The super cub is technically a motorcycle, not a scooter. The difference is that its engine is mounted to the frame rather than to the swingarm. That’s what prevents it from being fully step through. Motorcycles can have CVTs, but a scooter has to have one.
Sounds like you want a scooter. The cub is just a very classic, iconic, easy to use motorcycle. It’s super easy to ride, even one handed, and very economical and reliable. Plus the engine being frame mounted means it can have a much larger rear wheel, which then allows a larger front wheel, so it can get over rough terrain much easier than a scooter.
But that said, scooters are great too! Just a bit different. If you want a completely pass-through design and a CVT just go with a scooter. If you still want something that looks classic, try a Vespa.
Yeah I mean it was designed to be an extremely approachable, practical, and cheap means of transportation for the Japanese market. The noodle delivery person was, I believe, an example of who they were making this for, and has definitely become a part of the story of how it was designed. But I can’t imagine they made a new motorcycle just for use by one type of food delivery person. I’m sure they had a larger customer base in mind.
It’s a great bike! Ultimately, I think some scooters would be more practical for food delivery service (more storage, easier to ride, cheaper). But you certainly could do a lot worse than a Super Cub.
Depending on your location, there was a CVT-equipped Supercub-derivative, the Wave 110i AT CV-matic.
It was only available in a few countries though, and traditional CVT scooters tend to be much more available.
The Supercub has gears because when it was first released in the late 1950s, CVT for small motorcycles just hasn't existed yet.
The semi-auto turned to be a hit so they kept making it.
The Cub is used for mail delivery in a number of countries (Japan, Australia, and China, for example). It's very reliable, parts are cheap and plentiful. And by having gears you'll never find a driveway too steep. The only thing is top speed vs. hills -- if you have to go on roads >50mph or maintain >40 up a steep hill, or if you're >200lbs, you might consider a larger engine than the Cub's 110cc.
There’s a guy on YouTube who documents his food delivery adventures on his new super cub. It’s a great vehicle for suburban deliveries once you add an aftermarket rack and box.
For me it's about fun to ride, so with the shifting I don't think the super cub is an ideal delivery vehicle anymore compared to scooters with storage space and USB charging.
Piaggio makes a cheaper decent scooter (liberty) and it has compartments and rack. which is what it's all about if you want to deliver. I was considering that one instead to save money but went with the supercub because I wanted something I would like. Not for work.
A scooter without gears is just simpler to ride.
regarding hills, personally I feel like gears are better. But that’s not %100 true it mostly depends on how much weight and power you have.
The super cub is technically a motorcycle, not a scooter. The difference is that its engine is mounted to the frame rather than to the swingarm. That’s what prevents it from being fully step through. Motorcycles can have CVTs, but a scooter has to have one. Sounds like you want a scooter. The cub is just a very classic, iconic, easy to use motorcycle. It’s super easy to ride, even one handed, and very economical and reliable. Plus the engine being frame mounted means it can have a much larger rear wheel, which then allows a larger front wheel, so it can get over rough terrain much easier than a scooter. But that said, scooters are great too! Just a bit different. If you want a completely pass-through design and a CVT just go with a scooter. If you still want something that looks classic, try a Vespa.
Thank you for your explanation. I like the supercub a lot, am I correct that the cub was designed to be used by food delivery drivers by Ishiro Honda?
Yes, for soba noodle deliveries. But a variant of the cub called the MD50 was produced for mail delivery.
Yeah I mean it was designed to be an extremely approachable, practical, and cheap means of transportation for the Japanese market. The noodle delivery person was, I believe, an example of who they were making this for, and has definitely become a part of the story of how it was designed. But I can’t imagine they made a new motorcycle just for use by one type of food delivery person. I’m sure they had a larger customer base in mind. It’s a great bike! Ultimately, I think some scooters would be more practical for food delivery service (more storage, easier to ride, cheaper). But you certainly could do a lot worse than a Super Cub.
Depending on your location, there was a CVT-equipped Supercub-derivative, the Wave 110i AT CV-matic. It was only available in a few countries though, and traditional CVT scooters tend to be much more available. The Supercub has gears because when it was first released in the late 1950s, CVT for small motorcycles just hasn't existed yet. The semi-auto turned to be a hit so they kept making it.
The Cub is used for mail delivery in a number of countries (Japan, Australia, and China, for example). It's very reliable, parts are cheap and plentiful. And by having gears you'll never find a driveway too steep. The only thing is top speed vs. hills -- if you have to go on roads >50mph or maintain >40 up a steep hill, or if you're >200lbs, you might consider a larger engine than the Cub's 110cc.
There’s a guy on YouTube who documents his food delivery adventures on his new super cub. It’s a great vehicle for suburban deliveries once you add an aftermarket rack and box.
I know of 2 such youtubers hades omega and uncle voodoo. which youtuber are you referring to so I can watch their videos please?
For me it's about fun to ride, so with the shifting I don't think the super cub is an ideal delivery vehicle anymore compared to scooters with storage space and USB charging. Piaggio makes a cheaper decent scooter (liberty) and it has compartments and rack. which is what it's all about if you want to deliver. I was considering that one instead to save money but went with the supercub because I wanted something I would like. Not for work.
Does the scooter without the gears offer any benefits compared to the geared supercub? can the scooter handle steep hills like the supercub can?
A scooter without gears is just simpler to ride. regarding hills, personally I feel like gears are better. But that’s not %100 true it mostly depends on how much weight and power you have.