It’s a sure thing now: The Honda CT125 Hunter Cub is in production. At this point, it’s confirmed for Asian markets; first, we saw it was headed for Japan. This latest vid shows the machine is also headed for Thailand, and drops a few other bits of information as well.
The CT125 first appeared at the Tokyo show back in October, 2019. It takes the classic Honda CT design (horizontal-mount engine, semi-step-through frame, low seat height) and updates it with the engine from the Honda Grom (also the Honda Wave, Honda Super Cub, Honda Monkey). It’s classic Honda tactics, re-using existing tech in a more functional fashion. It keeps the price down, Big Red already knows the engine is reliable and customers also trust the Grom’s four-speed, air-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder motor.
There’s also classic Honda marketing at play here. Note the general message of the video above: Leave the cares of civilization behind! Be one with nature! Go fishing! Explore! And so on. It’s interesting to see this message broadcast to Asian buyers, just as it was broadcast to North American buyers 50 years ago, when the first CT models were gaining popularity in the US and Canada. What does this tell you about current geopolitics and economics, and the future relevancy of our market?
Anyway, in the video advert, you can see the bike for what it is: A fairly low-adrenaline dual sport machine. At this point, we know it’s likely got ABS as standard, it comes with a semi-auto clutch, and pricing will be likely be higher than the Super Cub. Not that that really matters, because Canada doesn’t get the Super Cub at this point, either. Stay tuned, though—we expect to see the CT125 announced for our market soonish, and maybe the Super Cub will tag along?
If you haven`t figured it out yet, Honda Canada doesn`t care what you want. They are now a car company and motorcycles are an annoyance. They`ve sold over 100 million Super Cubs and still don`t bring it to Canada. Canada is mainly bush and they don`t import the Trail Cub. Do you get their apathy now?
Please bring the honda cub to ontario canada
I have been riding small bore Hondas since the ’60’s as well as Harley’s, BSAs, Velocettes and Moto Guzzis. I have never owned a new motorcycle in my 55 years of motorcycling. As soon as the Hunter Cub is available in Canada, I will buy one.
A petition to bring the CT125 to Canada has been created!
https://www.change.org/BringthenewCT125toCanada
I want one! Going to look into setting up a petition of sorts to gather signatures from Scooter clubs, Outdoor & Cottage associations to submit to Honda to bring the CT125 to Canada. Applying a business approach, for every 1000 signatures and a modest 5% Sales conversion rate, it translates to as much as 50 units per 1000 signatures. (In the US, there are dealerships to be found on the internet indicating they have 1 in stock, but further digging reveals they don’t always actually have a physical unit in stock, Honda is gauging interest. But the forums indicate there has been a trickle of deliveries. Applying some very fuzzy logic, 1 dealership per state equates roughly to 50 units, so maybe its a minimum threshold?)
Anyway, look out for a petition asking for Honda to bring the CT125 to Canada. If you have suggestions for groups to contact, please let me know.
I want this bike … then again there are plenty of bikes I want but I really want this bike … Honda Canada would you please bring this bike to Canada 👍
Please bring this to Canada so I can ride a dependable bike in the bush!
At today’s exchange rate the CT 125 retails for $3638 Canadian. Honda would sell many if they sold it in Canada for the same price. They could sell to new riders, the relatively rich who have cottages and RVs who want something easily stored to just get around, and to those who appreciate the barely over 2litres per 100km mileage who can envision some far ranging adventures with a jerry can and camping gear on the back.
Call me frustrated in Canada.
On the other hand I’m so glad Yamaha built my oh so versatile WR250R. Motorcycles are by nature about compromises and the WRR is such a good compromise.
I wish Honda would bring the Monkey bike to Canada instead of this thing and the Grom….sigh
Canada was never an important market. For the most part we just got whatever the US did.
Yes, the days of the US being the market leader in motorcycles are dead, for anything other than big cruisers. Larger displacement sports/touring/ADV bikes are targeted more at Europe. Smaller bikes at developing markets. We’ll get whatever they make that they think will sell here.
Thanks for the CT125 update. I’ll pick up a Suzuki Van Van while they’re still available if the CT125 doesn’t come to Canada. But I think I’d prefer the Honda. So, fingers crossed.
Why would it be more than the super cub? If I’ve correctly done my internet surfing I see the Thailand price is less for the CT125