The Honda Cub History

The Honda Cub debuted in 1958, 10 years after the establishment of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. The name 'Cub' was said to be the acronym of Cheap Urban Bike because the development of this model was aimed to provide a kind of cheap urban transportation in busy cities. The name also likely refers to the earlier Piper Cub, an affordable and extremely popular light aircraft from the 1930s possessing many of the same mechanical qualities of the Honda bike (note that improved versions of the Piper Cub were also called Super Cubs, with spacing in between the words).

Honda had discovered how to increase the power and efficiency of 4-stroke engines and the company set about breaking into a market sector totally dominated by the 2-stroke models of other manufacturers. So successful were they that the Honda Cub became the most successful motorcycle model in history, and made huge contributions to Hondas sales and profit. Honda used the slogan You meet the nicest people on a Honda as they broke into the English speaking world, until then dominated by British motorcycles.

In 1968, after 10 years of production, the whole motorcycle was uprated, the engine going from pushrod 4.5bhp to SOHC 4.9bhp. Though the basic design of Cub remained unchanged, slightly new styling features and improvements were integrated along with larger displacement (70 cc and 90 cc models) versions. In the 1970s, Honda fitted a new capacitor discharge ignition system (CDI) to replace the earlier contact point ignition, thereby helping to meet increasingly strict emission standards in markets such as the US. However, many experts on the Cub testify to the fact that Honda used the CDI system for better reliability and fuel efficiency, with the emissions improvements being an appealing by-product of these goals.

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 more efficient 4-speed transmission to replace the older 3-speed transmission used in Honda Cubs. These changes were not incorporated into the Honda Cub line-up, 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. These bikes were never intended to compete or replace the Cub in the very strong Japanese domestic market, but were more suited for the lucrative Asian export market.

In the late 1990s, Honda introduced their newer NF series motorcycles, known as Honda Wave series which use steel tube frames, front disk 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 Japan, where some of the world's most discerning and demanding customers reside, the Super Cub is stronger than ever. Sales of Honda Super Cubs are thriving and continue to grow with the 50 cc models leading the way, promising a long future for the versatile and timeless motorbike. The introduction of more options on existing bikes, more accessories available, and a new model, the Super Cub "Street" testify to the staying power of the Cub and ongoing love affair the Japanese have with their home-grown design.

Honda will continue to offer the latest innovations in their bike line-up, but will wisely, it seems, not interfere with the unquestionably simple and successful design of the classic Cub.

Key milestones of Honda Super Cub Series

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August 1958 Sales of Super Cub C100 began (air-cooled 4-stroke, single-cylinder OHV engine, 49cc, 4.5 horse power)
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Production site: Yamato Plant (later became Saitama Factory Wako Plant)
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1959 Exports to the U.S. began
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1960 Production at Suzuka Factory began
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1961 Cumulative production reached 1 million-unit milestone
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1961 Production based on component parts sets began in Taiwan (first production outside of Japan)
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1964 Sales of Super Cub C65 (the first OHC engine) began
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1966 Sales of Super Cub C50 (OHC engine) began
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1967 Cumulative production reached 5 million-unit milestone
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1974 Cumulative production reached 10 million-unit milestone
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1983 Fuel consumption of 180km/liter (30km/h constant-speed test value) achieved (Super Cub 50 Super Custom)
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1988 Sales of Press Cub began
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1991 Production was transferred to Kumamoto Factory
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1992 Cumulative production reached 20 million-unit milestone
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1997 Sales of Little Cub began
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2005 Cumulative production reached 50 million-unit milestone
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2007 An electronically-controlled fuel injection system, Honda’s PGM-FI, was installed on Super Cub 50, Press Cub 50 and Little Cub.
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2008 Cumulative production reached 60 million-unit milestone (April)

honda-super-cub-2KUMAMOTO, Japan, February 8, 2006 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that total worldwide production of the Super Cub reached 50 million units at the end of December 2005.

A favorite with customers since its launch in 1958, the Super Cub has become the first motor vehicle to achieve total worldwide production of 50 million units.

The first-generation Super Cub made its debut in Japan in 1958.

At a time when 2-stroke engines were the predominant engine form, 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 convenient mounting and dismounting, a lever-free centrifugal clutch for easy shifting, large plastic leg shields to protect riders’ legs from dirt and wind, and other innovations. Since then the Super Cub has undergone many improvements, but its basic design and concepts remain unchanged, and it carries on a proud tradition of unique styling. In 1959 the United States became the first market for Super Cub exports, and in 1961 Taiwan became the first country to assemble the model from imported Japanese parts. Since then, following the policy of building products where the demand is, Honda has expanded Super Cub production to facilities around the world. Currently produced in 13 countries and a popular product in more than 160, the Super Cub is a practical motorcycle that enjoys a strong reputation around the world.