1963: Just add a gallon of gas and you're ready to go 225 miles..

[Fumesucker]

This ad for the Honda Cub came out in May of 1963, when gas was about twenty five cents a gallon and no one had ever heard of an oil embargo.

Since then Honda has sold sixty million Cubs and they are still in production only slightly updated.

Sometimes you get it right on the first try.

[leveymg]

1. From 225 to 22.5 mpg in twenty years - now, that's progress!

Beijing Rush Hour 1990:

Beijing Rush Hour 2010:

[saigon68]

2. Look at the clean air in the bottom photo

Beautiful, healthy, progress

</sarcasm> (for those who think I'm serious)

[leveymg]

7. Emphazema is a small price for an Audi SUV or a BMW 7 Series, when you have private health care

Things are just getting better and better . . .

#
Private healthcare in China is amongst the most expensive in the world ...
Jun 21, 2010 ... Now a series on Danwei is examining the insane inflation of private healthcare here in China. According to one doctor, while medical costs ...
shanghaiist.com/2010/06/.../private_healthcare_in_china_is_amon.php - Cached
#

[saigon68]

35. Then there's this Jewel

Pischetsrieder's Lamborghini Moves Into China

New York -

Most would agree that business and old fashioned communist values don't really mix.

The number of Chinese billionaires has more than tripled in the past year, according to a Forbes survey, and the surge in affluent consumers has not gone unnoticed by a number of companies including Volkswagen's Lamborghini. The luxury carmaker is exploiting China's growing taste for expensive Western goods, and on Tuesday, opened its first dealership in the populous country.

Lamborghini, overseen by Volkswagen's Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder, is revving up behind Fiat owned Ferrari, Volkswagon's Bentley and other luxury European marques heading into China to taking advantage of the increasing amount of disposable wealth. Prices for the sleek sports car start at $330,000, but that won't be a problem for the opulent residents in Shanghai. Lamborghini's market research showed that the country's biggest city was also a citadel of consumption and a promising market for its vehicles.

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Memories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqKi_9p1zks

[atomic-fly]

4. cool

I'd love to have one of those!

[madokie]

5. I remember when those first hit the scene

My cushman would run off and hide from one of these babies :-)
I think the honda 50 had me beat on gas mileage though

[Obamanaut]

25. I saw a Cushman Eagle on the road yesterday. First one of those

I've seen in years. Many years.

[liberal N proud]

6. Then greed set in

and good mileage was a sin in the transportation industry.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Add sweet fuck all and do as you please

[SpiralHawk]

9. I gotta brand new pair of roller skates

You gotta brand new key.

If you are a RepubliCorporatist, you will hide the key and laff at me as you chug by in your gas-guzzlin, climate-destroying Hummer smoking a steenkin stogie, and listening on the radio to $40-million-a-year Corporate Spewboy Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh whine and blame all of the world's problems on people who are unemployed or homeless.

[dipsydoodle]

10. You do realise I assume

that knowing the lyrics to Melanie's song is an age givaway. :)

Was covered in the UK as I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester......lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZY6jC5Dh6c

[SpiralHawk]

11. I would be delighted to give away some of my age to you, DD

You are welcome to, say, 40 years of it...but I get to keep the accumulated experience, wisdom, and happy memories...

[dipsydoodle]

12. I have no regrets

I'm 66 going on 40 :rofl: Wanna stay young ? Then dance to R&R,R&B ,Swing, whatever you can find. :hi:

[SpiralHawk]

14. 66 + 40 will make you 106, DD

You will be a revered cultural icon as you perform the Lindy Hop for the oncoming generations...

I'll watch for your Centenarian Dance Party on Youtube!

[dipsydoodle]

16. You swtiched the maths

you rascal you.

btw - well done on knowing the proper name of the dance.

[The_Commonist]

13. That looks EXACTLY like the pair of skates I had as a kid!

Right down to the dirty string on the key!

[jberryhill]

15. Take the whole family!

[sinkingfeeling]

17. Do they still cost $245?

[glitch]

18. I want one! nt

[Romulox]

19. Has Honda lost the technology to make this miraculous scooter, or is there some other reason

that it is no longer offered for sale? :shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

20. Ride one and you will know.

It's great as long as the road is flat.

[NoGOPZone]

22. What makes you think it's no longer for sale?

and what makes you think 225 mpg is miraculous? It might help to know the engine makes less than four HP.

[Romulox]

26. Honda dot com. nt

[NoGOPZone]

27. Might help to expand your search

It's being produced in the worldwide market. In the US, there's a modified version available from a third party.

You didn't answer the question about the mileage, so I'll assume you're conceeding that issue.

[Romulox]

28. That's not much of answer to why Honda doesn't offer it here.

There must be some impediment (Who killed the 245 mpg Honda?).

