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Tokyo 2009: Honda rolls out the EV-Cub, we pray for a production model
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Oct 23rd 2009 at 8:29AM 
Honda EV-Cub Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
You meet the greenest people on a Honda. Well, maybe not quite yet... but the World's Largest Motorcycle Manufacturer has signaled its intent to usher in a new era of electrically-powered two-wheelers, and a modern-day Cub seems like an excellent way to do just that.
Honda is showing a conceptual electric Cub as we speak at the Tokyo Motor Show, but strangely isn't letting out very much information about the machine. We know there's an electric motor powering each wheel and some kind of battery pack sitting in between somewhere in the frame rails, but that's about it.
Regardless of how little we know about the EV-Cub, it's a concept we wholeheartedly approve of. We're big fans of the original gas-powered 50cc model, which has been known to return well over 200 miles per gallon in daily use, and a thoroughly modern drivetrain seems like a fitting way to inject some new life into the old Cub. See our high-res image gallery of live shots below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-Cub
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AFCdtLoeb 8:56AM (10/23/2009)
Yes, but can I drive it up Vietnam?
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Mitchell Scott 11:11AM (10/23/2009)
How hard can it be?
Franz 1:10PM (10/23/2009)
Just don't get any ideas about turning it into a boat & heading for Ba Hang Bar...
British_Rover 8:57AM (10/23/2009)
man that would make an awesome little city runabout.
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Stuka 9:26AM (10/23/2009)
I hope they make a production one.
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Alex 10:58AM (10/23/2009)
That little Cub is sweet. I would definitely pick one up to use as a little run-about.
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click_playaz 11:31AM (10/23/2009)
I can say the CUB is the best small bike ever. It's not powerful, but last long and tough.
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MrGouda 3:34PM (10/23/2009)
Yeah, that was one of the best features of the original Cub! The thing was built like a tank! You could abuse the thing so much and it'd still run. I hope the new Cub will be just as tough as the original.
WS 11:48AM (10/23/2009)
What show was that again where they threw a Cub off the 8th floor of a building and it would still start up fine? Sure, the wheels where all bust but it purred like a cub.
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sean 6:41PM (10/23/2009)
@WS: don't know if it's the same thing as you're thinking of, but car or bike show had a piece where Charley Boorman subjected a Cub to a series of trials - much like Clarkson did to the Hilux in TG but can't remember name of it. The trials I can remember are loading to the gunwales with pizza boxes, etc, replacing the gearbox oil with used vegetable oil, and chucking out of a warehouse a couple of storeys up. As I recall, both wheels buckled, front rim split at weld, but did run and he even tried riding it....
PS would have one of these in heartbeat
Farris 12:40PM (10/23/2009)
I really wish they offered the Cub again in the States. I'd love to have one to commute on.
*runs off to Google to find Chinese clones
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Tony 12:47PM (10/23/2009)
Thats a good looking motorbike. Not dorky looking like other EV motorbikes that are coming to the market. This design is both futuristic and also restrained. Very nice IMO.
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Alain 2:01PM (10/23/2009)
Part of what made the original Cub so good was how bullet-proof it was. It was virtually indestructible. It was the Connor Macleod of motorbikes (There can be only ONE). If Honda can make this thing 80% as good as the original, this thing will rock.
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JMills 4:28PM (10/23/2009)
It's a great idea, a Cub for the 21st century. And since most people don't make long trips on a scooter, an electric version would be an easy sell. I would pick one up for a summer toy.
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IOMTT 4:51PM (10/23/2009)
I don't have anything against scooters or electric scooters in general. You would just never see me on one. I bet Honda will bring this here but not the classic CB1100 they just revealed. I would figure out some way to put that CB in the garage!
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