Honda Decides to End Production of Motorcycles Under 50cc
Impact of Emission Regulations Effective from 2025
The world's best-selling motorcycle, the Honda Super Cub, is disappearing into history. Japanese company Honda has decided to end production of motorcycles with engine displacements of 50cc or less. Since these motorcycles were mainly used for postal and newspaper delivery and were known as the "people's feet," there are many reactions within Japan expressing regret over the end of production.
On the 24th, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Honda judged it would be difficult to comply with the exhaust gas regulations to be applied from 2025 with the current production of motorcycles under 50cc, leading to this decision.
Accordingly, Honda's signature model, the Super Cub, has become subject to discontinuation. The Super Cub, sold since 1958, has surpassed 100 million units in cumulative global sales and is also called the "world's best-selling motorcycle." Its name is derived from the English word "cub," meaning the young of bears and other wild animals, and it is characterized by a small body that is easy to drive and excellent fuel efficiency. Widely used for postal and newspaper delivery, it also carries the nickname "people's feet" in Japan. Additionally, it has appeared several times as the motorcycle ridden by characters in Makoto Shinkai's films such as "5 Centimeters per Second," "Your Name," and "Weathering with You."
The Yomiuri analyzed that amid sluggish motorcycle sales and the tightening of regulations, Honda had no choice but to make this decision. According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, production of motorcycles under 50cc was about 2.5 million units in 1980 but drastically shrank to 150,000 units in 2022. Furthermore, under the exhaust gas regulations to be implemented from 2025, motorcycles under 50cc are included in the regulation targets due to insufficient exhaust gas purification functions. The catalyst used for exhaust gas purification must be heated by the engine to over 300 degrees Celsius before use, but motorcycles under 50cc typically take 240 seconds to reach this temperature. This longer time results in reduced functionality compared to other models.
Honda has stated its intention to end production of models under 50cc by November 2025, when the regulations take effect, and plans to focus on 125cc motorcycles going forward. The Yomiuri predicted that other companies will follow a similar path following the decision by industry leader Honda. Not only the Honda Super Cub but also other famous series from companies like Yamaha Jog are expected to disappear into history.
The motorcycle specialty magazine Young Machine reported, "Honda considered adapting the 50cc motorcycles to meet the regulations, taking into account domestic users' circumstances, but ultimately made this decision. From November 2025, 50cc models will no longer be found in the new lineup. Honda's flagship model is no exception."
However, it added, "There are rumors that a final edition model will be released ahead of the 50cc discontinuation. Although specifications, price, and release timing are unknown, some speculate that a retro model using colors from past Super Cub series will be launched."
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