Here’s What You Get For $4,000

Summary

• The Honda Super Cub is a budget-friendly motorcycle priced at just $3,899.
• It features a peppy 125cc engine that is perfect for city riding, with a fuel efficiency of over 150 MPG.
• Easy-going riding dynamics, with a lightweight chassis, accessible seat height, and convenient underbone design, make it suitable for riders of all shapes and sizes.

Imagine you’re in the market for a good-looking, utilitarian, and popular motorcycle. That too, on a tight budget of just $4,000. Now, many of you will think only a used offering can meet the above checklist, and it’s not wrong. But buying a used motorcycle is easier said than done, as there’s always scope for the wrong type of surprises. So what do you do? Simply listen to TopSpeed, because we have a great sub-$4,000 motorcycle for you – the Honda Super Cub.

It’s backed by a 66-year-long rich heritage and promises a likable package you can enjoy every day. The price of the Super Cub starts at just $3,899, making it one of the most bang-for-buck full-sized two-wheelers in the U.S.A. With that out of the way, here’s what the Honda offers for the money.

A Peppy 125cc Engine For Big Smiles And Miles Per Gallon

Honda has many likable engines in its extensive portfolio, but its 125cc powerhouse has a particular fan following. The engine has been a constant appearance in the company’s miniMoto lineup for a few years now, present on the Super Cub, Grom, Monkey, and Trail 125. It has a single-cylinder, SOHC layout, with a 50 mm bore, 63.1 mm stroke, and a compression ratio of 10:1. These, along with a dedicated ECU map and other minor adjustments, help the Cub promise 9.6 horsepower and 7.67 pound-feet.

We know these numbers aren’t a lot, but it’s more than enough for city duties. You can hold speeds of up to 50 miles per hour with ease, while the fourth gear maxes out at about 65-70 miles per hour. Plus, the character is peppy enough to launch off the signal. Speaking of which, the four-speed transmission is semi-automatic. You shift via an old-school heel-toe shifter but without any physical clutch to fatigue your left hand. All this while, the engine can return a stonking fuel efficiency of over 150 miles per gallon. The tank measures only one gallon, so whatever MPG you manage would be your total range.

Easy-Going Riding Dynamics, Suited For All Shapes And Sizes

Coming to underpinnings, the Super Cub promises to be accessible and simple. It’s built around an underbone chassis to enable scooter-like step-through convenience. The chassis relies on conventional telescopic forks and dual shock absorbers, both attached to 17-inch cast alloy wheels. These wheels wear tubeless rubber, along with a front disc and rear drum brake.

To make matters sweeter, the seat height is just 30.7 inches, while the weight measures only 238 pounds (wet). So the Cub will fit riders of all shapes and sizes. Since we’re on the subject, it’s only fair we point out the mini moto’s upright riding triangle. You sit on a single saddle (no space for a pillion), your feet go on dedicated footrests, and the hands rest on a flat, conventional handlebar. You also have the option to rest your feet on the wide floorboard-like body panel up top.

Retro Design With A Handful Of Modern Features

Finally, let’s talk about the design and features. The Super Cub takes heavy inspiration from Honda’s first ‘Cub’, evident from the wide frontal panels, saddle shape, curvy fenders. The fixed round headlight serves as reminiscence, too. But there are modern touches to keep up with the times too. We’re talking about the color-matched shock sleeves, LED lights, sporty alloy wheels, and the dual-tone saddle. Together, all of it creates a likable aesthetic–one that certainly turns heads. You can have the Super Cub in two liveries–namely Pearl Gray and Pearl Niltava Blue. We like the latter more, thanks to its deep blue finish and red saddle.

As for features, Honda has loaded the Super Cub with a fair bit of kit. The list comprises:

• All-LED lights
• Semi-digital instrument cluster with gear-position indicator
• Keyless ignition
• Single-channel ABS
• Small storage space on the side

Brief History Of The Honda Super Cub

The Cub has always been a mass-market product, one that fits all purposes. Whether you want to carry heavy loads, commute around the city, or simply learn the ropes of two-wheelers, you can do anything and everything on the minimoto. Its iconic history goes back as far as 1958 when the Japanese bikemaker debuted its first ‘Cub’. Honda has produced over 100 million of these since its debut (worldwide), which simply goes to show just how popular the moniker is. The Super Cub serves the same purpose today, and we believe it’ll continue to do that a decade down the line as well.

2024 Honda Super Cub Pros

• Premium design
• Nice features
• Trusted and frugal powerhouse

2024 Honda Super Cub Cons

• Can feel boring to experienced riders
• Not suited for spirited riding

All specifications sourced from Honda Europe and Honda Powersports