[Carl350]

    In the "350 J platform" sub forum I started a thread about the Hunter which I'm very interested in.

     BUT, this little Honda is a close second choice, sometimes winning the fight in my head to become first choice for a while....😄

     Loads about it I love & quite a bit about it I hate (I hope not, but this thread will probably descend into a discussion about the "electronic key"....which is a "hate" for me). Electronic key aside, it's a lovely little bike.

    Surprising, (to to my mind anyway) it has a lot in common with the smaller R.Es despite being a totally different animal.

    Has anyone got one? Would like one?

[Richard230]

My BMW R1200RS has a keyless ignition (including fork lock and gas cap opening) system. I thought I wouldn't like it as I was concerned about durability, but I have owned the bike for the past 8 years and the system has worked flawlessly. During that time I only had to change the key fob battery once. Now I like the keyless system better than using a key - which I sometimes accidentally leave in the ignition when I walk away from the bike. Just don't loose the fob as they are really expensive to replace.

[Carl350]

 Thanks Richard230, it’s good your experience with a smart key is a good one, I’d hope to have the same luck...

  My gripe is it feels like (expensive) tech for techs sake, personally I don’t accidentally leave my keys in the ignition & don’t recall ever having a problem with a physical key in my near 40 years of riding.

   I think I’m correct in saying the Honda Grom & Monkey that share the same engine have a “normal” old style key, the smart key seems out of place on a worldwide “work” bike, I think any cub (often lower spec) sold in other countries still has the physical key though the market that Honda is aiming at in Europe & the USA is more “retro toy” rather than only transport.

[Carl350]

I should maybe expand on the similarities as I see it between RE’s & the Cub.

Firstly is the owner mentality, I think the type is one who thinks for themselves & not necessarily swayed by media or hype.

 MPG..... need I say more?

Price is similar, though it could be argued one is overpriced & one is underpriced, either way they aren’t priced on what they cost to build rather market forces & “what can be charged”.....

Speed & acceleration....or lack of, maybe more of the charm rather than less?

Looks, again very personal but definitely not “run of the mill”

And probably more that hasn’t occurred so far.

[Leofric]

I would find 125 cc too small, although I can see the Honda Grom as a 'fun toy' type of bike.

[AzCal Retred]

Here's an exciting Honda 125 for you - the RC125. 34 hp at 21,500 rpm, 8 speed gearbox, 135 mph top end.

https://www.cyclenews.com/2016/09/article/four-stroketwo-stroke-wars/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_racing_motorcycles

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Racers/honda_125_fivecylinder.htm

[tooseevee]

      BUT, this little Honda is a close second choice, sometimes winning the fight in my head to become first choice for a while....😄

       Surprising, (to to my mind anyway) it has a lot in common with the smaller R.Es despite being a totally different animal.

    Has anyone got one? Would like one?

           Once I realized in 2019 that I wasn't going to be able to ride even my '08 AVL Classic any longer (I was having trouble even moving it out of & back into the garage) I put my name on the list for a 125 Super Cub at the local Honda dealer. It is a marvelous little bike that's sort of like alligators; they've been improved & improved almost to the point of perfection. That dealer STILL doesn't have one for me. Can't get 'em.

           I did, however, also put my name on the list for a different one that I'd been researching for a long time which I finally DID get a call on in early summer '21 & I pulled the trigger on it & I love it! Most fun I've ever had at 35 MPH! & it's another Honda that has been being perfected for many, many years. And it keeps me on two wheels for a few more years.

[Carl350]

 Hi Tooseevee which model did you get.

To be honest I love the Cub but it isn't the most practical in the Honda range.
I've heard of people struggling to get a Super Cub, here in Southern Spain it's the opposite, the dealer nearby had one in the showroom I could have had when I called in a few weeks ago, I said I'd think on it but what's it like to get another if that one sells, he was quite honest (which I respect rather than the hard sell B.S, which makes me more likely to return) & said they aren't selling here because there is no history of them, folks often haven't seen one before & if he did sell that one he'd be able to get another quickly 😮

    But let us know what you've got & what you think of it. 👍

[Carl350]

I would find 125 cc too small.

   I understand that, the cub has about half the hp of a RE 350 but less weight so tops out around 55mph.
    And real world fuel figures of 140mpg+(UK).

      But it is like a moped/motorized bicycle where the R.E is definitely a motorcycle, then there's the R.Es exhaust note........

