If Honda can do it, why not Piaggio?

[Big Al]

Apologies for the rather long link, but just came across Honda's re-issue of the Cub 50 (currently only offered in Japan although there is a company bringing them into the UK) - this is the main site translated into English (you might have to copy and paste manually):

translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/little_cub/&ei=BJC_SdLpLoSJjAfZhcgr&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/little_cub/%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den

Have to say it's a lovely looking little thing, and good to see that Honda have retained the 3-speed semi-auto transmission along with the metal-bodied construction. Smaller wheels are an interesting choice - does this now count as a proper scooter?

Obviously there's still a market for the classics, making it all the more tragic that Piaggio decided to do away with the PX...

[jaz]

[Spence]

Wasn't it a Honda Cub that James May used in the Top Gear Vietnam challenge?

[Lucia]

Someone does the Wirral Egg Run on one of these, dressed as a banana...

[jaz]

Mar 20, 2009 12:05:30 GMT Spence said:

Wasn't it a Honda Cub that James May used in the Top Gear Vietnam challenge?

It was, yeah. I think it was a 50cc one judging by the way it went up hills - the 90 is never that bad!

[misterfube]

Damn, that DOES look good. S'funny how 20 years later something that you used to think looks a bit "spazzy" strangely has an aura of cool about it.

The thing is, Honda have a special (lower quality threshold) brand that they sell in India, China and a lot of the third world.. called HERO Honda. The factories are usually located in these countries and the parts and to some degree the workmanship are an order of magnitude lower in quality to the Japanese-made Honda proper we're used to in the UK. The models they make for these markets are also different to the type we get, so chances are, Honda have never dropped the tooling for manufacturing these babies in their original spec.. just reused the machinery in other factories around the world.

Seriously though if only manufacturers would realise there's some serious money to be made in retro design. I used to have a Kawasaki W650. I still miss it now. It was gorgeous to ride, and sounded lovely. Beautiful to look at. I've just copped sight of the new MotoGuzzi V7 Cafe Classic, and I'm getting that urge again! It's a stunner. If only Piaggio would build something that looked like GS but with a proper modern engine. The scooter geek in me loves the smell of 2-stroke in the morning. The tree-hugger in me is conflicted.

[nic83px]

its a bicycle with an engine!!!

[jaz]

Apr 20, 2009 22:07:39 GMT misterfube said:

S'funny how 20 years later something that you used to think looks a bit "spazzy" strangely has an aura of cool about it.

Hey, you got there in the end even if it did take 20 years