Honda C90

There may be cries of sacrilege that the lowly Honda step-thru range are included in a magazine for real bikes. I have had scores of bikes, some very fast and muscular, but I‘ll defend these any day. Okay, they are slow, they vibrate like crazy and the three speed box and automatic choke are a pain, but I’d call them machines of genius.

Just about everybody who as really been connected with motorcycles has some sort of story to tell about them. Somewhere along the line they have probably ridden one - willingly or otherwise. They followed on the heels of the scooter craze, but were far more stable, having larger wheels, and were less dumpy.

The initial response was that of astonishment. Dealers and public alike just could not believe that so much speed could come from such a tiny engine. The original was a mere 50cc. Success was assured. They have sold millions and there is even an example in the National Science Museum, London.

Basically, they just go. They go cheaply and reliably. I have lost count of the number of tatty, cheap examples I’ve had. Old ones are literally cheaper than posh racing cycles. They have a few niggles. The throttle cable always seems slack, and you really do troll along at walking pace in first gear and the smallest version is so under-powered as to be dangerous in inexperienced hands.

I used one in really vile weather once in the country. It seemed be the only vehicle that was able to actually start. People tend to get pissed off with them, though, and opt for something faster. Consequently there are always a lot of used ones for sale.

Well, moving up-to-date, my C90 Cub is nicely styled, well finished, with a smooth if busy engine. Given the cc and economy (around 150mpg), it is quite snappy. They are expensive when compared to MZs, but their sheer utility is their charm. Mundane they might be, but they are on a par with the VW Beetle and the Citroen 2CV.

Mike Coleman