Story & photos by Mike Besa
THE Honda Super Cub, the great, great, great grandfather of the modern underbone motorcycles that are the basic modes of transportation in all of Southeast Asia, is a motoring legend.
Having enjoyed continuous production since 1958 in 15 different countries worldwide, there have been close to a hundred million of these 50cc wonders that have plied the roads of the world.
Its hallmarks are its simplicity, frugality and dependability. It’s cheap to operate, simple to fix and is nearly indestructible. There was a feature on the Discovery Channel where they did their worst to destroy a Super Cub. Even after dropping the motorcycle off the top of a building, the engine started even if the rest of it didn’t fare, as well.
When seeking to improve something this iconic, care must be taken not to stray too far from what got them there in the first place. In 2017 the biggest news is at the core of the new Honda motorcycles is the addition of programmed fuel injection to the engines. The All-New XRM125 and All-New RS125 are now powered by a fuel-efficient and Euro 3-compliant PGM-Fi engine, so you can achieve more riding control while still reducing exhaust emissions.
PGM-Fi engines were pioneered by Honda as early as the 1980s, and are now furnished in its latest models with enhanced features that gives riders an edge in terms of efficiency and maintenance, as the engine is equipped with sensors that measure throttle positioning, engine oil temperature, crank shaft position and intake of air temperature and pressure. This makes the engine efficient as it can calculate the exact amount of fuel needed based on the sensors’ readings, which avoids excessive usage and saves 6.7 percent more fuel than the carburetor type. These sensors can also optimize maintenance by detecting possible abnormalities in the system, which is notified to the rider through the Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
The Philippines’s No. 1 underbone motorcycle, the XRM125 has been redesigned to give its riders a compelling urban riding experience. It comes in three new variants: Dual Sport (DS), Dual Sport Extreme (DSX) and Motard. Each variant takes design inspiration from the sturdy, aggressive and motocross-inspired bodyworks and graphics of the Honda CRF250. From the body color to engine performance, the new XRM should have great curb appeal for all urban riders.
Riders looking for a sporty and thrilling experience on the road will be drawn to the all-new RS125. Its new sporty decals, refreshed body design, and a new fuel-efficient engine make it your top choice compared to competitors of the same class.
Finally, Honda’s most stylish scooter gets a splash of new colors. The New Zoomer-X makes your life more colorful with the addition of Mat Axis Gray Metallic and Heaven Blue Metallic. The New Zoomer-X retains its trademark Honda Smart Technology’s PGM-Fi engine, Idling Stop System and Combi brake which actuates both front and rear brakes via the brake lever on the left side bar.
Together, the XRM125 family, the RS125 and the nifty little Zoomer-X provide Filipino motorcyclists with better ways with which to express themselves and their passions.
Image credits: Mike Besa