I wonder what it might be?

"You didn't answer the question about the mileage, so I'll assume you're conceeding that issue."

I concede nothing; Honda's most fuel efficient scooter for the US market doesn't even get half that mpg. There has to be a reason why not. Instead of trying to "win", why not try to discuss for a moment? :hi:

[NoGOPZone]

29. It might help if you knew what you wanted to discuss.

Initially, you asked why it wasn't being offered for sale. now you're attempting to change the question to why it isn't being sold in the US.

Here's one readily available source which confirms both the production status and the mileage
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Super_Cub

[Romulox]

30. The question remains: why are these not offered for sale in the US by their manufacturer?

The production status in other countries only makes the question as to why it is not offered in the US more pointed, after all. :hi:

[NoGOPZone]

32. You've already shown your familiar with the Honda web site

Why not search for the Contact Us feature, email them and ask?

I believe your two initial questions, rhetorical or not, have been answered. The vehicle remains in production, and Honda did not lose any 'miraculous' technology, because no miracle ever existed. 200+ mpg from a 50 cc, 4HP scooter with an advertised 45 MPH cruising speed is no miracle.

[Romulox]

34. Now it is my turn to take your post as a tacit admission

My guess is that these bikes are not for sale in the US for a combination of the following three reasons:

1) they do not meet current safety regulations
2) they do not meet current emissions regulations
3) there is not sufficient demand in the marketplace to make it feasible to offer for sale here

I thought you might have some insight into these issues, particularly 1) and 2). I see that you do not. Given that reality, I think my hunch fits the facts better than anything I've seen on this thread.

[NoGOPZone]

36. I never claimed any insight into Honda's marketing decision, nor

would I need any to answer your initial questions. That knowledge would be useful for your modified question, which you've already answered to your satifaction.

[Romulox]

37. No, you just started making huffy assertions about this bike.

Forgive me for assuming that you were trying to hold yourself out as someone with any specific knowledge about the topic of this thread.

The mistake was mine.

[NoGOPZone]

38. SEVERAL mistakes were yours

Including your statement about the bike no longer being offered for sale, and your characterization of the technology as miraculous. I'm glad to have answered your inital questions, and equally glad you were able to answer your others.

[Gold Metal Flake]

21. The engine design used on that critter is still in production.

That engine design was used in the S50, S90, the Z50 (Trail 50), the CT70 (Trail 70), CT90 (Trail 90), CT110 (Trail 110) and others. They were used in the little three-wheeler ATVs. CT90s and 110s are still used as postal vehicles in Australia. Millions of such powered Hondas were sold around the world. The engine is still in production in China under the Lifan name and others. I think the design is now open-source.

Problem with the Cub is it's fun and all until you come to a grade. Then things slow down. My CT90 was no good for riding on the street for the same reason and it had better gearing and a larger engine.

If you want high MPGs in a four stroke gas engine you are gonna have to give up something and in this case you have to give up the possibility to do more than 20 miles per hour as you creat a gentle grade.

The best place on the web for resto parts for all of the early small Honda bikes is http://www.dratv.com/

[joe black]

23. Remember the super 90.

They had the cool looking fuel tank. I think they came in black or white.

[Gold Metal Flake]

24. So cool...

BTW, the Google image search return interface has been completely changed.

[slackmaster]

31. Great little bike but underpowered for riders of size, or hilly locales

The 70s were more practical for general transportation.

[miscsoc]

33. Notice the use of the word "thrifty" in that ad

Thrift is now considered a vice by self appointed Real Americans. Freedom consists in wasteful vulgarity. Benjamin Franklin was a damn commie.

[AnArmyVeteran]

39. I mailed the clip out ad but my letter was returned as 'Undeliverable'.

I mailed a check for $245 to the address in the clip out but my letter came back and marked as undeliverable. I guess after 47 years the post office box isn't valid any longer.

[guitar man]

40. My first street bike

Was a CB175 Honda like this one. It was no tire scorching street burner but I went everywhere I needed and then some when I was a Sophomore in High School with pocket change in the gas tank, good times ;)

[PJPhreak]

41. I still ride mine...

Although it has been "Modded' a bit...Smaller rear sprocket,new chain,larger Carb with a rejet,Slip-on exhaust,quite peppy...68 Mph if yer crazy enough to ride it that fast,I keep it down to 55 or so.


1983 Honda CT (Trail) 110

Did an 850 mile Tour of the Ozarks over Memorial day Weekend,Lotsa Comments from other Riders!

Truly a Hoot to Ride...Google "Postie Bike" Lotsa stuff!

If you want or have a CT Series Honda lots of Parts and Knowledge at "Dr ATV/Betrice Honda's" Website.

[Robb]

42. 50s are tough to find

I've seen 70s for sale at less than $1000. Running well, too.