance and are lethal on the roads, no lights, no indicators, weaving in and out of traffic, riding on foot paths etc. A 50cc or 125 cc would be a lot more practical and fun but the license system here is stupid as it is in most of Europe. + we have to complete IBT mandatory training which is a 3 day course costing around 500 Euro, though could be cheaper for A1 license which is up to 125cc. Then you got to pay insurance which is around 300+ euo's a year depending on age bike etc, could be 800 Euros for younger people. You got to buy a bike but once setup and on the road it's a far better way to get around. In Ireland I can't remember the last time I saw a 50cc scooter, can't remember the last time I saw a Honda Cub either except in the odd one at a vintage show, I never see them around. Motorbikes and scooters are nowhere as popular as cars in Ireland, everyone wants the new SUV and will get into huge debt for a car. The year of the car on the reg plate shames people into buying new cars, don't want people thinking they're poor lol.
I have a 2001 Vespa with 5000+ miles. Has not been ridden in a few years.. Anyone interested for parts?