Japanese Motorcycles at the Japan Mobility Show 2025

[vintagegarage]

A Super Cub Lite is shown at 1:56. As I understand it, it is a 110, detuned to have the performance of a 50cc Little Cub, now discontinued, so that it can be ridden in Japan with licensing similar to the Little Cub. The video is somewhat influenced by the presenters interests, but you have to be blind to miss the "EV coming in force soon" theme of the show.. Better get on board or live in the past.. LOL:

 

[dmonkey]

Neat stuff. It seems like there are a lot of hybrid models in the works and not just a straight jump to BEVs.

I really like the Yamaha Y-00 Bricolage that she showed, that's a very stylish e-bike concept.

Y-00B:Base / Bricolage Japan Mobility Show 2025 - Events | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Various information of YAMAHA's JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2025 is available.

global.yamaha-motor.com

I found the page for the Honda "Lite" cubs that were announced:

新基準原付『Honda Lite シリーズ』 ｜Honda公式サイト

原付免許で乗れる総排気量50cc超～125cc以下（最高出力4.0kW）の新基準原付『Honda Lite シリーズ』のポータルサイト。スムーズで安定感のある走りなど、原付ライフをより良くする魅力などをご紹介します。

www.honda.co.jp

Poking around Honda's site, I found that they also recently announced another Sanrio (Hello Kitty company) collaboration with branding of the Kuromi character this time. "Honda x Kuromi"
For the collaboration, Kuromi themed tank panels are available for the Monkey 125, as well as some merch type accessories of a keychain, t-shirts, and stickers.

Honda × Kuromi | バイク | 事業＆イノベーション | Honda 企業情報サイト

自分の気もちに正直なクロミと、Hondaのバイクが出逢ったら、どんな物語がはじまるだろう......。クロミとHondaのバイクに乗って、なりたい自分になっちゃおうよ！

global.honda

かっこよくてかわいい♡Hondaバイクとクロミのコラボがスタート！｜サンリオ

Hondaバイク×クロミ！？ かっこよくてかわいいコラボが実現♡ オリジナルショートアニメ（全6話）の第1話が公開されたよ♪ さらに、今後いろいろなイベントにクロミが登場予定☆ みんながあっと驚くような場所にも登場するかも…？ 詳しくは、Honda公式X（@HondaJP）やHonda公式YouTube、クロミ公式X（@kuromi_project）などでお知らせしていくので、ぜひチェックしてね☆

www.sanrio.co.jp

“Honda × Kuromi” モンキー125用タンクサイドパネル: 純正アクセサリー・カスタマイズパーツ｜HondaGO BIKE GEAR

“Honda × Kuromi” モンキー125用タンクサイドパネル

hondago-bikegear.jp

 

[Kuro Neko]

Nice summary!

The new (ex-50cc) license is called a Class 1, and is for stand-alone moped / scooter / AT riders.
Though the regs have been in place since April this year, Honda have only just released their four new 110cc Lite machines for Class 1 licenses.

Class 2 licenses are applied to car license holders, and anyone with a regular motorcycle license.

Honda, and others too I assume, make Class 2 sub-125cc machines, such as the CT125 and similar.
As you note, the Class 1 machines (allowable to <125cc) are power limited to the equivalent 50cc class (since eliminated in Japan).
Curiously, at least for Honda, you can therefore buy either a Class 1 (which Honda calls Lite) or Class 2 version of the same machine...

 

[dmonkey]

I am very curious to learn what the differences are between the Class 1 and Class 2 110cc machines. If they're just detuned at the ECM to satisfy the max 4.0kW power output requirement, or if there are other equipment differences such as fuel injector, throttle body, etc. Also curious if there will be much abuse of folks modifying them for Class 2 performance between inspections, or if there isn't much reason to do that over just getting the Class 2 bike paying more, and stepping up from the Class 1 license.

 

[Kuro Neko]

I am very curious to learn what the differences are between the Class 1 and Class 2 110cc machines. If they're just detuned at the ECM to satisfy the max 4.0kW power output requirement, or if there are other equipment differences such as fuel injector, throttle body, etc. Also curious if there will be much abuse of folks modifying them for Class 2 performance between inspections, or if there isn't much reason to do that over just getting the Class 2 bike paying more, and stepping up from the Class 1 license.

Excellent question!
Recognizing the trigger for the increase in Class 1 capacity from 50cc to 125cc was emissions control, I would guess the engines are as close as possible to being the same.
With, as you suggest, ECU management to limit power and speed (Class 1 are also restricted to 30km/h).
I will however add this to my next dealer conversion, to see if I can find an answer.

Plug-and-play ECU changes to bump up Honda's Lite range to Class 2 capabilities may yet pop up on Yafuoku, as did a few options to similarly increase the performance of the older 50cc machines.
Such was more popular with the two-stroke, vs. the four-stoke 50s (which was the first dictated emission control change here).

As an example, I fitted a 75cc big bore kit to my 50cc Joker, and thoroughly enjoyed the ability to pop the front wheel, and keep up with the commuting traffic.
I did however get stopped by a police bike, for a speed-over fine (doing more than 30km/h) on a 50cc, AND also for not travelling in the left lane (another ex-50cc) stipulation.
After giving me a bear hug (literally) and saying, 'please don't die!' to me, he just fined me for the speed-over...

Regardless, due to our general societal compliance, modifying a Class 1 machine to Class 2 capabilities is not going to be very popular, simply because it is wrong.
Plus, the market segment for Class 1 machines - school kids and obaa-san - is unlikely to be attracted to similar (in other words, bosozoko find other machines to be antisocial with).

I do also note with the new Class 1 capacity increase to <125cc, while the 30km/h restriction remains, I think the right turn only from the left lane (hook turn) requirement has gone.
They were a nightmare sometimes!