55th Anniversary Edition Honda Little Cub Announced for Japan

Honda revealed a pair of special edition versions of the 50cc Little Cub for the Japanese market to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the original Super Cub C100.

The Super Cub is one of the longest continually-produced model series in the world, with Honda producing more than 85 million units since 1958. That averages out to about 1.55 million Cubs produced per year. That’s nearly three and a half times the total number of motorcycles and scooters sold in the U.S. in 2012.

Honda is producing a limited run of 1,500 units of the Little Cub 55th Anniversary Special Edition in either black or Fighting Red colors. Both versions feature red rims, black hubs, chrome side covers, commemorative decals and a grid pattern on the base of the seats.

Otherwise, the special edition models are the same as the regular Little Cub, which itself remains remarkably similar to the original Super Cub C100. The Little Cub is powered by a fuel-injected, air-cooled four-stroke 49cc engine claiming a humble 3.4 hp at 7000 rpm and 2.8 ft-lb. at 5000 rpm.

But what it lacks in performance is made up for in ease of use and excellent fuel efficiency. With a claimed weight of 179 pounds, the Little Cub is very easy to handle and offers an impressive 266 mpg fuel efficiency. With a 0.9-gallon tank, that figures out to a range of just under 239 miles on a single refueling.

Other features include a four-speed transmission, 14-inch wheels, leading-link fork and twin rear shocks.

The 55th anniversary Honda Little Cub will be available in Japan for ¥249,900 (US$2,519), compared to ¥210,000 for the regular Little Cub.

[Source: Honda]

By Dennis Chung