Honda’s Super Cub motorcycle is legendary. One cannot talk about iconic motorcycles and not mention the best-selling, not just motorcycle, but motor vehicle in history, with over 100 million units sold since its introduction in 1958.
One of the main selling points that made this the go-to motorcycle for almost anyone, especially in developing countries, was Honda’s innovative approach to advertising the Super Cub in women’s magazines and promoting it as a vehicle easy enough for anyone to ride, not just men.
Demand was so high that Honda decided to build a dedicated factory in Suzuka, Japan. At the time, it was the largest motorcycle factory in the world, pumping out up to 50,000 SuperCubs a month, making it the most produced motorcycle in the world.
Keeping operation of the vehicle simple was key, and this led to the development of the semi-automatic centrifugal clutch. This got rid of the need for a manual clutch lever so riders could just shift gears using their foot.
Technical innovations saw the Super Cub fitted with a 50cc 4-stroke engine instead of the typical 2-stroke popular at the time, which offered better fuel efficiency and reliability. Since then, the Super Cub has stood the test of time over the decades, and while modern takes offer advancements to the motorcycle, it still retains its signature classic design.
