Honda Super Cub

Introduced in Japan in 1958, the Super Cub has remained in continuous production for over 60 years. By 2017, Honda announced that they had officially manufactured over 100 million units. Its simple, reliable design and continuous global demand have allowed it to outsell every other motorcycle, car, and truck in history.

The Super Cub features a famous step-through frame, originally designed to allow riders to easily mount the bike while wearing a skirt or work uniform. It also utilizes a fully automatic centrifugal clutch, meaning the rider only has to shift gears with their foot without pulling a hand clutch. This combination made it incredibly accessible to beginners.

The original 1958 model was powered by a revolutionary 50cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine. This engine provided excellent fuel economy, often exceeding 100 miles per gallon, and required very little maintenance. Honda famously utilized this engine in their slogan, "You meet the nicest people on a Honda."

The iconic step-through chassis and overall design was the brainchild of a team led by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. Soichiro Honda was the engineering genius behind the engine, while Fujisawa was the business strategist who insisted on a design that appealed to everyday commuters. The shape was essentially finalized in 1957.