AMERICANS: Would you buy a 125cc motorcycle for the street?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

They're not in the showroom yet but all Honda Super Cub C125's have been spoken for with waiting lists when/if the next batch arrives. Is this just a bunch of Baby Boomers suffering from sentimentality for the good times they had on Honda step-throughs back in the sixties? Is there finally a movement towards a practical lightweight? Will demand fall flat once the excitement and initial sales pass?

It might attract baby-boomers looking for some nostalgia, but it also might address some requirements of younger folks simply looking for something lightweight and not so maintenance-intensive for those short-range errands. I wouldn't hold my breath for market perspectives after the initial excitement, but if Honda does the right marketing approach it can benefit from a similar cult status as the BMW Mini and the Fiat 500 which somewhat releases it from the burden of being seen as a no-frills workhorse and then being seen as something desirable despite its humble origins.

[sendler]

If aero mods, a double battery, and a gearing change could get the CSC City Slicker to 55 miles at 55mph I would commute on that.
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https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/New-I...Azusa--5652551
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[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

It might attract baby-boomers looking for some nostalgia, but it also might address some requirements of younger folks simply looking for something lightweight and not so maintenance-intensive for those short-range errands. I wouldn't hold my breath for market perspectives after the initial excitement, but if Honda does the right marketing approach it can benefit from a similar cult status as the BMW Mini and the Fiat 500 which somewhat releases it from the burden of being seen as a no-frills workhorse and then being seen as something desirable despite its humble origins.

Maybe. The Grom has been very popular with younger people as an "cool" alternative to a scooter. The Super Cub is just a Grom in a more functional form. Still, I expect to see more Super Cubs on the back of RVs than running around with Gen Y or Z riders.

The problem with both is they are legally (and functionally) limited to surface streets due the engine size. At 150cc they would be a fully functional motorcycle. At 125cc they are a scooter in a different form.

I'm considering buying one but I think the top speed is going to be too low for my purpose. I need 60 mph with a 200 lb rider.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by JSH

I'm considering buying one but I think the top speed is going to be too low for my purpose. I need 60 mph with a 200 lb rider.

A Honda PCX or CBR300 would be much better for you.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by sendler

A Honda PCX or CBR300 would be much better for you.

I know but they don't have the charm of the Super Cub. The PCX also doesn't have the aftermarket support that the Cub enjoys by sharing the engine with the Grom.

I'm considering:
New Super Cub
Used CRF250L or Rally
Used Piaggio MP3

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by JSH

I know but they don't have the charm of the Super Cub. The PCX also doesn't have the aftermarket support that the Cub enjoys by sharing the engine with the Grom.

I'm considering:
New Super Cub
Used CRF250L or Rally
Used Piaggio MP3

I didn't even know the MP3 was available in a hybrid model , I was wondering when hybrid motorcycles were going to happen.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

The Grom has been very popular with younger people as an "cool" alternative to a scooter. The Super Cub is just a Grom in a more functional form. Still, I expect to see more Super Cubs on the back of RVs than running around with Gen Y or Z riders.

Even though I'd also expect to see more of them on the back of RVs, exactly because in the U.S. it might be more likely to take the role of a secondary (maybe tertiary) vehicle of a household, it still wouldn't surprise me if it turns into an option for people who would otherwise not even consider a motorcycle for some random short-distance errands. Anyway, I'm sure the right marketing approach can make it sell like hotcakes in regions such as California (because of the hipsters) and New York (because of the traffic and parking space availability, plus the immigrants from countries where not only a Cub-type motorcycle but 125cc ones in general are widely used for city commuting).

The problem with both is they are legally (and functionally) limited to surface streets due the engine size. At 150cc they would be a fully functional motorcycle. At 125cc they are a scooter in a different form.

The 50cc one was clearly underpowered for American requirements, but the 125cc might fare reasonably. Sure it won't pull like a 14 with a Playboy, but I would expect that anyone seriously considering to get one already knows it.

I'm considering buying one but I think the top speed is going to be too low for my purpose. I need 60 mph with a 200 lb rider.

Top speed seems to be just right for your purpose.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

I didn't even know the MP3 was available in a hybrid model , I was wondering when hybrid motorcycles were going to happen.

Piaggio had a PHEV version of the MP3 300. I don't remember if it made it to the USA or not. Today the USA only gets the MP3 500 Sport.

I looked at an older MP3 500 2 weeks ago. I still have to wait few more weeks before the doctor recommends I start riding again. If it is still available I'll take it for a test ride. I have ridden an MP3 250 but that was about 10 years.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by JSH

Piaggio had a PHEV version of the MP3 300. I don't remember if it made it to the USA or not. Today the USA only gets the MP3 500 Sport.

I looked at an older MP3 500 2 weeks ago. I still have to wait few more weeks before the doctor recommends I start riding again. If it is still available I'll take it for a test ride. I have ridden an MP3 for about 10 years at that was the 250cc model.

I read an article saying New York police got the hybrid, but no guarantee those made it to the civilian market.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Even though I'd also expect to see more of them on the back of RVs, exactly because in the U.S. it might be more likely to take the role of a secondary (maybe tertiary) vehicle of a household, it still wouldn't surprise me if it turns into an option for people who would otherwise not even consider a motorcycle for some random short-distance errands. Anyway, I'm sure the right marketing approach can make it sell like hotcakes in regions such as California (because of the hipsters) and New York (because of the traffic and parking space availability, plus the immigrants from countries where not only a Cub-type motorcycle but 125cc ones in general are widely used for city commuting).




The 50cc one was clearly underpowered for American requirements, but the 125cc might fare reasonably. Sure it won't pull like a 14 with a Playboy, but I would expect that anyone seriously considering to get one already knows it.




Top speed seems to be just right for your purpose.

I've read that Honda is only importing 500 Super Cubs for 2019 so they don't seem to share your optimism.

Honda claims a top speed of 60 mph. However, that is likely with a 130 lb test rider, on flat ground, with a lot of room to reach that speed. I need to be able to accelerate to 55 mph, within the length of a freeway ramp and with a 200 lb rider.

The Cub seems perfect for city use on roads that are 45 mph or less. It is likely too slow for 55 mph freeways (with traffic moving at 65 mph). Any route I take to work has roads with a 55 mph speed limit.