Honda has been praised for maintaining its little Cub motorcycle’s shape and character for over half a century, but a new concept shows a drastic shift in design. Honda recently revealed its lineup for the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, and it includes two new variants of the venerable bike: the Super Cub and EV-Cub concepts. And though the Cub’s heritage is in the lines and details, there are some significant changes, particularly the EV-Cub’s electric motor.
How does Honda replace the powertrain without upsetting the bike’s low weight and beloved handling characteristics? What they did is place the heavy battery in a low and central position, lowering the center of gravity. This also makes it easier to mount and dismount the bike. The battery is detachable, so the rider can take it inside their home and charge it from a standard wall socket.
The Super Cub concepts employ a more scooter-like stance than current production models. The colors hearken back to older examples, but the ten-spoke cast wheels are new. Y-shaped handlebars are integrated with the bodywork, and the instrument cluster features a blue digital display.
