Honda recently revealed plans for its booth at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Naturally, these will include a few new motorcycles to be premiered for the first time.
Among them is the CT125 concept. This new variant from the Honda Super Cub series is designed for off-road utility while still remaining faithful to the concept of the Cub.
The new model features a steel front fender and a high-mount air intake duct, side air cleaners, and raised muffler (above the engine) indicative of its ability to go through shallow creeks and rivers. It also has a wide and large rear cargo bed. It’s not as ruggedly styled as the CC110 but appears nonetheless ready for some off-road trekking.
Naturally, it inherits the “CT” moniker, a name imbued by Honda on Trail Cub series motorcycles made since 1964. The Trail Cub series is an offshoot of the popular Super Cub line, and the bikes are known by several names. In Japan they were introduced as the Hunter Cub, while in the Canada/US market they were called the Trail Cub or just "Trail" followed by a number indicating engine size, such as "Trail 90". Individual models may also be known by model number, such as CT90 and CT110.
The CT125 appears to be a spiritual successor to the CT110 popular in Australia, lovingly called the “Postie Bike.” The model was extensively used by the the Australia Post. These small 17-inch wheel bikes were intended for relatively slow off-road travel. They had 4-stroke engines ranging from 49 cc to 105 cc, and automatic clutches. All bikes had either 3- or 4-speed transmissions, plus a second choice of HIGH or LOW bands to apply the same gears to road travel or slower off-road travel. The early bikes achieved this by having two drive sprockets at the rear wheel, which required the rider to dismount and thread the chain onto the desired sprocket. Later bikes placed the two-stage choice within the gearbox, and required the rider to only move a lever.