    But both appeal to me in slightly different ways though they both tick the boxes I'm after-
Fun to ride.
Very economical.
Reliable (the cub is 10/10, I'd like to think the R.E Hunter is going to close, OK maybe not 10/10 but is looking promising so far).
Longevity.
Smaller than what I've had for years.
Good for commuting/shops.
Both can tour (yes they can!)
Both can be bought new (very little else on the market similar).
Different (from most other bikes on the road).
Home servicing/fixing (-1 for the Cubs smart key but hopefully it'll be Honda reliable).


    There are other bikes but generally when built down to a price point are powered by "clone" engines, even from well known name manufacturers, while these may be fine in long run only time is gonna tell....

[AzCal Retred]

This one I'll bet...

[Carl350]

The image doesn’t show for me but I see it’s labeled “trial 125”.

That’s what I originally sooo wanted but they are not available in Europe with as yet no proof of ever being so...
That’s what lead me to the Super Cub, and when I really thought about it I realised the Cub is more suited to my needs than the CT125 Trial, if I were to use the Trial off road it would only be gentle, nothing the Cub won’t do & I understand there’s about a 15mph difference top end in standard gearing, that would have t change because that’s too slow on some of the roads I have to use.
  I love the idea & look of the Trial though but it’s never gonna happen for me, I’m not prepared to go to the huge expense (in Spain) of a personal import which would be the only way.
Still, a super cool little Honda though 👍

[tooseevee]

This one I'll bet...

           Don't I wish  I don't think the dealer here in RI has ever Seen one let alone get one for little ol' me I was just lucky enough to get one of the one I got. But the one I got was NOT a 2nd choice. It was actually my 1st choice because I knew I'd never get a Trail. I'm VERY glad I got the one I got.

           The one I got, waiting 2 1/2 whole seasons for, should be really easier for you now.

           and now back to C125s

[AzCal Retred]

35 MPH? How about the 125 Monkey? The Navi is newer but looks like a suitcase, the Monkey is very motorcycle-y. 5 speed, 230 pounds.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/2022-honda-monkey/

The 50cc Ruckus is another 35 MPH possibility, it's been around awhile. Very possibly as there's no clutch to deal with this is the one. It's a sub 200 pound machine, so rolling around the shop would be easier.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/2022-honda-ruckus/

The Honda ADV150 would be a contender, but it's way faster than 35 MPH and much heavier at 300 pounds.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/2022-honda-adv150/

So my guess is the Ruckus. The Monkey appeals, but more weight and a clutch to operate probably put it out of the running. 

[Leofric]

Probably digressing but my second motorcycle years ago was a Honda CB160 twin , bought from King's motorcycle dealers in Leeds ,owned by the Hailwood family who had quite a famous racing motorcyclist in the family.
ps I will double check this later.

[AzCal Retred]

Future Ruckus builds...

[tooseevee]

35 MPH?
The 50cc Ruckus is another 35 MPH possibility, it's been around awhile. Very possibly as there's no clutch to deal with this is the one. It's a sub 200 pound machine, so rolling around the shop would be easier.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/2022-honda-ruckus/

           You got it. The Ruckus it is & it was worth the 2 1/2 summer's wait. Coming from a lifelong harley rider I'm really loving the damn thing.

           I'm gonna bite the bullet & give it its own subject line even though I have not taken even one picture of it yet. 

           

[him a layin]

yes, pic please!

[AzCal Retred]

2CV meets some of the nicest people on a Honda...

[Leofric]

2CV meets some of the nicest people on a Honda...

I see the attraction now,I want one 

[George S.]

Got my wife a Honda Navi. Twist and go. It’s a lot of fun, it even moves my 200 lbs quickly.

[AzCal Retred]

Navi's are supposed to retail for about $1800, but in this area they seem to go for maybe +$500 above that, even used. Was that your experience?

https://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/honda-navi-4000km-long-term-review/27486/

[George S.]

Navi's are supposed to retail for about $1800, but in this area they seem to go for maybe +$500 above that, even used. Was that your experience?

https://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-advice/reviews/honda-navi-4000km-long-term-review/27486/

When they first came out I went to my local dealer who advertised it at $1800. We saw 2 on the sales floor, so we sat in the sales office and it was all  wasted time because after all the chit chat they slid a paper across the desk --- $3500 with their price "adjustment" + all the dealer fees added. of course I walked out after giving them my "thoughts" of their practices.

I understood that no one was going to actually sell one for $1800, so I traveled a bit and got it for $2400 OTD. That was a year ago. IDK what they're going for now because even if I could see an advertised price, the real selling price will be higher because they'll come out with added fees.