Honda never passes on the opportunity to remind the world how important the Cub series has been in its history, so the legendary two-wheeler's 60th anniversary calls for a special celebration. At the upcoming Tokyo show, Honda plans to reveal a new production model and two fresh Super Cub concepts.
The biennial Tokyo Motor Show is the most prestigious car and motorcycle exhibition in Japan and a fortuitous double coincidence makes the upcoming 45th edition a bit more special for Honda. The iconic Cub series becomes 60 years old in 2018, and in October its cumulative production will reach the 100-million mark.
The double celebration will be spearheaded by a brand new Cross Cub (or CC 110), an adventurous-looking variant that was first introduced as a concept model at the Osaka show in 2013. Although it was met with enthusiasm from all over the world, it never reached western markets, only to be sold in Japan as a non-export model (pictured below).
Honda does not clarify whether the new model is planned for worldwide distribution this time or not, but chances are it will still be based on the hugely successful Wave 110i platform.
Next to the Cross Cub, Honda announced two new concept Super Cubs, the 110 and the 125C. The first will be a commemorative design of the 100-million units produced thus far, while the second will probably be the prelude of a future production model.
At the center of Honda's booth we will also find the Riding Assist-e prototype, which will make its global debut at Tokyo. Another concept bike that will be unveiled on home ground is the Monkey 125, on which there is absolutely no further information in Honda's press release other than its – quite self-explanatory – name.
What we probably won't see is the new Goldwing. The legendary tourer is rumored to receive a significant update for 2018, with initial reports talking about a Hossak-type front suspension system and DCT automatic transmission. These have mostly spawned from patents that Honda filed in Japan, but rumors intensified after photos of the Goldwing with the alternative front system leaked a few months ago. They were followed by "insider information" that almost conclusively placed the new GL1800 at the center of Honda's Tokyo booth.
The truth is that we are not used to Honda surprising us with unannounced models, so we'd rather bet our money on what today's press release previews for the Tokyo Motor Show on October 27. If a new Goldwing is indeed in the cards, chances are it will debut in early November at the Italian EICMA show.
Source: Honda